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Wowzers
2025 NBA Draft Thread
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by addict4sneakers,
- Start date
HOU$TON
formerly convertibleburt
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That’s my guy!!
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Best name in the draft.
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Mike miller must be looking out for him
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HOU$TON
formerly convertibleburt
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Chet looked more like Barnes when he was in GS. I was also thinking Dirk that first season in the NBA but Dirk had an otherworldly trainer whose sole reason for living was to turn Dirk into a superstar.
PatRiley
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Banchero > Chet all day
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Jaylin Williams might have impressed me the most of the lesser known draft prospects this tourney.
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2022 NBA mock draft: How the road to the Final Four shaped our latest updates
Note: The projected 2022 draft order is based on ESPN BPI draft projections as of Saturday. The full 1-58 order also reflects picks owed and owned.
1. Orlando Magic
Chet Holmgren | Gonzaga | 7-0 | PF | Age: 19.9
2. Houston Rockets
Paolo Banchero | Duke | 6-10 | PF/C | Age: 19.3
3. Indiana Pacers
Jabari Smith | Auburn | 6-10 | SF/PF | Age: 18.8
4. Detroit Pistons
Jaden Ivey | Purdue | 6-4 | PG/SG | Age: 20.1
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
Keegan Murray | Iowa | 6-9 | PF/C | Age: 21.6
6. Portland Trail Blazers
Shaedon Sharpe | Kentucky | 6-6 | SG | Age: 18.8
7. Sacramento Kings
Jalen Duren | Memphis | 6-10 | C | Age: 18.3
8. San Antonio Spurs
AJ Griffin | Duke | 6-6 | SF/PF | Age: 18.5
9. Washington Wizards
Johnny Davis | Wisconsin | 6-5 | PG/SG | Age: 20.0
10. New Orleans Pelicans (from Lakers)
Bennedict Mathurin | Arizona | 6-6 | SF | Age: 19.7
11. New York Knicks
Dyson Daniels | G League Ignite | 6-6 | PG/SG | Age: 19.0
12. Portland Trail Blazers (from Pelicans)
Ochai Agbaji | Kansas | 6-6 | SF | Age: 21.9
13. Atlanta Hawks
Jeremy Sochan | Baylor | 6-9 | PF | Age: 18.8
14. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers)
TyTy Washington Jr. | Kentucky | 6-4 | PG/SG | Age: 20.3
15. Charlotte Hornets (Hawks if 19-30)
Tari Eason | LSU | 6-8 | PF | Age: 20.8
16. Houston Rockets (from Nets)
Kennedy Chandler | Tennessee | 6-1 | PG | Age: 19.5
17. Indiana Pacers (from Cavs)
Mark Williams | Duke | 7-1 | C | Age: 20.2
18. Chicago Bulls
Malaki Branham | Ohio State | 6-5 | SG | Age: 18.8
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
Ousmane Dieng | NZ Breakers | 6-10 | SF/PF | Age: 18.8
20. San Antonio Spurs (from Raptors)
Blake Wesley | Notre Dame | 6-5 | SG | Age: 19.0
21. Denver Nuggets
MarJon Beauchamp | G League Ignite | 6-6 | SG/SF | Age: 21.4
22. Dallas Mavericks
E.J. Liddell | Ohio State | 6-7 | PF | Age: 21.2
23. Memphis Grizzlies (from Jazz)
Nikola Jovic | Mega Mozzart | 6-10 | SF | Age: 18.7
24. Milwaukee Bucks
Walker Kessler | Auburn | 7-1 | C | Age: 20.6
25. Miami Heat
Kendall Brown | Baylor | 6-8 | SF | Age: 18.8
26. Brooklyn Nets (from 76ers)
Jaden Hardy | G League Ignite | 6-4 | SG | Age: 19.7
27. San Antonio Spurs (from Celtics)
Trevor Keels | Duke | 6-5 | PG/SG | Age: 18.5
28. Golden State Warriors
Jean Montero | Overtime Elite | 6-2 | PG/SG | Age: 18.7
29. Memphis Grizzlies
Bryce McGowens | Nebraska | 6-6 | SG | Age: 19.3
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Suns)
Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Milwaukee | 6-9 | SF/PF | Age: 19.3
31. Orlando Magic
David Roddy | Colorado State | 6-5 | PF | Age: 21.0
32. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers via Rockets)
Hugo Besson | NZ Breakers | 6-5 | PG/SG | Age: 20.9
33. Orlando Magic (from Pacers)
Christian Braun | Kansas | 6-6 | SG/SF | Age: 20.9
34. Toronto Raptors (from Pistons)
Wendell Moore Jr. | Duke | 6-6 | SF | Age: 20.5
35. Oklahoma City Thunder
Ismael Kamagate | Paris | 6-11 | C | Age: 21.1
36. Portland Trail Blazers
Christian Koloko | Arizona | 7-1 | C | Age: 21.7
37. Sacramento Kings
Justin Lewis | Marquette | 6-7 | SF/PF | Age: 19.9
38. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Spurs)
JD Davison | Alabama | 6-3 | PG | Age: 19.4
39. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Cavaliers via Wizards)
Terquavion Smith | NC State | 6-4 | SG | Age: 19.2
40. San Antonio Spurs (from Lakers)
Khalifa Diop | Gran Canaria | 7-0 | C | Age: 20.1
41. New York Knicks
Jake LaRavia | Wake Forest | 6-8 | PF | Age: 20.3
42. Charlotte Hornets (from Pelicans)
Max Christie | Michigan State | 6-6 | SG | Age: 19.1
43. Atlanta Hawks
Dalen Terry | Arizona | 6-7 | PG/SG | Age: 19.7
44. LA Clippers
Oscar Tshiebwe | Kentucky | 6-9 | C | Age: 22.3
45. Charlotte Hornets
Jaylin Williams | Arkansas | 6-10 | C | Age: 19.7
46. Detroit Pistons (from Nets)
Yannick Nzosa | Unicaja Malaga | 6-11 | C | Age: 18.3
47. New Orleans Pelicans (from Cavaliers)
Josh Minott | Memphis | 6-8 | PF | Age: 19.3
48. Sacramento Kings (from Bulls)
Keon Ellis | Alabama | 6-6 | SG/SF | Age: 22.2
49. Minnesota Timberwolves
Trevion Williams | Purdue | 6-10 | C | Age: 21.5
50. Golden State Warriors (from Raptors)
Andrew Nembhard | Gonzaga | 6-4 | PG | Age: 22.1
51. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Nuggets)
Jalen Williams | Santa Clara | 6-6 | SF | Age: 20.9
52. Washington Wizards (from Mavericks)
Matteo Spagnolo | Cremona | 6-5 | PG | Age: 19.2
53. New Orleans Pelicans (from Jazz)
Gabriele Procida | Fortitudo Bologna | 6-7 | SG | Age: 19.8
54. Philadelphia 76ers
Drew Timme | Gonzaga | 6-10 | PF/C | Age: 21.5
55. Boston Celtics
Alondes Williams | Wake Forest | 6-5 | PG/SG | Age: 22.7
56. Golden State Warriors
Michael Foster | G League Ignite | 6-9 | PF | Age: 19.1
57. Portland Trail Blazers (from Grizzlies)
Dominick Barlow | Overtime Elite | 6-9 | PF/C | Age: 18.8
58. Indiana Pacers (from Suns)
Ron Harper Jr. | Rutgers | 6-6 | SF/PF | Age: 21.9
PROJECTED FIRST-ROUNDERS
Chet Holmgren | 7-0 PF | Gonzaga | Age: 19.9 | Mock draft: No. 1
Three dubious foul calls in the second half brought Holmgren's college career to an end against Arkansas, as he was forced to watch the final 3½ minutes of his team's season from the bench.
Holmgren sat most of the first half, as well, with foul trouble, only playing 23 minutes in total, during which he still posted 11 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks and was the only Gonzaga player to finish with a positive plus/minus, an indication of his impact and how much the referees' decision to disqualify him hurt his team's chances of advancing.
He showed flashes of his skill level, draining a pair of jump shots, creating from the perimeter, making several resourceful passes, crashing the offensive glass aggressively and, as usual, challenging countless shots in the paint.
Still, it's hard not to feel like Holmgren had more to give on the offensive end, as Gonzaga's game plan centered around Drew Timme post-ups and Andrew Nembhard ball screens, with Holmgren usually acting as a complementary floor spacer. Both Timme and especially Nembhard had off nights, which ended up spelling Gonzaga's demise.
