Today, Ben Pawlak of The MVP Blog will be predicting all 30 first round picks of the 2022 NBA Draft. For each player, Ben will be assigning a “Next Level Projection” to predict the career trajectory for that player, and this prediction is broken down into a few categories, ranked below from best to worst:

Perennial All-NBA: This player will make multiple All-Star Games over the course of their career and will likely become an NBA Hall of Famer.

Perennial All-Star: This player will make multiple All-Star Games over the course of their career an will become a star player in the NBA.

Solid Starter: This player will enjoy a long, successful career as a starting caliber player in the NBA.

Boom or Bust: This player could become a very good player in the NBA, but they just as well could fail to make a significant impact in the NBA.

Solid Bench Contributor: This player will spend most of their NBA career as a bench player, albeit one who plays significant minutes.

Bust: This player will not live up to the hype in the NBA.

Without any further ado, here is the MVP Blog’s 2022 NBA Mock Draft.

1.  Orlando Magic – Jabari Smith, F, Auburn

Jabari Smith may not have a higher ceiling than Chet Holmgren or Paolo Banchero, but he’s the perfect fit for the Magic’s rebuild alongside Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter in the frontcourt. Of the three top prospects in the draft, he’s the best shooter and the most versatile defender, two traits which are more important in the NBA than ever. At Auburn, Smith averaged 17/7/2/1/1 and shot 42% from three on over 5 attempts per game, very impressive numbers especially for a Freshman. Smith is a great two-way wing who will be an impact player from day one, and which makes him the safe bet to be selected by the Orlando Magic with the top pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

Next Level Projection: Perennial All-Star

2. Oklahoma City Thunder – Chet Holmgren, C, Gonzaga

Let’s start by addressing the things which Chet Holmgren is capable of. At 7’1” with a 7’6” wingspan, he can alter or block just about every shot taken in his vicinity, and his interior defense was truly dominant at Gonzaga. He’s also incredibly skilled for a player of his size, and he has shown flashes of coast-to-coast ability. However, we also have to address the things which Chet Holmgren is not capable of, at least right now. First and foremost, he weighs 195 pounds soaking wet, and he doesn’t play with a shred of physicality around the rim or while setting screens. He also struggles with foul trouble and averaged nearly 4 fouls per 40 minutes at Gonzaga. The Thunder, who possess another lottery pick in this draft, can afford to take a chance on Chet’s boom-or-bust potential with the second overall pick.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

3. Houston Rockets – Paolo Banchero, F/C, Duke

In my opinion, Paolo Banchero is the best prospect of the 2022 NBA Draft class. He’s a great example of what it truly means to be a complete player. At 6’10” and 250 pounds, he has the frame to play the 5 at the NBA level while also possessing the skill to play as a ball-handling 4. His fundamentals are phenomenal, as Banchero possesses elite footwork both in the post and on the perimeter. He has great mechanics on his jumper and he can deploy it from anywhere on the floor. On top of all of this offensive talent, Banchero is a superb rebounder and he also plays with physicality on both ends of the court, including as a screener in the pick and roll. While he may never be more than an average defender due to his lack of lateral mobility, his wingspan (around 7 feet long) and feel for the game ensures that his floor as a defender is pretty high.

Next Level Projection: Perennial All-NBA

4. Sacramento Kings – Keegan Murray, F, Iowa

If the most recent reports are to be believed, it seems like the Sacramento Kings will be doing one of two things on draft night: they’re either going to trade the 4th pick for a “win-now” player (most likely John Collins of the Atlanta Hawks) or draft Keegan Murray out of Iowa. In my opinion, both of these potential moves are awful decisions, but they wouldn’t surprise me since it is the Sacramento Kings we’re talking about here. Anyway, Keegan Murray is a decent prospect, but he should not be a top 5 pick. He has a good frame (6’8”, 225 lbs), decent athleticism, and a great jumper, but to me, nothing else about his tape or prospect profile indicates anything other than an above average 3&D wing. That’s not necessarily a bad thing for Murray, since 3&D wings have become the most valuable role players in the NBA nowadays, but that’s not the type of player a team like the Kings should be going after with the fourth overall pick.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

