This is a top-heavy draft that drops off steeply after the fifth or sixth pick. It’s not nearly as talented as last year’s draft, or as deep, but throughout, there are some themes. While last year had connectors and facilitators with size and length, this year there are some intriguing players of similar size that can really shoot the ball. Hidden behind the well-publicized top three of Chet, Jabari, and Paolo are guys like Keegan Murray, EJ Liddell, Jabari Walker, and Nikola Jovic.
Another theme you might see is that this draft is loaded with role players. These guys might not jump off the page with athleticism and scoring ability, but they are solid, efficient, pros who will help a rebuilding or a playoff team. Guys like Wendell Moore Jr., Jeremy Sochan, and Jaylen Wilson are just a few examples. These guys could easily carve out long NBA careers. This makes the drop-off from the top of the draft a bit dangerous. Do you use a late lottery or mid-first-round pick on a guy with limited upside who might be a perfect fit with your roster, or do you take a chance on a guy with more upside, like a Shaedon Sharpe, Tari Eason, or Caleb Love?
Lastly, there are an unusual number of 6’8 one-dimensional defenders in this draft. Teams looking to groom a lockdown defender, and can wait for them to develop their offensive game could be finding what they need in the late first round or throughout the second round.
The NBA Draft is full of regrets. Every year players like Tyrese Haliburton or Desmond Bane leave several teams kicking themselves for not taking them. Every year there are also tantalizing talents who end up being tabbed as lottery busts like Markelle Fultz and Jarrett Culver. Last May, in my 2021 NBA Draft Big Board, I graded Josh Giddey and Franz Wagner way too low and thought Corey Kisbert was a lottery pick (I don’t see a pattern there… let’s move on).
Conversely, I had Scottie Barnes over Jalen Suggs and Jalen Green, which I stand by today. I listed sleepers like Herb Jones 15th, Ayo Dosunmu 17th, and both Tre Mann and Trey Murphy in the top 20. I get the W on that, right? Let’s try to guess who will be the lottery busts and who will fall through the cracks this year.
I don’t speak with GMs or have inside knowledge. But I’ve coached at the college level for a decade, recruiting over a hundred players annually, and seen thousands of game films of players trying to make it, from D3 to JUCO, to high major programs. I’ve seen talent all over the world as a scout for NBADraft.net (like Ricky Rubio when he was 15-years-old).
I’ve had a D1 player I coached make it to the league when no one thought he could –– including him––and he got a bag. So I’m a few decades in on this “I care about basketball more than anything else” phase of my life. I watch a ton of games and podcast about it so that I can tell my wife that I have to watch the game because I have to podcast about it. Am I cocky about evaluating talent? Sure. Am I a literal NBA Draft psychic? Maybe.
Rankings on this Big Big Board are based on talent, and how good I think these players will end up. NBA player comparisons are based on similarities in style of play, not necessarily how good the player is right now. Sometimes it’s a player comp for their ceiling and another for their floor, and sometimes it’s a few players that all remind me of their size and type of game. Sometimes it’s my projected future impact in the NBA for them.
Despite all this, if there’s one thing we know about player comps it’s that they are often flimsy and easily disputed. Take them with a grain of salt. It’s easy to think of the star players you remember. It’s hard to think of average players for comps because they weren’t as memorable. I’m going to do both. If you don’t recognize some of the player comp names, it’s because I’m old school and that player played when you were in diapers, so feel free to google them, or raise your hand and ask questions @CoachMotenko.
Without further ado, your 2022 NBA DRAFT BIG BIG BOARD:
THE LOTTERY
1. Chet Holmgren 7’1 195 GONZAGA (Evan Mobley/Kevin McHale/Tayshaun Prince)
If you put Tayshaun Prince and Kevin McHale into a laboratory and made a hooper baby, this would be Chet. When you first lay eyes on Holmgren, you probably see the awkward, gangly, poor-postured 7-footer, who looks like every super tall dorky kid walking around high schools who are tired of the basketball coach asking them to try out because they would rather play Magic The Gathering. Then he starts to play and he’s got all the post moves, fakes, footwork, savvy, and patience scoring down low with his back to the basket or facing up. Then you see him rebound and push the break, handle the ball and make decisions on pick and rolls, and you think you’re watching a shooting guard, like Brandon Ingram or Seattle Kevin Durant. He can shoot the 3 with consistency and finished his year at Gonzaga with 60/40/70 shooting splits. Yeah, but can he pass, and does he have a super high basketball IQ? Yes. He has that too.