It's likely we'll see Holmgren in a different role in the NBA, without a traditional back-to-the-basket big man clogging up the paint on every drive, allowing Holmgren to utilize his ballhandling, passing and fluidity as a shot-creator more frequently. Only 20 of Gonzaga's 2,064 (0.97%) half-court possessions this season ended with Holmgren handling the ball in a pick-and-roll or isolation play, per Synergy Sports tracking, a number he might surpass in his very first game in the NBA.
To do so, he will need to both gain strength and ramp up his assertiveness, as he often looked content to defer to Gonzaga's older stars and blend into the background, something whichever NBA team that drafts him will certainly work to change and force him out of his comfort zone.
On the other end of the floor, Holmgren will likely emerge as an All-Defensive Team contender relatively early in his career, as his length, timing, mobility and toughness both as a rim protector and in covering ground on the perimeter should translate seamlessly to the modern NBA. He was already the most impactful defensive player in the college game as a freshman.
Holmgren's early tournament departure, combined with Banchero's sensational performances, likely opened the door even wider to the conversation of who should be the No. 1 pick in the draft. Ultimately, that will likely come down to which team lands that pick on May 17, the night of the NBA draft lottery, and what it values (and already has in place) as an organization.
We'll likely never see a prospect quite like Holmgren again at the college level, and whether we saw the full extent of his talent is something we'll fully know in the coming years. -- Givony
Paolo Banchero | 6-10 PF/C | Duke | Age: 19.3 | Mock draft: No. 2
Banchero, the only top-seven prospect still playing, had another outstanding NCAA tournament weekend to help guide Duke to the Final Four, where a rematch with archrival North Carolina awaits. He posted 38 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists through two games, shouldering a significant role offensively in key moments and mostly breaking free of the tentativeness that plagued him early in the season.
Banchero continued to make a compelling case as the most dangerous shot-creator in this draft class. At 6-foot-10, few can match his combination of strength, footwork and polish in the post, outstanding ballhandling, fluidity and skill creating his own shot on the perimeter -- as he has made 8 of 15 3-pointers and several midrange pull-up jumpers through four NCAA tournament games.
Most impressive has been the way Banchero creates good looks for teammates off a live dribble, making several stunning reads when defenders collapse on his isolation attempts or while pushing off the defensive glass in the open court. Having the ability to shoulder a significant offensive load and consistently create high-percentage shots for himself and others is perhaps the most valuable skill a bad NBA team can target, helping him surpass Jabari Smith at No. 2 and giving Banchero a clear avenue to being the No. 1 pick in the draft, depending on which team is fortunate enough to land it.
Defensively is where Banchero's fit is a little murkier. His energy and focus fluctuates, as he had some bad possessions guarding the pick-and-roll, was slow to rotate several times to the paint and was clearly the weakest link in Duke's zone while not offering much as a rebounder. With which type of big man a team should pair him and how many minutes he can shoulder as a small-ball center are still open question marks.
But 38 games into the season, Banchero's strengths and weaknesses are well-known, and it was noteworthy for scouts to learn more about his basketball character. His willingness to step up in key moments and deliver clutch baskets and assists against two of the top defensive teams in college basketball in Texas Tech and Arkansas was significant from a draft perspective. Banchero can continue to build his candidacy as the No. 1 pick in the draft with another strong weekend at the Final Four in New Orleans. -- Givony
Jaden Ivey | 6-4 PG/SG | Purdue | Age: 20.1 | Mock draft: No. 4
Ivey's collegiate career came to a screeching halt at the hands of a stout Saint Peter's defense that slowed the dynamic guard in transition, packed the paint and ultimately limited the potential top-five pick to just his third single-digit scoring output of the season: 9 points on 12 shots, with a season-high six turnovers.
The Peacocks did a tremendous job of sprinting back in transition and building a wall to deter Ivey's best attribute: his open-court speed. In the half court, Ivey constantly saw multiple bodies, forcing him into kickouts, tough jump passes, contested 3s and off-balance midrange pull-ups.
On one hand, Ivey will have way more space to operate at the NBA level, allowing him to unleash his incredible burst while tapping into more of the playmaking potential we saw glimpses of this season. He'll be playing with a far more agile big man than Purdue's Zach Edey. On the other hand, the Boilermakers' loss did further accentuate Ivey's shortcomings as a decision-maker when he isn't able to simply rely on knifing through opposing defenses and get wherever he wants to on the floor. Too often walking around when the ball isn't in his hands, Ivey has a lot of bad habits to address as he transitions to playing alongside more ball-dominant perimeter players at the next level.
On top of that, his defensive intensity still needs work, particularly off the ball. He has proved more than capable of containing the ball and using his quick feet and long arms to be disruptive for stretches, but that type of urgency isn't as frequent as you'd hope.
Ivey's NCAA tournament as a whole wasn't a disappointment by any stretch. He completed several plays that no other prospect in this class could execute in terms of sheer burst, quickness and leaping ability. He made 38% of his 3s, including a clutch trey against Texas to put the game on ice. He still finished the season averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists on one of the best teams in the Big Ten while all but solidifying himself as a top-five pick.
But the fact that he was unable to lift the Boilermakers past Saint Peter's, finished the tournament with twice as many turnovers as assists and at times looked a little too casual in his approach suggests he still has work to do before he can be considered a true franchise lead guard. Before the NCAA tournament, I broke down how Ivey was one of the few players who could potentially crack the top three -- and even the top two -- if he were to lead Purdue to a national title, growing into an on-court leader and primary shot-creator in the process. While he is still an incredibly promising guard prospect perfectly built for the NBA game, Ivey was unable to leapfrog the likes of Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero with his performance in March, leaving it up to the pre-draft process to convince teams he belongs amongst the draft's elite. -- Schmitz
AJ Griffin | 6-6 SF/PF | Duke | Age: 18.5 | Mock draft: No. 8
Griffin has been very much a mixed bag in March (including the ACC tournament), and it was important for him to get back on track after three NCAA tournament games in which he posted just 28 points on 25 field goal attempts while contributing little outside of his remarkable perimeter shooting.
Griffin did so in a major way against Arkansas, leading Blue Devils in scoring with 18 points and showing some flashes of shot-creation, but he still had some poor moments defensively and looked limited as a passer and decision-maker.
Griffin is in the midst of one of the best perimeter shooting seasons ever from an 18-year-old freshman, converting 46% of his 3-pointers, many of which come on difficult pull-ups and step-back jumpers. The spacing he provides Duke's offense from the perimeter along with his ability to manufacture offense while attacking closeouts and out of complicated ballhandling sequences have been important factors in Duke advancing to the Final Four. He hit 5 of 10 3-pointers against two of the best defenses in the country in Texas Tech and Arkansas this past weekend.
Griffin's weaknesses also were on display, as he doesn't have the most functional handle, often needing too many dribbles to get into his jumper, rarely getting to the free throw line, lacking great explosiveness and frequently turning the ball over when faced with help defenders coming with strong digs from the weak side. His passing and overall feel for the game are major question marks at this point, as is his ability to impact the game when his jumpers aren't falling.
Defensively, the game clearly moves too fast for him at this stage, as he often is a step late with his reaction time, is prone to falling asleep or gambling out of his stance and struggles with the nuances of off-ball defense.
The question NBA teams will ask is how much of that is to be expected considering Griffin's youth and the fact that he barely played any competitive basketball in his final two years of high school due to injury and the pandemic.
Wing players with his build, length and shot-making are very difficult to come by, and Griffin had some massive games for Duke this season after initially being on a short leash due to his lack of experience and mistake-prone nature on both ends of the floor. While Griffin's pedigree and background intel (coaches uniformly rave about his approach) will help, medicals also will play a major role in where he is drafted, as he has struggled to stay healthy for significant parts of his career.
In the meantime, going out on as strong a note as possible in the Final Four next weekend certainly wouldn't hurt. -- Givony
Ben Mathurin | 6-6 SG | Arizona | Age: 19.9 | Mock draft: No. 10
Mathurin's stellar sophomore season ended in underwhelming fashion, as the projected top-10 pick went just 4-for-14 from the field in Arizona's Sweet 16 loss to Houston, missing all six of his shots in the first half while struggling to find consistency on the defensive end against a red-hot Kyler Edwards and a hard-nosed Cougars team.
