By: Nina Samone
The heat of the summer brings with it one of the most anticipated sporting initiations of the year – the NBA draft. Prospects and draft pick spots have been pretty much solidified, and while nobody can be for certain which prospect will go where, there are a lot of unanimous guesses based on team position and need.
112 draft prospects withdrew from the draft on June 1, several more international prospects withdrew on June 13th. Here are some of the top picks to look out for in the 2022 draft.
#1 – Chet Holmgren
Number one on my list is Chet Holmgren, a prospect from Gonzaga who stands seven feet tall. I had trouble choosing between him and Jabari Smith for the #1 spot, but I went with Chet because of his height in combination with his ability to move like a guard and take competitors off the dribble – something that struck me as very Kevin Durantesque. He is also an excellent rim protector.
#2 – Jabari Smith
Next up we have Jabari Smith, an Auburn prospect, who could go as the No.1 pick for sure, most likely with the Orlando Magic or Oklahoma City Thunder. He is the highest-rated pick in Auburn history, and would provide any team with length, size and a winner’s mentality. Smith is a fantastic defender, rebounder and for his size shot incredibly well beyond the arc at 42%.
#3 – Paolo Banchero
Paolo Banchero – third on our list from Duke, is 6’10 inches tall and a skilled scorer. He has great playmaking ability, can pass, and is big and sturdy enough to hold his own in the paint and finish through contact at the rim. His ability to shoot the midrange makes him a dangerously versatile prospect.
#4 – Jaden Ivey
Coming in at number five is the Purdue prospect, Jaden Ivey. Ivey stands at 6’ 4” tall and would be a great option for a team needing a potential franchise point guard. He’s a very versatile ball handler who can get to the basket and draw fouls very well. That, matched with his athleticism makes him an excellent pick potentially for the Sacramento Kings or Detroit Pistons
#5 – Keegan Murray
Iowa’s Keegan Murray is number five on our list, last year’s fourth-leading scorer and a great fit for a team needing more shooting ability. He is a safe option for any team with his shooting ability combined with his size and potential for growth. He’s 6’8” and 220 pounds.
#6 – Jalen Duren
One of the youngest players in the draft is from Montverde Academy, 6’ 11” Jalen Duren. He’s great in the pick-and-roll, has a strong frame, physicality and quick feet. His wingspan is 7’ 5,” and he is a master around the rim.
#7 – Dyson Daniels
Spot number seven in the mock draft goes to an Australian player – Dyson Daniels. He’s not necessarily the most athletic on our list, but he has a great IQ for his age, paces himself and was very productive in the G-League. With a 6’ 11” wingspan and potential to develop a dangerous shot from long-range, he could be an overlooked player that turns into a dynamic piece for a team.
#8 – Bennedict Mathurin
Eighth on our list is Bennedict Mathurin, a 6’ 4” guard who is arguably one of the best three-point shooters in this draft class. He can provide a lot of off-ball movement, but shouldn’t be labeled as a dynamic playmaker quite yet.
#9 – Shaedon Sharpe
There is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to Shaedon Sharpe – number nine on our list. Many are unsure of his true potential and what he could become in the NBA, so he is viewed as a risk vs. reward prospect by some. However, he is an excellent shot creator with a step-back shot and stop-and-go ability. He can also finish well around the rim.
#10 – AJ Griffin
Concluding our top ten is AJ Griffin – built like a linebacker with a strong frame, thick shoulders and tons of natural talent. One of the biggest concerns with Griffin is his injury history and apparent lack of total recovery when it comes to his form and bounce, but he is very coachable and could become a great rotational player.
Sources
O’Donnell, Ricky. June 15th, 2022. SBNation. “NBA mock draft 2022: Newest projection for each pick’s best and most likely selection.” <https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2022/6/15/23166148/nba-mock-draft-2022-updated-projection-after-withdrawal-deadline-best-pick-most-likely>
Siegel, Brett. June 14th, 2022. Fan Nation FastBreak. “2022 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Week Before Draft Edition.” <https://www.si.com/fannation/nba/fastbreak/draft/brett-siegels-2022-nba-mock-draft-3-0-week-before-draft-edition>
