Michigan Basketball: Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard projected as first-round picks

In case any Michigan basketball fans were wondering, Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard are each projected as first-rounders for the 2023 NBA draft. 

There’s a lot of drama surrounding the NBA draft withdrawal deadline which comes essentially late Wednesday night. However, there’s no drama for Michigan basketball.

At least none that has to do with former Michigan basketball players. There’s no question that Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard are keeping their names in the draft. That was clear from the moment they made their announcements and the mock drafts show why.

In the latest mock draft from ESPN, Bufkin and Howard failed to make the NBA draft lottery, but each is comfortably selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft.

Examining mock draft fits for Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard

Bufkin is mocked to the Utah Jazz at the No. 16 overall pick. At 6-foot-4, Bufkin is the ideal combo guard. He started to show his ability as a secondary playmaker last season and he’s only just started to scratch the surface of his vast potential.

It’s easy for me to see why Bufkin is rated above Howard and frankly, I think his falling out of the lottery is a surprise. True combo guards that can defend the way Bufkin can are rare. He’s a three-level scorer and he’s got the mid-range game to dominate in ball-screen situations down the line.

Jett Howard is projected to go to the Miami Heat in the ESPN mock draft and that would be perfect. Howard is a sharpshooter and while his game has some warts, he’s an elite shotmaker.

Howard is going to have to become a better all-around player to see consistent minutes in the NBA. Yet, Duncan Robinson isn’t an elite defender and is still getting key minutes for a team that’s playing in the NBA Finals.

The Howard’s have a great relationship with the Heat and Jett would be a nice get. He’s got the offensive talent of a lottery pick and in the right place, he’ll flourish just like Kobe Bufkin.