With two complete rounds, the 2023 NBA draft takes place Thursday, June 22, in Brooklyn, New York. Held at the Barclays Center, all of the action starts at 8:00 p.m. Eastern (7:00 p.m. Central), and picks will be televised nationally on both ABC and ESPN.
After landing at No. 4 in the draft lottery, we know the rebuilding Rockets will not be drafting Victor Wembanyama, the historically talented French big man who will go to San Antonio at No. 1. However, general manager Rafael Stone will have several talented options to choose among once Houston is on the clock.
At fourth, the list of candidates for the Rockets is presumably led by guard Scoot Henderson of the NBA G League Ignite, guard Amen Thompson of the Overtime Elite and forward Brandon Miller of Alabama. Other options include Ausar Thompson, Amen’s twin brother from Overtime Elite, and Villanova forward Cam Whitmore.
Houston also owns the No. 20 pick in the first round, which it acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Eric Gordon trade. As the pre-draft period enters its final hours, here’s one last look at who experts have going at No. 4 and No. 20 in their latest mock drafts.
Projections for No. 4 in 2023 first round
- Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, ESPN (6/20), No. 4: Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite: Guard, 20 years old, 6-7)
- Kelly Iko, The Athletic (6/20), No. 4: Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite: Guard, 20 years old, 6-7)
- Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer (6/20), No. 4: Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite: Guard, 20 years old, 6-7)
- Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY (6/20), No. 4: Cam Whitmore (Villanova: Forward, 18 years old, 6-7)
- Krysten Peek, Yahoo! Sports (6/20), No. 4: Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite: Guard, 20 years old, 6-7)
- Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report (6/20), No. 4: Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite: Guard, 20 years old, 6-7)
- Gary Parrish, CBS Sports (6/20), No. 4: Cam Whitmore (Villanova: Forward, 18 years old, 6-7)
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Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation (6/19), No. 4: Brandon Miller
(Alabama: Forward, 20 years old, 6-9) - John Fanta, Fox Sports (6/19), No. 4: Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite: Guard, 20 years old, 6-7)
- Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle (6/18), No. 4: Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite: Guard, 20 years old, 6-7)
Check out Tankathon’s latest 2023 NBA draft big board for statistics and additional information on these prospects and beyond.
Projections for No. 20 in 2023 first round
- Jeremy Woo, ESPN (6/20), No. 20: Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Marquette: Forward, 20 years old, 6-8)
- Kelly Iko, The Athletic (6/20), No. 20: Jett Howard (Michigan: Wing, 19 years old, 6-8)
- Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer (6/20), No. 20: Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Marquette: Forward, 20 years old, 6-8)
- Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY (6/20), No. 20: Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Marquette: Forward, 20 years old, 6-8)
- Krysten Peek, Yahoo! Sports (6/20), No. 20: Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Marquette: Forward, 20 years old, 6-8)
- Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report (6/20), No. 20: Ben Sheppard (Belmont: Guard, 21 years old, 6-6)
- Gary Parrish, CBS Sports (6/20), No. 20: Keyonte George (Baylor: Guard, 19 years old, 6-4)
- Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation (6/19), No. 20: Brandin Podziemski (Santa Clara: Guard, 20 years old, 6-5)
- John Fanta, Fox Sports (6/19), No. 20: Dereck Lively II (Duke: Center, 19 years old, 7-1)
- Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle (6/18), No. 20: Dariq Whitehead (Duke: Wing, 18 years old, 6-6)
Check out Tankathon’s latest 2023 NBA draft big board for statistics and additional information on these prospects and beyond.
Locked on Rockets draft preview
How to watch the 2023 NBA draft
- Date: Thursday, June 22
- Time: 7 p.m. CDT
- TV Channel: ESPN, ABC
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free) or via Watch ESPN, with active subscription
2023 NBA draft order
Full order for the 2023 NBA draft: pic.twitter.com/ZDVzvWm4k2
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) May 17, 2023
Ordering of all 2023 NBA draft picks for first, second rounds
2023 pre-draft workouts, interviews for Rockets
As the calendar turns to June, here’s our latest list of prospects who have reportedly interviewed or worked out with the #Rockets during the NBA’s 2023 pre-draft process. https://t.co/9LDL9xwVf4
— The Rockets Wire (@TheRocketsWire) June 12, 2023
