FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas is getting some love from ESPN for the 2023-24 basketball season and three players are projected to go in the latest Bleacher Report NBA Mock Draft.
ESPN's Jeff Borzello released his Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for men's basketball. He has the Razorbacks No. 12. That would put the Hogs third in the SEC. Borzello has Kentucky No. 4 and Alabama at 11. He had praise for Eric Musselman.
"Given Eric Musselman's track record, we can safely assume the projected starting lineup today will look vastly different two or three months from now. We can also assume it will feature plenty of talent. Davonte Davis and a healthy Trevon Brazile will lead the way, while top-30 recruits Layden Blocker and Baye Fall will enter the program. Could Jordan Walsh or Ricky Council IV return, meanwhile?"
Projected starting lineup:
Devo Davis (10.9 PPG)
Layden Blocker (No. 26 in ESPN 100)
Joseph Pinion (2.4 PPG)
Trevon Brazile (11.8 PPG)
Baye Fall (No. 19 in ESPN 100)
Borzello's Top 5 were UConn (1), Marquette (2), Duke (3) and Florida Atlantic (5). Click here for entire article.
Bleacher Report 2023 NBA Mock Draft
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman released his latest 2023 NBA Mock Draft on Tuesday. He includes three Razorbacks among the two-round draft.
7. Washington Wizards, Anthony Black (Arkansas, PG/SG, Freshman)
"A 6'7" playmaker with special defensive instincts and an ability to impact games without scoring, Black established himself as one of the draft's unique players. And being unique can help separate him from the other prospects in a tier where there isn't a clear best available. The Wizards could look at Black as a new lead ball-handler option or just an interchangeable, two-way plus for the lineup."
13. Utah Jazz, Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas, SG, Freshman)
"Teams may downgrade Smith after learning that he's more likely a 185-pound 2-guard than a 6'5" lead ball-handler. Despite the lack of playmaking, his shot-making, touch shots and finishes still create enough scoring versatility/potential to interest lottery teams."
34. Charlotte Hornets, Ricky Council IV (Arkansas, SG, Junior)
"Council averaged 18.7 points against Connecticut, Kanas and Illinois in the NCAA tournament, getting to the line a total of 32 times and earning buckets off his ball-handling, burst, tough finishing and explosion at the rim. A team in the first-round may be willing to bet on just moderate shooting improvement and what it could do for his scoring attack."
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