There was no surprise at No. 1, but plenty afterward: How the 2023 NBA Draft unfolded

Read on to see how the 2023 NBA Draft unfolded.

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Draft night is never short of inspirational stories. The comeback of Keyontae Johsnon, who went No. 50 overall to Oklahoma City, might be the pick of the bunch this year.

On Dec. 12, 2020, Johnson, who played for Florida at the time, collapsed on the court in a game against Florida State. He suffered cardiac arrest caused by an increase in cardiac mass due to systemic training, a condition known as “athlete’s heart.” Johnson woke from a medically induced coma three days later.

Aside from an honorary start on senior day the following season, Johnson never played for the Gators again.

After transferring to Kansas State, however, Johnson averaged 17.4 points per game and shot 41% from 3-point range this past season, earning First Team All-Big 12 honors. He helped lead the Wildcats to the Elite Eight, where they fell to Florida Atlantic.

The Cavaliers went high-upside late in the second round, taking a flyer on Eastern Michigan’s Emoni Bates at No. 49.

Once the top high school basketball recruit in the country, Bates has slowly seen his stock decline because of injuries, underperformance, and off-the-court issues. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school sophomore, drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant for his length and scoring ability, and committed to Michigan State as a consensus five-star recruit.

Bates never landed in East Lansing, opting to graduate high school early to enroll at Memphis under Penny Hardaway. He struggled as a freshman before missing much of the season with injuries, then transferred to Eastern Michigan, his hometown college team. He was arrested before the season after a firearm was found in his car during a traffic stop, and took a plea deal that saw the charges dropped. He averaged 19.2 points for the Eagles this past season, before entering the NBA Draft with his reputation a far cry from his high school hype.

Bates remains a talented basketball player whose career has been sidetracked, and Cleveland appears to be willing to take a chance on that talent.

What are the Celtics getting in Jordan Walsh? Here’s a scouting report, courtesy Field Level Media:

Walsh, a 6-foot-7 wing, probably hasn’t been able to demonstrate what role he might best fill on the court. He started in 22 of 36 games with Arkansas, so he had a role that gave him an opportunity to excel, though he barely took more than six shots per game from the field. He’s 19 years old, so there’s plenty of time for growth in his game.

Walsh’s strengths: Because of his height, he has been pegged to guard different types of players on the perimeter and that versatility could serve him well. His defense has given him an edge on others in the draft, but he needs more experience against elite players before that potential can fully be analyzed. On offense, he’s probably underrated as a passer.

Walsh’s weaknesses: More seasoning at the collegiate level might have served him well. He wasn’t a go-to player at the offensive end for Arkansas, so it’s still undetermined how he might stack up when it comes to production. He’s not likely to make major impacts as a shooter, so he’ll have to develop physically and turn into a player who can score in various ways. He’ll need to show a better knack for offensive rebounding.

Andre Jackson Jr. was the second UConn player off the board, going No. 36 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks in a pick acquired from the Magic.

Jackson was the captain for the national champion Huskies and is an elite passer. His 41 assists during the NCAA Tournament were the most in school history at a program that has won five national titles.

Jackson has been an extremely inconsistent scorer, averaging just 6.7 points per game this past season. He shot 28% from 3-point range, but during cold spells, defenders would often dare him to shoot amidst taunts from opposing fans.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski also said Jackson was red-flagged by several teams over injury concerns.

Jackson’s jaw-dropping athleticism and ability to facilitate on offense made him an indispensable part of UConn’s starting lineup. UConn coach Dan Hurley called him the “ultimate winner” on ESPN’s set and said several NBA teams called him to confirm the great impressions Jackson made during his individual visits.

”He’s the type of guy who obviously could get right into a rotation and play,” Hurley said.

When the Celtics made their first pick Thursday, they took on a longer-term development project with Arkansas’s Jordan Walsh at No. 38 overall.

The 6-foot-7 Walsh, who has a 7-2 wingspan, was an elite wing defender with the Razorbacks. His guarding ability is reminiscent of Grant Williams, who is likely leaving Boston after the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis.

