We are two days away from the 2023 NBA draft. Two Michigan basketball players will hear their names called on Thursday, and both Kobe Bufkina and Jett Howard appear to be first-round locks.
On Tuesday morning, USA TODAY Sports released their final NBA mock draft.
We have been seeing Bufkin’s name ranging as high as No. 9 or No. 10 down to No. 15 or No. 16 in mock drafts. In this particular mock, Bufkin is headed to the Atlanta Hawks at No. 15.
A second year in college proved to be huge for Bufkin, who can score from all over and is especially good at attacking the rim and finishing through contact. He’s a tough on-ball defender, too.
The 6-foot-5 guard left Michigan after his breakout sophomore campaign. He averaged 14 points per game and became the Wolverines’ go-to guy toward the end of the season.
Michigan freshman Jett Howard’s name comes up in different places in mock drafts. We’ve seen Howard mentioned anywhere from outside the lottery to the end of the first round. But in this mock, he goes to the Brooklyn Nets with the 21st pick.
A versatile playmaker who loves the pressure of a big moment and has a high basketball IQ, Jett is the son of former NBA All-Star and Michigan coach Juwan Howard.
Howard was plagued with injuries during his lone season in Ann Arbor, but he sure did flash with talent. He averaged 14.2 points per game and shot 36.8% from 3. Howard is bound to improve on his 3 in the NBA and may be known as a knock-down 3-point shooter.
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