In honor of March Madness, Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of ESPN (Insider link) conducted a mock draft made up exclusively of players participating in the NCAA Tournament and shared insights on what to watch from those players during the event.
The very top of ESPN’s March Madness mock remains unchanged, since Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Duke’s Paolo Banchero, and Purdue’s Jaden Ivey will all be participating in the tournament.
Here are a few more draft-related notes, with the start of March Madness right around the corner:
- Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer has published his annual draft guide, including his top-30 big board. While there are no major surprises near the very top of O’Connor’s board, he diverges from the consensus in a few instances further down, including ranking G League Ignite wing Jaden Hardy at No. 12.
- Jeremy Woo of SI.com takes an in-depth, region-by-region look at the games and players to keep a close eye on during the NCAA Tournament, identifying sleepers, prospects with the most at stake, and the potential matchups that scouts would most like to see.
- In his newly-updated 2022 mock draft, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report has Jabari Smith coming off the board with the No. 1 pick. G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels, the No. 10 prospect on ESPN’s big board, slides all the way down to No. 23 in Wasserman’s mock.
Parker is the top pick. That’s easy.
I feel sorry for who takes Holmgrem in top 5. He’s yrs away as NBA player. And only if he gains 60 LBs.
Banchero and Griifin are solid picks. Both can’t miss at 3 n 4. Ivey has big upside. Got plenty of 2way potential. But I like Agbaji more. He’s bigger and has a better shot. I think he’s more a sure thing. Ivey does have bigger upside.
I like Mathurin as a 3. Like him a lot. Would love for my Knicks to trade up for him.
Top 10 picks are all solid picks. Duren is best center in class. He is only 18 plenty upside. Kessler is nice talent at center too. More ready and a good shooter for a big. He would look good next to Stewart in Detroit. A strong old school 4. I’m all about trading UP for Knicks. We got plenty of assets to pull it off.
Ivey gives me Ja Morant vibes. I love his game
He’s thicker than Morant. I see the potential and athleticism. But in NBA you just can’t out talent people like you can in college. Like to see him get a better shot. And play off the offense more. Better talent will bring out the best. Is what we hope right ….
You still have Ja as Jaden’s comp even after I spoonfed you a much better one (DWade)?
That’s not bad. Not as calculating as DWade. Wade never got the respect as a big IQ player. He was long for his size. And knew how to use it on D and O. I rather wait a few yrs. Before I start comparing rooks to established players. Ivey needs to step up. NBA will bring out best in him. Like it did Edwards.