NBA Draft 2023: Top Undrafted Prospects With Great Potential
The NBA draft of 2023 is over, although the draft cycle will last a little while longer because of the undrafted free agents that found new teams to play for.
The following hopefuls can take comfort in the knowledge that their road to the professionals is still very much open even though they didn’t hear their name called by the commissioner or deputy commissioner on Thursday night. The NBA frequently sees undrafted free agents carve out successful careers for themselves.
Following yesterday night’s draft, there were many well-known players who left their imprint on the collegiate game but weren’t ultimately chosen for various reasons.
Your 2023 NBA draft class 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tuUTr7nfGp
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) June 22, 2023
These 3 players might be the upcoming undrafted players to make an impact in the NBA.
NBA Draft 2023: 3 Undrafted Prospects With Great Potential
Mike Miles Jr
Since he signed with the Mavs, don’t look for Mike Miles Jr. to start any time soon, but he could definitely add some offensive zing off the bench in Dallas when Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving need a break.
Walker, a 5-foot-11 guard who is 23 years old, had a successful 2022–2023 season at UAB. He was known as “Jelly,” and in 33 games he averaged 22.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals. Walker’s total and 3-point percentages were both 40.3% and 37.8%. He assisted the Dragons in playoff action and helped them reach the NIT final game, when they lost to Conference USA opponent North Texas.
Mike Miles Jr., who thrilled basketball fans the past three seasons at TCU, will learn tonight if he is selected in the NBA Draft. We caught up with him before last season. https://t.co/f4LdtTqWRP @TCUBasketball @NBA #nbadraft
— TCU Magazine (@TCUMagazine) June 22, 2023
Walker won the Conference USA Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards in 2022 and was chosen twice for the first team of the Conference USA in 2022 and 2023.
The Dallas Mavericks selected TCU product Mike Miles Jr. after taking advantage of the undrafted free agency market after maximizing the NBA Draft.
Milwaukee Bucks #NBADraft Targets Include Mike Miles Jr. https://t.co/nkAYfk81Hi
— FlurrySports (@FlurrySports) June 19, 2023
Nathan Mensah
Mensah possesses a skill set that may transition to the NBA game with his ability to switch ball screens, despite the fact that the draft wasn’t favorable for college big men.
The NBA Draft’s 58 names were not announced for San Diego State center Nathan Mensah, but it didn’t take long for his phone to start ringing.
The two-time Mountain West defensive player of the year had attention from a number of organizations, but Mensah decided to sign with the Charlotte Hornets a few hours after the Brooklyn selection concluded.
The previous two seasons, Mensah was a beast on the defensive end of the court.
Former SDSU big Nathan Mensah has signed a deal with the Charlotte Hornets, per @MikeAScotto@mph_824_ #LetsFly #NBADraft https://t.co/DKi2xKJc8X pic.twitter.com/x1cEq31tUo
— MWCConnection.com (@MWCConnection) June 23, 2023
He was a member of one of the stingiest defensive teams in college basketball and earned back-to-back Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
His defensive abilities helped the Aztecs slow down some of the nation’s most explosive offenses on their way to the national title game.
Mensah, who isn’t known for his low-post scoring, but who can guard all five positions, block shots, and run the floor with an agile, athletic frame, offers a skill set that may transfer well.
The 6-foot-10 senior from Ghana shown an aptitude at switching onto and capturing some of the team’s top guards. The NBA is a ball-screen game.
NBA Draft: Nathan Mensah signs deal with Charlotte Hornets after going undrafted via @CitiSportsGHA https://t.co/EuxqMep6As
— Yaw Adjei-Mintah (@YawMintYM) June 23, 2023
Oscar Tshiebwe
Oscar Tshiebwe is a 6-foot-9 big man who can dominate and outmuscle opponents with his size and quickness. He is a beast in the paint.
After leaving West Virginia in the middle of the season, he ended up at Kentucky, where he showed that in his first season.
In 19 games, Tshiebwe recorded 8.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and a blistering 60% field goal percentage.
After the draft, he was frequently rated as the top talent still available.
Love seeing this perspective from Oscar Tshiebwe as he prepares for NBA Draft.
“I love the game… I came from long way. From the dream to Africa to here. You got to have the joy because there are thousands of kids who are praying to do what I am today."pic.twitter.com/tt23Y46CNX
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) June 17, 2023
In his last season at Kentucky, he played in 32 games, averaging 16.5 points and 13.7 rebounds per.
You receive precisely what you pay for with Tshiebwe. He puts in a lot of effort and will earn you a lot of rebounds and points while he’s on the court. That has merit without a doubt.
The qualities that made Tshiebwe a strong college basketball player will also make him a net asset on an NBA squad, despite the fact that he may not have the athleticism or height that teams are searching for.
"No Country For College Big Men"
Because of the way the NBA has changed, 3 of the best players in college basketball went unpicked in the 2023 NBA Draft. 😢
– Adama Sanogo (UConn): 2023 F4 MOP
– Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky): 2022 NPOY
– Drew Timme (Gonzaga): 1st Team All-American pic.twitter.com/ZCIA3iaf6L— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) June 23, 2023
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