Five-Star Checkup: How the top prospects from 2023 are performing
Feast Week has come and gone, meaning the college basketball season is well underway. Teams are developing identities and former five-star recruits are carving out roles for themselves on rosters all over the country. With that in mind, now feels like as good a time as any to check in on some of the highest-ranked prospects in the 2023 class and take stock of how the post-high school career of each is playing out.
Today, Rivals discusses the top six prospects in the 2023 class and has a look at the draft stock of each as we head into the thick of the college season.
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2023 Rivals150 ranking: No. 1
How it's going: It’s early, but the case can certainly be made that Collier is the best point guard in the country. Some questions remain about his long-range jumper and tendency to turn the ball over, but the former top high school prospect in the country has already played his way into the discussion for the top spot on many draft boards.
It will be difficult for teams to take a gamble on Collier at No. 1 based on ceiling, but his production thus far is impossible to argue with. The USC freshman has averaged 18.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. The production is consistent with the label of “top player in the country,” so it’s been so far so good for USC fans who are getting what they expected from the touted freshman.
Yahoo Sports draft projection: No. 1 overall
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2023 Rivals150 ranking: No. 2
How it's going: The Kentucky freshman is yet to play a college game as he recovers from preseason foot surgery, but the 7-footer is said to be nearing a return. The missed time has definitely stunted his development, but the hard-playing, floor-spacing big man will return to high expectations, as he still feels like a sure thing to play in the NBA down the road.
Bradshaw, who handles it and shoots it well for his massive size, is the prototype modern big. He’ll need to show durability and development in order to solidify himself as a worthwhile first-round pick, but his upside and versatility make him tantalizing to NBA scouts.
Obviously, how Bradshaw bounces back from surgery will be worth monitoring, but a healthy Bradshaw could give an already dangerous Kentucky team another dimension on both ends of the floor. Bradshaw, who is now practicing with the team, is expected to return to game action sometime in the next few weeks.
Yahoo Sports draft projection: Not included in first round.
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2023 Rivals150 ranking: No. 3
How it's going: Edwards was an upside play in our rankings and he’s shown that kind of potential in short flashes during his freshman season at Kentucky. His size and fluidity give him tremendous versatility on the defensive end, which is promising. The fact that he went 0-for-6 from the floor against Kansas early in the season, however, is less than ideal.
For now, much of Edwards’ early-season struggles can be chalked up to growing pains and a UK roster crowded with young talent. Should his shooting numbers not level out in the months ahead, there could be greater cause for concern.
The good news is he’s shown some signs of improved shot-making in recent outings. Edwards has the build and skill to climb draft boards quickly if his production begins to match his potential later in the season.
Yahoo Sports draft projection: No. 7 overall
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2023 Rivals150 ranking: No. 4
How it's going: One of two top-five prospects to forgo college and play from the NBA G League Ignite squad, Buzelis has gained roughly 20 pounds since leaving high school, which helps address one of the biggest question marks surrounding his pro future.
He’s missed a bit of time with an ankle injury, but the situation seems to be nothing serious whatsoever. The versatile, 6-foot-9 forward has always been a bit of a potential play based on his shooting ability, length and ability to run the floor and finish in transition. What he does on the floor this season will determine whether or not he cracks the top five or falls closer to the bottom of the top 10.
Buzelis' slight stature, potential injury risk and versatile skill set help make him feel like a high-risk, high-reward type prospect whose stock could rise or fall quickly over the course of the next four months.
Yahoo Sports draft projection: No. 5 overall
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2023 Rivals150 ranking: No. 5
How it's going: Holland, who signed with Texas before bolting to the G League, has struggled a bit out of the gates as a professional. He’s turned in a few poor shooting performances and failed to limit turnovers in the process. That said, the five-star has shown some signs of life recently, scoring 24 points and grabbing five rebounds in a recent game against the South Bay Lakers.
Holland’s streaking long-range shooting has always worked against him, as he’s long been more effective in transition than he is in the half-court. Once seen as the potential top pick in next year’s draft, Holland will need to level out from a production standpoint if he hopes to regain such a billing.
His skill set is hyper-intriguing but the turnovers and lackluster shooting performances have been concerning. That said, his upside is as high as anyone’s and recent results suggest he may be turning the corner when it comes to adjusting to the professional level.
Yahoo Sports draft projection: No. 4 overall.
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2023 Rivals150 ranking: No. 6
How it's going: Part of a young, exciting Kentucky team that has looked both impressive and mediocre for short stretches during the early season, Wagner was once the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 class but finished the cycle just outside the top five. There have been some growing pains for Wagner, whose per game averages of 14.5 points and 3.7 assets are nothing at which to sneeze.
Still, a horrific 1-for-12 effort in a loss to Kansas is indicative of the efficiency problems that have haunted Wagner early in his freshman season. The skill set and potential to be a top-10 pick are still present, but his shot selection and ability to finish around the rim need to improve if he’s to climb back into the lottery.
Wagner recently played his best game of the season against Marshall but is going to have to show his reliability against better competition in order to ease some of long-term concerns that are beginning to take hold.
Yahoo Sports draft projection: No. 29 overall