NBA analyst thinks one draft prospect is being consistently underrated

Villanova forward Cam Whitmore is held in higher esteem by The Athletic’s John Hollinger than many other draft experts. Hollinger ranks Whitmore as the No. 3 prospect in the 2023 class, one spot ahead of Alabama forward Brandon Miller. Hollinger believes Whitmore’s level of athleticism and his scoring ability as a wing make him a top three prospect. Arkansas point guard Anthony Black also makes Hollinger’s top five and his top-10 includes a couple more surprises, including Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin.

We have more draft-related notes:

• UCLA’s Amari Bailey helped himself at the draft combine in Chicago and now warrants first-round consideration, according to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report. Another combo guard, Santa Clara’s Brandin Podziemski, may also have earned a first-round ticket. On the flip side, North Carolina State guard Terquavion Smith and Kansas forward Jalen Wilson were among the prospects who didn’t make favorable impressions in Chicago.
• Why is Victor Wembanyama considered the best prospect since LeBron James? The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie goes into great detail on that subject, concluding that Wembanyama has the upside to be the best player in the world at some point in the future and the ability to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame when his career is over.
• North Carolina State guard Casey Morsell is withdrawing from the draft and returning to the Wolfpack, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein tweets. Morsell has one year of eligibility remaining.