2023 NBA Draft: Identifying Top Undrafted Free Agents
With NBA Summer League set to take place in just a few days, hundreds of players across the league will look to showcase their skills in front of team executives, scouts and others. While the attention for fans will primarily be focused on the top draftees from the incoming rookie class, there’s always hidden gems as it relates to undrafted free agents.
Especially in what was a deep UDFA class, which prospects have the best chance of making it in the NBA?
Ricky Council IV (Arkansas) | Philadelphia 76ers
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A strong guard with great positional size, Council is a versatile scorer. If he can put together a more consistent jumper, the offensive upside alone will make him an NBA contributor.
Adam Flagler (Baylor) | Oklahoma City Thunder
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Although he lacks the size of many modern guards, Flagler has the championship pedigree to help a team win. Between his ability to shoot the ball and the facilitation prowess, he’s an interesting prospect.
Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona) | Philadelphia 76ers
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A double-double machine, Tubelis has the chance to be a productive player at the next level. He hasn’t shown a willingness to take multiple 3-point attempts per game, but if he becomes more of a floor spacer he should emerge as an impactful piece.
Craig Porter Jr. (Wichita State) | Cleveland Cavaliers
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A defensive-minded guard, Porter Jr. is highly disruptive on that end of the floor. Add in the fact that his perimeter shot is respectable and there’s a clear path to him earning a role in the NBA.
Mike Miles (TCU) | Dallas Mavericks
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Undersized guards have a harder time making it in the NBA, but Miles is a prolific scorer. He’s also very young relative to his experience at the college level.
Adama Sanogo (UConn) | Chicago Bulls
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Following a breakout junior season in which Sanogo showcased 3-point shooting upside en route to a championship at UConn, the translation of his game will be interesting to follow. At the NBA level, he’ll need to prove he’s mobile enough to play more on the perimeter given he’s only 6-foot-9.
Tosan Evbuomwan (Princeton) | Detroit Pistons
At the NBA level, point forwards generally end up having success. Despite having the size of a wing, Evbuomwan produced as many assists as nearly any point guard in the country last season in college.
Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) | Indiana Pacers
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The most translatable skill from college to the NBA is rebounding. At minimum, Tshiebwe has the chance to be a productive situational big at the next level with his energy.
Antoine Davis (Detroit Mercy) | Portland Trail Blazers
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One of the best scorers we’ve ever seen at the college level, don’t let Davis’ size or age fool you. He likely will never see the same shot volume he got as a collegiate guard, but having a microwave scorer off the bench is very valuable in the NBA.
Omari Moore (San Jose State) | Milwaukee Bucks
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Though he wasn’t a big name throughout the pre-draft process, Moore has as much of a chance as any undrafted free agent to make it in the league. A jumbo guard, he has the tools to score, pass and rebound at a high level when given the opportunity.
Colin Castleton (Florida) | Los Angeles Lakers
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One of the most skilled bigs in this rookie class, Castleton blocks a ton of shots. For him, it will likely come down to being able to convert from beyond the arc offensively.
Drew Peterson (USC) | Miami Heat
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At 6-foot-8 with guard skills, Peterson is one of the more underrated players in the undrafted free agent class. A capable shooter with passing upside and a nose for the ball, he could be earning minutes sooner than later.
D’Moi Hodge (Missouri) | Los Angeles Lakers
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When given the opportunity to play in the SEC last season, Hodge proved he can compete against the best. With two-way upside and an elite 3-point shot, his tools should translate well.
Alex Fudge (Florida) | Los Angeles Lakers
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Although Fudge wasn’t a very productive player at the college level, the size and length he has alongside his skillset make him the perfect project. With the right amount of patience and development, he could be a steal even if he doesn’t play much early.
Drew Timme (Gonzaga) | Milwaukee Bucks
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He’s dominated college basketball for several years now, but Timme’s style of play might not fare well in the NBA. He took less than 100 triples in four years at Gonzaga, converting on roughly a quarter of them. Even then, he’s a fantastic rebounder and good passer for a big.
Terquavion Smith (NC State) | Philadelphia 76ers
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One of the most dynamic scorers in college basketball last season, Smith has unlimited range and elite quickness. With that in mind, he needs to get stronger and overall better defensively if he’s going to become a contributor in the NBA.
Jake Stephens (Chattanooga) | Sacramento Kings
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Analytics suggest Stephens should have been drafted, but he ended up not hearing his name called. At 6-foot-10, he’s an incredible 3-point shooter, rebounder and overall scorer.
Sir’Jabari Rice (Texas) | San Antonio Spurs
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When watching Rice play, it’s clear how much he impacts the game. Even if he’s older and doesn’t have star upside, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him become a longtime NBA rotation player.
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