He plays with finesse, touch with both hands, and doesn’t back down from physicality despite his slight frame being able to be thrown around like a rag doll a bit. He knows the game and plays like the most experienced player on the floor. He knows that he needs to dunk everything around the rim, and he does. Even at his height, his length is surprising to the observer, and his opponents, and he gets his hands on a lot of steals, deflections, and blocks. His nickname is the “Slim Reaper.” What’s not to like about this kid? His kyphosis posture? Okay, I’ll give you that, but is that really the difference between him and Evan Mobley, who everyone raves about? He sometimes can be turnover prone trying to thread the needle on passes, and also needs to work on defending without fouling. But remember in the ’90s when Reggie Miller was considered one of the best players in the game, and despite his weak-looking frame, and non-elite athleticism, he wouldn’t back down from Michael Jordan? He just knew the game, used his brain, and had all the tools to somehow always get the job done. That’s Chet Holmgren. He’s a 7-foot-1 wing and if he slips at all he is going to make people regret not taking him first.
2. Paolo Banchero 6’10 250 DUKE (Derrick Coleman/Chris Webber/Pascal Siakam)
A man amongst boys at the high school and college level. Paolo had an NBA-ready body two years ago. He’s super athletic and powerful around the rim and can explode with power off one or two feet. He can handle and shoot like a wing, and showed throughout the season that he could facilitate off the dribble as well. This last point is the upside he has–in my opinion–over Jabari Smith. His go-to spin move is at Siakam levels already, and thus he will need to have help-side defenders pack it in on him, but unlike Siakam, you have to respect Paolo’s shot. He has a great shoulder fake to his turn-around fade-away from the block or mid-post and can go to either shoulder with this move. His talent is jaw-dropping, which has allowed him to take it easy and rely on his genes and natural ability to take over.
The knocks on him are that he hasn’t always shown the effort on the defensive side of the ball, and it’s still up in the air whether he can guard wings and switch onto quicker guards. This dude has the most upside of anyone in the draft since Zion. Like Zion, he does things on the court that make other star players stop in disbelief. It’s going to be exciting to see what he can do at the NBA level. Unless you were an Antoine Walker fan, we haven’t seen anyone with Banchero’s skill-set in that kind of body since Chris Webber or Derrick Coleman.
3. Jaden Ivey 6’4 200 PURDUE (Dwayne Wade/Russell Westbrook/Derrick Rose)
Strong lead guard, who is athletic, smooth, and has such powerful burst that he can beat everyone up the floor, or dunk through people in traffic. He played next to another point guard in college and while he has good court vision and timing, his 3.1 assists per game don’t really back up the projection of him making his teammates better. He also likes to be a bit flashy with his passing. He can shoot and had 46/36/74 shooting splits in his one year at Purdue, yet he still seems like more of a driver currently. Ivey is third on this list because his explosiveness is just so unique, it gives him the potential upside that can be franchise-altering and completely unguardable.
4. Adrian “AJ” Griffin Jr. 6’6 225 DUKE (Kawhi Leonard/OG Anunoby/Jaylen Brown)
The most efficient player in college basketball at 50/45/80 shooting splits. Shoots exceptionally well from 3, and can get to the rim as well. He has the physical tools of Jaylen Brown, OG Anunoby, and Kawhi Leonard, and like all his player comps, there seems to be something missing in his game. OG and Kawhi were seen as defenders more than offensive hubs – but both proved that wrong and developed those parts of their games in the league. Jaylen Brown proved the doubters wrong about his shot and is slowly getting better at his open court decision-making. AJ Griffin is seen by some as a 3-and-D wing right now but will prove people wrong in how he improves when he gets to the league. He’s shown the selflessness to take a back seat to Banchero at Duke, but does he have the killer instinct to take over when it matters? I think due to his pedigree – his Dad is one of the more respected NBA assistant coaches, Adrien Griffin Sr. – AJ’s development is worth betting on.
