2022 NBA Draft – Page 11 – Syndication Server

Canadian prospect Leonard Miller to turn pro, forgo college

Miller, who was being recruited by Arizona and Kentucky, will play professionally next season and forgo his eligibility.

Leonard Miller, a 6-foot-11 forward from Canada, announced on Tuesday that he will play professionally next season and forgo his collegiate eligibility.

Miller, who will turn 19 in November, completed a postgraduate year at Fort Erie International Academy and had received college interest from Arizona and Kentucky. He will now elect to either stay in the NBA draft or sign with the NBA G League Ignite next season.

The 6-foot-10 forward was among the prospects that participated in the draft combine, averaging 7.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in two scrimmage games. He will have the opportunity to work out with teams ahead of the June 13 withdrawal deadline.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CePC42UP15t/

Miller participated with Team World at the Nike Hoop Summit in April in Portland, Oregon. He recorded 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in a loss to USA Basketball. He impressed during his 18 minutes and looked to be the best player on the team.

He projects to have the skills needed to eventually make the transition to the NBA. He has an all-around offensive game and can even step out and shoot from distance. On the other side, Miller boasts a 7-foot-2 wingspan and can protect the paint.

Miller is most commonly projected to be an early second-round pick this year. He could stand to benefit by playing one season with the Ignite to further improve his game and draft stock next year.

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Rumor: Knicks expressing strong interest in Purdue’s Jaden Ivey

Ivey has reportedly garnered plenty of interest from the Knicks ahead of the NBA draft on June 23.

Purdue sophomore Jaden Ivey enters the 2022 NBA draft highly touted for his playmaking and ability to score, and is considered to be a top-five pick, as a result.

Ivey, who was a consensus All-American, averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season. He finished as one of two players in the country (Paolo Banchero, Duke) to record at least 600 points, 175 rebounds, 100 assists, 30 steals and 20 blocked shots.

The prevailing thought is Ivey should fall no further than the Indiana Pacers with the sixth pick, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Ivey has even garnered plenty of interest from the New York Knicks but should be well off the board when they are on the clock at 11.

Elsewhere in the point guard conversation, word of New York’s interest in Purdue sophomore Jaden Ivey has been often repeated by league personnel. Ivey, though, is all but assured to be selected within the first six picks of the draft, where the Indiana Pacers are considered by several executives contacted by B/R as his floor.

The Knicks have been long rumored into wanting to upgrade the point guard position on their roster. They have been linked to Donovan Mitchell but are unlikely to be able to land him from the Utah Jazz and will need to look elsewhere to improve their backcourt.

Ivey proved to be as explosive as they come with the ball in his hands, something that can fit in with any NBA team. His decision-making and shot creation seem improved throughout the season, which should help him transition to the next level.

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Of course, New York would need to trade up in order to have the opportunity to take Ivey, something that could prove to be difficult to do. But with the draft just over three weeks away, the Knicks figure to be busy working the phones to explore such a move.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Lakers to host Memphis’ Lester Quinones, others for pre-draft workout

Memphis junior Lester Quinones will be among the prospects to participate in a pre-draft workout with the Lakers on Tuesday.

Memphis junior Lester Quinones will be among the prospects to participate in a pre-draft workout with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, the team announced.

Quinones averaged 10 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals on 39% shooting from 3-point range last season with the Tigers. He ranked seventh among qualified players in the American Athletic Conference in 3-point percentage and 13th in 3-pointers made (55).

The 6-foot-5 guard has emerged as one of the top shooters in the draft this year. He has worked out with several other teams in the pre-draft process, including the Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings, and will visit the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

In addition to Quinones, the Lakers will also host San Jose State guard Omari Moore, Purdue forward Trevion Williams, Nebraska guard Trey McGowens, Oregon guard Will Richardson and Texas Southern forward Brison Gresham on Tuesday.

The Lakers enter the pre-draft process with no picks in either round. The team dealt its first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in the trade involving Anthony Davis. Its second-round selection was sent to the Washington Wizards in a cap-clearing move.

Despite having no draft picks, the Lakers will still do their due diligence on those fringe prospects that could go undrafted. The team could acquire picks to take a prospect or sign him outright in free agency after the draft.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Potential first-round pick Terquavion Smith to return to NC State

Smith will withdraw from the NBA draft and return to N.C. State for his sophomore season.

