2023 NBA Draft order set, Cason Wallace projected as a lottery pick

The full order for the 2023 NBA Draft is set and former Wildcat guard Cason Wallace is projected to hear his name called early on in the process.

On Tuesday night, the NBA Draft Lottery order — otherwise known as the top 14 picks in the draft — was officially locked into place. The San Antonio Spurs were announced as the lucky winner of the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s draft, securing the opportunity to select France’s Victor Wembanyama, who is widely considered to be the best overall prospect of at least the last decade.

The 7-foot-4 unicorn is a point guard in a center’s body with impressive ball handling, shooting, and rim-protecting abilities. Wembanyama is the clear-cut favorite to hear his name called by the Spurs on draft night where he will join one-time ‘Cat Keldon Johnson in the Longhorn State.

While Wallace isn’t projected to hear his name called among the first few picks, he is essentially a lock to go in the first round and is likely to land among the top 14 picks. Most mocks coming into the lottery had the 6-foot-4 combo guard slotted to go in the middle of the first round. There is a possibility Wallace could land with the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 12 where he’d join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, although the Utah Jazz at No. 9 could use an elite perimeter defender in the backcourt with intriguing offensive skills.

Wallace is the only Kentucky player expected to go in the first round. He has been invited to the NBA Draft Combine, which began on Monday and runs through Sunday. Fellow ‘Cats Oscar Tshiebwe and Chris Livingston have also been invited to the Combine, but are not currently projected as first- or second-round draft picks.

The 2023 NBA Draft is set for June 22.

2023 NBA Draft Lottery order

1. San Antonio Spurs (Keldon Johnson)
2. Charlotte Hornets (Nick Richards, PJ Washington)
3. Portland Trail Blazers (Shaedon Sharpe)
4. Houston Rockets (TyTy Washington)
5. Detroit Pistons (Hamidou Diallo)
6. Orlando Magic
7. Indiana Pacers (Isaiah Jackson)
8. Washington Wizards
9. Utah Jazz
10. Dallas Mavericks
11. Orlando Magic
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)
13. Toronto Raptors
14. New Orleans Pelicans