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2022 NBA Draft

Auburn’s Jabari Smith Declares For 2022 NBA Draft

April 5th, 2022 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

Auburn power forward Jabari Smith has confirmed that he’ll put his name into the 2022 NBA draft pool, making the announcement in a video published on the men’s basketball program’s official Twitter account.

While Smith didn’t specify whether he’s forgoing his remaining NCAA eligibility or testing the waters, it’s safe to assume – based on both the tone of his announcement and his projected draft range – that he has played his last college game.

A freshman in 2021/22, Smith started all 34 games he played for the Tigers and averaged 16.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.0 BPG in 28.8 minutes per contest. The 18-year-old also showed an impressive ability to knock down outside shots, hitting 42.0% of his three-point tries. He was a consensus second-team All-American and was named the NABC Freshman of the Year.

Smith is widely viewed as one of the top three prospects in the 2022 draft class, with some experts even placing him atop their boards. His time at Auburn came to a disappointing end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament when the team was upset by Miami — Smith shot just 3-of-16 from the field in what was his worst offensive game of the season, but that performance is unlikely to hurt his draft stock much, if at all.

In his scouting report, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony refers to Smith as one of the most dynamic shooters in college and a “highly versatile” defender who has the ability to switch all over the floor. Smith is the No. 2 player on ESPN’s big board, behind only Chet Holmgren.

Smith is the second standout underclassman at Auburn to declare for the draft this spring, joining teammate Walker Kessler, who is also projected to be a first-round pick.

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MSU’s Max Christie Among Early Entrants For 2022 NBA Draft

April 4th, 2022 at 2:08pm CST by Luke Adams

The list of early entrants for the 2022 NBA draft continues to grow, as college players put their names into this year’s draft pool ahead of the April 24 deadline.

[RELATED: 2022 NBA Draft Dates, Deadlines To Watch]

Michigan State’s Max Christie is among the players who recently declared for the draft, announcing his intentions in a post on Instagram. The freshman shooting guard stated that he’ll test the draft waters, maintaining his remaining college eligibility for the time being as he gets feedback on his draft stock.

A full-time starter for the Spartans in 2021/22, Christie averaged 9.3 PPG and 3.5 RPG on .382/.317/.824 shooting in 35 games (30.8 MPG). Those numbers are modest, but the 6’6″ guard has shown the potential to develop into a stronger shooter and a solid defender, per ESPN’s Mike Schmitz. Christie ranks 41st overall on ESPN’s big board.

Here are a few more of the college players who have recently entered the draft pool:

Expected to stay in draft, forgoing remaining NCAA eligibility:

Testing draft waters:

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2022 NBA Draft Dates, Deadlines To Watch

April 4th, 2022 at 10:38am CST by Luke Adams

We’re still more than two-and-a-half months away from NBA draft day, but before we get to June 23, there are several other important dates and deadlines on the calendar. Here are some of those dates and deadlines worth keeping an eye on:

April 24 (11:59 pm ET): Deadline for early entrants to declare for the draft

College players and international early entrants have until the end of the day on April 24 to submit their names into the 2022 NBA draft pool. They can withdraw their names later if they decide they’re not quite ready to go pro, though if college players want to maintain their NCAA eligibility, they can’t hire an agent who’s not certified by the NCAA.

Once the early entrant list is set, NBA teams can begin conducting or attending workouts for those players.

May 16-17: NBA G League Elite Camp (tentative)

In 2019, the Elite Camp – having recently been revamped by the NBA – consisted of 40 veteran G League invitees participating in the first half of the event, followed by 40 top draft-eligible players (who weren’t invited to the actual combine) taking part in the second half.

After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Elite Camp returned in 2021, but only featured 40 draft-eligible prospects, without the G League players. That format will carry over to this year.

May 18-22: NBA draft combine

This week-long event, which takes place in Chicago, allows NBA teams to get a first-hand look at many of the year’s top draft-eligible players.

The combine is often particularly important for early entrants who have yet to decide whether or not to stay in the draft. The feedback they get at the combine could go a long way toward dictating whether they keep their names in the draft or return to school for another year.