5. Jabari Smith Jr. 6’10 220 AUBURN (Michael Porter Jr./Franz Wagner/Rashard Lewis)
I love the combination of Jabari’s stats at his size. 42% from 3, 80% FT, 2 assists,1 steal, and 1 block per game is the epitome of 3-and-D. Smith can pull up and shoot from mid-range or 3, and can finish around the rim. He can move laterally and defend the perimeter, and he hustles on the defensive side of the ball, which is half the battle. The big issue with him is his handle. Similar to Michael Porter or Rashard Lewis, it seems Jabari’s ceiling might be stuck in a pull-up jump shooter role, without other tools to create his own shot, handle or facilitate. If he is drafted to a team where he can be a knockdown shooter around other facilitators, he’s going to succeed in the perfect role for him. If he’s going to need to be “The Guy” I don’t see him having the same impact. His stock has skyrocketed during the college season, but some stats (specifically FT% and 3pt%) dipped slightly in the second half of the season. His dad, Jabari Smith, was a face-up center in the NBA in the late 1990s.
6. Shaedon Sharpe 6’6 200 KENTUCKY (Vince Carter)
Sharpe is this draft’s mystery man. He has the most upside of anyone in the draft due to his elite athleticism, even for NBA standards, and his shot creation, touch and balance on his jumper. His story is reminiscent of a young Kobe Bryant, when he came out of high school and was judged more critically because of his youth compared to his peers and his unorthodox path. The Canadian prospect went to 3 high schools in three years and then showed out in the Grind Session AAU circuit averaging 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, and immediately became the number one player in his recruiting class. However, instead of playing his senior year of high school, he re-classified and enrolled at Kentucky in January to practice with Coach Calipari’s program.
7. TyTy Washington 6’3 195 KENTUCKY (Jamal Murray/Tyrese Maxey)
Ty Ty had an up and down year, but his talent is undeniable, and I think his game is more made for the NBA where he will have more space. He’s lightning quick, and can shoot the ball really well, averaging 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists with 48/41/81 shooting splits. Call me crazy, but I’m a sucker for shooting efficiency when the player has elite talent and athleticism.
8. Wendell Moore Jr. 6’5 215 DUKE (Jrue Holiday/Desmond Bane)
Moore isn’t the sexy pick but he always gets the job done and makes the right play. He’s a two-way player, and a very good playmaker for a SG, which makes me think he can play the point in the NBA. He averaged 16-5-5 on 50/40/80 shooting splits at a program that had some amazing talent. Moore seemed like the steady hand on the team who always played within himself.
9. Dyson Daniels 6’6 200 G-LEAGUE IGNITE/AUSTRALIA (Lonzo Ball/Malcolm Brogdan/Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)
Great court vision and playmaking skills at 6’6. Is a true, pass-first point guard who can defend 1-3 right now. He can make teammates better and is always looking to make the right decision, but also has elite court vision. Averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists for G-League Ignite, and I think his length and versatility at that level make him an intriguing connector in the NBA.
10. Tari Eason 6’8 220 LSU (Jimmy Butler/DeAndre Hunter)
A two-way player with a really high motor, toughness, versatility, and skill. Averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, and 52/36/80 shooting splits. His ball-handling is still a work in progress but he can probe, spin, and has the footwork in the post to drive into scoring opportunities. Defensively, he is extremely switchable and has a ton of upside on that side of the ball. What separates Tari from other prospects is his tenacity.
11. EJ Liddell 6’7 240 OHIO STATE (Julius Randle)
EJ is a big-bodied driver, who can really handle the ball at his size. He has improved his jump shot considerably going from 19% from 3 two years ago as a Freshman to 37% this past year. He can defend the perimeter well enough and is an elite shot-blocker, averaging 2.6 per game this year. His improvement overall has made him an elite prospect in my mind – a two-way guy who can score, facilitate and bring toughness to a team.
