The 2023 NBA draft is just two days away, and two Michigan basketball players are expected to hear their names called on Thursday night. Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard, who both had stellar seasons with the Wolverines, are projected as first-round locks by most mock drafts.
According to the final USA TODAY Sports NBA mock draft, Bufkin is predicted to go 16th overall to the New York Knicks, while Howard is slated to go 24th overall to the Phoenix Suns. Both players would join teams that made deep playoff runs this year and have bright futures ahead.
Bufkin, a 6-foot-4 guard, averaged 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a sophomore at Michigan. He was named to the All-Big Ten second team and the All-Big Ten defensive team. He is a versatile scorer who can create his own shot, attack the rim and shoot from beyond the arc. He also has good size and length for his position, which helps him on the defensive end.
Howard, a 6-foot-7 forward, averaged 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as a freshman at Michigan. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. He is a smooth shooter who can stretch the floor with his range and has a high basketball IQ. He also has good genes, as he is the son of former NBA player and current Michigan coach Juwan Howard.
Both Bufkin and Howard have the potential to be impact players in the NBA, as they have shown their skills and work ethic at Michigan. They will also have the opportunity to learn from some of the best players and coaches in the league, such as Julius Randle and Tom Thibodeau for Bufkin, and Chris Paul and Monty Williams for Howard.
The NBA draft will take place on Thursday, June 22 at 7 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It will be televised on ESPN and streamed on WatchESPN.