5. Detroit Pistons – Jaden Ivey, G, Purdue

Jaden Ivey is one of those players who manages to surprise me every time I watch him play. First of all, to say that Ivey is a tremendous athlete is a major understatement. The only way I can describe him is that he just moves differently, both in the air and when attacking the basket. He runs the floor with purpose, and he isn’t afraid of battling through contact to get to the rim, which is why he’s widely regarded as the best finisher of all the guards in this draft class. He’s not the best playmaker, but his rapid improvement as a jump shooter ensures that he projects as a combo guard (not a wing) at the NBA level. While he can get overaggressive, which has led him into foul trouble and inefficient offensive production at times during his college career, Ivey’s flaws are fixable in the right coaching environment. Case in point, Jaden Ivey would be the perfect backcourt partner for Cade Cunningham in Detroit.

Next Level Projection: Perennial All-Star

6. Indiana Pacers – Shaedon Sharpe, G/F, Kentucky

Shaedon Sharpe is the most difficult prospect to judge in this entire class. He was ranked as the top prospect in the 2023 draft class before reclassifying into the 2022 draft class to go and play at Kentucky under John Calipari. However, he didn’t play a single minute at Kentucky, hence the difficulty judging him as a prospect. From what little tape there actually is, it’s clear that Sharpe is an elite athlete who can explode to the rim off of one or two feet. However, his lack of experience makes it hard to project him at the next level, since he could be a combo guard or a wing depending on how comfortable he is as a ball handler, shot creator, and spot up shooter. For now, Sharpe is one big question mark, but the Pacers can afford to take that chance to see what he can do alongside Tyrese Haliburton.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

7. Portland Trail Blazers – Bennedict Mathurin, G/F, Arizona

In my eyes, Bennedict Mathurin is the safest pick outside of the top 3 of this year’s draft class (Smith, Holmgren, Banchero). He has the ideal frame and skill set for a wing in today’s NBA. He has great footwork and mechanics as a scorer at all 3 levels. He’s a great three point shooter even at a high volume, and he’s also a good free throw shooter while getting to the line at a decent rate. He’s got a quick first step and ample explosiveness, and he uses his athleticism on both ends of the floor. Even though he’s a wing and not a combo guard, his ball handling is adequate, he’s a willing passer and he takes care of the basketball. His ceiling may not be as high as Ivey or Sharpe, but if he lands in the right situation, Mathurin can translate his high floor into a high ceiling in no time. It sounds like the Blazers are eager to part ways with the 7th pick in exchange for an established wing such as OG Anunoby or Lu Dort, so it will be interesting to see where Mathurin lands on draft night.

Next Level Projection: Eventual All-Star

8. New Orleans Pelicans – AJ Griffin, F, Duke

AJ Griffin is another prospect who will likely have a long, successful NBA career due to his high floor and three point prowess. In his lone season at Duke, Griffin shot almost 45% from three on 4.1 attempts per game. He has NBA caliber size for a wing at 6’6” and 220 pounds, but there are concerns surrounding his athleticism and defense. Wings are asked to do a lot of dirty work on both ends of the floor in today’s NBA, so having enough quickness to stick with guards and enough strength to hang with bigs is essential. As of right now, Griffin has neither, but he hasn’t even turned 19 years old yet. If nothing else, Griffin will be a three-point specialist, but he could develop into something more if he winds up in the right coaching environment. That environment might not be in New Orleans, since Pelicans are reportedly shopping their pick in their search for a “win-now” acquisition.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

9. San Antonio Spurs – Tari Eason, F, LSU

Tari Eason is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft class, and I genuinely believe that he is a top 5 prospect. A key sign of a great prospect is the desire and ability to improve during the course of their pre-NBA basketball career. Eason embodies this perfectly. He averaged 7/6/1/1/1 in 20 minutes per game during his Freshman year at LSU, and his main job on the floor during that season was as a defensive specialist. During his Sophomore year, he averaged 17/7/1/2/1 in  just 24 minutes per game, and he transcended his defensive specialist role to become LSU’s most dominant and efficient scorer. His shooting splits jumped from 46/24/57 to 52/36/80 despite the fact that his attempts doubled from the field and from three, while his free throw attempts actually tripled! Eason is also incredibly versatile, and his 6’8” frame enables him to play at the 3, the 4, or even as a small ball 5 (he spent considerable time playing all of these positions at LSU). Any team that selects Eason will benefit from his presence on both ends of the floor, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t keep improving as he did during his two years in college. He’s a perfect fit for San Antonio at pick 9, and while some might see Eason’s selection at this spot as a reach, I see it as a total steal.