12. Caleb Love 6’4 195 NORTH CAROLINA (Gilbert Arenas/Emmanual Quickley)
Really improved his 3pt shooting from freshman year, and is now considered clutch after several big shots throughout the tournament, and ending the year at 37% from 3 after being in the low 30s to start the year and last year. So smooth and super fast with the ball, Love is a great slasher who can finish around defenders. Has potential as an elite scorer and when he gets hot he can hit off stepbacks, side steps, and all the NBA dribble pull-ups – and he can make shots with a hand in his face. Plays with extreme confidence. Defense is not a strength for him but he has the physical tools to improve. 3.7 asst could be better.
13. Ochai Agbaji 6’5 215 KANSAS (J.R. Smith/Zach LaVine/Grayson Allen)
Shooter, with the confidence to take big game-winners in the clutch. He’s tough, experienced, and has worked a ton on his game. He has NBA level bounce and will give you highlight dunks. He also plays a bit bigger than his 6’5 size. Agbaji definitely improved his stock with his NCAA tournament performance. The knock on him is that while he’s worked to fit the ideal wing for today’s offense, besides the 3s and dunks, what else is he giving you? I guess if he’s hitting everything that doesn’t really matter, but he’s not going to facilitate for others (1.5 assists per game) and isn’t even thinking about making his teammates better. He’s not a great ball-handler and I have him as a two to three dribble guy – not even a secondary playmaker. He’s also not always locked in on defense and thus doesn’t play to his potential on that side of the ball, especially considering his athleticism and physical tools. There are obvious reasons to be excited and yet there are reasons to be cautious picking him too high. He will also be 22 years old at draft time.
14. Ben Mathurin 6’7 210 ARIZONA (Andrew Wiggins/Gary Trent Jr/Kentavious Caldwell-Pope)
Big-time shooter and high-end talent who led his Arizona team and was a top recruit. When his shot is falling it seems like he’s one of the draft’s elite players, but I feel like he doesn’t do much to help his team win when he’s not scoring. He plays smaller than his listed 6’7 and that bothers me for someone who has such athleticism.
REMAINDER OF FIRST ROUND
15. Johnny Davis 6’5 195 WISCONSIN (Norman Powell/DeMar DeRozan)
Super tough leader-and-intangibles player who has great footwork that allows him to score the ball at will. Averaged 20-8-2 assists on 43/31/80 shooting splits. Hustles to make winning plays. He does most of his damage in the midrange, which will ingratiate him with some teams, but most will want him to expand his repertoire and shoot more 3s.
16. Jaylen Wilson 6’8 225 KANSAS (Dorian Finney-Smith)
Wilson stood out as a glue guy and connector for a Kansas team that made a deep run in the NCAA Tourney. He has great size for a secondary facilitator and showed a solid handle. He’s switchable defensively and plays with tons of energy and hustle – and he has the athleticism for that to matter in the NBA. He is a late first-round steal. The big knock on his game is his inability to shoot the 3, but I think he can learn to shoot. I gave him an NBA player comparison who also learned to shoot well enough to be a key cog for a playoff team in the NBA but had the same versatility coming out of Florida, in Dorian Finney-Smith.
17. Nikola Jovic 6’10 210 SERBIA (Tony Kucoc/Detlef Schrempf)
The best Serbian prospect in several years, Jovic can do a little of everything on the court but doesn’t excel at any one thing. He can handle and pass (2.8 assists). He can rebound and push the break. He can hit open threes. He’s still raw and needs to add strength, but at his size and mobility, there is a ton of potential as he develops. He will need a year to develop, possibly two, but he is a throw-back player and plays with a good feel for the game. Once he finds what he can excel at skill-wise, he will be a huge asset.
