Category: 2022 NBA Draft

Italian forward Gabriele Procida declares for 2022 NBA draft

Procida, who was born in Italy, is averaging 7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds on 41.1% shooting from 3-point range for Fortitudo Bologna.

Gabriele Procida, a 6-foot-7 forward from Fortitudo Bologna in Italy, has declared for the 2022 NBA draft, his agency, Sigma Sports, announced this week.

Procida, who was born in Italy, is averaging 7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds on 41.1% shooting from 3-point range in 24 games this season. He produced perhaps his best game of the year on Dec. 13 after recording a season-high 19 points and seven rebounds.

He also has previous experience with the Italian national team.

Procida previously debuted with the senior team at the 2022 EuroBasket qualifier and had 10 points and three rebounds in a loss to North Macedonia. He also played in the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship, averaging 13.1 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Procida is considered to be a potential second-round pick this year. He previously tested the pre-draft process last year but elected to return to Italy for one more season. He has great athleticism and is highly touted as a 3-and-D prospect.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Roko Prkacin to bypass 2022 NBA draft after injury-riddled season

Prkacin missed significant time after undergoing surgery in December to repair tendons in his ankle.

International prospect Roko Prkacin will reportedly bypass the NBA draft this year after missing the majority of the 2021-22 season due to an ankle injury, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Prkacin, a 6-foot-9 forward, is averaging 9.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 38 games this season with KK Cibona in the Adriatic League. He missed significant time after undergoing surgery in December to repair tendons in his ankle. He eventually returned last month.

He went through the pre-draft process last year but ultimately opted to withdraw and return to KK Cibona to improve his draft stock. He was viewed as a borderline first-round pick given his versatility in the frontcourt.

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Prkacin will likely be viewed as a potential first-round pick next year with another strong showing in Croatia. He slipped down most draft boards this season due to the injury but will now have the opportunity to improve his positioning for next year.

The 2022 NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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French guard Hugo Besson of the NBL declares for NBA draft

Besson, who was born in France, averaged 13.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 25 games with the NZ Breakers.

Hugo Besson, a 6-foot-4 guard of the New Zealand Breakers in the National Basketball League, has declared for the 2022 NBA draft, the team announced.

The news was first reported by Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Besson, who was born in France, averaged 13.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 39% shooting from the field in 25 games with the Breakers. He produced perhaps his best game of the season on Dec. 9 after scoring a career-high 26 points and eight rebounds.

The soon-to-be 21-year-old is considered to be an early second-round pick this year given his ability as a scorer. He also displayed good court vision throughout the season and had a knack to get others involved.

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Along with Breakers teammate Ousmane Dieng, Besson will be looking to join the likes of LaMelo Ball, R.J. Hampton and Didi Louzada to be drafted into the NBA from the NBL. Dieng is projected to be a first-round pick this year.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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French center Ismael Kamagate declares for 2022 NBA draft

Kamagate is averaging 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season with Paris Basketball in France.

Ismael Kamagate, a 6-foot-11 center with Paris Basketball in France, will declare for the 2022 NBA draft, his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, told Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Kamagate, who was born in Paris, is averaging 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks on 65% shooting from the field in 30 games. He produced one of his finest performances of the season on April 19 after recording 19 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.

The 21-year-old is considered to be a potential first-round pick this year given his ability to work down low and protect the paint. He has great athleticism and projects to be great in transition and in pick-and-roll situations.

Kamagate figures to be an attractive option for teams looking to add rim protection to their roster. He flourished in that role in France and also proved to be highly efficient in the paint, and could hear his name called late in the first round as a result.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Chet Holmgren, the potential No. 1 pick, declares for NBA draft

Holmgren, a consensus second-team All-American, averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 1.9 assists in 32 games.