Potential first-round pick Terquavion Smith on Tuesday told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he will withdraw from the 2022 NBA draft and return to N.C. State next season.

Smith emerged as one of the top performers at the draft combine, recording 17 points during one scrimmage game. He received first-round grades from several teams following the showing given his explosiveness and ability as a scorer.

The decision to return to school is a bit surprising considering that he was highly touted entering the draft. However, Smith wants to spend one more year in college and lead the Wolfpack on the court.

I have to be honest and admit money has never been at the center of my thoughts. My agent explained to me that teams as high as the late teens, through the rest of the first round, all have me ranked as a first-round talent. It’s exciting to hear that. But I told him I have more work to do. I like school and my college in particular. Remember, my last two years have been so strange, thanks to the pandemic. I just want one more season to get everything right and just be a college student.

Smith was named to the ACC All-Rookie team after averaging 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals on 36.9% shooting from 3-point range last season. His 96 total 3-pointers led all players in the ACC and were the most by a freshman in program history.

With Smith back in the fold, the Wolfpack hope to improve upon their 11-21 record from last season and make a run in the ACC. The team could also get Dereon Seabron back after testing the pre-draft process.

The early entry withdrawal deadline for underclassmen is Wednesday.

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Projected first-round pick MarJon Beauchamp to work out with Hawks

Beauchamp of the NBA G League Ignite will reportedly be among the prospects to work out with the Hawks on Tuesday.

MarJon Beauchamp of the NBA G League Ignite will reportedly be among the prospects to work out with the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, according to Kevin Chouinard of Hawks.com.

Beauchamp emerged as perhaps the top Ignite prospect this year, averaging 15.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, two assists and 1.5 steals in 24 games. He is most commonly projected to be a first-round pick after dazzling at times on the defensive end with his length and athleticism.

The 6-foot-6 forward will need to continue to work on his 3-point shooting, after converting on 24.2% of his attempts last season, but has the tools in place to be a rotation player at the next level.

In addition to Beauchamp, the Hawks also plan on working out Richmond forward Tyler Burton, Xavier guard Nate Johnson, Miami guard Charlie Moore, Georgetown forward Aminu Mohammed and West Virginia guard Taz Sherman on Tuesday.

Atlanta enters the pre-draft process with the 16th and 44th picks, respectively. They have recently hosted several prospects for workouts ahead of the draft, including LSU forward Tari Eason and Villanova guard Collin Gillespie.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Hornets hosted Tari Eason, others for pre-draft workout

Eason was among the draft-eligible prospects that worked out with the Hornets over the weekend.

LSU sophomore Tari Eason was among the draft-eligible prospects that worked out with the Charlotte Hornets over the weekend, the team announced.

Eason was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.1 blocks and one assist in 33 games. He recorded four games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, the most by a Tigers player since 2015.

The 6-foot-8 forward emerged as a tremendous defensive player this season, ranking fourth in the country in defensive rating (83.2) and fifth in defensive box plus-minus (5.7). He was one of 10 players named as a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.

In addition to Eason, the Hornets also hosted UT-Arlington center Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu, Gonzaga guard Rasir Bolton, NC State guard Terquavion Smith, SMU forward Marcus Weathers and UConn forward Isaiah Whaley for workouts.

Charlotte enters the draft with the 13th and 15th selection in the first round and the 45th pick in the second round, respectively. Of the players brought in, Eason and Smith are most commonly projected to be drafted in the first round.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Rumor: Arkansas’ Jaylin Williams has received draft promise

Williams announced that he will remain in the NBA draft and forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Arkansas sophomore Jaylin Williams on Saturday announced that he will remain in the 2022 NBA draft and forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Williams, who was named to the All-SEC second team, averaged 10.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks in 37 games. He finished fifth in the country in total rebounds (364) and fourth in defensive win shares (3.0).

He was also named to the SEC All-Defensive team.

The 6-foot-10 forward is considered by some to be a potential first-round pick and has even reportedly received a draft guarantee from a team, according to Kevin McPherson of Hogville.net.