May 17: NBA draft lottery

The 2022 draft lottery will be the fourth one that uses the new format, which was introduced in 2019. With the lottery odds flattened out, the NBA’s worst team has a 14% shot at the No. 1 overall pick, as opposed to the 25% chance it had prior to ’19.

The new system has generated some excitement during the past three draft lotteries — six of the 12 teams that have claimed top-four picks since 2019 entered the night without a top-six spot in the lottery standings.

Our reverse standings provide a glimpse at what the pre-lottery draft order could look like.

June 1 (11:59 pm ET): NCAA early entrant withdrawal deadline

College underclassmen – and seniors who are eligible to play for more one season – who want to retain their NCAA eligibility will have to withdraw their names from the draft pool by June 1. NBA rules call for a later withdrawal deadline, but the NCAA has its own set of rules that say the deadline is 10 days after the combine.

An early entrant could technically wait until after June 1 to withdraw from the draft and could still retain his NBA draft eligibility for a future year. However, he would forfeit his amateur status in that scenario, making him ineligible to return to his NCAA squad.

June 13 (5:00 pm ET): NBA early entrant withdrawal deadline

This is the NBA’s final deadline for early entrants to withdraw their names from the draft pool and retain their draft eligibility for a future year.

By this point, we generally know whether or not a college player decided to keep his name in the draft, but this is an important deadline for international players, who aren’t subject to the same restrictions as college players. We’ll likely hear about several international early entrants withdrawing from the draft during the days leading up to June 13.

June 23: NBA draft day

The most exciting few weeks of the NBA offseason unofficially get underway on draft day, which is often when some of the first major trades of the summer are completed and when we get a sense of which direction certain teams are heading.

It’s also worth noting that the hours and days after the draft ends will be hugely important for many of this year’s draft-eligible prospects — a ton of players who aren’t selected with one of the 60 picks in the draft will reach agreements shortly thereafter to play for an NBA team’s Summer League squad, to attend training camp with a club, or to sign a two-way contract.

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Auburn’s Walker Kessler Declares For NBA Draft

April 3rd, 2022 at 6:23pm CST by JD Shaw

Auburn sophomore Walker Kessler will declare for the NBA Draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility by hiring an agent, he told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.

Kessler is ranked No. 24 on ESPN’s big board. As Givony notes, he received Naismith and NABC National Defensive Player of the Year honors this season, averaging 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game.

“This season was a blast for my teammates and I,” Kessler said. “Winning the SEC regular season and being the No. 1 ranked team in the country for the first time in Auburn history was a dream. I really valued all the time I spent with the coaching staff and everyone around the program. It was so much fun.”

Kessler, a 7’1″ center, has impressed scouts with his length and athleticism. He posted the highest shot-blocking percentage in college basketball over the last 15 years, according to Givony.

“I think NBA teams saw the different ways I can impact the game,” Kessler said. “I have good timing as a shot-blocker and can move my feet well switching on ball screens. I’m looking forward to showing the diversity of my game, as well as my mobility.”

The NBA draft will be held on Thursday, June 23 in Brooklyn, New York.

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Draft Notes: Champagnie, Duruji, J. Smith, Banchero

April 2nd, 2022 at 8:42pm CST by Arthur Hill

Julian Champagnie of St. John’s will give up his final two years of eligibility and enter the NBA draft, writes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Champagnie, who tested the draft waters last year before deciding to withdraw after injuring his wrist, called it “kind of a no-brainer” to try again this year.

He will retain agent Nick Blatchford of UNLTD Sports Group, who worked with him on NIL deals over the past year. Champagnie plans to head to Miami on Sunday to begin preparations for the draft. He is projected as a possible second-round pick and is listed at No. 59 on ESPN’s big board.

“I think last year was my time to be nervous,” said Champagnie, who averaged 19.2 PPG this season. “I’m happy, I’m ready for it. I came back last year and I’ve done enough. It’s my time to go. It’s an opportunity I have and an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. It’s a matter of taking your opportunity and seeing where it gets you.”