18. Keegan Murray 6’8 225 IOWA (Kyle Kuzma/Otto Porter)
Obviously, Murray is a great scorer (24ppg) with NBA size, but when you look into the numbers, his percentages are top shelf for a perimeter player at 55/40/75 shooting splits. He is the type of shooter who you think will make every shot he takes as you watch him play. He’s a bit one-dimensional. He doesn’t have elite athleticism, strength, or toughness and while he plays smart, fundamental ball, I think his upside is limited. He can’t stay in front of quick guards at the next level or protect the rim. If he could develop as a driver and facilitator, I can see him changing into more of a Kris Middleton or Bojan Bogdanovic-type player, but he’s just a bit stiff and I see him more as 4 man who can shoot rather than a big guard.
19. Jabari Walker 6’9 215 COLORADO (Trey Murphy lll)
Shooting wing/forward who plays hard and can either bang down low or spread the floor. His shooting splits in his sophomore year (46/35/78) dropped a bit from his freshman year (52/52/78), but he still averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds. He has good post moves and can play some small-ball 5 while being able to switch defensively 2-5. He can grab the rebound and push the break a bit, and while he can handle it a little, he isn’t going to be a lead facilitator in the NBA. He doesn’t have elite athleticism, but it’s solid and he has good strength.
20. Jalen Duren 6’10 250 MEMPHIS (Andre Drummond)
Another Man-Child in this draft with an NBA body. Everything is around the rim and vicious. Tries to dunk everything. Can find shooters off the short role and knows how to slow down and wait for passing lanes to open up. Doesn’t have much offense outside of eight feet. Seems to have the athleticism and physical gifts to switch defensively but hasn’t ever shown the ability to do so. Going into the season was projected as a top-three pick but I see him as more of a mid-first-round guy due to his lack of offensive versatility.
21. Mark Williams 7’0 250 DUKE (Clint Capella)
Mark is underrated as a rim running, shot-altering role player. He definitely has a place in the NBA and I see him being the ideal cheap third big on a team that just needs more size and a lob threat up front. His mobility is limited laterally, but he’s athletic and can fit the Clint Capela role.
22. Marjon Beauchamp 6’6 200 G-LEAGUE IGNITE (Kelly Oubre/Alec Burks)
Solid all-around player. Averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1 block per game in the G-League. He needs to improve upon his 30% from 3, and his reluctance to shoot those shots, but can he do damage around the rim and in the mid-range. He has good size for the shooting guard position and has very good athleticism. Solid overall prospect who is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none-type right now.
23. Malaki Branham 6’5 180 OHIO STATE (Victor Oladipo)
Patient and poised shooting guard with great length and all-around skill. Branham put up great shooting percentages with 50/42/83 splits and knows how to drive and play off two feet. Not an elite NBA athlete and his slight frame is a knock on him despite his wingspan.
24. Christian Braun 6’6 220 KANSAS (Donte Divincenzo)
Athletic and smooth and a great finisher with all the euro footwork to evade defenders and initiate contact. He averaged 14-6-3 on 50/39/73 shooting splits in a breakout season and had games of 12 points and 10 rebounds in the tournament along with some big shots. There’s upside here.
25. Jaden Hardy 6’4 190 G-LEAGUE IGNITE (Jordan Poole/Cam Thomas)
Amazing one-on-one shot creator and bucket getter. Reminiscent of Steph Curry with the threat of deep range and quick release. Can shot-fake and separate with elite dribble moves to get to his pull-up 3. Doesn’t make his teammates better yet, or play the point, so his size is an issue. Does compete on defense to a degree. His athleticism is good, but not elite by NBA standards.
26. Blake Wesley 6’5 185 NOTRE DAME (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/Tyler Herro)
Wesley plays with a swag and smoothness that is fun to watch. His numbers weren’t elite at Notre Dame, averaging 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists on 40/30/65 shooting splits, but his length and toughness are intriguing. I like his ability to fit in with his team, and their system while playing hard.
27. Jeremy Sochan 6’9 230 BAYLOR (Usman Garuba)
Sochan is a potentially elite defensive player who is strong, tough, has great instincts, and is switchable. However, that’s it. He shot under 30% from 3, and under 60% from the FT line. He doesn’t handle the ball well, isn’t an elite rebounder, and doesn’t give you much on the offensive end. Unless he dramatically improves his ball-handling or his shot, I see him as a role player, not a starter on a good playoff team. He’s Polish but grew up in England.