Walsh, a product of Desoto, Texas, is unlikely to replace Williams’ 3-point shooting after making just 28 percent of his shots from beyond the arc as a freshman with the Razorbacks. He was an inconsistent scorer, averaging 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 24 minutes per game.

Walsh tied fellow Razorback Anthony Black, who went No. 6 overall to the Magic, for the most games played by a freshman at Arkansas (36). The young Razorbacks knocked off No. 1 seed Kansas – and No. 13 overall pick Gradey Dick – in the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champions UConn in the Sweet 16.

After the Celtics drafted Walsh, they took Washington State’s Mouhamed Gueye at No. 39. Boston then traded Gueye away, according to a league source.

The Celtics selected Julian Phillips out of Tennessee with No. 35 on behalf of the Wizards as part of the trade that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston and sent Marcus Smart to Memphis.

The Celtics can’t stop making trades. Boston selected Colby Jones at pick No. 34, but the Xavier guard was promptly traded to Sacramento, who will send pick No. 38 and a future second round pick in return.

For the second time in six picks, Boston has traded down. After relinquishing their first-round pick (No. 25) to the Pistons, the Celtics have sent pick No. 31 to Charlotte, receiving picks No. 34 and 39 in return. On behalf the Hornets, Detroit selected James Nnaji, a 6-foot-10 center from Nigeria who played limited minutes for Spanish and EuroLeague giants Barcelona.

The18-year-old started playing basketball at age 12 and moved to Hungary two years later to hone his game.

For a second time, the Celtics are trading back in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Boston began the week with just one pick — No. 35 in the second round — before trading Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies as part of a three-team deal that landed big man Kristaps Porzingis in Boston.

The Grizzlies sent their 25th pick back in the deal.

Boston then sent that pick to Detroit in exchange for the 31st pick, then sent the 31st pick to the Hornets for Nos. 34 and 39, per reports.

Boston selected Houston’s Marcus Sasser at No. 25 overall, but the scrappy point guard who averaged 16.8 points per game this past season will not be heading to Boston.

Instead, he’ll be joining Ausar Thompson, the No. 5 overall pick, in Detroit, which has stockpiled a war chest of top-five talent over the past three years. Detroit will pick for Boston at No. 31 overall, the first pick of the second round.

Sasser, who celebrated his selection with Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson, was technically drafted by the Grizzlies, who had traded the pick to the Celtics as part of the deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston and sent Smart to Memphis.

ESPN reports Boston is trading back, sending the No. 25 pick — which they had acquired from the Grizzlies as part of the Marcus Smart trade — to Detroit for the No. 31 pick.

Boston will draft Marcus Sasser at No. 25 on behalf of the Pistons.

A strange quirk to watch for tonight: Because Boston’s three-team deal that sent Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies in exchange for the No. 25 pick is not complete, whomever the Celtics choose at No. 25 will not be wearing a green-and-white hat.

The Grizzlies will make the selection for the Celtics. In turn, the Celtics will choose on behalf of the Grizzlies at No. 35.

About an hour and half after being the first prospect to walk across the stage and shake hands with Adam Silver, Victor Wembanyama joined ESPN’s set at the Barclays Center.

“Of course I was waiting for it,” the 19-year old French phenom said of going No. 1 overall, “but still, I had the butterflies hours before.”

J.J. Reddick, who said he was blown away by Wembanyama’s maturity, asked the newest San Antonio Spur about sharing the moment with his family.

“I think it’s their reward for being good people, having their son be successful with their children,” Wembanyama said. “It just warms my heart to know that I can make these people proud. They matter so much to me.”

Wembanyama also talked about how his “unique body” (he stands at 7-foot-4) affects his workouts.

”I can’t work in a normal way,” he said. “It’s different than normal workouts, but it’s the same battle.” 

Wembanyama, while an elite rim protector, has shown a vulnerability to being pushed around in the paint.

He said remaining agile is a priority.

”I look more stable now than years back,” he said. “I don’t need to bulk up. I need to get stronger.”

The first prospect with New England ties is off the board, with UConn’s Jordan Hawkins going No. 14 to New Orleans, exactly where the Globe’s Gary Washburn had him going in his mock draft.