Next Level Projection: Eventual All-Star

10.  Washington Wizards – Ochai Agbaji, G/F, Kansas

Agbaji is another really versatile prospect who enters the NBA Draft after leading Kansas to the NCAA National Championship to cap off a sensational Senior season. Standing 6’6” and weighing 215 pounds, Agbaji has the frame to play wing but the skills to play as a combo guard, so it will be interesting to see how he’s used by whatever team drafts him. For that reason, the Wizards seem like an ideal landing spot, since depending on whether they trade Bradley Beal they could use Agbaji as his direct replacement at shooting guard or see how he plays next to Beal as the small forward. At Kansas last season, he registered 48/41/74 shooting splits and committed the least turnovers per game of his college career, and this efficiency should translate to the next level. Agbaji has a very high floor and he’ll be an instant contributor in the NBA.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

11.  New York Knicks – Johnny Davis, G, Wisconsin

Tom Thibodeau has been trying to restore that New York grit to his Knicks team ever since he took the helm as head coach, and Johnny Davis is a perfect selection to help him do that. Confident, scrappy, and immensely talented, Johnny Davis exploded as a Sophomore at Wisconsin this past season. He averaged about 20 points and 8 rebounds per contest, and he was the heart and soul of the team on both ends of the floor. He’s very rarely the most efficient or athletic player on the floor, but he’s always the hardest worker out there. He’s stronger than his size would suggest (6’4”, 190 pounds), and his competitive nature means he’ll give 110% to hold his own against any matchup he’s assigned. His ceiling is questionable, but his floor is relatively high and he’ll definitely hear his name called in the lottery.

Next Level Projection: Solid Bench Contributor

12.  Oklahoma City Thunder – Ousmane Dieng, G/F, France and New Zealand Breakers

Ousmane Dieng is the stereotypical case of an international prospect who has a low floor and a high ceiling. Despite standing at a massive 6’9”, Dieng weighs just 185 pounds and has the skills of a perimeter scorer. He handles the ball well and is a smooth operator when he has to use his athleticism to evade contests, and his shot mechanics are decent enough. However, he lacks production and efficiency. He averaged 9/3/1 for the Breakers on horrendous 40/27/67 shooting splits, and is a highly inconsistent scorer. While his frame and length make his potential tantalizing for a lottery team like the Thunder, I’m not sold on Dieng. He’s a project player who will need to come on leaps and bounds as a shooter and as a defender to establish himself as a quality NBA player.

Next Level Projection: Bust

13.  Charlotte Hornets – Mark Williams, C, Duke

Mark Williams is the best traditional big man in this year’s draft class. The name of the game with Williams is rim protection and dominating the paint on both ends. He’s a freakish athlete, standing 7’1” with a massive 7’7” wingspan, which would be the fifth longest wingspan in the entire NBA. He averaged 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 24 minutes per game during his Sophomore season at Duke. He doesn’t possess an NBA level jump shot, but his 73% free throw percentage last season indicates that he could eventually develop one. Further, he’s an intelligent passer out of the post, an added bonus for a player who will likely only be asked to set screens and run to the rim as a lob threat during his first few seasons in the NBA. In conclusion, Williams has a solid floor with lots of room to grow. The Hornets are in desperate need of quality centers, so Williams would be a great fit for them.