Mathurin was bound for regression after a superhuman performance against TCU in which he looked like a top-five pick, finishing with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists on just 19 shots, while drawing eight fouls in just over 40 minutes. He hammered home a highlight poster dunk, splashed on-the-move 3s, sent the game to overtime with an NBA-range pull-up 3 and even displayed considerable signs of growth as a passer.
The last two games of Mathurin's season sum up the 19-year-old potential top-10 pick: He is a somewhat polarizing prospect to NBA executives given the highs that you only see from NBA All-Stars and the lows that leave you wanting more.
On the bright side, Mathurin has a clear-cut role at the next level. He has turned his jump shot into a weapon, as he has proved comfortable sprinting off screens and handoffs into elevation 3s that few players in the draft can think to attempt. He drilled yet another pair of highly contested off-screen 3s against Houston that will undoubtedly translate to the NBA. (Mathurin shot 37% from 3 on six attempts per game this season.)
Mathurin also knifed through Houston's defense with a pair of straight-line drives that showcased his combination of burst, power and body control. At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, he has proved vertically explosive off one foot or two feet and has the type of legs and balance teams look for in an off guard. (Jason Richardson comes to mind.)
Mathurin also has shown progress as a passer, dropping the ball off to open bigs once he gets a piece of the paint, making one-handed kickouts while on the move to his right hand and throwing lobs out of the pick-and-roll.
With all that said, Mathurin had his roller-coaster games during which his shot selection and defensive intensity left much to be desired for long stretches, before eventually flipping a switch and showing signs of life. His defensive motor and overall attention to detail on that end of the floor is his biggest question mark. He completely forgot about the scorching Edwards on several occasions during the Houston loss, including on a crucial possession with the Wildcats down six and mounting a comeback with around two minutes remaining.
Mathurin also is regularly caught upright in his stance on the ball, allowing guards to reject screens with little resistance. He is an inconsistent defensive rebounder, as well. Mathurin is more than capable of being the best defender on the floor when he is engaged given his tremendous tools and quickness, yet we simply don't see him unleash it enough.
Even so, Mathurin, who is the age of some freshmen, clearly made the right decision coming back to school for another year after testing the waters in 2021, when he might have been selected late in the first round. He expanded his offensive game, improved as a ball handler and passer, became a more consistent threat from 3, added a more reliable floater and played a huge role in Arizona's incredible season that saw the Wildcats rank in the top 10 in offensive efficiency and pace.
Despite the rough showing in the loss to Houston, he showed real character in the overtime win over TCU, making winning plays down the stretch that we wouldn't have seen a season ago while putting Arizona on his back late.
Mathurin has no shortage of fans in NBA circles, and given his combination of shot-making ability, three-level scoring, league-ready tools and confidence, he has an excellent chance to hear his name called anywhere in the range of pick Nos. 6 to 12, especially for a team in need of youthful legs and scoring punch on the perimeter.
The question for NBA decision-makers long term is whether Mathurin projects as a streaky scorer who doesn't always bring it defensively or a true two-way guard who can score the ball at every level, go for 20 points on any given night and add value in the margins as a defender, rebounder and playmaker. -- Schmitz
Mark Williams | 7-1 C | Duke | Age: 20.2 | Mock draft: No. 17
Williams was the most impactful player on the floor in the Elite Eight, and he is in the midst of a phenomenal NCAA tournament, posting 58 points, 35 rebounds and 16 blocks in his four-game run to the Final Four, hitting 25 of 31 shots in that span, 13 of which have been dunks.
He is a game-changer on both ends of the floor with his combination of size (7-foot-1) and length (7-foot-8 wingspan), providing a steady offensive presence with his excellent hands, finishing ability and rim protection thanks to his mobility, timing and reach. He is constantly throwing his body around in the paint and hustling to keep plays alive with an insatiable intensity level.
Williams' upright stance guarding on the perimeter, occasional struggles with physicality navigating screens and mediocre timing tracking loose balls off the defensive glass weren't as much of an issue this past weekend as they've been in the past. His lack of passing ability (zero assists in the past three games) and shooting range aren't ideal for a big man projecting to the modern NBA game, but there's a clear role for a 20-year-old, lob-catching, rim-protecting center who plays hard and still has room to improve.
It will be an interesting litmus test to see how much the NBA values a center in Williams' mold these days, as a decade ago there would be no question that he'd be an easy top-10 pick. It wouldn't be surprising to see Williams still emerge as a lottery candidate, and it's hard to envision him falling out of the top 20 as long as his pre-draft process doesn't reveal any red flags. -- Givony
Trevor Keels | 6-5 PG/SG | Duke | Age: 18.5 | Mock draft: No. 27
Keels has taken somewhat of a back seat to Duke's plethora of stars in the Blue Devils' Final Four run, especially with the reemergence of Jeremy Roach as the starting point guard and late-game offensive catalyst of wins over Michigan State and Texas Tech. With Roach struggling with the physicality and pressure of Arkansas' backcourt, Keels came in and completely turned the momentum, helping spur an important run with his defense and aggressiveness operating out of a ball screen, while draining a huge pull-up 3-pointer to end the first half and give Duke its biggest lead of the game.
On a team with five potential first-rounders (and another five star-recruit point guard in Roach), not every player will put up huge scoring numbers on any given night, which is why it was important for Keels to show he can impact the game in other ways and be ready to contribute when called upon. He was a team-high plus-17 against Arkansas, a strong indication of the contribution he made, showing the type of toughness and character NBA teams want to see from role players.
At just 18 years of age, Keels has plenty to work on with his perimeter shooting and as a finisher, and there is a range of opinions among NBA scouts about how to view his upside. The word in NBA circles is Keels will likely strongly consider returning for his sophomore season if he doesn't receive assurances that he is a first-round lock. Continuing to play well in New Orleans next weekend would certainly help solidify his standing. -- Givony
PROJECTED SECOND-ROUNDERS
Wendell Moore Jr. | 6-6 SF | Duke | Age: 20.5 | Mock draft: No. 34
Moore played an important role in Duke's Elite Eight victory over Arkansas, providing timely shot-creation and defensive versatility while bringing an aggressive mindset on both ends of the floor, something he has done consistently all season. Too happy to fade into the background in his first two seasons at Duke, especially in key moments, Moore's willingness to stay in attack mode all game both in transition and the half court was a welcome sight.
While he was more of a mixed bag in the Sweet 16 against Texas Tech, especially defensively, Moore still did his part to step up down the stretch and make key plays to help his team advance. As the most veteran member of Duke's rotation, his experience will be essential in its quest of winning a national championship next weekend. -- Givony
Christian Koloko | 7-1 C | Arizona | Age: 21.7 | Mock draft: No. 36
After exploding for 28 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks versus TCU, Koloko struggled to carry that momentum over to the Houston game, during which his lack of physicality showed on the defensive glass against aggressive bigs like Josh Carlton (five offensive rebounds in 27 minutes). Koloko had difficulty playing through contact on the other end down the stretch, shooting just 2-of-6 from 2-point range after ranking 16th in the NCAA in true shooting percentage and shooting an impressive 72% at the rim in the half court this season.
Koloko's postseason run should still be viewed as a success for the 21-year-old Cameroon native. He showcased everything from footwork to touch to improved vision to aggression on the offensive glass against TCU. He averaged 15.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 3.0 blocks and 1.2 steals while shooting almost 70% from 2 over his last five games. He had his issues with the size of TCU big Eddie Lampkin on the glass and defensively, and Koloko still looks somewhat awkward and mechanical in his movements. He'll also get scored on at the rim a bit more than you'd expect given his tools.
But Koloko is surely one of the most improved players in the country, and at 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, impressive agility and improved defensive fundamentals, he has a clear-cut NBA role as a vertical spacer, rim protector and pick-and-roll defender. On top of that, he is a sound free throw shooter with some untapped shooting potential. While Arizona found a ton of success with its two-big lineup of Koloko and Oumar Ballo, Koloko will surely look even more dynamic as a roller with NBA spacing.
What could really take Koloko's game to the next level is tapping into the passing ability he flashed down the stretch of the season. He made a few encouraging reads against the Cougars, including a high-low pass to Ballo and a post kickout to the opposite wing. Koloko delivered the pass that led to a Ben Mathurin poster dunk and finished with six assists against Wright State and four assists against Stanford in the Pac-12 tournament. While every NBA team can use a run-and-jump center in the Mitchell Robinson mold a la Koloko, proving he can play out of short rolls and handoffs gives him far more upside and would allow him to remain on the floor late in games, in addition to his switchability.
