It was a record night for Dallas-area high school basketball players in the 2023 NBA draft. Several local players were picked up by NBA squads, either through the draft’s 58 picks or by landing a free agent deal after the draft’s conclusion.
One player even gets to stay home.
See the full list of players from local high schools and colleges — Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, TCU et al. — below.
Local high school, college players headed to NBA
Anthony Black
Orlando Magic, No. 6 overall
Black was a star for Duncanville after transferring from Coppell — and he was a coveted football recruit as well. He stuck with basketball and shined at Arkansas last year before the Magic snagged him at No. 6.
Cason Wallace
Oklahoma City Thunder, No. 10 overall
Wallace played four seasons at Richardson before his stellar freshman season at Kentucky led to a top-10 selection. He was actually drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, but was immediately swapped with OKC for the 12th pick.
Keyonte George
Utah Jazz, No. 16 overall
The reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year, George played his first two high school seasons at Lewisville, transferred as a junior to iSchool of Lewisville and then moved to national prep powerhouse IMG Academy in Florida.
Marcus Sasser
Detroit Pistons, No. 25 overall
Sasser was the motor behind a Houston team that spent a large portion of the 2022-23 season near the top of the AP Top 25. Before finding collegiate stardom with the Cougars, Sasser was a standout at Red Oak.
(Michael Ainsworth)
Jordan Walsh
Boston Celtics, No. 38 overall
The first of two Dallas-area second-rounders, Walsh was one of the Dallas area’s premier prospects before finishing his high school career at Link Academy in Branson, Mo. Said to have an ‘elite’ motor, which seems a likely fit in Boston.
Jalen Wilson
Brooklyn Nets, No. 51 overall
Once a star at Denton Guyer before going on to win a national championship with the Kansas Jayhawks. The Guyer team that featured Wilson made it to the Class 6A regional finals, as well. The Nets grabbed him in the second round.
(Michael Ainsworth / Special Contributor)
Mike Miles
Dallas Mavericks, UDFA
Miles signed a two-way contract with the Mavericks late Thursday night, making him the only player on the list to play locally at the high school, college and professional level. Miles was the Morning News’ Player of the Year in 2020 before his impressive TCU career led to a deal with Dallas.
Sir’Jabari Rice
San Antonio Spurs, UDFA
Similar to Miles, Rice’s trip to his new digs is a short one. He signed a two-way deal with the Spurs (who predictably took slam-dunk No. 1 pick Victor Wembenyama earlier in the night) after closing out his college career with the Longhorns last season.
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