Emoni Bates (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
21. Jordan Walsh (Arkansas, SF/PF, Freshman)
Walsh figures to earn a lot of praise for his defense as a 6’7″ combo forward who gets low and competes with intensity. His three-ball isn’t fully there yet, but Walsh still operates as a face-up scorer with driving ability, a mid-range shot and passing skills.
22. Gradey Dick (Kansas, SG/SF, Freshman)
By next June, Dick may have a case as the draft’s best shooter. He also has some athletic pop on finishes, and his IQ as a passer and defender bodes well for his role-player potential.
23. Arthur Kaluma (Creighton, SF/PF, Sophomore)
After finishing his freshman year with 24 points, 12 boards and three assists against Kansas in the NCAA tournament, Kaluma went on to score a combined 45 points for Uganda in the African World Cup Qualifiers. He seems poised to make a serious jump as a creator and shooter, which should draw NBA attention, given his 6’7″ size, athleticism and defensive tools.
24. Sidy Cissoko (G League Ignite, SG/SF, 2004)
Cissoko’s raw offensive game was exposed at the Nike Hoop Summit, but 6’7″ size, passing and defensive tools create a unique potential that should buy him time with scouts. He could play a similar role that Dyson Daniels played for Ignite, working on and off the ball as an interchangeable guard and wing.
25. JJ Starling (Notre Dame, SG, Freshman)
Expected to slide into Blake Wesley’s role at Notre Dame, Starling combines exciting open-floor athleticism and the shot-making versatility to drill jumpers in a variety of ways.
26. Judah Mintz (Syracuse, SG, Freshman)
Quick-twitch and crafty off the dribble, Mintz should have a chance to showcase his creation with the Boeheim brothers and Cole Swider gone. He’ll earn fans for his low ball-handling, shot-making and energy/activity.
27. Chris Livingston (Kentucky, SF, Freshman)
At 6’6″, Livingston blends an impressive physical profile with the ability to attack from the wings, hit threes and defend both forward spots. The right amount of efficiency with his shooting and shot selection should be the key to the 2023 first round.
28. Kris Murray (Iowa, PF, Junior)
It feels like Murray is on the verge of a breakout after seeing his shooting improvement, defensive activity and flashes of scoring versatility. With his brother Keegan now a Sacramento King, there should be a high-usage role for Kris to produce and continue strengthening his shot-making and half-court face-up skills.
29. Emoni Bates (Eastern Michigan, SG/SF, Sophomore)
Eastern Michigan will offer Bates a bright green light, though scouts’ bar will be high (given the weaker strength of schedule), and defenses will game-plan around his scoring. He’ll have a chance to win back lost support by showing more mature decision-making, both with his shot selection and attempts finishing. Despite concerns over his athleticism, frame and intangibles, he’s still a high-level shot-maker for a 6’9″ wing.
30. Harrison Ingram (Stanford, SF, Sophomore)
Ingram’s invite to the 2022 combine proved scouts were interested in his versatility. He’ll need to make more threes to compensate for athletic limitations inside the Arc, but he did show promising touch and passing IQ, strengths for an NBA connector role.