Despite his outstanding junior campaign, Koloko has no shortage of competition at the center spot, as this draft is loaded with 5s from first-round locks like Mark Williams and Walker Kessler to projected second-rounders like international bigs Ismael Kamagate, Khalifa Diop and Ariel Hukporti.
Overall, Koloko was an integral player in Arizona's incredible season under first-year head coach Tommy Lloyd, as few prospects in the country were able to change games defensively like Koloko as a rim protector and switch defender, while giving Mathurin and Dalen Terry a consistent lob threat in the pick-and-roll. Should Koloko continue getting stronger, improving his ability to play through contact and showing progress as a passer, it's easy to see him carving out a consistent role in the NBA, even early on in his career. You can't say about a lot of the bigs in this draft.
Overall, Koloko didn't solidify himself as a first-round selection with his play against Houston, but he has shown enough on both ends of the floor to warrant consideration anywhere in range of the pick Nos. 25 to 40, especially for a playoff team in need of a backup center. -- Schmitz
Dalen Terry | 6-7 SG/SF | Arizona | Age: 19.7 | Mock draft: No. 43
Although the Wildcats' storybook season was cut short, Terry continued his outstanding March against the Cougars, finishing with 17 points on just 9 shots, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, all while flying around defensively and making several winning plays that we've grown accustomed to seeing from the energetic, 19-year-old sophomore.
Arizona likely wouldn't have even been a Sweet 16 team if it wasn't for the emergence of Terry, who stepped into an on-ball role when Kerr Kriisa was injured and proved to hold together the Wildcats for long stretches given his all-around impact, motor and spirit. While some of his limitations as a half-court scorer did show in the TCU game (2-for-8 shooting from the field), he still found ways to impact winning by limiting the Horned Frogs' Mike Miles to 5-for-20 shooting, knocking down a clutch corner 3 down the stretch, collecting five steals and making heady reads in a team-high 42 minutes.
After a somewhat slow start to the season, Terry was arguably Arizona's most important player down the stretch, averaging 13.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.5 minutes over his last five games, while shooting 54% from 2-point range, 64.3% from 3 and 85.7% from the free throw line.
Terry's lack of shooting -- and half-court scoring, in general -- has long been what held him back from being considered a true 2022 NBA prospect. His is not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing shooting stroke, and he'll still turn down open looks and miss touch shots around the rim. But he has proved capable of taking and making big shots, and that has to sit well with NBA evaluators, especially when you consider he does virtually everything else well on the floor.
Although not nearly as physically gifted, Terry plays with the type of kidlike joy and authenticity we've seen from prospects such as Scottie Barnes in the past. Terry already has a calling card at the next level with his defensive versatility at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan and will positively impact any locker room he enters. Terry isn't a perfect prospect by any means, as he'll have to prove he can add enough value off the ball -- particularly as a shooter -- to coexist alongside more ball-dominant perimeter players in the NBA.
But as we've seen with prospects ranging from Terance Mann to Herbert Jones, there's no shortage of wings who weren't prolific scorers or shooters in college now sticking in the NBA because of their defensive versatility, energy, feel for the game, intangibles and ability to handle and pass.
There's no question Terry would benefit from returning to Arizona for another season. He is still just 19 and needs to prove he can be a consistent perimeter threat. A junior campaign averaging 15-5-5 could vault him into Pac-12 player of the year conversation and ultimately the lottery range of the 2023 draft.
With that said, there's no denying that Terry has helped himself in a big way over the past month and would surely hear his name called if he were to target this June -- potentially even earning looks in the first round with a strong pre-draft process. Terry has proved he is more than just the glue guy he was touted as early in the season, and there's certainly a world where he ends up as the best NBA player from this Arizona team down the line, depending on how he develops as a shooter. -- Schmitz
Jaylin Williams | 6-10 PF/C | Arkansas | Age: 19.7 | Mock draft: No. 45
Posting four double-doubles in his four-game run in the NCAA tournament, Williams showed what makes him a legitimate NBA prospect, as well as the things he needs to work on to solidify himself as a first-round pick. In a game Arkansas lost by nine points, Williams was the only player on the team with a positive plus/minus, finishing plus-3 after seeing his team take a major hit when foul trouble forced him to the bench late in the first half.
Williams is an unorthodox prospect in many ways: He isn't a consistent shooter; he will struggle at times finishing in traffic due to his average-level explosiveness; and his best skill at the moment is sliding in for charges, as he leads all of college basketball in them.
At 6-foot-10 and 232 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he is somewhat caught between big man positions, while not bringing the type of consistent shooting range you would hope to see from someone who will likely need to play alongside another big due to Williams' lack of rim protection.
What Williams does bring is tremendous toughness on both ends of the floor, a trait that will help carve a place in the NBA. He is an outstanding passer and an excellent rebounder, and he shows the type of skill and touch around the basket that bodes well for becoming a more versatile offensive player.
Still only 19 years old, Williams expanding his shooting range, maximizing his frame and becoming an even more versatile defender on the perimeter would help solidify his standing as a draft prospect. It appears likely that Williams will at least check to see where he stands in the eyes of the NBA this spring, but returning to Fayetteville, where he'll have the opportunity to pair with Nick Smith -- a strong candidate for the No. 1 pick in 2023 -- could be compelling. -- Givony
Andrew Nembhard | 6-4 PG | Gonzaga | Age: 22.1 | Mock draft: No. 50
Nembhard had one of his worst games of the season in a loss to Arkansas, scoring seven points on 2-for-11 shooting with three assists and five turnovers. Arkansas' game plan was evident from the start: pressuring Nembhard intensely from the point of attack and having their big man drop deep into the paint on every ball screen, challenging Nembhard to beat the Razorbacks as a scorer inside the arc.
Nembhard's limitations pulling up in midrange and finishing through contact around the basket were never more evident; he converted just 1 of 8 attempts from 2-point range and got to the line twice in a very physical game. He had some success pushing the ball in transition and finding teammates streaking up the floor, but Arkansas made a concerted effort to cut that off in the second half.
Nembhard's limitations as a playmaker in the half court, streaky jump shot and lack of physicality defensively limit his upside as a NBA point guard, but there's still a role for players like him who can operate as a secondary facilitator, especially if he can continue to make strides with his shot. -- Givony
Drew Timme | 6-10 PF/C | Gonzaga | Age: 21.5 | Mock draft: No. 54
The two-time All-American junior played potentially his last game for Gonzaga, posting 25 points (9-for-19 shooting), 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 turnovers in a Sweet 16 loss to Arkansas.
It was a very typical outing for Timme, being highly effective on the block, especially getting to his left shoulder, showing outstanding footwork, body control and touch using clear-outs with a spaced floor and drawing quite a few fouls thanks to his aggressiveness and skill. Few players in recent memory possess the post arsenal of Timme: an array of spin moves, up and unders, jump hooks and highly creative finishes with either hand off the glass.
Arkansas in many ways seemed fine with the blueprint of letting Timme shoot tough one-on-one 2-pointers while clogging the paint and staying attached to Gonzaga's shooters.
Defensively, Timme's upright posture and limitations covering ground and contesting shots on the perimeter cost Gonzaga on several occasions, especially with Chet Holmgren sitting with foul trouble. Timme provides very little rim protection and defensive rebounding, which makes it hard to project him as anything but a liability on that end of the floor. Only two players in the past 20 years (Doug McDermott and Ryan Anderson) have been drafted after posting the type of block/steal metrics Timme did this season, with just eight steals and 26 blocks in 899 minutes of action.
That Timme hasn't developed a legitimate outside shot further muddles his outlook, as he hit just 8 of 28 3-pointers this season and 68% of his free throw attempts. He is a good but not great passer, capable of executing offensively and making the right play out of double-teams but mostly focusing on his own scoring.
In the new name, image and likeness era, Gonzaga can possibly make a case for Timme to return for his senior season and attempt to go down as one of the best players in modern college basketball history; his earning power in college next season is considerably higher than in the NBA as a potential pick late in the second round. -- Givony
Note: The projected 2022 draft order is based on ESPN BPI draft projections as of Saturday. The full 1-58 order also reflects picks owed and owned.