There’s more draft news to pass along:

  • Florida’s Anthony Duruji has decided to skip his final year of eligibility and declare for the draft. In making the announcement on Twitter, Duruji stated that he will hire an agent and remain in the draft. Duruji, who averaged 8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Gators, is currently a long shot to be drafted and isn’t listed on the ESPN board.
  • Auburn’s Jabari Smith has returned to the top spot in the latest mock draft by Sam Vecenie of The Athletic. Vecenie makes it clear that there’s not a consensus No. 1 choice this year, but Smith seems to carry the least risk. Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, who was the first choice in Vecenie’s last mock, drops to No. 2 as Vecenie calls him “more polarizing” than Smith among NBA talent evaluators. Duke’s Paolo Banchero, Purdue’s Jaden Ivey and Iowa’s Keegan Murray round out the top five.
  • Banchero appears to have improved his draft stock during Duke’s NCAA Tournament run, per Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, who looks at draft-related stories to watch during the Final Four. Scouts have been impressed by Banchero’s abilities as an isolation scorer and a playmaker, according to Wasserman. Duke’s Mark Williams and AJ Griffin and Kansas’ Ochai Agbaji are also getting plenty of attention from scouts this weekend.
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OSU’s Malaki Branham Entering 2022 Draft

April 1st, 2022 at 6:31pm CST by Rory Maher

Ohio State freshman Malaki Branham is entering the 2022 NBA draft, but he plans to maintain his college eligibility unless he receives an assurance that he’ll be selected in the first round, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Branham is currently No. 16 on ESPN’s best available players list.

“I will be testing the draft waters while keeping my college eligibility intact,” Branham said. “I want to find the best situation and the right fit for me. I am staying in the draft if I’m in the first round because I believe if someone gives me four years to prove myself, I have no doubt that they will love what they’re getting.”

Branham, a 6’5″ guard, received numerous accolades in his lone season with the Buckeyes, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year and third-team all-conference. In 32 games (29.6 MPG), Branham averaged 13.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 2.0 APG on a .498/.416/.833 shooting line.

He had a slow start to his college career, averaging just 6.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 1.6 APG on .388/.333/.1.000 shooting in his first 10 games, but he excelled down the stretch run of the season, averaging 20.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.4 APG and 1.0 SPG on .566/.344/.865 shooting over his final 10 contests.

“Breaking down film with coaches and gaining a better understanding of making the right reads, offensively and defensively, allowed me to excel even more in the second half of the season,” Branham said, as part of a larger quote. “I believe NBA teams will learn that I’ll be a sponge, no matter how things are going for me I’m willing to learn and take the time to be better. As I do those things, I can then apply what I’ve gained in understanding.”

Branham, who won’t turn 19 until next month, has the potential to be a lottery pick in June if he has a strong showing leading up to the draft, per Givony. Branham’s length (6’11” wingspan), frame, shot-making, shot-creation, poise, burgeoning play-making skills and the improvement he showed over the course of the season indicate that he has a high ceiling as a prospect, as Givony relays.

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Trevion Williams, Jalen Williams, Others Entering 2022 Draft

April 1st, 2022 at 1:17pm CST by Luke Adams

Purdue forward/center Trevion Williams will forgo his final year of college eligibility and sign with an agent, the school announced today in a press release. After testing the draft waters a year ago, Williams will go pro this time around.

The No. 45 prospect on ESPN’s big board, Williams came off the bench for the Boilermakers for most of 2021/22, averaging 12.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 3.0 APG in 37 appearances (20.1 MPG). In his scouting report on Williams, Mike Schmitz of ESPN said the senior is one of the best passing big men in the country.

Another Williams, Santa Clara junior guard Jalen Williams, is also entering the 2022 NBA draft, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, who notes that Williams will maintain his college eligibility. Jalen is ranked just three spots behind Trevion on ESPN’s board, at No. 48.

Jalen Williams earned First-Team All-WCC honors after leading the conference in scoring, with 18.0 PPG on .513/.396/.809 shooting. His defensive versatility, passing feel, and shooting potential all intrigue NBA teams, says Givony.

Here are some of the other prospects recently declaring for the draft:

Expected to remain in the draft:

Testing the draft waters:

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Badgers’ Johnny Davis Declares For Draft

March 31st, 2022 at 4:26pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Wisconsin sophomore guard and projected lottery selection Johnny Davis will enter the draft and hire an agent, he told ESPN’s Malika Andrews on NBA Today on Thursday.

“After taking some time off and discussing everything with my family and coaches, I have decided to pursue a lifelong dream by declaring for the NBA draft with the intent of hiring an agent,” Davis said, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony relays.

