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NBA Draft 2023: Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson leads January mock draft

By Brandon Simberg

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 17: Victor Wembanyama of LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne shoots during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague match between Real Madrid and LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne at Wizink Center on March 17, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 17: Victor Wembanyama of LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne shoots during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague match between Real Madrid and LDLC Asvel Villeurbanne at Wizink Center on March 17, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Sonia Canada/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft Colby Jones Xavier Musketeers (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

22. Indiana Pacers – Noah Clowney – Alabama – 6’10, 210 lbs -July 2004

Maybe the most surprising team in the NBA right now, the Pacers are in serious contention at the halfway point of the season for the playoffs. They have their lead guard of the future in Tyrese Haliburton, so the Pacers go with a young front-court option in Clowney.

Clowney first opened my eyes (as well as the several NBA decision-makers in attendance) in Portland at the PK85 tournament. He’s long, athletic, and it’s worthwhile that he has earned a starting spot on a team that just may be the best in the country. Clowney is impressive defensively, using his length and movement skills to switch onto guards, while also offering some rim protection. He’s shooting an absurd 70% on twos and while he’s sub 30% from deep, Clowney at least looks comfortable taking them. He’s on the younger side of the class, plays hard, has tools, and can potentially play both front-court spots long-term. It wouldn’t surprise me if come June he winded up in the lottery.

23. Los Angeles Lakers (Via New Orleans Pelicans) – Colby Jones – Xavier – 6’5, 195 lbs – May 2002

With only four players under contract for next season, the Lakers will finally have some cap space to work with. Jones can step in right away as a connecting piece that can earn rotational minutes as a rookie. He’s one of the more versatile offensive players in this class, averaging over 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on a top-10 Xavier team. Jones will have to prove the shooting isn’t a fluke over the long run and improve as a rim-finisher because he is not the best vertical athlete. He’s got some two-guard size and is a high-IQ player that impacts winning and I think that’ll help him stay in the first round.

24. Indiana Pacers (Via Cleveland Cavaliers) – Kel’El Ware – Oregon – 7’0, 210 lbs – April 2004

Another underwhelming five-star, Ware has struggled to find a key role on an up-and-down Oregon team. There’s no doubting his physical gifts: seven-feet tall with graceful movement skills and the ability to shoot from deep.

Do the flashes and tools ever matriculate into a useful NBA player is the tricky question. Ware is shooting an abysmal 43% from the field, isn’t a great rebounder, and just generally lacks a high motor. The Pacers are ahead of schedule in their rebuild and will likely lose Myles Turner to free agency, so taking an upside swing on a center (in a weak center class) is worth the risk.

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