Cason Wallace still a lottery pick in ESPN's latest mock draft

Kentucky has one projected draft pick in ESPN’s latest mock for 2023, a lottery selection.

Cason Wallace, a first-round pick all season long, holds firm at No. 13 overall in Jonathan Givony’s latest update. The five-star freshman is one of 10 college rookies in the lottery, with all 14 picks being one-and-done draft-eligible talents — one coming from overseas, one playing for the G League Ignite and two being Overtime Elite standouts.

He’s also one of four SEC freshmen in the updated lottery, joining Brandon Miller (Alabama), Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas) and Anthony Black (Arkansas).

Take a look at the projected first round:

Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92) – Detroit Pistons
Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite) – Houston Rockets
Brandon Miller (Alabama) – San Antonio Spurs
Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite) – Charlotte Hornets
Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite) – Orlando Magic
Jarace Walker (Houston) – Indiana Pacers
Nick Smith Jr. (Arkansas) – Utah Jazz
Cam Whitmore (Villanova) – Oklahoma City Thunder
Keyonte George (Baylor) – Orlando Magic
Anthony Black (Arkansas) – Portland Trail Blazers
Gradey Dick (Kansas) – Washington Wizards
Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana) – New Orleans Pelicans
Cason Wallace (Kentucky) – Los Angeles Lakers
Taylor Hendricks (UCF) – Atlanta Hawks
Jett Howard (Michigan) – Toronto Raptors
Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers) – Utah Jazz
Kyle Filipowski (Duke) – Miami Heat
Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State) – Golden State Warriors
Kris Murray (Iowa) – New York Knicks
Dereck Lively II (Duke) – Houston Rockets
Kobe Bufkin (Michigan) – Brooklyn Nets
Leonard Miller (G League Ignite) – Brooklyn Nets
Jordan Hawkins (Connecticut) – Sacramento Kings
Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine) – Memphis Grizzlies
James Nnaji (Barcelona) – Portland Trail Blazers
Colby Jones (Xavier) – Indiana Pacers
Gregory Jackson II (South Carolina) – Utah Jazz
Noah Clowney (Alabama) – Indiana Pacers
Dariq Whitehead (Duke) – Charlotte Hornets
Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana) – LA Clippers

And that’s it for the Wildcats among anticipated draft selections, no second-round picks. No Oscar Tshiebwe, no Jacob Toppin, no Antonio Reeves, no Chris Livingston. Obviously no sign of Sahvir Wheeler, CJ Fredrick, Lance Ware, Daimion Collins, Adou Thiero or Ugonna Onyenso on the draft boards, either.

All players with at least one year of eligibility remaining.

Wallace is certainly expected to go, and it’s hard to envision a scenario Tshiebwe, Toppin or Wheeler return. Beyond those four, though, it’s a roster full of toss-up decisions that truly could go a number of directions — pro, transfer or return. And with five incoming freshmen set to arrive on campus this summer, something’s got to give with a few pieces.

One way or another, it’s going to be a hectic offseason for the Kentucky basketball program.