Hawkins is also the first player from the national champion Huskies selected, with college teammates Andre Jackson Jr. and Adama Sanogo projected to go in the second round. UConn head coach Dan Hurley was in attendance at the Barclays Center after UConn announced his six-year, $32.1 million contract extension Thursday.

A Gaithersburg, Md., native, Hawkins’ eyes filled with tears as he hugged his family following his selection. His cousin, LSU’s Angel Reese, also won a national championship in April.

”This has been by far the best year of life,” he said. “I’m about to play in the NBA. That’s crazy.”

Hawkins, who averaged 16.2 points per game, had 109 3-pointers this season, trailing only Ray Allen for most in Huskies history.

Nineteen years after Juwan Howard went No. 5 overall in the 1994 Draft, his son, Jett, went No. 11 overall to the Magic, who acquired the pick from the Bulls.

Many projected Kobe Bufkin to be the first Michigan player off the board. Instead, the son of Wolverines fourth-year head coach went first. Jett credited the time on the court he spent with his father at an early age as the most important piece of his basketball development.

”I’m trying not to cry, but that’s my dog right there,” Jett said of his father, who played 19 years in the NBA.

Orlando needed premier scoring power from its draft pick after shooting just 41% from the field and 37% from 3-point range last season. Jett made 78 3-pointers this season.

His defensive ability appears to be his downside, as Michigan was about seven points per 100 possessions better with Howard off the court, according to the Athletic.

ESPN reports the Mavericks have dealt the No. 10 pick and Davis Bertans to the Thunder. Dallas selected Cason Wallace on behalf of Oklahoma City.

It was no surprise that a Frenchman went No. 1 overall in Victor Wembanyama. Not many analysts, however, had his teammate at Metropolitans 92, Bilal Coulibaly, going in the top 10.

Coulibaly, a strong defensive wing but much rawer offensive prospect, went No. 7 overall to the Pacers, who later announced they will him to the Wizards. The Globe’s Gary Washburn had Coulibaly going No. 20 overall to the Rockets.

”We’re coming, we’re coming,” Coulibaly joked about he and Wembanyama headlining an injection of French prospects to the NBA.

Coulibaly will join the newly acquired Jordan Poole with the rebuilding Wizards, who have made several big trades in the last 24 hours. Kristaps Prozingis was dealt to the Celtics late Wednesday night, while Bradley Beal was sent to Phoenix in exchange for Chris Paul, who was then quickly moved to Golden State for Poole and additional draft compensation.

Picking on behalf of Indiana, Washington selected forward Jarace Walker, the first top 10 pick from the University of Houston since Hakeem Olajuwon.

ESPN notes four of the top five picks did not play college basketball in the US. It ties an NBA Draft record.

First overall pick Victor Wembanyana played in France’s National Basketball League, No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson spent two seasons in the G League Ignite, and Amen and Ausar Thompson — who went back to back at Nos. 4 and 5 — played for Overtime Elite, a league for aspiring NBA-ers.

Only Brandon Miller played in college. He spent one season at Alabama.

The Thompson brothers are living a family dream after the identical twins went back-to-back in the top five of the NBA Draft. 

They join Lonzo and LaMelo Ball as the other pair of brothers to go in the top five of the draft in the common era. 

Amen Thompson was the first Thompson brother off the board, going No. 4 overall to the Houston Rockets. At 6-foot-6, Amen is a physical point guard who can create for himself at the rim. He told ESPN he was excited to get to work in Houston with former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. 

“I feel like my best brand of basketball is running, and we’re a young team so that’s what we’re going to do,” he said. 

Ausar, an explosive, well-rounded combo guard went next at No. 5 to Detroit. He’ll join fellow top-five picks Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey in the Motor City, where they will be led by former Suns head coach and 2022 Coach of the Year Monty Williams. 

When asked how the family, which hails from Los Angeles, would celebrate, Amen said they would need some In-and-Out Burger, a popular California fast-food chain, flown to New York.

In a move that could have implications for the future of seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard, the Portland Trailblazers select Sterling “Scoot” Henderson third overall.