Davis is No. 9 on ESPN’s Best Available list. He was under the radar heading into the season but moved into the spotlight with some big offensive performances. He was named Big Ten Player of the Year and a consensus All-American after averaging 19.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 2.1 APG in 34 MPG.

One cause for pause is that the 6’5” Davis only knocked down 30.6% of his 3-point attempts. He also struggled in postseason play, shooting 27.2% in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments. However, that shouldn’t prevent him from getting serious consideration as a top-10 pick. He was hampered by an ankle injury this month.

“I wasn’t 100%, but I felt confident that If I played, we still had a great chance of winning the Big Ten Conference tournament as well as advancing in the NCAA tournament,” Davis said. “I wanted to be out there with my guys to give it everything I had.”

He also showed dramatic improvement from his freshman campaign, when he averaged 7.0 PPG in 24.3 MPG as a reserve.

“Coach [Greg] Gard and my teammates believed in me and gave me the confidence and opportunity to have a much larger role than my freshman season,” Davis said.

Davis believes his game is well-suited for the next level.

“I know the pace and style of play in the NBA is different, but I think that suits my skill set extremely well,” Davis said. “My ability to get by my defender, athleticism and strength to finish at the rim, and being a three-level scorer combined with added spacing in the NBA will give me the opportunity to be successful.”

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Projected Top-Five Pick Jaden Ivey Declares For Draft

March 31st, 2022 at 3:39pm CST by Rory Maher

Purdue guard Jaden Ivey plans to enter the 2022 NBA Draft, he announced on social media (via Twitter). He’s currently No. 4 on ESPN’s big board.

The sophomore standout didn’t specify whether he will hire an agent and thus lose his remaining college eligibility, but it would be shocking if he went back to school considering he’s projected to be a top-five pick in the draft.

After averaging 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists on .399/.258/.726 shooting as a freshman (24 games, 24.2 minutes), Ivey emerged as one of the best players in the country this season, averaging 17.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 3.1 APG on .460/.358/.744 shooting (36 games, 31.4 minutes per contest).

Ivey helped lead Purdue to a 29-8 record and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament in 2021/22, where they ultimately lost in the Sweet Sixteen to the historic No. 15 seed, Saint Peter’s.

Standing 6’4″ with a nearly 6’10” wingspan, Ivey is an electric athlete and considered one of the most physically gifted prospects in the draft, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN. Ivey improved his perimeter shooting and picked his spots better as a sophomore, but still struggled at times as a decision-maker.

Ivey’s physical tools theoretically point to great defensive potential, but Givony states that Ivey frequently lost focus on the less-glamorous end of the court, especially off the ball. Still, he’s a special athlete who’s able to shift gears and blow past opponents, which could translate well to the more open, pace-and-space NBA game.

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Notre Dame’s Blake Wesley Declares For NBA Draft

March 30th, 2022 at 3:30pm CST by Luke Adams

Notre Dame guard Blake Wesley won’t return to the Fighting Irish next season, telling Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he plans to enter the 2022 NBA draft and go pro.

A freshman in 2021/22, Wesley was named to the All-ACC Second Team after averaging 14.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 1.3 SPG on .404/.303/.657 shooting in 35 games (29.3 MPG).

Wesley, who just turned 19 earlier this month, intrigues NBA teams due to his ability to beat defenders off the dribble, his finishing ability, his length, and his NBA-ready body, according to Givony, who has the 6’5″ guard ranked 20th overall on ESPN’s big board.

Wesley’s shooting percentages as a freshman weren’t especially impressive, but he could boost his stock if he shoots well in pre-draft workouts, Givony notes.

“I’m a tireless worker,” Wesley told ESPN. “I rise to the occasion. Having such a veteran team alongside me was really helpful. We exceeded everyone’s expectations. I’m a 6’5” point guard and there’s no else in the NBA draft like me. People tell me I play like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I study him a lot. I don’t know that people realize how well I can shoot the ball.”

In other early entrant news, Wake Forest senior forward/center Dallas Walton will test the draft waters, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports (Twitter link). DePaul senior guard Javon Freeman-Liberty is also putting his name in the 2022 draft pool, he announced today (via Twitter).

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