Draft Notes: Strawther, Spagnolo, Pippen, Baugh, Zugic

Gonzaga sophomore wing Julian Strawther has declared for the 2022 NBA draft, he announced on Twitter. While Strawther doesn’t explicitly say that he’s forgoing his remaining NCAA eligibility and going pro, his statement also doesn’t really leave the door open for a return to college, so it sounds like he’s not just testing the draft waters.

Strawther was a key contributor for a top-seeded Gonzaga team, averaging 11.8 PPG and 5.4 RPG with a .498/.365/.705 shooting line in 32 games (31 starts; 26.8 MPG). He’s currently the No. 71 prospect on ESPN’s list of the top 100 prospects for 2022, making him a candidate to be drafted, but hardly a lock.

Strawther is the second early entrant from Gonzaga to declare for the draft this spring, joining teammate Drew Timme.

Here are a few more updates on players entering the draft:

• Italian guard Matteo Spagnolo has entered his name in the 2022 draft pool, according to his agents at Sigma Sports (Instagram link). The 19-year-old, who is the No. 53 prospect on ESPN’s big board, has enjoyed a breakout season for Vanoli Cremona in Italy, averaging 12.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 2.6 APG with a .441 3PT% in 25 games (27.0 MPG).
• After testing the draft waters in 2021, Vanderbilt’s Scotty Pippen Jr. has once again entered the draft and will be hiring an agent and going pro this time around, he announced on Twitter. As a junior in 2021/22, the 6’1″ guard averaged 20.4 PPG, 4.5 APG, and 3.6 RPG on .416/.325/.749 shooting in 36 games (33.1 MPG). He’s the No. 97 prospect on ESPN’s top-100 list.
• TCU junior guard Damion Baugh has decided to enter the 2022 draft, though he’ll just be testing the waters while maintaining his NCAA eligibility, he announced on Twitter. Baugh averaged 10.6 PPG, 4.5 APG, and 4.4 RPG in 31 games (31.1 MPG) for the Horned Frogs in 2021/22 after transferring from Memphis.
• Montengrin shooting guard Fedor Zugic has declared for the NBA draft, according to his agency, BDA Sports (via Twitter). The 18-year-old Zugic, who has been playing for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany, doesn’t have to worry about losing college eligibility, so he’ll be able to wait until as late as June 13 before making a final decision on whether to stay in the draft or withdraw.