From start to finish, the 2023 NBA Draft was a showcase for the SEC’s talent. The conference produced its first college player off the board (Alabama’s Brandon Miller at #2), last draft pick (Kentucky’s Chris Livingston at #58) and dominated the most time in between, sending 10 prospects to the pro ranks in the two-round event.
The Big Ten finished second with eight players, starting with 11th-ranked Jett Howard of Michigan. The NBA grabbed five players from the ranks of the ACC. The Pac-12 and Big 12 were each close by four. Eleven schools have sent multiple players to the draft in 2023. Of those, two programs have led the way with three each.
Let’s take a deeper look and see which schools produced the talent most associated with the NBA in 2023.
Arkansas (3)
- Anthony Black (No. 6 at Magic)
- Nick Smith Jr. (No. 27 to the Hornets)
- Jordan Walsh (No. 38 to the Celtics)
Eric Musselman did it again, helping produce first-round picks and three players overall. Jaylin Williams was drafted in the second round last season and Moses Moody was selected 14th overall by the Warriors in 2021. Black is the highest draft of the Musselman era.
University of California (3)
- Jaime Jacques Jr. (No. 18 in heat)
- Amari Bailey (No. 41 to the Hornets)
- Jaylen Clark (No. 53 for the Timberwolves)
Jaquez was late on the rise and made his way until the middle of the first round. Bailey elected to proceed with the draft process and became a second round pick. If he had stayed with the Bruins for another season, it is likely that he would have been a first-round pick.
Alabama (2)
- Brandon Miller (#2 Hornets)
- Noah Clooney (No. 21 Networks)
Miller beat Henderson to earn the right to be named second overall and will head to Charlotte to join a rising star at the LaMelo Ball. Miller joins Antonio McDyess (No. 2 in the 1995 NBA draft) as the highest draft pick in school history.
Duke (2)
- Derek Lively II (No. 12 for the Mavericks)
- Whitehead Flair (No. 22 Networks)
Going into the draft, the Mavericks looked like the perfect landing spot for Lively. Dallas was able to trade back to the Thunder, get additional assets and pick their coveted player throughout the process.
Kentucky (2)
- Casson Wallace (No. 10 through Thunder)
- Chris Livingston (No. 58 vs. Bucks)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: A Kentucky ranger is being recruited in the lottery. Wallace has carried on a long tradition in the program and now goes great in Oklahoma City.
Houston (2)
- Jaras Walker (No. 8 Pacers)
- Marcus Sasser (No. 25 through the Pistons)
The Pacers were a potential destination for Walker, and that’s exactly where he landed. Indiana again fell one place down and managed to draft their own man while getting a few second-round picks.
Indiana (2)
- Jalen Hood Chevino (No. 17 Lakers)
- Trace Jackson Davis (No. 57 Warriors)
Jackson-Davis was considered a late first round pick or an early second round pick before he slid to the bottom of the draft. Two Indiana producers reached the Pacific Ocean division.
Michigan (2)
- Jett Howard (No. 11 on Magic)
- Kobe Bufkin (No. 15 Hawks)
The first real upset of the draft occurred when he selected Magic Howard with his second lottery pick of the night. Howard upgraded the draft boards late in the process and joined Black in Orlando.
Miami (2)
- Jordan Miller (No. 48 to Clippers)
- Isaiah Wong (No. 55 Pacers)
The dynamic duo in Miami who helped lead the Hurricanes to the Final Four last season. Both were relegated in the second round.
Penn State (2)
- Jalen Pickett (No. 32 vs. Nuggets)
- Seth Lundy (No. 46 Hawks)
Penn State was one of two Big Ten teams with multiple draft picks this year, and the Nittany Lions pair were selected in the second round. The defending NBA champions were traded for Pickett.
Yukon (2)
- Jordan Hawkins (No. 14 to Pelicans)
- Andre Jackson Jr. (No. 36 vs. Bucks)
The National Champions saw two players selected. Hawkins is considered by many to be the best shooter in the draft. He was taken by the Pelican in the last lottery pick. He will have the opportunity to contribute immediately with a competitor in the West.
Schools with one pick in the draft
Baylor: Keyonte George (No. 16 Jazz)
Belmont: Ben Sheppard (No. 26 Pacers)
Central Florida: Taylor Hendrix (No. 9 Jazz)
Clemson: Hunter Tyson (No. 37 Nuggets)
Dayton: Tomani Kamara (No. 52 to the Suns)
Eastern Michigan: Emoni Bates (No. 49 to the Cavaliers)
Foreman: Jalen Slawson (No. 54 to the Kings)
Gonzaga: Julian Strother (No. 29 vs. Nuggets)
yeah: Chris Murray (No. 23 Trail Blazers)
Kansas State: Keyontae Johnson (No. 50 through Thunder)
Market: Olivier Maxence Prosper (No. 24 for the Mavericks)
Missouri: Kobe Brown (No. 30 to the Clippers)
Ohio State: Bryce Sensabeau (No. 28 Jazz)
Pepperdine: Maxwell Lewis (No. 40 Lakers)
Santa Clara: Brandin Underground (No. 19 for the Warriors)
South Carolina: Gregory Jackson (No. 45 Grizzlies)
Tennessee: Julian Phillips (No. 35 to the Bulls)
Villanova: Cam Whitmore (No. 20 for the Rockets)
Washington state: Mohamed Joy (No. 39 for the Hawks)
Xavier: Colby Jones (No. 34 to the Kings)
Segmentation by conference
SEC: 10
Big ten: 8
ACC, Big East: 5
12 Beige, Pac 12: 4
AAC, WCC: 3
MAC, Southern, MVC, A10: 1