1. Orlando Magic
Chet Holmgren | Gonzaga | 7-0 | PF | Age: 19.9
2. Houston Rockets
Paolo Banchero | Duke | 6-10 | PF/C | Age: 19.3
3. Indiana Pacers
Jabari Smith | Auburn | 6-10 | SF/PF | Age: 18.8
4. Detroit Pistons
Jaden Ivey | Purdue | 6-4 | PG/SG | Age: 20.1
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
Keegan Murray | Iowa | 6-9 | PF/C | Age: 21.6
6. Portland Trail Blazers
Shaedon Sharpe | Kentucky | 6-6 | SG | Age: 18.8
7. Sacramento Kings
Jalen Duren | Memphis | 6-10 | C | Age: 18.3
8. San Antonio Spurs
AJ Griffin | Duke | 6-6 | SF/PF | Age: 18.5
9. Washington Wizards
Johnny Davis | Wisconsin | 6-5 | PG/SG | Age: 20.0
10. New Orleans Pelicans (from Lakers)
Bennedict Mathurin | Arizona | 6-6 | SF | Age: 19.7
11. New York Knicks
Dyson Daniels | G League Ignite | 6-6 | PG/SG | Age: 19.0
12. Portland Trail Blazers (from Pelicans)
Ochai Agbaji | Kansas | 6-6 | SF | Age: 21.9
13. Atlanta Hawks
Jeremy Sochan | Baylor | 6-9 | PF | Age: 18.8
14. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers)
TyTy Washington Jr. | Kentucky | 6-4 | PG/SG | Age: 20.3
15. Charlotte Hornets (Hawks if 19-30)
Tari Eason | LSU | 6-8 | PF | Age: 20.8
16. Houston Rockets (from Nets)
Kennedy Chandler | Tennessee | 6-1 | PG | Age: 19.5
17. Indiana Pacers (from Cavs)
Mark Williams | Duke | 7-1 | C | Age: 20.2
18. Chicago Bulls
Malaki Branham | Ohio State | 6-5 | SG | Age: 18.8
19. Minnesota Timberwolves
Ousmane Dieng | NZ Breakers | 6-10 | SF/PF | Age: 18.8
20. San Antonio Spurs (from Raptors)
Blake Wesley | Notre Dame | 6-5 | SG | Age: 19.0
21. Denver Nuggets
MarJon Beauchamp | G League Ignite | 6-6 | SG/SF | Age: 21.4
22. Dallas Mavericks
E.J. Liddell | Ohio State | 6-7 | PF | Age: 21.2
23. Memphis Grizzlies (from Jazz)
Nikola Jovic | Mega Mozzart | 6-10 | SF | Age: 18.7
24. Milwaukee Bucks
Walker Kessler | Auburn | 7-1 | C | Age: 20.6
25. Miami Heat
Kendall Brown | Baylor | 6-8 | SF | Age: 18.8
26. Brooklyn Nets (from 76ers)
Jaden Hardy | G League Ignite | 6-4 | SG | Age: 19.7
27. San Antonio Spurs (from Celtics)
Trevor Keels | Duke | 6-5 | PG/SG | Age: 18.5
28. Golden State Warriors
Jean Montero | Overtime Elite | 6-2 | PG/SG | Age: 18.7
29. Memphis Grizzlies
Bryce McGowens | Nebraska | 6-6 | SG | Age: 19.3
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Suns)
Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Milwaukee | 6-9 | SF/PF | Age: 19.3
31. Orlando Magic
David Roddy | Colorado State | 6-5 | PF | Age: 21.0
32. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers via Rockets)
Hugo Besson | NZ Breakers | 6-5 | PG/SG | Age: 20.9
33. Orlando Magic (from Pacers)
Christian Braun | Kansas | 6-6 | SG/SF | Age: 20.9
34. Toronto Raptors (from Pistons)
Wendell Moore Jr. | Duke | 6-6 | SF | Age: 20.5
35. Oklahoma City Thunder
Ismael Kamagate | Paris | 6-11 | C | Age: 21.1
36. Portland Trail Blazers
Christian Koloko | Arizona | 7-1 | C | Age: 21.7
37. Sacramento Kings
Justin Lewis | Marquette | 6-7 | SF/PF | Age: 19.9
38. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Spurs)
JD Davison | Alabama | 6-3 | PG | Age: 19.4
39. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Cavaliers via Wizards)
Terquavion Smith | NC State | 6-4 | SG | Age: 19.2
40. San Antonio Spurs (from Lakers)
Khalifa Diop | Gran Canaria | 7-0 | C | Age: 20.1
41. New York Knicks
Jake LaRavia | Wake Forest | 6-8 | PF | Age: 20.3
42. Charlotte Hornets (from Pelicans)
Max Christie | Michigan State | 6-6 | SG | Age: 19.1
43. Atlanta Hawks
Dalen Terry | Arizona | 6-7 | PG/SG | Age: 19.7
44. LA Clippers
Oscar Tshiebwe | Kentucky | 6-9 | C | Age: 22.3
45. Charlotte Hornets
Jaylin Williams | Arkansas | 6-10 | C | Age: 19.7
46. Detroit Pistons (from Nets)
Yannick Nzosa | Unicaja Malaga | 6-11 | C | Age: 18.3
47. New Orleans Pelicans (from Cavaliers)
Josh Minott | Memphis | 6-8 | PF | Age: 19.3
48. Sacramento Kings (from Bulls)
Keon Ellis | Alabama | 6-6 | SG/SF | Age: 22.2
49. Minnesota Timberwolves
Trevion Williams | Purdue | 6-10 | C | Age: 21.5
50. Golden State Warriors (from Raptors)
Andrew Nembhard | Gonzaga | 6-4 | PG | Age: 22.1
51. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Nuggets)
Jalen Williams | Santa Clara | 6-6 | SF | Age: 20.9
52. Washington Wizards (from Mavericks)
Matteo Spagnolo | Cremona | 6-5 | PG | Age: 19.2
53. New Orleans Pelicans (from Jazz)
Gabriele Procida | Fortitudo Bologna | 6-7 | SG | Age: 19.8
54. Philadelphia 76ers
Drew Timme | Gonzaga | 6-10 | PF/C | Age: 21.5
55. Boston Celtics
Alondes Williams | Wake Forest | 6-5 | PG/SG | Age: 22.7
56. Golden State Warriors
Michael Foster | G League Ignite | 6-9 | PF | Age: 19.1
57. Portland Trail Blazers (from Grizzlies)
Dominick Barlow | Overtime Elite | 6-9 | PF/C | Age: 18.8
58. Indiana Pacers (from Suns)
Ron Harper Jr. | Rutgers | 6-6 | SF/PF | Age: 21.9
PROJECTED FIRST-ROUNDERS
Chet Holmgren | 7-0 PF | Gonzaga | Age: 19.9 | Mock draft: No. 1
Three dubious foul calls in the second half brought Holmgren's college career to an end against Arkansas, as he was forced to watch the final 3½ minutes of his team's season from the bench.
Holmgren sat most of the first half, as well, with foul trouble, only playing 23 minutes in total, during which he still posted 11 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks and was the only Gonzaga player to finish with a positive plus/minus, an indication of his impact and how much the referees' decision to disqualify him hurt his team's chances of advancing.
He showed flashes of his skill level, draining a pair of jump shots, creating from the perimeter, making several resourceful passes, crashing the offensive glass aggressively and, as usual, challenging countless shots in the paint.
Still, it's hard not to feel like Holmgren had more to give on the offensive end, as Gonzaga's game plan centered around Drew Timme post-ups and Andrew Nembhard ball screens, with Holmgren usually acting as a complementary floor spacer. Both Timme and especially Nembhard had off nights, which ended up spelling Gonzaga's demise.
It's likely we'll see Holmgren in a different role in the NBA, without a traditional back-to-the-basket big man clogging up the paint on every drive, allowing Holmgren to utilize his ballhandling, passing and fluidity as a shot-creator more frequently. Only 20 of Gonzaga's 2,064 (0.97%) half-court possessions this season ended with Holmgren handling the ball in a pick-and-roll or isolation play, per Synergy Sports tracking, a number he might surpass in his very first game in the NBA.
To do so, he will need to both gain strength and ramp up his assertiveness, as he often looked content to defer to Gonzaga's older stars and blend into the background, something whichever NBA team that drafts him will certainly work to change and force him out of his comfort zone.
