SEC in the NBA: 3 rookies who are impressing early in 2023-24 season

While it is still very early in the year, there are already a few former SEC players from the 2023 NBA Draft who are certainly impressing across their initial sample size at the professional level. Here are three of those names in particular, along with what each has done up to this point in the 2023-24 season.

SEC in the NBA: 3 rookies who are impressing early in 2023-24 season

SF Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets

After being selected No. 2 overall out of Alabama, the 2022-23 SEC Player and Freshman of the Year is certainly among the early candidates for the 2023-24 NBA Rookie of the Year. Across nine games with the Hornets, four of which he has started, Miller has averaged 12.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.6 APG while shooting 44.4% from the field, as well as 77.3% from the free throw line.

SG Cason Wallace – Oklahoma City Thunder

The No. 10 overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wallace has appeared in 11 games so far this season, one of which he has started. Across that span, the former Kentucky product has averaged 7.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 1.6 APG on an impressive 65.4% shooting from the field, as well as 55% from three, and a perfect eight-for-eight on free throw attempts.

PG Anthony Black – Orlando Magic

Selected No. 6 overall by the Orlando Magic out of Arkansas, Black has appeared in nine games so far this season, five of which he has started. Across that sample size, Black has averaged 5.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 1.6 APG on 55.3% shooting from the field.

In addition to those three, here are a few other rookies from the SEC in the 2023 NBA Draft who have seen a notable amount of action so far this season:

• PF Kobe Brown (Los Angeles Clippers) – 2.8 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 50 FG%, 37.5 3P% across 6 games
• SG Nick Smith Jr. (Charlotte Hornets) – 2.8 PPG, 50 3P% across 4 games