Ranking the 10 best shooting guard prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft
By Rowan Kent
Shooting Guard #4: Kobe Bufkin, Michigan
Coming into the year, there wasn’t a lot of buzz about Bufkin being drafted in either round. Instead of settling with that level of expectations, Bufkin blasted up into borderline lottery territory, using a combination of offensive and defensive aptitude to become a coveted shooting guard prospect.
Bufkin was both an efficient shooter from most spots on the floor and a pesky defender who got up into the shorts of whoever he guarded. It’s one thing to be a young, athletic player who can get his own on defense, but having the same type of good instincts on the other end is what makes Bufkin’s upside greater than other players.
Kobe Bufkin is such a good perimeter defender. Has the quickness and ability to stay in front of ball handlers out in space. Bufkin has extremely quick hands and great anticipation. I’d say he’s a pretty disruptive defender. pic.twitter.com/rsdYs4GEOw
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) June 1, 2023
A bunch of teams like Toronto, New Orleans, and Orlando could all talk themselves into the idea of Bufkin being the missing piece to their rosters, given he doesn’t need to be a star player immediately to provide immediate value. He could both contribute tomorrow and be a potential franchise pillar in a few years.