Henderson signed with G League Ignite at age 17, making him the youngest player in league history. He led the team in points (17.6), assists (6.6) and steals (1.2) this past season. The Marietta, Ga., native’s 6-foot-9 wingspan is one of the longest relative to height in this year’s draft class, and he has demonstrated consistent intensity on the defensive end.

”They get a dog that’s going to come in and be hungry” Henderson said of what he brings to Portland. “I’m young, but I’ve got a mature mindset.”

Now, Portland has to decide whether to have Henderson start as Lillard’s understudy or deal its veteran point guard somewhere else.

In his lone season at Alabama, the 6-foot-9 Miller was a first-team All-American and the SEC Player of the Year. The former five-star recruit led the SEC with almost 19 points per game and shot 38.4% from 3. He’s shown defensive promise, but he also averaged more turnovers per game (2.2) than assists (2.1).

His season at Alabama was marred by reports that he delivered a gun to then teammate Darius Miles, which was allegedly used by another man in the fatal shooting of Jamea Harris, a 23-year-old mother. Miller was not charged with a crime, but he was heavily criticized for receiving a “pat-down” from his teammate – his customary pregame introduction – as he took the court for his second game after the reports surfaced.

At the Draft Combine in May, Miller was asked about how he addressed the controversy with NBA teams.

”The message I’ve presented to them is it’s all a lesson learned,” he said. “You always have to be aware of your surroundings and know what you’re surrounded by. I feel like the night could’ve changed my career in less than a heartbeat.”

Generally considered the best prospect to enter the NBA since Lebron James, No. 1 Victor Wenbanyama is now officially headed to the San Antonio Spurs. Wembayama hugged many in his entourage before making his way to the stage, where he shared a long handshake and quick conversation with commissioner Adam Silver.

As composed as he was on the stage, Wembayama was visibly emotional afterwards with ESPN’s Monica McNutt.

”Hearing that sentence from Adam Silver, it’s something I’ve dreamed of so much,” he said. “I got to cry, man.”

During ESPN’s broadcast, J.J. Reddick, Jay Bilas and others lauded Wembenyama’s maturity and “sense of self” amidst the hype.

At age 19, the 7-foot-4 Wembamyama has already played three years in France’s top pro league. Wembanyama will join a litany of talented big men coached by Gregg Popovich, including Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and Lamarcus Aldridge.

”I’m a damn spur,” he said.

Scoot Henderson of G League Ignite is sporting one of the most colorful outfits of the draftees tonight, including a bedazzled jacket, multicolored grill, a sparkling ring, and plenty of chains.

He told ESPN that all the jewels and colors represent the birthstones of his siblings and parents.

”I’m representing my family with all of this,” he said. “It might look like a a lot, but it’s just my family.”

Gradey Dick, a  Wichita, Kan., native who starred at the University of Kansas, is following the yellow brick road to the NBA. Dick arrived in an all-red suit inspired by the ruby slippers worn by Dorothy, the heroine of the “Wizard of Oz.”

Not to be outdone, No. 1 overall pick and generational prospect Victor Wembanyama is sporting an all-green suit and jewelry. He told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith it was inspired by his love of space.

Twins Amen and Ausar Thompson from Overtime Elite are both likely to go in the top 10 and are sporting contrasting outfits, with Amen in a white suit and Ausar in black.

The Globe’s Gary Washburn thinks the Celtics will draft Bryce Sensabaugh at No. 25.From his mock draft: “An effortless scorer in his lone year at Ohio State, Sensabaugh can help boost the Celtics’ frontcourt. He averaged 40 percent shooting from the 3-point line and could be the heir apparent to Grant Williams. Jumping up to 25 helps the Celtics get a quality player here.”

See how he thinks the rest of the first round will shake out here.

It’s difficult to determine how the Celtics offense will look after the trade of Marcus Smart and acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis because there may be a void at point guard.

Smart was the Celtics’ lead ballhandler. He was their best passer and facilitator. And now he’s gone, to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal that has shocked Celtics faithful. Smart was the team’s longest-tenured player at nine years and he had become perhaps the franchise’s most polarizing player since Antoine Walker.

