Draft Digest Roundtable: Potential Pre-Draft Risers

Over the next two months, there will be quite a bit of movement on NBA boards. Who could be one of the biggest risers in the pre-draft process.

While playing at a high level leading up to the pre-draft process is important, the combine and workouts with NBA teams can be just as impactful on draft stocks. Every season, we see prospects declare with a consensus draft range, but skyrocket up boards once NBA teams get an up-close look.

This week, the Draft Digest team gives their thoughts on which prospects could be the biggest risers over the next two months. 

Derek Parker

My pick for the biggest post-season riser is Furman’s Jalen Slawson.

At 6-foot-7 with a phenomenal all-around game (15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in his senior season), many heard Slawson’s name for the first time in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. But it won’t be the last. Similarly to Santa Clara’s Jalen Williams’ stock, it’s hard to gauge his play against his collegiate competition.

With a strong showing in the Reese’s All-Star Game already under his belt, and more showcases coming up, I’d expect organizations and scouts to come away impressed.

Nick Crain

It's hard not to lean towards South Carolina's GG Jackson here. The youngest player in this upcoming draft class after reclassifying, there's no doubt he could have been better as a college freshman.

However, once he's in front of NBA teams and is able to showcase his ceiling at just 18 years old, a team will without a doubt take him early on. There's a ton he still needs to improve upon, but any time you can get a player with star upside outside of the top five, it's worth the gamble.

If he were to go back to college for another year, he could land in exactly that range which is why taking him this summer would be a great selection. 

Bryce Simon

The name I truly think is going to surprise people is Kobe Bufkin out of Michigan. When he declared for the 2023 NBA Draft, there seemed to be a lot of surprised people. However,this kid has been playing great basketball and I think he will really impress in workouts.

Jam Hines

Kobe Bufkin is my choice. The 6-foot-4 lefty guard broke out as a sophomore with averages of 14 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 35% from deep. 

Bufkin’s self shot creation, multi-level scoring and tough shot making plus defensive upside due to his length and disruption (2 stocks per game), all put him in a prime position to continue to rise in the pre draft process

Isaac Condra

It’s unknown if Bilal Coulibaly has any plans of entering the draft, but it’s known that he has fans this year. He has incredible tools for a wing at 6-foot-6 with a ridiculous 7-foot-3 wingspan and has shown great flashes of shot-making ability and defensive versatility. If he’s making plays happen in workouts and scrimmages, it’s hard to imagine a team doesn’t take a chance on the high upside wing in the first round.

Arya Chawla

Dariq Whitehead will be the biggest riser during this year’s pre-draft process. Duke’s wing was the best high school player in this class just a year ago, but saw his stock fall due to an injury-riddled freshman season. However, as he gets fully healthy, Whitehead should be able to finally display the athletic traits that once made him such a highly-touted prospect.

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