Next Level Projection: Eventual All-Star

14.  Cleveland Cavaliers – Malaki Branham, G, Ohio State

Despite being just 19 years old, Malaki Branham is one of the most NBA ready prospects in this draft class. He’s a score-first guard who was very efficient in his lone year at Ohio State, putting up 14 points a night on 50/42/83 shooting splits. He’s more comfortable as a spot up shooter than he is creating shots off the dribble, but his natural scoring instincts are fundamentally sound anyway. Branham has long arms which allow him to negate contests, finish at the rim (at a 70% clip) and it also helps him make a sizable impact on defense. It will be interesting to see just how much of his impressive talents translate to the NBA level, but he should earn minutes immediately.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

15.  Charlotte Hornets – Jeremy Sochan, F, Baylor

Every team needs a scrappy, antagonizing defensive anchor. Jeremy Sochan can provide that for whichever team drafts him. He averaged 1.3 steals per game and 0.7 blocks per game last year at Baylor. Sochan is 6’9” and weighs 230 pounds, and he can guard just about anybody. He has exceptional lateral quickness to harass smaller guards on the perimeter, and he also has the aggressiveness, frame, and vertical athleticism to stifle big men closer to the hoop. He has enough length, strength, and athleticism to contribute in transition offense, but he doesn’t offer much out of half-court offensive sets as of this moment. He’s an inefficient scorer and the grand majority of his makes came off of assists. He’s a relatively effective slasher and can jump out of the gym when he gets downhill, but he can get overaggressive and lose the handle, and as a result turnovers were an issue for him in college. He’s expected to be a late lottery pick, and while the Hornets may look to trade one of their two picks in the late lottery range (13 and 15), Sochan would be a perfect fit in Charlotte.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

16.  Atlanta Hawks – Dyson Daniels, G/F, G-League Ignite

Standing at 6’7”, Dyson Daniels is another tall player with guard skills in this draft class. His production in the G-League was all over the place. He averaged 11/6/4/2, a strong testament to his label as a jack of all trades who puts in work on both ends of the floor. Daniels is a massive talent, but he lacks polish, which could see him slide out of the lottery on draft night. In particular, his efficiency left much to be desired. Daniels shot a meager 45% from the field and 26% from three, and it’s clear that he’s still a project player on offense when it comes to shotmaking. In addition, although he’s a gifted playmaker (especially for his size), he averaged 2.4 turnovers per game, so he’ll have to learn to take care of the ball if he wants to become a primary ball-handler at the NBA level. Daniels would make for an intriguing fit next to Trae Young in the Atlanta backcourt.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

17.  Houston Rockets – TyTy Washington, G, Kentucky

TyTy Washington is not a typical small guard. You’d expect a 6’3” guard from Kentucky to be a ball-dominant floor general, but Washington is at his best offensively when he is operating off the ball. He’s quick and intelligent as a cutter, expertly using off-ball screens to find space, get to his spots, and make shots. He’s not the most efficient scorer, but he’s not inefficient either. With Washington, what you see is what you get. I don’t know how much room for growth he has given his relative lack of size, and unless he’s able to improve leaps and bounds as a playmaker and as a defender, it will be hard for Washington to become a starting caliber off-ball guard in the league. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rockets trade this pick, so it’s anyone’s guess as to where TyTy ends up on draft night.

Next Level Projection: Solid Bench Contributor

18.  Chicago Bulls – Jalen Duren, C, Memphis

Jalen Duren is a project player, but his upside is undeniable. He hasn’t even turned 19 years old yet, but he’s built like an NBA center pushing 30, standing 6’11” and weighing 250 pounds. Duren is a physical specimen who plays above the rim on both offense and defense. His 7’5” wingspan allows him to be an elite lob threat and an above-average shot blocker, but he has no scoring ability outside of the paint, and it’s hard to believe he’ll develop one given that he is a below-average free throw shooter. His feel for the game is very encouraging, as he’s a very intelligent player. In particular, he thrives as a passer out of the post, hitting cutters in stride for easy layups. While that tendency has led to a relatively high turnover rate, it’s a fixable issue. If he lands in the right situation, Duren could become something special, but he has a lot of work to do once he gets to the NBA to make that happen.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