On the other end of the floor, Holmgren will likely emerge as an All-Defensive Team contender relatively early in his career, as his length, timing, mobility and toughness both as a rim protector and in covering ground on the perimeter should translate seamlessly to the modern NBA. He was already the most impactful defensive player in the college game as a freshman.
Holmgren's early tournament departure, combined with Banchero's sensational performances, likely opened the door even wider to the conversation of who should be the No. 1 pick in the draft. Ultimately, that will likely come down to which team lands that pick on May 17, the night of the NBA draft lottery, and what it values (and already has in place) as an organization.
We'll likely never see a prospect quite like Holmgren again at the college level, and whether we saw the full extent of his talent is something we'll fully know in the coming years. -- Givony
Paolo Banchero | 6-10 PF/C | Duke | Age: 19.3 | Mock draft: No. 2
Banchero, the only top-seven prospect still playing, had another outstanding NCAA tournament weekend to help guide Duke to the Final Four, where a rematch with archrival North Carolina awaits. He posted 38 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists through two games, shouldering a significant role offensively in key moments and mostly breaking free of the tentativeness that plagued him early in the season.
Banchero continued to make a compelling case as the most dangerous shot-creator in this draft class. At 6-foot-10, few can match his combination of strength, footwork and polish in the post, outstanding ballhandling, fluidity and skill creating his own shot on the perimeter -- as he has made 8 of 15 3-pointers and several midrange pull-up jumpers through four NCAA tournament games.
Most impressive has been the way Banchero creates good looks for teammates off a live dribble, making several stunning reads when defenders collapse on his isolation attempts or while pushing off the defensive glass in the open court. Having the ability to shoulder a significant offensive load and consistently create high-percentage shots for himself and others is perhaps the most valuable skill a bad NBA team can target, helping him surpass Jabari Smith at No. 2 and giving Banchero a clear avenue to being the No. 1 pick in the draft, depending on which team is fortunate enough to land it.
Defensively is where Banchero's fit is a little murkier. His energy and focus fluctuates, as he had some bad possessions guarding the pick-and-roll, was slow to rotate several times to the paint and was clearly the weakest link in Duke's zone while not offering much as a rebounder. With which type of big man a team should pair him and how many minutes he can shoulder as a small-ball center are still open question marks.
But 38 games into the season, Banchero's strengths and weaknesses are well-known, and it was noteworthy for scouts to learn more about his basketball character. His willingness to step up in key moments and deliver clutch baskets and assists against two of the top defensive teams in college basketball in Texas Tech and Arkansas was significant from a draft perspective. Banchero can continue to build his candidacy as the No. 1 pick in the draft with another strong weekend at the Final Four in New Orleans. -- Givony
Jaden Ivey | 6-4 PG/SG | Purdue | Age: 20.1 | Mock draft: No. 4
Ivey's collegiate career came to a screeching halt at the hands of a stout Saint Peter's defense that slowed the dynamic guard in transition, packed the paint and ultimately limited the potential top-five pick to just his third single-digit scoring output of the season: 9 points on 12 shots, with a season-high six turnovers.
The Peacocks did a tremendous job of sprinting back in transition and building a wall to deter Ivey's best attribute: his open-court speed. In the half court, Ivey constantly saw multiple bodies, forcing him into kickouts, tough jump passes, contested 3s and off-balance midrange pull-ups.
On one hand, Ivey will have way more space to operate at the NBA level, allowing him to unleash his incredible burst while tapping into more of the playmaking potential we saw glimpses of this season. He'll be playing with a far more agile big man than Purdue's Zach Edey. On the other hand, the Boilermakers' loss did further accentuate Ivey's shortcomings as a decision-maker when he isn't able to simply rely on knifing through opposing defenses and get wherever he wants to on the floor. Too often walking around when the ball isn't in his hands, Ivey has a lot of bad habits to address as he transitions to playing alongside more ball-dominant perimeter players at the next level.
On top of that, his defensive intensity still needs work, particularly off the ball. He has proved more than capable of containing the ball and using his quick feet and long arms to be disruptive for stretches, but that type of urgency isn't as frequent as you'd hope.
Ivey's NCAA tournament as a whole wasn't a disappointment by any stretch. He completed several plays that no other prospect in this class could execute in terms of sheer burst, quickness and leaping ability. He made 38% of his 3s, including a clutch trey against Texas to put the game on ice. He still finished the season averaging 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists on one of the best teams in the Big Ten while all but solidifying himself as a top-five pick.
But the fact that he was unable to lift the Boilermakers past Saint Peter's, finished the tournament with twice as many turnovers as assists and at times looked a little too casual in his approach suggests he still has work to do before he can be considered a true franchise lead guard. Before the NCAA tournament, I broke down how Ivey was one of the few players who could potentially crack the top three -- and even the top two -- if he were to lead Purdue to a national title, growing into an on-court leader and primary shot-creator in the process. While he is still an incredibly promising guard prospect perfectly built for the NBA game, Ivey was unable to leapfrog the likes of Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero with his performance in March, leaving it up to the pre-draft process to convince teams he belongs amongst the draft's elite. -- Schmitz
AJ Griffin | 6-6 SF/PF | Duke | Age: 18.5 | Mock draft: No. 8
Griffin has been very much a mixed bag in March (including the ACC tournament), and it was important for him to get back on track after three NCAA tournament games in which he posted just 28 points on 25 field goal attempts while contributing little outside of his remarkable perimeter shooting.
Griffin did so in a major way against Arkansas, leading Blue Devils in scoring with 18 points and showing some flashes of shot-creation, but he still had some poor moments defensively and looked limited as a passer and decision-maker.
Griffin is in the midst of one of the best perimeter shooting seasons ever from an 18-year-old freshman, converting 46% of his 3-pointers, many of which come on difficult pull-ups and step-back jumpers. The spacing he provides Duke's offense from the perimeter along with his ability to manufacture offense while attacking closeouts and out of complicated ballhandling sequences have been important factors in Duke advancing to the Final Four. He hit 5 of 10 3-pointers against two of the best defenses in the country in Texas Tech and Arkansas this past weekend.
Griffin's weaknesses also were on display, as he doesn't have the most functional handle, often needing too many dribbles to get into his jumper, rarely getting to the free throw line, lacking great explosiveness and frequently turning the ball over when faced with help defenders coming with strong digs from the weak side. His passing and overall feel for the game are major question marks at this point, as is his ability to impact the game when his jumpers aren't falling.
Defensively, the game clearly moves too fast for him at this stage, as he often is a step late with his reaction time, is prone to falling asleep or gambling out of his stance and struggles with the nuances of off-ball defense.
The question NBA teams will ask is how much of that is to be expected considering Griffin's youth and the fact that he barely played any competitive basketball in his final two years of high school due to injury and the pandemic.
Wing players with his build, length and shot-making are very difficult to come by, and Griffin had some massive games for Duke this season after initially being on a short leash due to his lack of experience and mistake-prone nature on both ends of the floor. While Griffin's pedigree and background intel (coaches uniformly rave about his approach) will help, medicals also will play a major role in where he is drafted, as he has struggled to stay healthy for significant parts of his career.
In the meantime, going out on as strong a note as possible in the Final Four next weekend certainly wouldn't hurt. -- Givony
Ben Mathurin | 6-6 SG | Arizona | Age: 19.9 | Mock draft: No. 10
Mathurin's stellar sophomore season ended in underwhelming fashion, as the projected top-10 pick went just 4-for-14 from the field in Arizona's Sweet 16 loss to Houston, missing all six of his shots in the first half while struggling to find consistency on the defensive end against a red-hot Kyler Edwards and a hard-nosed Cougars team.
Mathurin was bound for regression after a superhuman performance against TCU in which he looked like a top-five pick, finishing with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists on just 19 shots, while drawing eight fouls in just over 40 minutes. He hammered home a highlight poster dunk, splashed on-the-move 3s, sent the game to overtime with an NBA-range pull-up 3 and even displayed considerable signs of growth as a passer.
The last two games of Mathurin's season sum up the 19-year-old potential top-10 pick: He is a somewhat polarizing prospect to NBA executives given the highs that you only see from NBA All-Stars and the lows that leave you wanting more.
