Five upperclassmen for contenders to target in 2023 NBA Draft
If you didn't know who Nuggets guard Christian Braun was before Game 3 of the NBA Finals, you certainly do now.
The rookie out of Kansas had his breakout game of the postseason, providing a spark off the bench with 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. Braun just flat-out plays winning basketball. He can knock down catch-and-shoot 3s, he has incredible instincts as a cutter, he competes on the defensive end and his athleticism shines as a 6-6, 220-pound wing.
Star center Nikola Jokic even went as far as to say that Braun "won us the game."While he was a key cog in leading the Jayhawks to a National Championship during his junior season, being an older prospect, teams shied away from Braun early in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.
This begs the question: Which upperclassmen in the 2023 NBA Draft class could be this year's Braun?Colby Jones | Xavier | GuardHeight & weight: 6-6, 205 lbs.
Year: Junior
When I was watching Denver's Christian Braun's impact in Game 3, the first player who came to mind in this year's draft class was Jones.
As a 6-6 guard who can also play on the wing, Jones is like a ball of clay that can mold into whatever his team needs. He can initiate offense as a lead guard and make plays for his teammates. He can play off the ball and score inside as an active cutter. He improved as a shooter, knocking down 37.8 percent of his 3s as a junior compared to 29.2 percent as a sophomore, and he rebounds at a high level for his position. His 6-8 wingspan allows him to defend multiple positions on the perimeter.
He reminds me of Knicks wing Josh Hart, who made a massive impact in New York's playoff run after the trade deadline. Jones should be available in the 20s. A contender would be wise to scoop him up.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper | Marquette | ForwardHeight & weight: 6-8, 230 lbs.
Year: Junior
Prosper was one of the breakout stars of the 2023 NBA Draft Combine.
Versatility is the key word for "O-Max," who stands at 6-8 and 230 pounds with a lengthy 7-foot-1 wingspan. He brings unlimited energy on defense. He plays with a high IQ on that end of the floor, sliding his feet on the ball and positioning himself to help or jump passing lanes for steals off the ball.
He's still developing on the offensive end, but he showed potential to attack off the dribble or score as a cutter during the combine scrimmages. More importantly for his NBA role, he showed growth as a 3-point shooter this past season, converting almost 34 percent of his 115 attempts from long range.
Don't be surprised to see Prosper work his way into the late first round of this year's draft.
Kris Murray | Iowa | ForwardHeight & weight: 6-8, 220 lbs
Year: Junior
I'm already confident in Murray's ability to contribute at the NBA level because his game is uncannily similar to his twin, Keegan, who was a top-five pick by the Kings last year.
Kris is 6-8 and 220 pounds with a near-7-foot wingspan. He took a major leap during his junior season at Iowa, filling his brother's shoes to average 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. He's becoming more fluid as a scorer, and he can defend multiple positions on the wing and in the paint. His key to success will be finding the same shooting consistency as his brother from 3-point range, but he converted an honest 34.8 percent in college to show the potential is there.
The most ironic part is Murray should be available right around the time Sacramento picks at No. 24.
Jalen Wilson | Kansas | ForwardHeight & weight: 6-8, 225 lbs.
Year: Junior
I understand that there are some concerns about Wilson's shooting consistency and decision-making, but I stand firm as a believer that he can carve out a role in the NBA.
As a 6-8, 225-pound forward with one of the most relentless motors in college basketball, Wilson is going to give you everything he has on every play. He's a competitor on defense and a workhorse on the glass. He scores as a cutter and isn't shy as a shooter, improving from 26.3 percent from the perimeter last season to 33.7 percent this season. He's even shown some playmaking chops, making simple reads on the attack.
He was one of the most productive players in the country because of his energy, averaging 20.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. They say you can't teach heart and you can't teach effort, two things that Wilson has plenty of to contribute to winning.
Julian Strawther | Gonzaga | ForwardHeight & weight: 6-7, 205 lbs.
Year: Junior
Strawther is an outlier on this list because he's the only prospect whose strongest attribute is his shooting.
The Gonzaga wing knocked down 40.8 percent of 196 3-point attempts this season. He proved he can shoot it off the catch and off of screens, and he even showed some promise off the dribble. His deep 3-pointer to win the game against UCLA was one of the signature moments of the NCAA Tournament, and it showcased his NBA range and his quick catch-and-shoot threat.
He's a quick and intelligent perimeter defender, and he'll be an asset to any contending team that needs a 3-and-D, plug-and-play-type player. He should be available in the second round, lurking as a potential steal, too.
