Jermale Dabney 
On Thursday night, the NBA world descended on Brooklyn, New York for the 2023 NBA Draft. Nearly 60 different players were drafted across 28 teams. The only teams that didn’t pick in the draft were the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks.
To no one’s surprise, with the first overall pick in the draft, the San Antonio Spurs selected center Victor Wembanyama out of France. He has the potential to be a generational talent, as he is listed at 7’5” and can also shoot the 3-pointer at a relatively high rate, shooting 30% from behind the arc.
At No. 2, the Charlotte Hornets passed on Scoot Henderson and chose Brandon Miller, a forward from Alabama. Miller has had a few off-the-court issues, but when on the court, you can really see why he’s the No. 2 overall draft pick. He averaged 18.8 points per game last season, along with 8.2 rebounds. Against South Carolina, he scored a freshman-record 41 points in an overtime victory. At the end of the season, he was named SEC Player of the Year and SEC Rookie of the Year.
With the third pick in the draft, the Portland Trail Blazers ended up taking Scoot Henderson, a guard from the developmental team G-League Ignite. With Ignite, he scored 14.7 points per game, along with 4.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. In total, he shot an impressive 46% from the floor.
Other notable picks include twin brothers Amen and Ausar Thompson, who were drafted back-to-back by the Rockets and Pistons and made history as the first twins to go so early in the draft at No. 4 and No. 5. respectively. Guard Jett Howard (son of Michigan Wolverines Coach Juwan Howard) who was drafted No. 11 and chosen by the Orlando Magic, while guard Gradey Dick, No. 13, was drafted by the Raptors. Chicago native Amari Bailey, part of the Lifetime reality TV show “Bringing Up Ballers,” was the 41st pick chosen by the Hornets.
The Bulls had one lone pick in the draft, and they selected forward Julian Phillips, No. 35, from Tennessee. In his lone season with the Volunteers, he averaged 8.3 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game.
What do you think about this draft class? Do you think any of the teams in the top three will make the playoffs? Shoot me a message and let me know!
By Jermale Dabney, Junior, Lindblom Math and Science Academy
Instagram: @jermale_d
True Star Media’s content is made possible thanks to donors like you. To support the voice and perspective of your youth, donate at truestarmedia.org/donate.
