2023 NBA Mock Draft: Miller, Black headline 6 projected SEC first rounders
By Matt Melton
6. Orlando Magic – Jarace Walker (Houston)
A player who could come off the board as early as No. 5, we have the Magic selecting Walker with the No. 6 overall pick. Walker could very easily be one of the top two-way forwards in this draft, and has the size and talent to be a major impact player from day one in the NBA on both ends of the floor.
7. Indiana Pacers – Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite)
With twin brother Amen coming off the board at No. 4, we also have Ausar as a Top 10 pick, going No. 7 overall to the Indiana Pacers. The Overtime Elite wing has all the traits needed to make an impact in the NBA from day one, and could very well do that in 2023-24.
8. Washington Wizards – Anthony Black (Arkansas)
We have the second SEC player coming off the board here at No. 8 in Black to the Wizards. While the Wizards’ 2023-24 roster might be a bit of an unknown at the moment due to trade rumors, potentially landing Black would give Washington one of the top point guards in this draft who will make an impact on both ends of the floor.
9. Utah Jazz – Taylor Hendricks (UCF)
A team that is in the middle of a rebuild, we have the Utah Jazz landing Hendricks with the No. 9 overall pick later this week. Hendricks is one of the fastest-rising prospects in this draft coming off a strong freshman season at UCF, and would give Utah another versatile playmaker at the forward position.
10. Dallas Mavericks – Bilal Coulibaly (France)
Rounding out the Top 10 are the Dallas Mavericks, whom we have selecting Coulibaly at the No. 10 pick. A wing out of France, Coulibaly would give Dallas a talented young forward to continue building their roster around star guard Luka Doncic.