Arena: A Look At The 2022 NBA Draft Prospects
NBA
The recent NBA Draft classes have been filed with a plethora of franchise changing players and key contributors for teams. This year’s class is no different. There is no consensus number one player but three freshmen equally could find themselves being taken first overall. There is also a great group of role players that could make a positive difference for NBA teams right away.
No other player in college basketball had more hype surrounding him than Chet Holmgren. The number one recruit was a viral basketball sensation in high school with his ability to handle the ball and shoot from the perimeter as a seven footer. He committed to Gonzaga where he showed the potential to be a focal point in an offense and an anchor on defense. As the potential number one pick, Holmgren has the highest ceiling of anyone in the draft.
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Holmgren will make an immediate impact on defense in the NBA. He’s a presence in the paint and knows how to use his length to alter and block shots. In his lone season with the Bulldogs, Holmgren averaged a staggering 3.6 blocks per game while earning the WCC Defensive Player of the Year. He also knows how to use size to his advantage when defending on the perimeter against smaller, quicker players.
On offense, Holmgren is able to score from anywhere on the floor. He has a good jump shot with a great touch that allowed him to shoot 41.2% from three and 61% from the field. In the half court, he’s a decent passer when finding teammates cutting to the basket.
What makes Holmgren truly special is his ability to handle the ball. He’s a rare breed of center where he can take the ball off the rim and push the break down court and finish. His unique skill set and size are perfect for the modern NBA.
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Auburn’s Jabari Smith was seen as a possible top five pick in the NBA Draft entering the 2021-2022 season. Impressive outings stacked up one after the other and changed the perception about Smith being top five five pick to a top three candidate. After standout performances against Alabama, Florida, and Vanderbilt talk began about Smith being the number one player in the draft. His 6’10” frame and effortless offensive game are exactly what NBA teams are looking for in a top selection.
Jabari Smith is the best shooter in this year’s draft. He has a natural jump shot with a high release point that makes it nearly impossible to block. Smith shot 42.8% from three on five attempts per game, both ranking top 10 in the SEC. Smith isn’t just a floor spacer however, he’s able to put the ball on the floor on drives to the basket and finish over the top with a soft touch. Smith has shown evidence of being a fluid athlete when running in transition and defending on the perimeter. He is also a versatile defender with the ability to guard multiple positions. NBA teams surely won't regret taking Smith at the top of the draft as he is a sure fire pick as they come.
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In Coach K’s last season at Duke he had the opportunity to coach arguably the most talented freshman in college basketball. Paolo Banchero is the next name in line to carry the legacy of Duke players being selected as a top five pick in the NBA Draft. The Seattle native averaged 17.0 points and 7.8 rebounds while earning the ACC Rookie of the Year award and a spot on the All-ACC 1st Team. Banchero’s rare combination of size, athleticism, and skill have NBA teams tantalized by his potential.
Paolo Banchero is a 6’10” face up forward who is a mismatch for any defender. If he’s matched with a smaller player he’ll use his size to his advantage and bully his way into the lane. If a bigger opponent draws the card of guarding him, he’ll use his speed and quickness to gain the edge. Double teams aren’t the solution either as he’s tall enough to read over the defense and make passes to open teammates.
Banchero has the most skilled offensive game in the draft. He can get to the basket at any time with a great handle on the ball. His quick crossovers leave defenders frozen, opening up driving lanes to the rim for layups and dunks. In isolation Banchero uses a variety of jab steps and rip through moves to free up space for his patented mid-range jumper, much like a young Carmelo Anthony. He also has a good set of post moves down on the block with fadeaways and spins. Banchero runs fast breaks well and even pushes the ball in transition looking to score. His athleticism could make him a solid and versatile defender at the next level, being able to guard quicker players on the perimeter and hold his own in the paint against bigger, physical players. Banchero’s well rounded game and size have him very much in the discussion of being the number one overall pick.
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Purdue has been known as a football school rather than a basketball one. The basketball program has been solid for the past few seasons but never entered the national championship conversation, that is until this year. The Boilermakers were highly ranked for most of the season and entered the NCAA Tournament as a #3 seed thanks in part to the contributions of Jaden Ivey. The guard’s sophomore campaign has been highlighted by electric finishes and dunks, similar to Ja Morant’s second year at Murray State. Ivey’s play has caught the attention of scouts and analysts that have pegged him to be a potential top pick in the draft.
The son of a former NFL wide receiver and former WNBA player, Jaden Ivey is a pure athlete. In the open court, Ivey goes from zero to sixty the same way a Ferrari does, gliding past defenders on his way to the cup. His ability to finish in transition with his 6’4” frame is eerily similar to De'Aaron Fox and John Wall when they were both playing at Kentucky. Most of the time in the half-court Ivey is able to use his speed to his advantage and get past defenders in a couple of steps. This ability to put pressure on the rim not only creates scoring opportunities for himself but also for his teammates. Despite averaging 3.1 assists Ivey is a very solid playmaker. There are a few moments in a game where Ivey drops a pass under the basket to a teammate while he has the complete attention of the defense. When he draws a crowd he’s also able to kick out a pass to the perimeter for a three. On nights where he really has it going Ivey is able to find a balance between scoring in the paint and making plays for his teammates.
Ivey is also an efficient player. He shot 57.8% true shooting on 12.2 attempts per game while averaging 17.3 points. When he’s not attacking the basket, Ivey’s either spotting up for three or taking one off the dribble after creating space with a lethal step back. On 4.8 attempts per game Ivey shot 36.8% from distance. The combo guard has skills that will immediately translate to the NBA level with his speed and playmaking ability. Come June the sophomore could be the first guard taken in the draft.
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Much like Purdue, Wisconsin has had a great basketball season thanks to their very own breakout sophomore Johnny Davis. The 6’5” guard returned to Madison after a decent freshman year where he averaged 7.0 points off the bench. Coming into his second season with the Badgers, Davis was given the greenlight to be the primary option on offense. Wisconsin fans and scouts alike saw Davis explode into a 19.7 point scorer and the Big Ten Player of the Year. Davis’s scoring ability has helped increase his draft stock to a possible future lottery pick.
Davis has an old school scorer’s game, he doesn’t take a lot of threes and most of his scoring production takes place in the mid-range area. His proficiency from mid-range is reminiscent of Devin Booker and DeMar DeRozen. Davis’s ability to get his own shot also sets him apart from the corps of other guards. He has a good handle with the ball to create space for dribble pull ups. For his size Davis is also a very good rebounder averaging 8.2 boards per contest. Like Ivey, Davis is a solid playmaker although the stats don’t show it. While he does have a natural instinct to score he is a capable facilitator out of pick-and-roll. Davis’s scoring prowess could make him a potential lottery pick for a team looking to add complementary offense.