On the bright side, Mathurin has a clear-cut role at the next level. He has turned his jump shot into a weapon, as he has proved comfortable sprinting off screens and handoffs into elevation 3s that few players in the draft can think to attempt. He drilled yet another pair of highly contested off-screen 3s against Houston that will undoubtedly translate to the NBA. (Mathurin shot 37% from 3 on six attempts per game this season.)
Mathurin also knifed through Houston's defense with a pair of straight-line drives that showcased his combination of burst, power and body control. At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, he has proved vertically explosive off one foot or two feet and has the type of legs and balance teams look for in an off guard. (Jason Richardson comes to mind.)
Mathurin also has shown progress as a passer, dropping the ball off to open bigs once he gets a piece of the paint, making one-handed kickouts while on the move to his right hand and throwing lobs out of the pick-and-roll.
With all that said, Mathurin had his roller-coaster games during which his shot selection and defensive intensity left much to be desired for long stretches, before eventually flipping a switch and showing signs of life. His defensive motor and overall attention to detail on that end of the floor is his biggest question mark. He completely forgot about the scorching Edwards on several occasions during the Houston loss, including on a crucial possession with the Wildcats down six and mounting a comeback with around two minutes remaining.
Mathurin also is regularly caught upright in his stance on the ball, allowing guards to reject screens with little resistance. He is an inconsistent defensive rebounder, as well. Mathurin is more than capable of being the best defender on the floor when he is engaged given his tremendous tools and quickness, yet we simply don't see him unleash it enough.
Even so, Mathurin, who is the age of some freshmen, clearly made the right decision coming back to school for another year after testing the waters in 2021, when he might have been selected late in the first round. He expanded his offensive game, improved as a ball handler and passer, became a more consistent threat from 3, added a more reliable floater and played a huge role in Arizona's incredible season that saw the Wildcats rank in the top 10 in offensive efficiency and pace.
Despite the rough showing in the loss to Houston, he showed real character in the overtime win over TCU, making winning plays down the stretch that we wouldn't have seen a season ago while putting Arizona on his back late.
Mathurin has no shortage of fans in NBA circles, and given his combination of shot-making ability, three-level scoring, league-ready tools and confidence, he has an excellent chance to hear his name called anywhere in the range of pick Nos. 6 to 12, especially for a team in need of youthful legs and scoring punch on the perimeter.
The question for NBA decision-makers long term is whether Mathurin projects as a streaky scorer who doesn't always bring it defensively or a true two-way guard who can score the ball at every level, go for 20 points on any given night and add value in the margins as a defender, rebounder and playmaker. -- Schmitz
Mark Williams | 7-1 C | Duke | Age: 20.2 | Mock draft: No. 17
Williams was the most impactful player on the floor in the Elite Eight, and he is in the midst of a phenomenal NCAA tournament, posting 58 points, 35 rebounds and 16 blocks in his four-game run to the Final Four, hitting 25 of 31 shots in that span, 13 of which have been dunks.
He is a game-changer on both ends of the floor with his combination of size (7-foot-1) and length (7-foot-8 wingspan), providing a steady offensive presence with his excellent hands, finishing ability and rim protection thanks to his mobility, timing and reach. He is constantly throwing his body around in the paint and hustling to keep plays alive with an insatiable intensity level.
Williams' upright stance guarding on the perimeter, occasional struggles with physicality navigating screens and mediocre timing tracking loose balls off the defensive glass weren't as much of an issue this past weekend as they've been in the past. His lack of passing ability (zero assists in the past three games) and shooting range aren't ideal for a big man projecting to the modern NBA game, but there's a clear role for a 20-year-old, lob-catching, rim-protecting center who plays hard and still has room to improve.
It will be an interesting litmus test to see how much the NBA values a center in Williams' mold these days, as a decade ago there would be no question that he'd be an easy top-10 pick. It wouldn't be surprising to see Williams still emerge as a lottery candidate, and it's hard to envision him falling out of the top 20 as long as his pre-draft process doesn't reveal any red flags. -- Givony
Trevor Keels | 6-5 PG/SG | Duke | Age: 18.5 | Mock draft: No. 27
Keels has taken somewhat of a back seat to Duke's plethora of stars in the Blue Devils' Final Four run, especially with the reemergence of Jeremy Roach as the starting point guard and late-game offensive catalyst of wins over Michigan State and Texas Tech. With Roach struggling with the physicality and pressure of Arkansas' backcourt, Keels came in and completely turned the momentum, helping spur an important run with his defense and aggressiveness operating out of a ball screen, while draining a huge pull-up 3-pointer to end the first half and give Duke its biggest lead of the game.
On a team with five potential first-rounders (and another five star-recruit point guard in Roach), not every player will put up huge scoring numbers on any given night, which is why it was important for Keels to show he can impact the game in other ways and be ready to contribute when called upon. He was a team-high plus-17 against Arkansas, a strong indication of the contribution he made, showing the type of toughness and character NBA teams want to see from role players.
At just 18 years of age, Keels has plenty to work on with his perimeter shooting and as a finisher, and there is a range of opinions among NBA scouts about how to view his upside. The word in NBA circles is Keels will likely strongly consider returning for his sophomore season if he doesn't receive assurances that he is a first-round lock. Continuing to play well in New Orleans next weekend would certainly help solidify his standing. -- Givony
PROJECTED SECOND-ROUNDERS
Wendell Moore Jr. | 6-6 SF | Duke | Age: 20.5 | Mock draft: No. 34
Moore played an important role in Duke's Elite Eight victory over Arkansas, providing timely shot-creation and defensive versatility while bringing an aggressive mindset on both ends of the floor, something he has done consistently all season. Too happy to fade into the background in his first two seasons at Duke, especially in key moments, Moore's willingness to stay in attack mode all game both in transition and the half court was a welcome sight.
While he was more of a mixed bag in the Sweet 16 against Texas Tech, especially defensively, Moore still did his part to step up down the stretch and make key plays to help his team advance. As the most veteran member of Duke's rotation, his experience will be essential in its quest of winning a national championship next weekend. -- Givony
Christian Koloko | 7-1 C | Arizona | Age: 21.7 | Mock draft: No. 36
After exploding for 28 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks versus TCU, Koloko struggled to carry that momentum over to the Houston game, during which his lack of physicality showed on the defensive glass against aggressive bigs like Josh Carlton (five offensive rebounds in 27 minutes). Koloko had difficulty playing through contact on the other end down the stretch, shooting just 2-of-6 from 2-point range after ranking 16th in the NCAA in true shooting percentage and shooting an impressive 72% at the rim in the half court this season.
Koloko's postseason run should still be viewed as a success for the 21-year-old Cameroon native. He showcased everything from footwork to touch to improved vision to aggression on the offensive glass against TCU. He averaged 15.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 3.0 blocks and 1.2 steals while shooting almost 70% from 2 over his last five games. He had his issues with the size of TCU big Eddie Lampkin on the glass and defensively, and Koloko still looks somewhat awkward and mechanical in his movements. He'll also get scored on at the rim a bit more than you'd expect given his tools.
But Koloko is surely one of the most improved players in the country, and at 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, impressive agility and improved defensive fundamentals, he has a clear-cut NBA role as a vertical spacer, rim protector and pick-and-roll defender. On top of that, he is a sound free throw shooter with some untapped shooting potential. While Arizona found a ton of success with its two-big lineup of Koloko and Oumar Ballo, Koloko will surely look even more dynamic as a roller with NBA spacing.
What could really take Koloko's game to the next level is tapping into the passing ability he flashed down the stretch of the season. He made a few encouraging reads against the Cougars, including a high-low pass to Ballo and a post kickout to the opposite wing. Koloko delivered the pass that led to a Ben Mathurin poster dunk and finished with six assists against Wright State and four assists against Stanford in the Pac-12 tournament. While every NBA team can use a run-and-jump center in the Mitchell Robinson mold a la Koloko, proving he can play out of short rolls and handoffs gives him far more upside and would allow him to remain on the floor late in games, in addition to his switchability.
Despite his outstanding junior campaign, Koloko has no shortage of competition at the center spot, as this draft is loaded with 5s from first-round locks like Mark Williams and Walker Kessler to projected second-rounders like international bigs Ismael Kamagate, Khalifa Diop and Ariel Hukporti.