A source told Hogville.net that Williams has a draft guarantee and could go as high as the late first round.

Williams, who boasts a 7-foot-1 wingspan, is viewed as one of the top defensive prospects in the draft this year with an improving offensive game. He has also impressed with his passing and ability to see the floor as a big man.

The soon-to-be 20-year-old climbed up boards throughout the year after a strong sophomore campaign and is now on the verge of becoming the latest Razorback to be drafted into the NBA.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Harrison Ingram to withdraw from 2022 NBA draft, return to Stanford

Ingram announced that he will withdraw from the NBA draft and return to school for his sophomore season.

Stanford forward Harrison Ingram on Saturday announced that he will withdraw from the 2022 NBA draft and return to school for his sophomore season.

Ingram, who was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, averaged 10.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and three assists in 32 games. He was one of two true freshmen in the country (Paolo Banchero, Duke) to average at least 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.

He declared for the NBA draft on March 30 while maintaining his remaining collegiate eligibility. Ingram was widely projected to be a second-round pick but ultimately opted to return to school for at least one more season to improve his draft stock.

Bet on yourself. . . Run your own race pic.twitter.com/NsynGxDWKg

— Harrison Ingram (@Harrisoniingram) May 28, 2022

Ingram was considered to be an intriguing prospect given his size after weighing in at 232 pounds at the draft combine. He has also displayed good court vision and projected to be a player that could handle the ball some at the next level.

Now, Ingram will be able to return to school and continue to work on his overall game. With Ingram back in the fold, the Cardinal will look to improve on their 16-16 record from last season.

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Potential first-round pick Patrick Baldwin Jr. plans to stay in NBA draft

The former five-star recruit plans on staying in the NBA draft after one season with Milwaukee.

Milwaukee guard Patrick Baldwin Jr. plans to stay in the 2022 NBA draft after one season with the Panthers, he told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Baldwin, a former consensus five-star recruit, averaged 12.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 11 games. He was limited due to a previous ankle injury but produced a double-double in his debut on Nov. 9 with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

He largely failed to live up to expectations at Milwaukee and had an underwhelming showing at the draft combine. He ranked in the bottom five in lane agility (12.25 seconds) and three-quarter sprint (3.45 seconds), and also had the worst max vertical jump (26.5 inches).

Because Baldwin struggled in college, many thought he could return to school in order to improve his draft stock. However, Baldwin said he is receiving good feedback during the pre-draft process and will forgo his remaining college eligibility.

I plan on staying in. I think the feedback I’ve been getting is pretty good. Typically, a lot of the teams haven’t even mentioned the testing as a factor for me. A lot of what I do is shooting, spacing the floor, making the correct play and being a heady basketball player. That’s something I’ll bank on going into this process. I’ve gotten some pretty good feedback so far.

Teams still likely view Baldwin as a first-round pick given his overall skillset. They likely still see a player that was once highly touted entering college and believe he can develop into a potential franchise cornerstone at the next level.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Lakers to host Keon Ellis, others for pre-draft workout

Ellis will be among the prospects to participate in a pre-draft workout with the Lakers on Saturday.

Alabama senior Keon Ellis will be among the prospects to participate in a pre-draft workout with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, the team announced.

Ellis, who was named to the SEC All-Defensive team, averaged 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.8 assists on 43.9% shooting from the field in 33 games. He led the Crimson Tide in rebounding, steals, free-throw percentage (88.1) and 3-point percentage (36.6) last season.

The 6-foot-6 guard is widely projected to be an early-to-mid second-round pick this year after a strong campaign with the Crimson Tide. He has also worked out with Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder among other teams.

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In addition to Ellis, the Lakers will also host Villanova guard Collin Gillespie, UConn guard Tyrese Martin, USC guard Drew Peterson, Texas A&M forward Quenton Jackson and Syracuse forward Cole Swider on Saturday.

The Lakers enter the pre-draft process with no picks in either round. The team dealt its first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in the trade involving Anthony Davis and their second-round selection was sent to the Washington Wizards in a cap-clearing move.

Despite having no draft picks, the Lakers will still do their due diligence on those fringe prospects that could go undrafted. The team could eventually acquire picks to take a prospect or sign them outright in free agency after the draft.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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