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Oscar Tshiebwe, a forward for Kentucky, was one of six prospective 2023 draught picks that the Los Angeles Lakers hosted on Friday.
Tshiebwe was signed by guards from North Carolina State’s Terquavion Smith, Loyola Marymount’s Cam Shelton, France’s Nadir Hifi, New Mexico’s Morris Udeze, and Kansas’ Jalen Wilson, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
@mcten Dave McMenamin
Lakers pre-draft workout group for this Friday: br> Nadir Hifi – France Jalen Wilson from Kansas Morris Udeze is from New Mexico. Cam Shelton from LMU Terquavion Smith – North Carolina State Kentucky native Oscar Tshiebwe
The Lakers have the 17th and 47th picks in this year’s draught. Since selecting De’Andre Hunter with the No. 4 overall pick in 2019, if they do not trade their first pick, this will be the first year they have chosen in the top 20.
Given that the No. 4 pick was part of the three-team deal that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles, Hunter was technically selected by the New Orleans Pelicans and traded to the Atlanta Hawks. However, the trade could not be completed until the start of the following league year.
Lonzo Ball (No. 2 overall) was the latest top-20 pick for the Lakers who actually staked the team.
Tshiebwe, who played four years of collegiate sports, including the prior two at Kentucky, is the most well-known name in this list. Throughout the 2021–22 season, the 23-year-old earned every key National Player of the Year title. Over the course of two seasons, he averaged 16.9 points and 14.4 rebounds in 66 video games for the Wildcats.
Smith is the greatest prospect in this bunch, according to the extensive board created by B/R NBA draught specialist Jonathan Wasserman. In the 2023 class, he is ranked as the No. 32 general due to his “shot-making and flair for igniting.”
The only other gamer listed in Wasserman’s top 50 is Wilson.
The Lakers were to use their second-round tease Smith, according to Wasserman’s two-round mock draught that was published on Friday. At No. 48 on the draught, Wilson was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as his next pick.
Tshiebwe, Wasserman’s 58th overall selection in the draught, is going to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Depending on how things go in the actual draught, the Lakers may decide to sign at least one of these players as an undrafted free agent for their summer league club to see what they could need.
Undrafted and signed a two-way contract in August 2021, Austin Reaves transformed into a crucial player for the Lakers during their playoff run this season.