Overall, Koloko was an integral player in Arizona's incredible season under first-year head coach Tommy Lloyd, as few prospects in the country were able to change games defensively like Koloko as a rim protector and switch defender, while giving Mathurin and Dalen Terry a consistent lob threat in the pick-and-roll. Should Koloko continue getting stronger, improving his ability to play through contact and showing progress as a passer, it's easy to see him carving out a consistent role in the NBA, even early on in his career. You can't say about a lot of the bigs in this draft.
Overall, Koloko didn't solidify himself as a first-round selection with his play against Houston, but he has shown enough on both ends of the floor to warrant consideration anywhere in range of the pick Nos. 25 to 40, especially for a playoff team in need of a backup center. -- Schmitz
Dalen Terry | 6-7 SG/SF | Arizona | Age: 19.7 | Mock draft: No. 43
Although the Wildcats' storybook season was cut short, Terry continued his outstanding March against the Cougars, finishing with 17 points on just 9 shots, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, all while flying around defensively and making several winning plays that we've grown accustomed to seeing from the energetic, 19-year-old sophomore.
Arizona likely wouldn't have even been a Sweet 16 team if it wasn't for the emergence of Terry, who stepped into an on-ball role when Kerr Kriisa was injured and proved to hold together the Wildcats for long stretches given his all-around impact, motor and spirit. While some of his limitations as a half-court scorer did show in the TCU game (2-for-8 shooting from the field), he still found ways to impact winning by limiting the Horned Frogs' Mike Miles to 5-for-20 shooting, knocking down a clutch corner 3 down the stretch, collecting five steals and making heady reads in a team-high 42 minutes.
After a somewhat slow start to the season, Terry was arguably Arizona's most important player down the stretch, averaging 13.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.5 minutes over his last five games, while shooting 54% from 2-point range, 64.3% from 3 and 85.7% from the free throw line.
Terry's lack of shooting -- and half-court scoring, in general -- has long been what held him back from being considered a true 2022 NBA prospect. His is not exactly the most aesthetically pleasing shooting stroke, and he'll still turn down open looks and miss touch shots around the rim. But he has proved capable of taking and making big shots, and that has to sit well with NBA evaluators, especially when you consider he does virtually everything else well on the floor.
Although not nearly as physically gifted, Terry plays with the type of kidlike joy and authenticity we've seen from prospects such as Scottie Barnes in the past. Terry already has a calling card at the next level with his defensive versatility at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan and will positively impact any locker room he enters. Terry isn't a perfect prospect by any means, as he'll have to prove he can add enough value off the ball -- particularly as a shooter -- to coexist alongside more ball-dominant perimeter players in the NBA.
But as we've seen with prospects ranging from Terance Mann to Herbert Jones, there's no shortage of wings who weren't prolific scorers or shooters in college now sticking in the NBA because of their defensive versatility, energy, feel for the game, intangibles and ability to handle and pass.
There's no question Terry would benefit from returning to Arizona for another season. He is still just 19 and needs to prove he can be a consistent perimeter threat. A junior campaign averaging 15-5-5 could vault him into Pac-12 player of the year conversation and ultimately the lottery range of the 2023 draft.
With that said, there's no denying that Terry has helped himself in a big way over the past month and would surely hear his name called if he were to target this June -- potentially even earning looks in the first round with a strong pre-draft process. Terry has proved he is more than just the glue guy he was touted as early in the season, and there's certainly a world where he ends up as the best NBA player from this Arizona team down the line, depending on how he develops as a shooter. -- Schmitz
Jaylin Williams | 6-10 PF/C | Arkansas | Age: 19.7 | Mock draft: No. 45
Posting four double-doubles in his four-game run in the NCAA tournament, Williams showed what makes him a legitimate NBA prospect, as well as the things he needs to work on to solidify himself as a first-round pick. In a game Arkansas lost by nine points, Williams was the only player on the team with a positive plus/minus, finishing plus-3 after seeing his team take a major hit when foul trouble forced him to the bench late in the first half.
Williams is an unorthodox prospect in many ways: He isn't a consistent shooter; he will struggle at times finishing in traffic due to his average-level explosiveness; and his best skill at the moment is sliding in for charges, as he leads all of college basketball in them.
At 6-foot-10 and 232 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he is somewhat caught between big man positions, while not bringing the type of consistent shooting range you would hope to see from someone who will likely need to play alongside another big due to Williams' lack of rim protection.
What Williams does bring is tremendous toughness on both ends of the floor, a trait that will help carve a place in the NBA. He is an outstanding passer and an excellent rebounder, and he shows the type of skill and touch around the basket that bodes well for becoming a more versatile offensive player.
Still only 19 years old, Williams expanding his shooting range, maximizing his frame and becoming an even more versatile defender on the perimeter would help solidify his standing as a draft prospect. It appears likely that Williams will at least check to see where he stands in the eyes of the NBA this spring, but returning to Fayetteville, where he'll have the opportunity to pair with Nick Smith -- a strong candidate for the No. 1 pick in 2023 -- could be compelling. -- Givony
Andrew Nembhard | 6-4 PG | Gonzaga | Age: 22.1 | Mock draft: No. 50
Nembhard had one of his worst games of the season in a loss to Arkansas, scoring seven points on 2-for-11 shooting with three assists and five turnovers. Arkansas' game plan was evident from the start: pressuring Nembhard intensely from the point of attack and having their big man drop deep into the paint on every ball screen, challenging Nembhard to beat the Razorbacks as a scorer inside the arc.
Nembhard's limitations pulling up in midrange and finishing through contact around the basket were never more evident; he converted just 1 of 8 attempts from 2-point range and got to the line twice in a very physical game. He had some success pushing the ball in transition and finding teammates streaking up the floor, but Arkansas made a concerted effort to cut that off in the second half.
Nembhard's limitations as a playmaker in the half court, streaky jump shot and lack of physicality defensively limit his upside as a NBA point guard, but there's still a role for players like him who can operate as a secondary facilitator, especially if he can continue to make strides with his shot. -- Givony
Drew Timme | 6-10 PF/C | Gonzaga | Age: 21.5 | Mock draft: No. 54
The two-time All-American junior played potentially his last game for Gonzaga, posting 25 points (9-for-19 shooting), 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 turnovers in a Sweet 16 loss to Arkansas.
It was a very typical outing for Timme, being highly effective on the block, especially getting to his left shoulder, showing outstanding footwork, body control and touch using clear-outs with a spaced floor and drawing quite a few fouls thanks to his aggressiveness and skill. Few players in recent memory possess the post arsenal of Timme: an array of spin moves, up and unders, jump hooks and highly creative finishes with either hand off the glass.
Arkansas in many ways seemed fine with the blueprint of letting Timme shoot tough one-on-one 2-pointers while clogging the paint and staying attached to Gonzaga's shooters.
Defensively, Timme's upright posture and limitations covering ground and contesting shots on the perimeter cost Gonzaga on several occasions, especially with Chet Holmgren sitting with foul trouble. Timme provides very little rim protection and defensive rebounding, which makes it hard to project him as anything but a liability on that end of the floor. Only two players in the past 20 years (Doug McDermott and Ryan Anderson) have been drafted after posting the type of block/steal metrics Timme did this season, with just eight steals and 26 blocks in 899 minutes of action.
That Timme hasn't developed a legitimate outside shot further muddles his outlook, as he hit just 8 of 28 3-pointers this season and 68% of his free throw attempts. He is a good but not great passer, capable of executing offensively and making the right play out of double-teams but mostly focusing on his own scoring.
In the new name, image and likeness era, Gonzaga can possibly make a case for Timme to return for his senior season and attempt to go down as one of the best players in modern college basketball history; his earning power in college next season is considerably higher than in the NBA as a potential pick late in the second round. -- Givony
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The pacers getting a top 3 pick, good lord I didn’t realize their record was that bad
If they could end up with one of the top 3… sheesh they’d have a lot of talent
If they could end up with one of the top 3… sheesh they’d have a lot of talent
HOU$TON
formerly convertibleburt
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Agbaji had been kinda quiet in the tourney until the second half.
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Yeah I was about to say….raising his stock???
He’s played 15 minutes of good ball the entire tournament
He’s played 15 minutes of good ball the entire tournament
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Well, Damb. The writer throwing hella shade at lavine lol
If you can end up with a lavine level player in the top 5 of this class you should be very happy
If you can end up with a lavine level player in the top 5 of this class you should be very happy
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Dr. Ross is good. Did a lot of shoulders of people I know.
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Paolo has def grown on me during the tournament. My mind will prob change about 30 times until draft night.
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