19.  Minnesota Timberwolves – Jalen Williams, G/F, Santa Clara 

Another personal favorite of mine, Jalen Williams is a prospect who is going under the radar even though he has the makings of a very good NBA player. A prototypical 3&D wing, Williams stands 6’6” and weighs 210 pounds. He played 3 years at Santa Clara, and last season, he shot nearly 40% from three as he averaged a career high 18 points per game. By the end of his college career, he had emerged as one of the most efficient three level scorers in the country. Williams improved in some way during every season he spent at Santa Clara, and while the competition level in the WCC isn’t the best (besides Gonzaga, of course), his upside goes beyond college production alone. He has a massive 7’2” wingspan, which makes him an effective defender whether he’s on-ball or off-ball. Despite his long arms, Williams is just as lethal shooting off the dribble as he is off the catch, and he’s an above-average playmaker as well. He might not have as high of a ceiling as some of the other wing prospects in this draft class, but Williams has a very high floor. Jalen Williams is as NBA ready as a prospect can be, and the Timberwolves would be a great spot to effectively utilize all he has to offer.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

20.  San Antonio Spurs – Blake Wesley, G, Notre Dame

Blake Wesley projects as an ideal 6th man for any NBA roster. Despite the fact that he wasn’t an efficient scorer at Notre Dame, he’s an extremely talented shot creator at all three levels of offense. He can handle like a true point guard, shoot like a true shooting guard, and attack the basket with a unique blend of explosiveness and finesse around the rim. Wesley has a wiry 6’4” frame, and his wingspan is almost 7 feet long, meaning that he’s relatively big for a score-first combo guard. He’s only 19 years old with one year of college experience, so while there’s much room for improvement outside of his scoring instincts, Wesley has tremendous upside. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Spurs package their 20th pick and 25th pick to move up in the draft, but Wesley would be a great fit in San Antonio.

Next Level Projection: Solid Bench Contributor

21.  Denver Nuggets – MarJon Beauchamp, G/F, G-League Ignite

MarJon Beauchamp is an ultra-athletic wing who is very unpolished but has many desirable traits that could make him a difference maker at the NBA level. He’s an extremely efficient scorer inside the arc, but he hasn’t developed a dependable three pointer yet. He’s an excellent rebounder for a 6’6” wing, and he is an energetic athlete on defense as well. He likely projects as a two-way slasher, and a contending team like Denver could afford to take a flier on him to give him time to develop his game further.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

22.  Memphis Grizzlies – Max Christie, G/F, Michigan State

There are certain prospects who just don’t jump off the tape and impress me, and Max Christie is one of them. The numbers back me up on that assertion. In his lone season at Michigan State, he averaged 9/3/1 on 38/32/82 splits. The free throw percentage is encouraging, but shooting 38% on over 8 shot attempts per game is just awful. At 6’5” and 190 pounds, he can play the 2 or the 3, but I’m afraid he doesn’t have the skill or athleticism to make it at the next level. He doesn’t possess NBA caliber strength and desperately needs to add muscle to his frame. In terms of fit, Memphis would be an ideal landing spot to give him the time he needs to develop behind fellow former Spartan wing Desmond Bane.

Next Level Projection: Bust

23.  Philadelphia 76ers – E.J. Liddell, F, Ohio State

E.J. Liddell has all the tools to become a solid power forward in the NBA. Last year at Ohio State, Liddell established himself as one the best players in college basketball after steadily improving his game over the 3 years he spent there. He has chosen to forego his Senior year in order to make the leap to the NBA, and I think he’s ready for it. He averaged 19 points per game, but his production doesn’t alone doesn’t tell the full story offensively. He’s a deadeye from the mid-range, utilizing an array of impressive footwork to get off his shots out of the post, off the catch, and off the dribble as well. He’s also a good rebounder and good defender, and he averaged 8 rebounds and over 2 blocks per game last season to prove it. He’s not an explosive athlete and is a bit undersized at 6’7”, which gives him limited room for improvement, but Liddell has a high floor and should be ready to contribute to an NBA roster from day 1.