Smart’s weaknesses were apparent at times, but he also improved immensely at point guard. But the Celtics’ offense continued to suffer late in crucial games and the organization sought to unclog a crowded

Of course, the first choice to go was Malcolm Brogdon, but his elbow injury and the Clippers’ concern about adding another injured player scared them off, leaving the Celtics to formulate another Porzingis trade before the big man’s midnight deadline of opting into the final year of his contract at $36 million.

Read more here.

The 76ers and Bulls were forced to forfeit their second round picks for violating rules to prevent tampering prior to free agency.

The NBA rescinded Philadelphia’s second-round picks in 2023 and 2024 after a league investigation determined the 76ers conducted free-agency discussions with P.J Tucker and Danuel House Jr. prior to when talks were permitted.

The Bulls acquired pick No. 57 in a 2021 trade that sent Lauri Markkanen to the Denver Nuggets. Chicago lost the pick as punishment for tampering in the process of acquiring Lonzo Ball in a sign-and-trade with the Pelicans. Ball played only 35 games last season before being shut down for the season following surgery on his left knee.

Brad Stevens took a risk with a blockbuster deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Boston and sent Marcus Smart, the Celtics’ longest-tenured player, to Memphis, but it’s far from the only big roster shakeup by a championship contender coming off a disappointing performance in the playoffs.

After dealing Porzingis to Boston, the Wizards have continued to put their rebuild in motion, finalizing a trade on Thursday that sends Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns, who lost to the eventual champion Nuggets in the conference semifinals. News that Beal, a three-time All-Star, would be teaming up with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker first broke Sunday. The Suns have gone all-in on star-power, with Beal, Durant, Booker, and Deandre Ayton combining for nearly $750,000,00 in guaranteed salary through the 2027-28 season.

Chris Paul headlined the return haul for Washington, who also received Landry Shamet, six second-round picks, and four first-round pick swaps. The 38-year-old point guard and twelve-time All-Star was then quickly dealt to the Warriors, who, like Phoenix, also lost in the conference semis.

In return, the Wizards receive Jordan Poole and additional draft compensation. Golden State gets cap relief by dealing Poole, who signed a 4-year, $140 million contract and then was punched by Draymond Green at practice heading into the season.

Poole averaged over 20 points per game during the regular season but was less effective in the playoffs, scoring just 8.3 points per game and going 25% from 3-point range when the Warriors fell to the Lakers in six games.

Brandon Miller will likely go No. 2 overall to the Hornets. In his lone season at Alabama, the 6-foot-9 Miller was a first-team All-American and the SEC Player of the Year. The former five-star recruit led the SEC with almost 19 points per game and shot 38.4% from 3. He’s shown defensive promise, but he also averaged more turnovers per game (2.2) than assists (2.1).

His season at Alabama was marred by reports that he delivered a gun to then teammate Darius Miles, which was allegedly used by another man in the fatal shooting of Jamea Harris, a 23-year-old mother.  Miller was not charged with a crime, but he was heavily criticized for receiving a “pat-down” from his teammate – his customary pregame introduction – as he took the court for his second game after the reports surfaced.

At the Draft Combine in May, Miller was asked about how he addressed the controversy with NBA teams.

”The message I’ve presented to them is it’s all a lesson learned,” he said. “You always have to be aware of your surroundings and know what you’re surrounded by. I feel like the night could’ve changed my career in less than a heartbeat.”

At 6-foot-2, point guard Scoot Henderson doesn’t quite have the frame of Wembanyama. His 6-9 wingspan, however, is one of the longest relative to height in this year’s draft class. The former five-star recruit from Marietta, Ga., spent two seasons with G League Ignite, whom he led in points (17.6), assists (6.6) and steals (1.2) in 2022-23.

Fellow point guard Amen Thompson of Overtime Elite is projected to go in the top five, and twin brother Ausar shouldn’t be too far behind. Both explosive athletes at 6-foot-6, Amen will likely be a ball handler at the next level while Ausar projects more as a combo guard.

