NBA Draft 2023: Latest stock watch including Jett Howard and GG Jackson

Stock: Up

Maxwell Lewis – Pepperdine – 6’7, 195 lbs – Sophomore – July 2002

Lewis was on my radar entering the season, but I wasn’t fully bought into him as a first-round guy. Albeit against weaker competition, Lewis is scoring 19 points per game on absurd 53/42/85 shooting splits. He’s shown three-level scoring flashes, shooting over 60% at the rim, hitting a variety of tough shots from deep and showing some ability to create for himself, and is comfortable in the mid-range. Pepperdine does a really good job of posting Lewis up on smaller defenders and he’s comfortable shooting over them. His general feel on the ball has improved and Lewis has done a better job at making reads and finding open teammates.

Defensively, I still want more for him. He has the length to be a disruptor both on and off the ball but isn’t always super engaged. A lot could be due to the high-usage role he has on offense, but the elite instincts aren’t quite there. The flashes are encouraging enough right now and he is a fluid mover at, what looks like, a legit 6’7.

Lewis will surely have to adjust to a way lower usage role at the next level, but the shooting alone makes him a viable off-ball player. The upward trajectory he’s shown this year makes me believe he will continue to grow his skills. There are some similarities to Devin Vassell. An underrated RSCI, rangy wing who showed tangible on-ball growth in year two of college, the roles they were asked to play in college are way different, but Vassell’s upward NBA trajectory and growth have been noticeable.

Nonetheless, Lewis’ size and shooting make him an easy plug-and-play guy and I think he develops enough on both sides to be a viable starter. I think he’s definitely a first-rounder and has him just inside my top 20 for now.

Stock: Up

Taylor Hendricks – UCF – 6’9, 210 lbs – Freshman – November 2003

While Howard and Lewis were somewhat known quantities, Hendricks flew completely under the radar as a high schooler. He’s emerged as UCF’s best player and a legitimate first-round threat.

Hendricks pops right away on film, as he is just noticeably always in the action. He’s disruptive and active on defense, playing with an incredibly high motor, and his movement skills allow him to be in so many plays. Even as a four-man, Hendricks has an impressive 6.9 block rate. There’s some hope he can be a switchable defender on the perimeter and as he bulks up, he should be able to bang with bigs down low.

Offensively, It’s impressive how Hendricks has scored so easily without a ton of touches or plays run for him. Hendricks’ pick-and-pop ability has been really good. He is a confident shooter that is comfortable rising over defenders and willing to shoot corner threes when defenses close out to him. I doubt he stays at 46% for the entire season, but he is a real shooter. Hendricks is a quick leaper off the ground and dunks with ease, which will help his play-finishing translate. He is still skinny, so again, adding some muscle should help finish through contact. I would like to see him grow a bit as a passer.

Hendricks’ skills should allow him to blend into any team context and succeed without much usage. The level of competition hasn’t been great, but Hendricks didn’t look out of place in UCF’s high-major games. Two games against Houston over the next two months will be telling. I don’t think there’s All-Star potential here, but the floor spacing, energy, and productivity are super encouraging. I think he’s definitely a first-rounder and could end up lottery for me.