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2023 NBA Draft Orlando Magic Daily Big Board 1.0: The Madness Begins

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Arkansas' Nick Smith Jr. brings the ball down the court during the NCAA men's basketball tournament first round match-up between Illinois and Arkansas, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Wells Fargo Arena, in Des Moines, Iowa.0316 Illinos Arkansas 016 Arw
Arkansas' Nick Smith Jr. brings the ball down the court during the NCAA men's basketball tournament first round match-up between Illinois and Arkansas, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Wells Fargo Arena, in Des Moines, Iowa.0316 Illinos Arkansas 016 Arw /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 04: Cam Whitmore #22 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Connecticut Huskies at Wells Fargo Center on March 04, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 04: Cam Whitmore #22 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Connecticut Huskies at Wells Fargo Center on March 04, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Orlando Magic Daily Big Board 1.0

Others to Watch

. F. Wildcats . Cam Whitmore. 11. player. 479

Cam Whitmore entered the draft process as one of the top prospects but had a disappointing season with Villanova as the Wildcats failed to make the NCAA Tournament and lost in the first round of the NIT (Whitmore did not play in that game). Whitmore though, a solid and prototype power forward prospect, had a strong finish to the season with 14.0 points per game and 43.8 percent shooting over the final five games of the season.

12. player. 528. . PG. Wildcats . Cason Wallace

Kentucky had an up-and-down season and a lot of that is normal for them because of how generally young they are. Cason Wallace, Kentucky’s point guard, needed some time to develop. But he turned it on toward the end of the season, averaging 12.4 points per game and 4.8 assists per game with 1.8 steals per game in his final 13 games. The Wildcats are going to need strong play from Wallace to advance in this tournament.

Taylor Hendricks. 13. player. 455. . PF. Knights

It is very rare to see UCF have an NBA prospect. But Taylor Hendricks is set to be the highest-drafted prospect in UCF history and probably their first Lottery pick. Hendricks has all the skills and versatility NBA teams like with plenty of upside and room to grow. He can hit from the outside and work the post and offensive glass. With some more defensive fine tuning he could be a really valuable player in this league. And he will step up with big games — scoring 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds in UCF’s NIT win over Florida.

485. . SG. Wolverines . Jett Howard. 14. player

Well, we know the Orlando Magic love their Michigan men. And so the guy to watch here is sharpshooter Jett Howard. Howard shot 36.8 percent on 7.3 3-pointers per game. Assumedly, he would have to do a lot less self-creating when he hits the NBA. At 6-foot-8, he has really good size too. Howard will not be in the NCAA Tournament with Michigan playing in the NIT. But he could be someone who can shoot up draft boards with a good performance and shooting prowess.

Buckeyes . Brice Sensabaugh. 15. player. 490. . SF

Another local guy! The Lake Highland Prep alum went to Ohio State and proceeded to score 16.3 points per game his freshman year while shooting 40.5 percent from three on 4.5 3-point attempts per game. He plays bigger than his size. But his 3-point shot has to continue to develop to have a good chance at the NBA. His 83.0 percent free throw percentage suggests he might.

Next. Playbook: Why the Orlando Magic give up so many 3-pointers. dark

We will do a wrap-up big board after the NCAA Tournament ends and then our draft coverage will kick into high gear after the NBA Draft Lottery on May 16.