NCAA Basketball: Top 50 players from 2023 NBA Draft most likely to succeed

6. Cam Whitmore – Villanova Wildcats

2022-23 season stats: 12.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg

Whitmore is a 6’6 wing with all of the tools to be the next great small forward in the NBA. He’s an elite scorer at all three levels and when healthy was a high-volume scorer at Villanova. The concern is that he’s not much of a passer and can have lapses on defense but there’s way too much offensive potential to miss out with him. Had he entered this past season fully, Whitmore could’ve been a lock as a top-5 pick.

5. Taylor Hendricks – UCF Knights

2022-23 season stats: 15.1 ppg and 7.0 rpg

No player came out of nowhere more than Hendricks, a 6’9 power forward that was a consistent star for UCF. He shot nearly 40% from three-point range and had six games of at least 20 points. He’s already a legit two-way player and his offensive game can grow even more at the right spot. And with a better supporting cast, look for Hendricks to become a future household name in the NBA.

4. Anthony Black – Arkansas Razorbacks

2022-23 season stats: 12.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 3.9 apg

The former top-10 prospect is one of the more unique players in the NBA Draft. He’s basically a better version of UConn’s Andre Jackson, viewed as an elite individual defender and quality passer. Black can essentially play four positions depending on that team’s need. And while his jumpshot isn’t great right now, Black still proved that he can score, especially in transition. Even if the offense doesn’t break out, he can impact the game at a high level in other ways.