NBA Draft 2023: Victor Wembanyama leads way-too-early mock draft

13. Cason Wallace (CG) – Kentucky

Wallace has the potential to win National Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman at Kentucky this season. His instincts, effort, energy, and passion as a defender are incredible. He’s also a solid jump shooter and all-around scorer who — although he’s frequently labeled as a defensive player — is also a highly-skilled offensive player.

The one concern with Wallace is his position. At 6-foot-3, he would typically project as a point guard at the next level. Sahvir Wheeler will be the point guard at Kentucky this season, so it will be interesting to see how NBA scouts view Wallace as a potentially undersized shooting guard or combo guard.

12. Kel’el Ware (C) – Oregon

Ware averaged 15.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in just 19.4 minutes for the U.S. on the way to a FIBA U18 Americas Championship this summer. He’s a physically impressive center who projects as an effective rim protector and rebounder at the next level. His improvement from his junior year to senior year in high school should make Oregon fans excited and NBA scouts salivate at Ware’s potential.