2023 NBA Draft: Texas Teams

With the number one pick in the Draft, the Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama spent the 2022-23 season with Metropolitans 92 of the French Betclic Elite League. The 19-year-old, 7’4” Center, did not participate in the combine as his season was still in progress at the time. In the French Betclic League in the ‘22-’23 season, Wembanyama averaged 21.9 points per game on 47/29/83 shooting, 10.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 3.1 blocks in 32.3 minutes. 

With his height and wide-ranged skill set, Wembanyama is one of the most anticipated prospects since Lebron James. The man is over seven feet tall but can move with the quickness and athleticism of someone a foot shorter. He is a dynamic scorer that can shoot the basketball from any range. On defense, he can be extremely disruptive because of his height and length. Wembanyama set the FIBA record for blocks per game in a tournament at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. Depending on how high his ceiling is, the Spurs could be gearing up for a major comeback.

HOUSTON ROCKETS - AMEN THOMPSON, CAM WHITMORE

Amen Thompson, a 5-Star recruit (Rated by ESPN), attended Pine Crest High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his brother Ausar. After the brothers won a state championship, they skipped their senior year to play in the Overtime Elite League. In 2021, he played for Team OTE, where he averaged 14 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 steals. Last season, he moved to City Reapers, where he averaged 16.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.4 steals in 28.2 minutes. Thompson needs the ball in his hands to shine, so the point guard position will help him reach his full potential. He has great athleticism and can be a great distributor on the court.

Cam Whitmore was the second first-round draft pick the Rockets had in the 2023 NBA Draft. The former 5-star recruit from Villanova won the Big East Freshman of the Year last season. Whitmore appeared in 26 games, making 20 starts and posting 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 3-pointers per game for the Wildcats. Whitmore is a true small forward with size and athleticism that allows him to be aggressive in attacking the rim. His 6’8” wing span should also allow him to contribute on defense.

DALLAS MAVERICKS - No. 10 CASON WALLACE (TO OKC) No. 12 DEREK LIVELY (VIA OKC) No. 24 OLIVIER-MAXENCE PROSPER (VIA SAC)

The Mavericks traded their no. 10 pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, sending Cason Wallace to OKC. Instead, the Mavs selected Derek Lively, the Center from Duke University. Lively is listed as 7'1" and 230 pounds. The big-bodied center has mass to put on but averaged 5.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 2.4 BPG in 20.6 minutes per game for the Blue Devils last season. The freshman made to the 2023 All-ACC Tourney team and an ACC All-Freshman and proved to be one of the conference’s premier defensive standouts after being named ACC All-Defense for the 2022-23 season. 

Prosper was a key piece for Marquette last season. He helped the Golden Eagles win both the Big East regular season title and the Big East Tournament, averaging 12.5 points on 51.2% shooting and 4.7 rebounds per game. At 6'8", 230 pounds, Prosper is a big body that can bring great defense to the table. The Mavs will most likely use him as a defensive piece as the are loaded on the offensive side of the ball.