Cam Whitmore, also 6-foot-6, has similarly turned heads with his 40-inch vertical. He not only thrives in transition and can attack downhill but has also demonstrated catch-and-shoot promise, shooting 34.3 percent from 3-point range during his freshman season at Villanova.

Only nine players 7-foot-4 or taller have played more than 100 games in the NBA. None of them have been able to do the things the 19-year-old Wembanyama is capable of.

The highlight reels of step-back 3s, hesitation crossovers, and ferocious blocks against some of Europe’s best competition have helped fuel the hype around the French phenom, who hails from a western suburb of Paris and is generally considered the best NBA prospect since LeBron James.

While his shot remains inconsistent and durability is a concern, Wembanaya has already used his near 8-foot wingspan to become an elite shot blocker. He led the LNB Pro A, France’s top league, with 103 blocks in 34 games, 52 more than the next-best player.He also won the league’s scoring title (21.6 ppg) and rebounds while shooting nearly 83% from the free throw line. He’s a creative ball handler who loves to get out in transition and is able to both get to the rim and pull up for a jump shot.

The obvious choice for the Spurs at No. 1, Wembanyama will join a litany of talented big men coached by Gregg Popovich, including Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and Lamarcus Aldridge.

If Wembaymama comes close to reaching his elite upside, however, he’ll likely need to practice throwing a baseball, if his first pitch at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night is anything to go by.

The deal for Kristaps Porzingis likely signals the end in Boston for forward Grant Williams, league sources told the Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. Williams, who was drafted No. 22 overall by the Celtics in 2019, was a key piece during Boston’s run to the 2022 NBA Finals but couldn’t agree to terms on an extension that offseason. Now a restricted free agent, Williams shot 39.5 percent from the 3-point line this season but fell out of Joe Mazzulla’s rotation for much of the playoffs.

Payton Pritchard all but requested a trade in February during a season in which the third-year guard had career lows in games (48) and minutes per game (13.4). However, the departure of Smart increases the likelihood the Celtics hold on to Pritchard, who they remain high on, for backcourt depth behind Derrick White and Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon.

Brogdon looked to be heading to the Clippers in the original formulation of the Porzingis trade, but the Clippers’ concerns about the forearm strain that limited Brogdon in playoffs led them to back out, and Smart was dealt to the Grizzlies to bring Porzingis to Boston instead.

The Porzingis deal came closest to the draft, but it’s not the first bold trade Brad Stevens has made as Boston’s president of basketball operations.

In his first offseason after replacing Danny Ainge, Stevens traded the Celtics’ first-round choice to the Thunder in a deal that shed Kemba Walker’s maximum-salary contract and brought Al Horford back to Boston.

Last February, Stevens again dealt Boston’s first-round selection that year for Derrick White, arguably the Celtics’ best player in this season’s conference finals vs. Miami. Last summer, Stevens traded his 2023 first-round selection to the Pacers for Malcolm Brogdon.

By Tim Reynolds, Associated Press

If you want to be in the NBA, it helps to be, among other things, excellent at the playing of basketball.

If you want to be in the NBA draft, basketball skills aren’t required.

There is a group of 18 people who are officially “draft eligible” for Thursday’s festivities at Barclays Center in New York, and they have one thing in common: They will not be getting drafted. The NBA has them on what it calls the B List — “unknown individuals,” officially. All that is required is fill out the necessary paperwork to enter the draft, a process that has allowed some with no real basketball ability to apply.

It’s a phenomenon that’s not new. It’s gone on for nearly a half-century; some do it and generate attention, others have stayed quiet. It’s gimmicky, sure, but the rules are clear: If someone meets the general criteria laid out by the NBA, then they can become “eligible” for the draft.

A law student from Florida named Jordan Haber is one of this year’s 18 names; he’s posted several videos to TikTok detailing how he got into this year’s draft. He’s said he will be at Barclays Center on Thursday night for the draft — with tickets from the arena’s social media team, not an invite from the NBA.

Read more here.

Emma Healy can be reached at emma.healy@globe.com. Follow her on TWitter @_EmmaHealy_. Greg McKenna can be reached at greg.mckenna@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @McKennaGregjed. Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @k8tmac.