Ranking and projecting the top 24 NBA Draft prospects with a 5-tier system

NBA Draft prospect Amen Thompson (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Draft prospect Amen Thompson (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports) /
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The 2023 NBA Draft is finally here! We are just a few hours away from this year’s draft, which means it’s time to reveal the final edition of my big board, which is separated into different tiers. Here’s a breakdown of every prospect I gave a first-round grade.

Keep in mind, rankings are fluid within the tiers, and the tiers matter much more than individual rankings.

Tier One: MVP

*Hyper-elite prospects who have the skills to be the best player in the league someday, as well as the best player on a championship team*

1. Victor Wembanyama, Big, 92 Metropolitans

Victor Wembanyama is a 7-foot-4 center with a remarkable 8-foot wingspan who has the potential to be one of the best players in the NBA on both ends of the floor.

His offensive skillset is ridiculous, as he is a high-level scorer who is an elite rim finisher and can hit shots off the dribble with regularity. He also projects to be a great three-point shooter for a big man. His handle and ability to shoot off the dribble are elite for a player his size and are a big reason why he is viewed as a generational prospect.

As good as his offense is, his defense is probably better. He can cover a ton of ground quickly, and he utilizes his ridiculous 8-foot wingspan to block shots on a regular basis. He also has enough mobility to be a solid perimeter defender someday.

While Victor Wembanyama has the size and the skills to be one of the best players in the league, his height and slim frame could lead to injuries, which is common for players with similar frames. However, he is so good in so many areas and appears to be a safe bet to be a quality player in the NBA.