NCAA Basketball: Top 10 pending 2023 NBA Draft decisions to watch next month

9. Kobe Bufkin – Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines had a down season without question, finishing just two games over .500. But there is some hope for them depending on what happens with multiple players. Hunter Dickinson, who leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, may stay or go but the odds seem good that he’s coming back.

Michigan already lost its second-leading scorer in Jett Howard, who has already declared for the NBA Draft. The other one is Bufkin, who went from spare minutes as a freshman to a breakout performer this past season as a sophomore.

Bufkin averaged 14.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 2.9 apg, shooting 48% from the field and 36% from three-point range. He had seven games of at least 20 points, including 3 in the last 5 games of the season. That includes a season-high 28 points in overtime against Wisconsin, along with being two assists shy of a triple-double against Northwestern.

Bufkin is a very good shooting guard that Michigan needs to come back next season or hopes that a transfer can come in and replace his production. The 6’5 playmaker could be a 1st-round pick so look for his decision to take a while. If he doesn’t come back, the Wolverines could be in trouble when it comes to getting back to the NCAA Tournament.