Every year, the Pac-12 has first round talent to watch during college basketball season. This year is no different, and there are plenty of players to keep an eye on that should be playing in the NBA next season.
Colorado Buffaloes star Jabari Walker heard his name called in the 2022 NBA draft as the Portland Trail Blazers selected him toward the end of the second round, and Walker’s strong Summer League showing earned him a multi-year deal.
As the 2022-23 Buffs men’s basketball team began the year with a victory over UC Riverside, there is plenty to watch with Tad Boyle’s group. One player is Tristan da Silva, and the Buffs junior forward made a list of second-round prospects to watch, per 247Sports.
He’s a prospect that has a chance to make a jump this year with the departure of Jabari Walker. He is skilled with size, able to stretch the floor with a compact release, and play long through the lane with natural economy of motion. If he shows some defensive versatility, he could play his way into more attention this season.
Da Silva averaged 9.4 PPG with 3.5 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per contest, but this year he should see a giant uptick in usage with the departures of Walker and Evan Battey. In the opener against UC Riverside, da Silva played 30 minutes, scoring 12 points with five rebounds on 4-of-8 from the field with a pair of threes.
If da Silva can have a strong season, he could hear his name called someday in the NBA draft.
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