Cason Wallace still a lottery pick in ESPN's latest mock draft

Kentucky has one projected draft pick in ESPN’s latest mock for 2023, a lottery selection.

Cason Wallace, a first-round pick all season long, holds firm at No. 13 overall in Jonathan Givony’s latest update. The five-star freshman is one of 10 college rookies in the lottery, with all 14 picks being one-and-done draft-eligible talents — one coming from overseas, one playing for the G League Ignite and two being Overtime Elite standouts.

He’s also one of four SEC freshmen in the updated lottery, joining Brandon Miller (Alabama), Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas) and Anthony Black (Arkansas).

Take a look at the projected first round:

1. Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92) – Detroit Pistons
2. Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite) – Houston Rockets
3. Brandon Miller (Alabama) – San Antonio Spurs
4. Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite) – Charlotte Hornets
5. Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite) – Orlando Magic
6. Jarace Walker (Houston) – Indiana Pacers
7. Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas) – Utah Jazz
8. Cam Whitmore (Villanova) – Oklahoma City Thunder
9. Keyonte George (Baylor) – Orlando Magic
10. Anthony Black (Arkansas) – Portland Trail Blazers
11. Gradey Dick (Kansas) – Washington Wizards
12. Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana) – New Orleans Pelicans
13. Cason Wallace (Kentucky) – Los Angeles Lakers
14. Taylor Hendricks (UCF) – Atlanta Hawks
15. Jett Howard (Michigan) – Toronto Raptors
16. Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers) – Utah Jazz
17. Kyle Filipowski (Duke) – Miami Heat
18. Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State) – Golden State Warriors
19. Kris Murray (Iowa) – New York Knicks
20. Dereck Lively II (Duke) – Houston Rockets
21. Kobe Bufkin (Michigan) – Brooklyn Nets
22. Leonard Miller (G League Ignite) – Brooklyn Nets
23. Jordan Hawkins (Connecticut) – Sacramento Kings
24. Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine) – Memphis Grizzlies
25. James Nnaji (Barcelona) – Portland Trail Blazers
26. Colby Jones (Xavier) – Indiana Pacers
27. Gregory Jackson II (South Carolina) – Utah Jazz
28. Noah Clowney (Alabama) – Indiana Pacers
29. Dariq Whitehead (Duke) – Charlotte Hornets
30. Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana) – LA Clippers

And that’s it for the Wildcats among anticipated draft selections, no second-round picks. No Oscar Tshiebwe, no Jacob Toppin, no Antonio Reeves, no Chris Livingston. Obviously no sign of Sahvir Wheeler, CJ Fredrick, Lance Ware, Daimion Collins, Adou Thiero or Ugonna Onyenso on the draft boards, either.

All players with at least one year of eligibility remaining.

Wallace is certainly expected to go, and it’s hard to envision a scenario Tshiebwe, Toppin or Wheeler return. Beyond those four, though, it’s a roster full of toss-up decisions that truly could go a number of directions — pro, transfer or return. And with five incoming freshmen set to arrive on campus this summer, something’s got to give with a few pieces.

One way or another, it’s going to be a hectic offseason for the Kentucky basketball program.