28. Ousmane Dieng 6’10 220 FRANCE (Kyle Anderson/Tayshaun Prince)
Anyone want a 6’10 shooting guard? Ousmane passes the eye test as a super-sized shooter, who has the ability to sidestep and step back to create his shot. However, his shooting percentages over the last three years say otherwise, as he’s hovering around 30% from 3. He can handle the ball in the pick and roll and has potential as a secondary playmaker. He is limited athletically, which brings into question which positions he can guard, but his length and IQ make up for his slow feet. Played for the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL.
29. Jaylin Williams 610 240 ARKANSAS (Onyeka Okongwu/Al Horford/Naz Reid)
This dude plays so hard and smart and wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s a double-double machine. Jaylin can put the ball on the floor a little and is an underrated passer. Averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists to go with 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. I love guys who can get you both blocks and steals because it speaks to their effort and versatility on defense.
30. Ismael Kamagate 6’11 220 FRANCE (Brandon Clarke/Serge Ibaka)
Super raw athlete with incredible speed, lateral quickness, and bounce. Ismael can really move his feet to stay in front of quicker guards, but has elite timing to block shots around the rim, or contest jump shots and even hook shots. Despite his defensive upside, he’s extremely limited offensively. He only has a right-hand hook shot in the post and doesn’t shoot 3s at all. He is two years away from contributing, minimum.
SECOND ROUND
31. Dereon Seabron 6’7 190 NC STATE (Jerami Grant/Caris LeVert)
This super-high motor spark-plug is one of the best slashers and scorers at the rim in this draft. He averaged 17-8-3 as a 22-year-old sophomore, so he can see the court and get others involved a bit too. The trouble is, he can’t shoot the 3 at all, and defenses sagged off him as the year went on, limiting his impact. If he can improve his 3-point shot from 25% at the next level, he could be a real steal due to his length, motor, and the ways he impacts the game.
32. JD Davison 6’3 195 ALABAMA (Jalen Brunson)
JD is in attack mode all the time. He is always looking to get teammates involved with his elite passing or looking to finish at the rim. He lacks a 3 point shot right now, and that will need to improve, but his other tools and competitiveness make it so that his presence is always felt on the court.
33. Patrick Baldwin 6-9, 220 WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE (Cam Johnson)
Sharpshooter with size who can run off screens or create off one or two dribbles. Limited athlete.
34. Gabe Brown 6’8 215 MICHIGAN STATE (Cam Reddish)
Long athlete who averaged 12 points and 4 rebounds on an efficient 43/38/89 shooting splits.
35. Andrew Nembhard 6’5 195 GONZAGA (Josh Hart)
Two years in a row playing a big role on a winning program. A lead guard who averaged 12 points, 6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds on 45/38/87 shooting splits. Potential second-round round steal.
36. Tevin Brown 6’5 175 MURRAY STATE (Derrick White)
Late first steal. High IQ two-way combo guard who plays with pace. Averaged 17-6-3 on 43/38/75 shooting splits.
37. Caleb Houstan 6-8 205 SF MICHIGAN (Skinny Harrison Barnes)
Average at everything, but needs to find his skill that translates to the NBA. Solid and smooth. Led U19 Canadian National Team.
38. Jean Montero 6’2 175 OVERTIME ELITE (Dennis Schroder)
Quick guard who can handle and get others involved. Elite speed.
39. Keon Ellis 6’6 175 ALABAMA (Tim Hardaway Jr.)
Nice do-it-all shooting guard who averaged 12-6-2 on 44/37/88 shooting splits.
40. Christian Koloko 7’1 230 ARIZONA/CAMEROON (Mitchell Robinson)
Averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 1 steal in his junior year at Arizona. Still has a long way to go basketball IQ-wise, but he has the length and potential defensively to be a defensive force.
41. KC Ndefo 6’7 195 ST. PETERS (Herb Jones/Dorian Finney-Smith)
Do-it-all wing/forward who led St. Peters on their magical tournament run. Averaged 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists to go along with elite defensive numbers (3 blocks and 1.5 steals). Can’t shoot 3’s or FTs.
