Round 1 Winners Surprise Picks Raise Big Question

ESPN Draft Insiders Break Down the Twists, Turns, and Trades of Wednesday’s First Round

Keep Track of Every Pick and Reported Trade from the 2024 NBA Draft LIVE on ABC/ESPN.

The 2023 NBA Draft was full of surprises, with several unexpected picks in the first round. ESPN draft insiders break down the biggest twists, turns, and trades of the night.

The most notable surprise was the selection of Victor Wembanyama by the Metropolitans 92 with the No. 1 overall pick. Wembanyama, a 7-foot-3 center from France, is considered one of the best prospects in the world and was widely expected to go No. 1. However, the Metropolitans surprised many by selecting Wembanyama ahead of Scoot Henderson, a 6-foot-2 point guard from the United States.

Another surprise pick was Alex Sarr, who was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the No. 2 overall pick. Sarr, a 6-foot-11 center from Senegal, was considered a top-10 prospect but was not expected to go No. 2. The Thunder's selection of Sarr raised questions about their long-term plans, as they already have a young and talented center in Chet Holmgren.

The first round of the 2023 NBA Draft was full of surprises, and it will be interesting to see how these picks pan out in the long run.