Victor Wembanyama spearheads ESPN's 2023 NBA mock Draft / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbane's big man Victor Wembanyama, an 18-year-old with guard skills, is projected as the potential No.1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft by ESPN's draft expert Mike Schmitz.

2-pointers this season

53%21,4Points made:21,4Accuracy:52,7%Place in standings:2Record max:28Record min:14Most made 2FGs:Chris JonesTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Schmitz and his fellow expert Jonathan Givony have been watching, collecting data and talking to evaluators about all of the potential 2023 picks, updating their 2023 NBA mock draft accordingly and offering projections for all 59 projected picks.

Wembanyama is projected at No.1 where theOklahoma City Thunder have the first say.

The young power forward-center is called by Schmitz "the true prize of this class and the best prospect in the world regardless of age."

ESPN's expert also calls describes the Frenchman as "the best prospect I've personally ever evaluated, and he's starting to turn that sky-high potential into real production for the ASVEL team in France."

"After missing some time because of injury earlier in the year, Wembanyama has hit stride over the past 10 games (EuroLeague and France Pro A), averaging 13.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 21.6 minutes while shooting 63% from 2 and 50% from 3," he continues.

"Even more impressive than the production has been how Wembanyama is getting his numbers. ASVEL is springing him free with off-ball screens like a wing, unleashing his feathery shooting touch. With his handle and footwork on display, he has been looking like a bigger Kevin Durant at times by splashing self-created step-back 3s.

He's starting to add a more advanced midpost package, fading into back-shoulder turnarounds with incredible ease. He's getting to lobs no other player on the planet could even think of.

On top of that, he's protecting the rim at an elite level -well ahead of Rudy Gobert at the same stage - while also showing the ability to step out and switch onto guards unlike any player we've previously seen at his height. Wembanyama is the only player in EuroLeague history to record a block percentage over 12%.

He still has his lapses on the defensive glass, can get a little overzealous offensively and with a lean frame has some questions to answer about his durability."

However, Schmitz notes, "Wembanyama is a one-of-one-caliber prospect, a franchise changer and a future NBA MVP so long as he can stay healthy. He's the exact type of superstar that could quickly turn the Thunder into a playoff team and future contender the moment he puts on that Oklahoma City hat."

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