THE year is flying by, which means it is almost time for the next batch of potential superstars to see their NBA goals achieved with the NBA Draft set to take place next month.

The NBA Draft is one of the most exciting dates on the world basketball calendar, welcoming the most talented youngsters from across the globe to the highest league.

The 2023 draft class has the potential to contain some of the most star power in recent memory, with some big names making headlines in a number of junior pathways over the past 24 months in particular.

After years of preparation, the wait is almost over for these prospects, with one key date set to arrive tomorrow.

DRAFT LOTTERY

The NBA Draft Lottery is the most important event prior to the night itself, and there has been plenty of speculation surrounding the results of this.

In the NBA’s format for the event, 14 ping pong balls are placed into a machine, with four drawn out to form the winning combination. The lowest performing teams from the 2022/23 season are then given the most number of combinations that can be drawn to receive pick one. For example the Detroit Pistons have 140 combinations, while on the other end of the stick, the New Orleans Pelicans fared better in the fixture and have just five combinations.

With the bottom half of the season wrapped, the standings are cemented with the draft odds locked in as well.

With a generational talent at the top of the draft board, the teams with strong chances of securing the number-one pick have endured a nervous wait for tomorrow’s lottery, but that is set to end in the next 24 hours.

THE DRAFT

The draft itself will take place on Friday, June 23 AEST at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The future of the league will pan out on that night, with all eyes in the basketball world certain to be fixated on this.

The fortunes of some of the NBA’s struggling teams are set to change with the quality of the 2023 draft class, and the next generation of stars will be introduced to the top level.

THE PROSPECTS

The buzz around the likely top pick of the draft in Victor Wenbanyama has made the race for the first overall selection as enthralling as ever. Having been an exciting prospect for the past few years, the French big has been touted as a once in a lifetime player. There was speculation that some teams were tanking in a bid to boost their chances to acquire his services, such is the quality of player he looms to be. Safe to say, there has not been this much buzz around a draft prospect since LeBron James in 2003.

There are also some strong prospects outside of Wenbanyama, including Scoot Henderson and the Thompson twins in Amen and Ausar. Perhaps the buzz surrounding the French phenom may see some guns fly under the radar, and a few teams pick up some bargains later in the first round.

NBA DRAFT LOTTERY ODDS

1. Detroit Pistons: 14%, 140 combinations
2. Houston Rockets: 14%, 140 combinations
3. San Antonio Spurs: 14%, 140 combinations
4. Charlotte Hornets: 12.5%, 125 combinations
5. Portland Trail Blazers: 10.5%, 105 combinations
6. Orlando Magic: 9%, 90 combinations
7. Indiana Pacers: 7.5%, 75 combinations
8. Washington Wizards: 6%, 60 combinations
9. Utah Jazz: 4.5%, 45 combinations
10. Dallas Mavericks: 3%, 30 combinations
11. Orlando Magic (via Chicago Bulls): 2%, 20 combinations
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: 1.5%, 15 combinations
13. Toronto Raptors: 1%, 10 combinations
14. New Orleans Pelicans: 0.5%, 5 combinations