Illinois basketball plans to select multiple players in the 2023 NBA draft.
Heading into the 2022-23 campaign, the Illini had several players rumored to be potential NBA targets. Through six games, the NBA-like players are starting to shake a little and the cream is starting to rise to the top.
In the latest BasketballNews.com 2023 NBA Draft Big Board, they have the No. 1 overall pick being obvious. Victor Wembanyama is the safest No. 1 draft pick since LeBron James in 2003.
On this big board, basically, the top 30 players should theoretically be first-round picks in the NBA Draft. Not only do the Illini have a potential first-round pick, but we have two players who could end up sneaking into the top 30.
The 2023 NBA draft will have several Illinois basketball players selected.
Terrence Shannon Jr. is the first Illinois player we come to on the BasketballNews.com 2023 NBA Draft Big Board. He moved up the rankings, as his stock was in the middle of the second round just a month ago.
Shannon is now projected as the No. 29 player for the 2023 NBA Draft. That would make him a late first-round pick. In October, he was the No. 49 player on that big board.
Why did Shannon move up the rankings? I think it’s simple. Watch his start to the 2022-23 campaign. He’s averaging 20.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 47.1 percent of his three-point shots. That alone makes him a dangerous player at the next level.
New to @basketbllnews: NBA Draft Big Board 2023 update.
—Matt Babcock (@MattBabcock11) November 28, 2022
Shannon’s defense is also strong. He does a great job moving his feet, he can get around the screens well and he puts himself in a good guard position so he doesn’t accumulate fouls. Shannon is also averaging 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. Let’s also not forget that this kid has the body of an NBA player. It’s the complete package.
You won’t have to scroll too far down the list to find the other Illinois basketball player on BasketballNews.com’s 2023 NBA Draft Big Board.
At No. 40 on the big board is Coleman Hawkins. In October, they had Hawkins at No. 44, so a four-point jump is something to watch.
I think Hawkins’ length and three-point shooting ability is what has intrigued NBA scouts and evaluators. He’s an athletic 6-foot-10 player who likes to take three-point shots and hit them at a 36.8 percent clip. If he continues at this pace, it wouldn’t shock me to see Hawkins sneak into the top 30.
There was also another change on the big board. In October, Matthew Mayer was ranked 56th in the big picture. He is no longer projected on this list. It probably has something to do with his 6.3 points per game and 28% from behind the three-point arc this season.
Illinois is brimming with talent this season, and two of our players are considered potential first-round picks in the NBA Draft. It’s exciting to hear. Hopefully we can keep pushing these guys up the big board.