Ranking the 10 best power forward prospects in the NBA Draft
By Rowan Kent
Power Forward #1: Jarace Walker, Houston
Coming into the college season, Walker was both a highly-regarded recruit and a somewhat overlooked draft prospect. He blazed a trail by becoming the highest-ranked high school recruit to come to Houston in the modern era, but with the backdrop of a talented team ready to contend for a tile, many were unsure of how much Walker would get to shine.
Those doubts were quickly proven unwarranted, as Walker was able to flex his muscles and become a top draft prospect without needing the ball in his hands. He wasn’t the leading scorer for the Cougars or anywhere close, but he made so much of the team’s plans work with his stellar play on both ends:
Loved this two way sequence from Jarace Walker. Showcased his blend of tools and touch.
— Jam Hines (@jamontheboards) May 27, 2023
Helps as the tagger, recovers back to his man in the corner to block the 3pt attempt (7’2 WS) then caps it w/ a floater. You can immediately expect to see plays like this from him in the NBA pic.twitter.com/yygEYeWIQy
The appeal for Walker starts and ends with his defense, as he’s built like an NBA veteran, has excellent instincts, and is one of the most active and physical defenders for a prospect his age. As great as his defense is, his offense is a bit underrated as he can shoot well enough to threaten teams from deep and serves as a great connective piece for any offense.
Next. Ranking the 5 best point guards in the 2023 NBA Draft. dark
Especially with how the lottery shook out, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Walker go in the top five of the draft. Teams like Houston, Detroit, and Indiana could all use him, given he is a great piece to add to any rebuilding team at any stage. With the right fit, he may be able to reach a whole new height and become an all-defensive team winner at the prime of his career.