The Southeastern Conference accounted for 10 of the 58 total picks at the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night in Brooklyn. Overall, the SEC claimed just under 20% of the league’s newest prospects by way of the NBA Draft.
Arkansas led the way with three players being picked: Anthony Black, Nick Smith Jr., and Jordan Walsh. Kentucky ended the draft with two picks but likely anticipated to have at least three by the end of the night. Wildcats’ veteran center Oscar Tshiebwe was not picked up in the draft and is the only Naismith Winner (2022) to not be drafted since 2000.
Tennessee’s one and only NBA Draft selection this year was former one-and-done wing Julian Phillips. The 6-foot-8 combo forward was picked up by the Chicago Bulls after a trade with the Washington Wizards for the No. 35 overall pick.
Aside from the 10 players that were drafted, though, there are some notable snubs from Thursday night’s two-round event. In addition to Tshiebwe is Alabama’s Charles Bediako, Kentucky’s Jacob Toppin, and Arkansas’ Ricky Council IV.
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Here’s a look at how all 10 selections from the SEC shook out at the 2023 NBA Draft in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Thursday night:
Round 1, Pick 2 – Alabama’s Brandon Miller to the Charlotte Hornets
Round 1, Pick 6 – Arkansas’ Anthony Black to the Orlando Magic
Round 1, Pick 10 – Kentucky’s Cason Wallace to the Oklahoma City Thunder
Round 1, Pick 21 – Alabama’s Noah Clowney to the Brooklyn Nets
Round 1, Pick 27 – Arkansas’ Nick Smith Jr. to the Charlotte Hornets
Round 1, Pick 30 – Missouri’s Kobe Brown to the LA Clippers
Round 2, Pick 35 – Tennessee’s Julian Phillips to the Chicago Bulls
Round 2, Pick 38 – Arkansas’ Jordan Walsh to the Boston Celtics
Round 2, Pick 45 – South Carolina’s GG Jackson II to the Memphis Grizzlies
Round 2, Pick 58 – Kentucky’s Chris Livingston to the Milwaukee Bucks
