2023 NBA Mock Draft: Predicting Where UCLA's Stars Could Wind Up
By the end of Thursday night, 58 players will have tipped off their pro careers.
UCLA men's basketball has five players hoping to hear their names called at the 2023 NBA Draft, with some positioning themselves as potential first rounders and others crossing their fingers they come off the board at all. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Amari Bailey, Jaylen Clark, Tyger Campbell and David Singleton are among those looking to break into the Association, marking an end to their days as Bruins.
All Bruins is breaking down each of the prospects, as well as who could go where on draft night.
G/F Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 226 pounds
Wingspan: 6-foot-10
2022-2023 Stats: 17.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, .481/.317/.770
Rookie Scale Consensus Big Board: No. 25
By earning a late invitation to the green room on Tuesday, Jaquez nearly locked himself into the first round. The sports books agree, with Jaquez's odds of going in the top 30 moving from -800 to -2000 just in the last 36 hours, according to Draft Kings.
The Athletic's Sam Vecinie has reported that Jaquez is blowing teams away in interviews and workouts, and that his motor, toughness and gamesmanship are really shining through in the pre-draft process.
Any team with a pick in the back half of the first round that's looking to contend right now seems like a good fit for Jaquez. If he makes it past Miami at No. 18 or Golden State at No. 19, then Boston would be primed to scoop him up at No. 25 after acquiring the pick late Wednesday night.
The Celtics are likely to lose Grant Williams this offseason, and Jaquez could step in and fill in for a good chunk of his minutes from day one. As a dynamic wing with the physicality and experience of a four-year college player, Jaquez is well-positioned to be a legitimate bench contributor for a team pushing for a title like Boston.
All Bruins' Prediction: Boston Celtics – No. 25
G Amari Bailey
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 191 pounds
Wingspan: 6-foot-7
2022-2023 Stats: 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals, .495/.389/.698
Rookie Scale Consensus Big Board: No. 39
A year ago, Bailey was seen as a potential lottery pick. He may not have that kind of hype now, but he has shown he still has the talent to fit that bill in the future.
That's why many expected Bailey would return for his sophomore year and work on his consistency, ball-handling and ability to run an offense. As is, Bailey feels a little raw and small for a secondary ball-handler, which is why a player with his pedigree, athleticism and success dropped a bit over the past few months.
Bailey will need to develop by competing at a high level, which is why joining a rebuilding team would be the best move for his career. A veteran, contending team likely wouldn't give him minutes as a rookie, and that could ding his confidence and interrupt his progression in the process.
Based on his talent alone, it would be surprising to see Bailey drop past No. 40. Detroit, San Antonio, Charlotte, Washington and Indiana are all picking in that range, but some already have plenty of young guards they are trying to build around – or they will have scooped up other guards with their early first round selections.
The Spurs are a good fit at No. 33, as are the Wizards at No. 35. The former will be building around French center Victor Wembanyama, while the latter just tore apart its core by dealing Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis and Rui Hachimura.
All Bruins' Prediction: Washington Wizards – No. 35
G Jaylen Clark
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 204 pounds
Wingspan: 6-foot-9
2022-2023 Stats: 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.6 steals, .481/.329/.698
Rookie Scale Consensus Big Board: No. 50
After he tore his Achilles in March, Clark's draft stock seemingly took a huge hit.
Clark still elected to forgo his last year of eligibility, though, which means he likely got some good news from scouts and executives at the NBA Draft Combine in May. Even though he likely won't see the floor again until December or January at the earliest, teams seem to like Clark's game.
The reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year won't provide much shooting at the next level, and his handle leaves much to be desired for an NBA guard. No matter where he goes, he'll likely sign a two-way contract and spend almost all of his rookie season in the G League to rehab and develop the baseline skills he needs to crack a professional rotation.
Once he does reach the NBA, though, Clark's quickness and nose for the ball will be a hot commodity for an end-of-the-rotation defensive spark plug.
Clark will need to land on a team that doesn't mind spending a year or two developing him, as well as a team that already boasts a gritty defensive mentality. Of the teams picking after No. 50, Memphis and Milwaukee stand out the most in terms of the latter.
With the Bucks likely trying to push for a championship right now, though, the Grizzlies and their tough, younger core appear to be the better fit. They may have been the No. 2 seed in the West last season, but they may be content taking their time to go all-in considering Ja Morant is suspended for 25 games.
All Bruins' Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies – No. 56
PG Tyger Campbell
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 184 pounds
Wingspan: 6-foot-2
2022-2023 Stats: 13.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, .378/.338/.856
Rookie Scale Consensus Big Board: No. 97
Campbell put together four great years in Westwood, but people never stopped holding his height against him. Even with his tight handle, premier playmaking skills, high basketball IQ and improved jump shot, Campbell was never really seen as a true pro prospect.
After impressing at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and measuring in at 5-foot-11 without shoes at the NBA G League Combine, though, he actually made his way onto some draft boards. He has gone through workouts with the Clippers, Hornets, Pacers, Wizards, Lakers and Hawks over the past six weeks.
Campbell is still very unlikely to hear his name called up on stage Thursday night, but he may have played himself into a summer league deal or even a two-way contract in the coming days.
The Lakers are always in the market for cheap, end-of-the-bench guys to round out a team that's paying so much to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Campbell may not be a native Angeleno, but he spent the last five years with the Bruins and has worked out with the Lakers.
Even if it's just to put a bow on a good story, it wouldn't be all too surprising to see Campbell don purple and gold moving forward.
All Bruins' Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers – Undrafted, Two-Way Contract
G David Singleton
Height: 6-foot-4 (unofficial)
Weight: 205 (unofficial)
Wingspan: N/A
2022-2023 Stats: 9.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, .427/.424/.849
Rookie Scale Consensus Big Board: N/A
Like Campbell, Singleton has long been viewed as undersized and not a real NBA player. The fifth-year sharpshooter hasn't exactly proven scouts wrong like his floor general teammate, but he has earned workouts with the Hornets and Hawks after his own solid showing at the PIT.
It's very unlikely Singleton finds himself on an NBA roster next season, though, and even a G League roster spot could be a stretch. But as one of the best 3-point shooters in Pac-12 history, a team desperate for contributions from beyond the arc could take a flier on him for the summer league.
Even though Singleton has the slimmest chance of any of this year's outgoing Bruins to make it to the next level, he has a top-notch shot, and shooting is always going to be attractive to scouts in the modern game. If he can blow up in the summer league, maybe a team will give him a more serious look for a two-way somewhere down the line.
All Bruins' Prediction: Toronto Raptors – Undrafted, Summer League Contract
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