a go number one overall in the NBA Draft 🤯🔥 #NBADraft2023 #VictorWembanyama pic.twitter.com/3X3X0X3X3X
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 23, 2023
With the NBA Draft now complete, teams and players are gearing up for the start of free agency on June 30. The San Antonio Spurs made a surprising move by selecting Victor Wembanyama as the number one overall pick. The 7-foot-3 center from France is highly regarded for his size, athleticism, and defensive skills. The Charlotte Hornets followed suit by selecting Brandon Miller, a forward from Alabama, as their second overall pick.
Many experts and fans were surprised by Charlotte’s decision to choose Miller over other highly touted prospects. However, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Hornets organization had been set on Miller from the beginning, seeing him as a future All-Star player.
The Portland Trail Blazers made a bold move by selecting Scoot Henderson, a guard from the G League Ignite, as the third overall pick. Henderson is known for his playmaking ability and scoring prowess. The Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons followed suit by selecting Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson, both shooting guards from Elite Overtime.
The Orlando Magic selected Anthony Black, a guard/wing from Arkansas, as their sixth overall pick. The Washington Wizards, who acquired the pick from the Indiana Pacers, selected Bilal Coulibaly, a forward from France. The Pacers, in turn, selected Jarace Walker, a forward from Houston, with the eighth overall pick.
The Utah Jazz rounded out the top ten by selecting Taylor Hendricks, a forward from UCF. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who acquired the pick from the Dallas Mavericks, selected Cason Wallace, a shooting guard from Kentucky.
As the draft unfolded, NBA players and fans took to social media to share their reactions. Victor Wembanyama, the number one overall pick, expressed his excitement to join the San Antonio Spurs in a video message. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors congratulated his teammate, Brandon Miller, on his selection in the draft.
The Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers also shared videos of their newly drafted players, Ausar Thompson and Scoot Henderson, expressing their readiness to work and contribute to their respective teams.
Overall, the 2023 NBA Draft was filled with surprises and excitement. With the draft now complete, teams will shift their focus to free agency, where they will look to further bolster their rosters for the upcoming season.
It was another wild NBA Draft for 2023 with plenty of trades already and NBA players and fans are reacting to the turn of events.
The top ten of the 2023 NBA Draft are below:
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, center (France)
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, forward (Alabama)
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, guard (G League Ignite)
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, shooting guard (Elite Overtime)
5. Detroit Pistons: Ausar Thompson, shooting guard (Elite OT)
6. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black, guard/wing (Arkansas)
7. Washington Wizards (from Indiana): Bilal Coulibaly, forward (France)
8. Indiana Pacers (from Washington): Jarace Walker, forward (Houston)
9. Utah Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, forward (UCF)
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Dallas): Cason Wallace, guard (Kentucky)
Many were surprised that Charlotte went with Miller in the end, but it seems like the team would always pick him.
“All along, the entire Charlotte Hornets organization has gone all-in on Brandon Miller: ownership, front office, scouts, coaches. They see him as a perennial future All-Star player,” said Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Expect a lot of movement — we’re looking forward to seeing how these trades affect the start of free agency on June 30.
“The Mavericks are active in the trade market to use their new $17 million waiver to acquire a current/future player and pick, sources said,” NBA Insider Shams Charania reported.
The best reactions are below:
A special message from Victor Wembanyama: “I can’t wait to go home.” 🥹🖤
Long day waiting for the draft! Warriors #19 and Stephen Curry finally taking the big stage 🙌🏽
Ausar is ready to work 🤝
SCOOOOT 🕺
Damian Lillard watching Scoot Henderson Day 1 in practice
Trailblazers front office watches Hornets roll over Scoot Henderson
Spurs call on Wemby to select him as number 1 overall
NBA fans after seeing Victor Wembanyama’s sister
READ MORE: Will No.1 draft prospect Victor Wembanyama live up to the hype?