Next Level Projection: Solid Bench Contributor

24.  Milwaukee Bucks – Wendell Moore, G/F, Duke

Another one of my favorite prospects in the NBA Draft this year, Wendell Moore is a perfect microcosm of the modern game. Ultra-versatile, highly skilled, and active on both ends, Moore played three seasons at Duke and improved every year. Last season, Moore averaged 13/5/4 as the second option in Coach K’s offense behind Paolo Banchero. He shot 50% from the field and 41% from three, and he’s hovered around 80% from the free throw line during the entirety of his college career. At 6’5” and 215 pounds, Moore has the frame to hang with guards and forwards alike on defense, and he averaged roughly as many steals (1.4) as fouls (1.6) last season. He has a 6’11” wingspan, and that enables him to be an effective slasher, evidenced by the fact that Moore converts around 67% of his shots at the rim. While he has just one season of efficient production when it comes to perimeter shooting, his improvement and fundamentals are very encouraging. Wendell Moore would be a perfect fit for a team such as the Bucks, since contending teams typically look to use their late first round pick on a player who can instantly compete to earn a spot in their rotation.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

25.  San Antonio Spurs – Nikola Jovic, F, Serbia and KK Mega

Yes, you read his name right. Nikola Jovic is the latest Serbian prospect to cross the pond and enter the NBA Draft, and his potential is tantalizing. Jovic is 6’11” tall and weighs 225 pounds, but he operates as a point forward. A naturally gifted playmaker, he can run the pick and roll as a ball handler or a screener, but he needs to add muscle to his lanky frame if he wants to hang with big men on both ends of the floor in the league. Regardless, the scoring ability is there both in terms of efficiency (40% from three and 71% inside the arc for KK Mega) and volume (7.3 shot attempts per game). He’s an aggressive offensive player who can get to his spots and create scoring opportunities at all three levels, and he averaged nearly 12 points per game in around 25 minutes per game against grown men, which is no small feat. Jovic just turned 19 years old earlier this month, so he has plenty of time to develop. In particular, he needs to add polish as a ball handler and a defender. I don’t expect the Spurs to keep hold of this pick, so it will be interesting to see which team gambles on Jovic’s immense potential.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

26.  Houston Rockets – Dalen Terry, G/F, Arizona

Similar to Max Christie, I just don’t see anything special about Dalen Terry. He’s a decent offensive player who averaged 8 points and 4 assists in Arizona’s motion offense last season. He’s quite tall (6’7”) for someone who can handle the ball, and he recorded 50/36/74 shooting splits on 6 shot attempts per game. However, he’s a stiff athlete who struggles with offensive confidence and defensive consistency. He has great length but hasn’t shown enough aggressiveness during his two seasons at Arizona to warrant a top 20 selection. Terry’s versatility and physical traits are intriguing, but he doesn’t have any strengths that I’d consider to be NBA caliber and his meager college production leaves a lot to be desired. It’s anyone’s guess as to where he winds up, and my best bet is that he winds up in Houston.

Next Level Projection: Bust

27.  Miami Heat – Jake Laravia, F, Wake Forest

Jake Laravia is the last of my “diamond in the rough” prospects that I’ve projected to become first round selections on draft night. There’s a lot to like about what Jake Laravia brings to the table, first and foremost of which is his size. At 6’8” and 225 pounds, Laravia has the physical frame to play at either forward position and potentially even as a small ball center, enabled by his exceptional toughness and sound fundamentals. Last season at Wake Forest, Laravia averaged 14.6 points per game on 56% from the field, 38% from three, and 78% from the free throw stripe. He has a knack for getting buckets out of nowhere, puzzling his defenders with a wide variety of backcuts, post moves, and shooting ability off the catch and the dribble alike. However, Laravia is much more than just a scorer. He’s a fantastic playmaker, and he averaged nearly 4 assists last year as a result of his exceptional basketball IQ and unselfish tendencies. He’s also a great defender, with career averages of 1.7 blocks and 1 steal per game at Wake Forest to prove it. He’s not the fastest or most athletic player on the floor, but he’s explosive for his size. In fact, Laravia is a vicious dunker off of one or two feet, and he’s shown that he’s capable of some incredible chasedown blocks and fastbreak alley-oops (both as the passer and as the finisher). While the aforementioned lack of speed could be a red flag for some teams, Laravia is just 20 years old, so he has plenty of time to adjust to the speed of the NBA game. All in all, Laravia has the chops to become a great role player at the next level, and to me, he’s an ideal candidate to replace P.J. Tucker as the “glue guy” in Miami’s starting lineup.

