NBA Mock Draft: Ranking 11 best draft prospects in NCAA’s Sweet 16

11. Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA

When it comes to the 2023 NBA Draft, Jaime Jaquez Jr. is probably the best player that no one ever seems to talk about. And there are probably several reasons for that. He’s a four-year college player (which are rarely first-round picks), a bit undersized at 6-foot-7, and isn’t the great athlete that many other players in this year’s draft class are.

Nevertheless, he’s quite productive throughout his four-year college career and, perhaps most important, has grown and improved in every season. Jaquez is averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per game this season on 48 percent shooting from the field. And his importance to the Bruins has been evident in the first two games of the NCAA Tournament.

During UCLA’s opening game, Jaquez finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. In the second-round game, he helped carry the Bruins into the Sweet 16 with 24 points and eight rebounds. If he can prove that he can be a consistent shooter from 3-point range, there’s no question that he will cement himself as a possible first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

The next couple of weeks could be huge for Jacquez if UCLA can make a run to the championship.