The 2023 NBA Draft happened on Thursday, June 22. There was so much talent in this year's draft, and much of this talent came from the NCAA. There were over 30 NCAA schools represented in the draft, but a few schools happened to be represented more than others. 

1. Arkansas

The University of Arkansas had three picks in the 2023 draft: 

• Anthony Black: a freshman guard who was second-team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman Team was the 6th pick in the draft by the Orlando Magic.
• Nick Smith Jr.: another freshman guard who was a freshman All-American and SEC Freshman of the Year preseason. Smith Jr. was the 27th pick in the draft by the Charlotte Hornets.
• Jordan Walsh: a freshman small forward, played in every game and tied Anthony Black for most games played by a Razorback freshman in a season. Walsh was the 38th pick and will play for the Boston Celtics.

2. UCLA

UCLA also had three picks in the NBA Draft:

• Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Jaquez Jr. was a senior guard/forward for UCLA. He was a second-team All-American, 2023 Pac-12 Player of the Year, and the Lute Olson National Player of the Year. Jaquez Jr. was the 18th pick by the Miami Heat.
• Amari Bailey: Amari Bailey was a freshman guard for UCLA and was on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. Bailey was the 41st pick overall and will join Nick Smith Jr. to play for the Charlotte Hornets.
• Jaylen Clark: Jaylen Clark was a junior guard at UCLA. He was the Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year, the NABC Defensive Player of the Year, and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was the 53rd overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Related: 8 NBA Finalists and Where They Went to College

3. Alabama

Alabama had two picks in the NBA Draft:

• Brandon Miller: Miller was a freshman forward for Alabama. Miller became the first SEC player to win SEC Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Tournament MVP in the same season. Miller was the second overall pick and will join Amari Bailey and Nick Smith Jr. to play for the Charlotte Hornets.
• Noah Clowney: Clowney was also a freshman forward. He was an SEC All-Freshman Team honoree and started in all 36 games he played in. He was the 21st overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets.

4. Kentucky

Kentucky had two picks in the NBA Draft:

• Carson Wallace: Wallace was a freshman guard for the Wildcats. He was a Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team honoree and started in 32 games. Wallace was the 10th overall pick and will play for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• Chris Livingston: Livingston was a freshman forward for Kentucky. He was also a Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team honoree and started in 26 games. Livingston was the final pick in the NBA Draft and will play for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Related: Transfer Portal News: The Top 5 Men's Basketball Graduate Transfers of 2022-23

5. Michigan

Michigan also had two picks in the NBA Draft:

• Jett Howard: Howard was a freshman guard for the Wolverines. He was All-Big 10 third-team/honorable mention and selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. Jett Howard was the 11th pick overall and will join Anthony Black to play for the Orlando Magic.
• Kobe Bufkin: Bufkin was a sophomore guard for Michigan. He was also All-Big 10 third-team/honorable mention. Kobe Bufkin was the 15th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks

6. UConn

The national champions of UConn were another team who had two picks in the Draft:

• Jordan Hawkins: Hawkins was a sophomore guard for the Huskies. He was a first-team All-Big East selection and he started every game in their championship season. Jordan Hawkins was the 14th pick by the New Orleans Pelicans. 
• Andre Jackson Jr.: Jackson Jr. was a freshman guard. He started 28 games out of 32 for UConn. Andre Jackson Jr. was the 36th pick in the NBA Draft and will join Chris Livingston to play for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Playing college sports can lead to great opportunities if you want to play professional sports. From scoring points to winning awards, all of your accolades can prove helpful if you decide to keep playing your sport competitively after college. We hope all of these players are going to have fantastic careers in the NBA!

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* Originally published on June 26, 2023, by Bella Nevin