Next Level Projection: Solid Starter

28.  Golden State Warriors – Christian Koloko, C, Arizona

Ryan Macdonald may not have written this mock draft, but Chrstian Koloko has his personal seal of approval, as he was his favorite player during the 2021/22 college basketball season. The Cameroonian seven footer can wear many different hats for whichever team decides to draft him. He has the mobility to switch on defense and set screens on offense, and his high motor allows him to play with an edge despite his lack of muscle. He averaged nearly 3 blocks per game last season, and his 7’5” wingspan allows him to contest just about every shot in his vicinity. Koloko is also a fluid athlete, and he has improved on both sides of the ball dramatically since he arrived at Arizona in 2019. Offensively, he has a remarkably soft touch around the rim, and he has smooth footwork in the post as well. He averaged 12.6 points per game on 64% from the field in just 25 minutes per game last year, and his 73.5% free throw percentage indicates untapped potential to eventually incorporate a jump shot into his offensive arsenal. He takes care of the ball well too, ripping down rebounds securely and making smart passes out of the post more often than not. Koloko would be a perfect fit for the Warriors, who will potentially be losing Kevon Looney in free agency this summer. However, given the fact that he’s already 22 years old, Koloko will be under pressure to make a significant impact in the league within his first few seasons.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

29.  Memphis Grizzlies – Kendall Brown, F, Baylor

Kendall Brown impressed during his lone season at Baylor, and at just 19 years old, it’s easy to see why. At 6’7” and 200 pounds, Brown is physically imposing (especially for his age) and pairs that physical frame with exceptional athleticism. A prototypical two-way slasher, Brown is a heat-seeking missile in transition, unfazed by whatever defenders stand in his way. His 6’11” wingspan enables him to be an efficient finisher from just about any angle around the rim. His length, instincts, lateral quickness, and aggression make him a fearsome defender. On both ends of the court, he fares better against smaller matchups than larger ones. He shot 34% from three in college, which is pretty decent, but this efficiency mark is derived from a very small sample size of just 1.2 three point attempts per game. Additionally, his shooting mechanics are very stiff and awkward, and he’s only comfortable from behind the arc in catch and shoot situations. Unless Brown improves that aspect of his game, he’ll likely be pigeonholed into a role with limited minutes (probably as a defensive specialist off the bench). The best situation for him on draft night is to be selected by a team which can afford to give him enough time to develop such as the Memphis Grizzlies.

Next Level Projection: Boom or Bust

30.  Denver Nuggets – David Roddy, F, Colorado State

David Roddy is an undersized, unheralded prospect who made a name for himself at Colorado State as a scoring specialist. During his three seasons there, Roddy improved his offensive game significantly every year. Last season, he averaged 19 points per game on a ridiculous efficiency, shooting 57% from the field and 44% from behind the arc on just 12.5 shots per game. His catch and shoot three pointer is automatic when he’s open and very difficult to guard when he’s covered due to his quick release. He’s barely 6’6” but weighs a whopping 260 pounds, and he puts this frame to good use to reach the other two levels of offense, operating mainly out of the post in the mid-range on aggressively driving the paint to finish through contact. He’s got a surprisingly good handle that combines his fundamentals, strength, and footwork to create space for himself. He’s a good rebounder and has a great feel for the game, but it’s hard to imagine that those skills will fully translate to the next level. Roddy’s lack of speed, athleticism, and stamina are significant weaknesses which were exploited on the defensive side of the ball. Opposing teams went out of their way to attack him in college, and they will continue to do so in the NBA. While he is certainly a one dimensional player, Roddy could still carve out a role for himself as a three-point specialist off the bench for a team like the Denver Nuggets.

Next Level Projection: Solid Bench Contributor

Best Prospects Available After Round 1:

• Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee
• Walker Kessler, C, Auburn
• Jaylin Williams, F/C, Arkansas
• Jalen Hardy, G, G-League Ignite
• John Butler, C, Florida State

Who is your favorite prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft? Let us know in the comments below!

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Author: Ben Pawlak

Published: 6/23/22 at 3:00pm EST

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Sources/Works Cited:

“Big Board: Top 100.” NBADraft.net, Sports Phenoms, Inc., https://www.nbadraft.net/ranking/bigboard/.

Google Images, Google, https://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en.

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