With Scoot Henderson, Amen Thompson and Anthony Black dominating the headlines, point guards are going to be in high demand in the 2023 NBA Draft.
But for teams missing out on the top choices, lengthy lead guards in Indiana’s Jalen Hood-Schifino and Michigan’s Kobe Bufkin could offer solid options, too.
A surprise one-and-done, Hood-Schifino took full advantage of a boosted role at Indiana, becoming one of the better two-way freshman guards in the country. He averaged 13.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, functioning as a pick-and-roll aficionado and solid shot-maker.
At 6-foot-6, Hood-Schifino has the length and wherewithal to thrive in the NBA, but he’ll need to refine his efficiency, decision making and turnovers to reach his ceiling.
Bufkin emerged as one of the top sophomores in the country, commanding the Michigan Wolverines offense and adding plenty in the ways of defense, too.
He scored 14.0 points, grabbed 4.5 rebounds and dished out 2.9 assists per game, shooting 48 percent overall, 36 percent from beyond the arc and 85 percent from the line. Even more, he tacked on 1.3 steals per game and 0.7 blocks, using his 6-foot-5 frame to his advantage often.
Simply put, he impacted the game in a variety of ways, and offers a strong lead guard option for teams just outside the lottery.
Of course, there’s always a chance Hood-Schifino or Bufkin sneak into the lottery, with both potentially having suitors somewhere near the back half.
With limited spots up for grabs in the lottery, the duo will likely be hearing their names called near the mid-first round. Regardless, teams should be ecstatic with their return in that range.
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