42. Arthur Kaluma 6’7 220 CREIGHTON (Kevon Looney)
Athletic switchy defender. Potential second-round steal.
43. Leaky Black 6’8 200 NORTH CAROLINA (Jalen McDaniels)
ACC defensive player of the year. Averaged 5-4-3 on 46/33/87 shooting splits. If he can learn to shoot the 3, he will have a long NBA career.
44. Kendal Brown 6’8 205 BAYLOR (Nic Batum)
Decent all-around two-way player with great size for the wing. Needs to improve his offense.
45. Orlando Robinson 7’0 250 FRESNO STATE (Isaiah Hartenstein)
Old school big man who can shoot, post up, and pass. Lack of lateral foot speed and inability to switch screens limits his defensive role. Averaged 20-8-3 on 48/35/72 shooting splits.
46. JD Notae 6’2 190 ARKANSAS (Theo Maledon)
Averaged 18-4-4 to lead Arkansas deep into the NCAA tournament. His 2.3 steals per game impressed me but his 3-point shooting needs to improve.
47. Kyler Edwards 6’4 195 HOUSTON (Gary Harris/RJ Hampton)
Averaged 14-6-3 on 37/33/70 shooting splits. His 40% mark from 3 last year means he has a chance to improve that consistency in the NBA. He plays really hard.
48. David McCormack 6’10 250 KANSAS (Kendrick Perkins).
It feels like it’s easy to get big man role players late in the first round or second round. McCormack is a late first-round talent who will be available in the second round. He’s a bit of a plodder but can bring toughness, rebounding, and size.
49. Zach Edey 7’4 300 PURDUE (Tacko Fall/Yao Ming)
Huge-bodied low post threat. Has a nice hook shot around the rim. Very slow and limited mobility for today’s NBA. Won’t guard well at the next level.
50. Aminu Mohammed 6’5, 210 GEORGETOWN (Josh Okogie)
Best rebounding guard in college basketball with 9 per game. Athletic, but needs to work on his 3-point shot.
51. Julian Strawther 6’7 205 GONZAGA (Taurean Prince)
Has good size for the NBA wing, but I expected more out of him this past year at Gonzaga. Might need another year of seasoning in college before he makes the leap.
52. Hunter Sallis 6’5 175 GONZAGA (Jordan Clarckson)
Super bouncy scorer who can attack the rim or pull up from 3. Needs to get better at shooting balance, but his bucket-getting abilities are evident. Will probably return to Gonzaga for another year.Arizona terry long athlete guard
53. RJ Davis 6’0 175 NORTH CAROLINA (Devonte’ Graham/Carsen Edwards)
Too small but could be a decent backup in the league due to his offensive spark.
54. Kennedy Chandler 6’1 170 TENNESSEE (Jose Alvarado)
Floor general PG who is scrappy and a team leader. Plays with heart.
55. Bryce McGowens 6’7 180 NEBRASKA (Devin Vassell)
Solid all-around shooting guard who is a streaky shooter. Not elite athleticism.
56. Max Christie 6’5 190 MICHIGAN STATE (Dejonte Murray without the PG skills)
Long, athletic two-way player who can really handle the ball and drive to score. Needs to improve his shooting.
57. Daimion Collins 6’9 190 KENTUCKY (Kai Jones)
Big who may have the mobility to transition to the wing in a couple of years.
58. Trayce Jackson-Davis 6’9 245 INDIANA (Torrey Craig)
Good all-around backup big man who plays with a really high basketball IQ and plays with toughness. His inability to shoot 3s and limited mobility have him landing in the second round for me.
59. Coleman Hawkins 6’10 215 ILLINOIS (Nemanja Bjelica)
Decent length and mobility. Can shoot the 3 but is streaky. Looks the part of an NBA bench player, and has the tools to make a team next year.
60. Peyton Watson 6’8 195 UCLA (Paul Watson)
Long shooting wing who can also handle. Needs another year in college.
