French wing Rayan Rupert has declared for the 2023 NBA draft as an early entrant, he tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN. The 18-year-old is viewed as a possible lottery pick, according to Givony, who has him ranked 17th overall on ESPN’s big board of 2023 prospects.
Rupert signed with the New Zealand Breakers of Australia’s National Basketball League prior to the 2022/23 season as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program. A broken wrist sidelined him for two months starting in November, but when healthy, he showed some promise as a three-point shooter, including knocking down 10-of-16 threes during the NBL Blitz tournament in the fall, Givony writes.
While Rupert’s overall numbers, including 6.6 points per game on 36.4% shooting, were underwhelming, NBA teams are intrigued by his size – 6’7″ with a 7’3″ wingspan – as well as his maturity and his unselfish playing style, per Givony.
Rupert, who says he can “change the game” with his defense, named Nets forward Mikal Bridges as an NBA player he models himself after, adding that the year he spent in the NBL helped him grow his game.
“The NBL is a good league for young players,” Rupert said. “They play fast like in the NBA. The Breakers helped me become a better player and person, competing against pros every day. It was a good decision for me to play in the NBL. I had to earn my minutes, focus on my defense, learn how to play off the ball, become a smarter player and use my IQ to impact the game.”