Latest projections after NCAA withdrawal deadline and first-round risers

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There were 108 college players who withdrew from the NBA Draft as the NCAA deadline approached May 31. The NBA’s early entry withdrawal date (mainly for international players testing the waters) is June 12. Since the NBA Draft Combine, major agencies have been conducting pro days for NBA personnel and flying in different players for individual workouts and meetings. Players can really help or hurt themselves in the three weeks leading up to the draft. NBA teams might be planning on either trading up or down — depending on player workouts and team need — looking to package their pick in a trade, or picking up a player in free agency.

Yahoo Sports takes a look at a few main storylines heading into the draft, plus the latest first- and second-round projections for the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22.

Note: The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers forfeited their second-round picks in 2023 due to tampering and violating free agency rules.

Draft risers

Bilal Coulibaly

Coulibaly is one of the hottest names leading up to the draft and helped lead the Metropolitans 92 to their first LNB Pro A Finals by defeating three-time defending champion (and Victory Wembanyama’s old team) ASVEL, 71-69, in Game 4 of the semifinals to take the series 3-1. Coulibaly finished with 16 points, 4 assists and 2 steals in the win and has come alive playing impactful minutes in the playoff run. After averaging fewer than 5 points and 3 rebounds during the regular season, he’s now averaging 10.9 points on 52.4% from the field and 34% from 3-point range.

Coulibaly is one of the youngest players in this draft class at 18 and has tremendous two-way upside with his 6-foot-6 frame and 7-3 wingspan. Wembanyama praised his teammate after the win, tweeting, “By now, everyone knows he deserves to be top 10. But not enough realize he deserves to be top 5.” He might not quite be in the discussion for the top five, but Coulibaly has made a case as a potential top-10 pick.

Dereck Lively II

Lively was a buzzy name after all the major pro days in Chicago and Los Angeles two weeks ago. He shot the ball well, particularly from the 3-point line in pick-and-pop…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2023-06-05 20:17:11

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