Breaking down the top-5 steals in the 2023 NBA Draft

The 2023 NBA Draft produced oneof the greatest rookie seasons of all-time. Victor Wembanyama, the most highly anticipatedphenom since LeBron James, was selected No. 1 pick overall by theSan Antonio Spurs and he hasn’t disappointed. Through 52 games thisseason, Wemby is averaging 20.7 points, 10.3 r,ebounds and anastounding 3.4 blocks.

While he’s impressed and livedup to the hype thus far, it's not a huge surprise that he's playingat such a high level. Several players who slipped on draft nighthave also exceeded expectations. Let's examine the top five stealsof the 2023 NBA Draft thus far.

5. Jordan Hawkins | New Orleans Pelicans

Jordan Hawkins was the No. 14overall pick in the draft and he’s been one of the most impressiveplayers drafted in the lottery thus far. Shooting an efficient 37%from beyond the arc on 5.1 attempts per game, Hawkins has alreadyestablished himself as a volume shooter in year one. He’s played 55games this season and made 10 starts for the Pelicans. In those 10starts, Hawkins averaged 17.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4assists.

His best performance of theseason came against the Denver Nuggets when he had 30 points on7-of-14 from three. He’s shown flashes of being an elite shooterand overall offensive player, but consistency is the only thingholding him back. With that said, he’s only averaging 19.2 minutesthis season and has still averaged nearly 10 points per game. NewOrleans did a fantastic job snagging him at No. 14.

4. Marcus Sasser | Detroit Pistons

Marcus Sasser hasn’t been asflashy as other players on this list, but he’s been incrediblyefficient. Selected with the No. 25 overall pick, Sasser has goneabove and beyond for Detroit. Playing 54 games, Sasser has yet tostart but still has eight games scoring 17 or more points. He’shitting roughly 40% of his three-pointers while attempting over sixper game. That efficiency is ridiculous for any rookie, much less a25th overall pick.

Sasser is on a team with a lotof young players who are still developing, including AusarThompson, the No. 5 overall pick of the draft. Thompson isaveraging just one more point than Sasser despite playing nine moreminutes per game. Perhaps most impressive is that Sasser is playingjust 16.2 minutes per game, yet his production has been off thecharts.

3. Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Miami Heat

To much surprise, No. 18 overallpick Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been one of the standout rookies thisseason. While his overall stats may not jump off the page, he hastaken over games in ways that few rookies manage to do. Over a26-game stretch from November 20 to January 15, Jaquez averaged16.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Unfortunately, he suffered a groin injury andmissed five games.

It took him a while to get backinto rhythm, but he has since recorded two 25+ point performances.Jaquez could be a game-changer in the playoffs, which can’t be saidabout most rookies. Many view him as the steal of the draft, butthere are a couple guys drafted later who have alsoimpressed.

2. Cam Whitmore | Houston Rockets

Though Whitmore missed themajority of the first 30 games, he has been on a tear in 2024. Overhis last 18 games, he’s averaged over 15 points in just 20 minutesa contest. His production has been unbelievable when he's played,as he’s averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per 36minutes. Whitmore was projected to be an early-to-mid lottery pick,and the Rockets drafted him at No. 20 overall. That’s thedefinition of a steal, especially since he's exceedingexpectations. Houston added to an already stacked young coure, andtheir future is very bright.

1. GG Jackson II | Memphis Grizzlies

GG Jackson II has quickly takenthe NBA by storm, averaging 16.1 points over his last 14 games.Over that stretch, he has made two starts and averaged 24 points,6.5 rebounds, a steal and a block. He has been a hidden gem on anabysmal Memphis Grizzlies team, giving them something to be excitedabout each night. He recently had a 30-point performance againstthe Oklahoma City Thunder in 37 minutes of action. He also had 26points and 4 rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets.

He’s shown some unbelievableflashes, especially considering he's only 19 years old and wasdrafted at No. 45 overall -- making him the only second-round pickon this list. As of late he’s been putting up elite numbers for arookie and he has a ton of long-term potential given hisage.

HONORABLE MENTION

Craig Porter Jr. | ClevelandCavaliers

Craig Porter Jr. has produced alot in little time. After going undrafted, he stepped up whenCleveland's backcourt was decimated by injuries. In five games as astarter, he averaged 11.4 points, 7.4 assists, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4blocks and 1.2 steals. Porter’s season-high came in a victoryagainst the defending champion Denver Nuggets as he scored 21points in just 25 minutes. Both honorable mentions have obliteratedexpectations, playing a key role despite being undrafted freeagents.

Ricky Council IV | Philadelphia 76ers

Ricky Council IV has played just21 games this season, but he’s made his mark in Philadelphia. Whenhe plays over 10 minutes, Council has averaged nearly 13 points pergame. His most impressive performances of the season were a17-point outing in just 10 minutes against the Golden StateWarriors and a 19-point, 10-rebound showing against the WashingtonWizards. Considering he was undrafted, he's been a solid find forPhilly.