So who are they? Here are the top five prospects not named Victor Wembanyama. 

Scoot Henderson – G League Ignite

Henderson is no surprise on this list. He has been making himself known for several years now and showcased himself in an exhibition game against Wembanyama’s Metropolitans 92 this past October, scoring 28 points and dishing out 9 assists. Henderson is a great talent and would be the biggest story of this draft if Wembanyama wasn’t around. The point guard graduated high school early to join the G League Ignite development team at 17 years old. 

Henderson has drawn comparisons to Derrick Rose, standing at 6-foot-3 with talent at attacking the basket and running the offense. He might actually be the best fit for this young Spurs team, which has been short handed in the backcourt this year. Most mock drafts have him going second or third.

This season Henderson is averaging 16.5 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game. 

Brandon Miller – Alabama

Brandon Miller has been in the news recently for more than one reason. The Alabama forward has jumped Henderson in some mock drafts because of his potential as a dynamic wing that can make shots. With the way the league has been going, a 6-foot-9 athletic and scoring wing is never a bad idea.

He averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 37 games as a freshman at Alabama. 

“Miller is the epitome of new-age basketball, which is why he is arguably the most unguardable player in the college game,” an NBA scout told Sports Illustrated.

However, there are some negatives. Miller didn’t have the best NCAA Tournament as ‘Bama was ousted after the Sweet 16. Converting only 8 of his 41 shot attempts is historically bad but shouldn’t hold much weight when considering his future. 

The only real hesitation around him comes from a very serious off the court story, where Miller allegedly drove a now former teammate’s firearm to him after being asked to do so, resulting in a fatality at the scene. The former teammate and another individual are facing capital murder charges. Miller has not been charged with anything, but the situation still brings about doubts and trepidation around the player, especially considering Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant’s recent suspension involving a gun. 

The Thompson Twins – Overtime Elite

Amen and Ausar Thompson have the possibility to be the first big success stories from the Overtime Elite program. Overtime Elite is a new advanced basketball academy that gives players more specialized academic and athletic training. The players themselves receive a salary and a path into the NBA.

The twins as players are both very Spursian in one major way: Defense. Their activity and hustle on the defensive side of the ball jumps out. It’s the first thing mentioned in Israel Gutierrez’s ESPN piece covering the two. It speaks to their hustle, work ethic, and dedication. Amen and Ausar are true students of the game. They didn’t just dream of being the next LeBron James, they made to-do lists for themselves at 9 years old. 

Both are highly athletic and show extreme devotion. They took a risk going to a new program but it’s definitely paid off. San Antonio would be in great shape adding either one, they play selflessly and want to win, combine that with their sheer talent and athletic ability and it’s a recipe for success. 

This past season, Amen averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, while Ausar averaged 16.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists.

Jarace Walker – Houston

Walker is a large individual at 6-foot-8, 240 pounds, but has the ability to play bigger and defend well, similar to Jeremy Sochan but even bigger. While it might sound a bit too redundant to pair the two next to each other, it actually makes sense in today’s wing heavy league. The versatility of both players is what would make things work, and at this point the Spurs need to add defense to their roster if they don’t manage to land one of the above-mentioned players. 

Plus, Walker isn’t a total project on offense. He has some handling to work on but can score on the interior and make passes as well. The Ringer’s draft guide by Kevin O’Connor specifically points out his fluid footwork and touch. All this together fits perfectly with some of the Spurs’ sets where they funnel offense through the big. 

As a freshman at Houston, Walker averaged 11.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 36 games.

San Antonio overall is in a good spot. They have hopes for number one but aren’t out bad if it doesn’t land. There are good picks out there and San Antonio has the best draft history of any team in the top of the draft, something for fans to keep in mind as the rebuild continues.