Four Kentucky Wildcats in ESPN's 2023 NBA Mock Draft

MrsTylerKSR

On3 image — CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 29: McDonalds All Americans Chris Livingston (24) and Cason Wallace (22) who will be attending the University of Kentucky pose for a photo before the 2022 McDonalds High School All American Boys Game at Wintrust Arena.(Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The 2022 NBA Draft is over, which means one thing: 2023 NBA Mock Drafts! NBA writers are already releasing their projections for next year’s event. First up is ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, who has four Kentucky Wildcats being drafted next summer, two in the first round and two in the second. That would be the most Wildcats taken in a single draft since 2018 (Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jarred Vanderbilt, Hamidou Diallo).

ESPN 2023 Mock Draft

14. Cason Wallace – Orlando Magic (from Chicago)
24. Chris Livingston – Brooklyn Nets
41. Oscar Tshiebwe – New York Knicks:
43. Daimion Collins – Philadelphia 76ers (from Atlanta)

CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish didn’t put out a complete two-round mock, instead sharing his lottery projections. He has Cason Wallace going ninth to the Charlotte Hornets.

“Wallace is a super-tough combo guard who plays with great energy on both ends of the court,” Parrish writes. “He’s the best prospect in Kentucky’s latest recruiting class that has the Wildcats looking like a title contender.”

In his senior season at Richardson High School (TX), Wallace averaged 19.9 points, 7.4 boards, and 6.1 assists per game and was named to the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Iverson Classic. With TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady, and Davion Mintz all gone, he’ll have plenty of chances to shine in Kentucky’s backcourt.

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Oscar Tshiebwe’s plan to become a lottery pick

Oscar Tshiebwe didn’t make Parrish’s lottery projections and is firmly in the second round of Givony’s mock. One of the reasons the reigning national player of the year passed on the NBA to return to Kentucky is to develop into a lottery pick. Clearly, Oscar is the best rebounder in college basketball, but how high he goes in the draft will depend on whether or not he can add a three-point shot to his arsenal.

“We’ve got to get a lot of information from the NBA, GM of NBA teams about how they want my game to expand a little bit,” Oscar said in April. “They want me to be able to make one or two three-pointers. They want me to catch the ball and drive and finish it, catch the ball, drive, and make a pass and get better at dribbling. Those things, those are the things I’ve got to improve next year.”

If there’s anything we’ve learned over the last year, it’s to never bet against Oscar.