Potential No. 1 overall pick Chet Holmgren will declare for the 2022 NBA draft and forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility after a stellar freshman season with the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

The news was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Holmgren, a consensus second-team All-American, averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 1.9 assists on 60.7% shooting from the field in 32 games. He finished ranked 12th in the country in field-goal percentage, 18th in rebounding and fourth in blocked shots.

The 7-footer emerged as a strong prospect on both ends of the court.

Holmgren shot 39% from 3-point range on 3.3 attempts per game and was highly effective in the paint, converting on 73.7% of his attempts inside the arc. He was 11th in the nation in PER (31.3) and 17th in offensive rating (127).

On the other side, Holmgren proved elite on defense. He was a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award and tied the Gonzaga program record with 117 blocked shots. He had more blocks than missed shots (110) from the field.

Holmgren is among three prospects in the running to become the top pick this year. He has long been on the NBA radar given his unique blend of size and ability on both ends of the floor. He still has plenty of room to grow and could emerge as the best player from the draft down the road.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Gonzaga senior Andrew Nembhard to enter 2022 NBA draft

Nembhard announced that he will declare for the NBA draft and forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility. 

Gonzaga senior Andrew Nembhard on Thursday announced that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft and forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility.

Nembhard, who was named to the All-WCC first team, averaged 11.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 32 games. He finished the season ranked 15th in the country in assists per game and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.97).

The 6-foot-5 guard is widely projected to be a second-round pick given his ability as a scorer and facilitator. He proved to be a strong shooter, converting 38.3% from 3-point range on seven attempts per game, and projects to be a viable backup point guard option for teams in the draft.

Nembhard will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning by participating in private workouts with teams. He also figures to be a strong candidate to earn an invitation to compete in the draft combine or NBA G League Elite Camp next month.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Potential No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero declares for 2022 NBA draft

Banchero is in the conversation to become the top pick this year after averaging 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists.

Duke freshman Paolo Banchero, a projected top-three pick, on Wednesday announced he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft and forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Banchero, who was a consensus second-team All-American, averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 39 games. He led all true freshmen in the country in scoring and ranked sixth in rebounding and fifth in field-goal percentage (47.8).

The 6-foot-10 forward helped lead the Blue Devils to the Final Four, averaging 18.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 blocked shots and one steal in five tournament games. He was named the Most Outstanding Player in the West Region.

He had until April 24 to declare as an early entry draft candidate.

Banchero is in the conversation to be the top pick in the draft this year.

The 19-year-old made a living in the post, but was also effective in the mid-range by creating space with his patented jab-step. He was a solid 3-point shooter, converting on 33.8% of his 3.3 attempts, and he has a nice form that should enable him to improve with more reps.

Banchero possesses the size and physicality that should translate well to the next level, but he will need to improve as a defender. As a result, many believe he should fall in line behind Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren and Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. in some order on draft night.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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UCLA junior Johnny Juzang to declare for 2022 NBA draft

Juzang was named to the first team All-Pac 12 after averaging 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

UCLA junior Johnny Juzang announced Wednesday on Instagram that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft and forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Juzang, who was named to the first team All-Pac 12, averaged 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 36% shooting from 3-point range in 30 games. He led the Bruins in scoring and finished in double figures in all but five games with eight 20-point performances.

The 6-foot-7 guard entered the NBA draft last year but ultimately opted to return to school for the 2021-22 season. He is currently projected to be a second-round pick by most mock drafts after a strong two-year run with the Bruins.

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Juzang will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning by participating in private workouts with teams. He also figures to be a strong candidate to earn an invitation to compete in the draft combine or NBA G League Elite Camp next month.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe to return to Kentucky for senior year

Tshiebwe announced on Wednesday that he will opt against the NBA draft and return to Kentucky for his senior year.

Oscar Tshiebwe, the men’s college basketball player of the year, announced Wednesday on SportsCenter that he will opt against declaring for the 2022 NBA draft and return to Kentucky for his senior year.

Tshiebwe was also named a consensus first-team All-American after averaging 17.4 points, 15.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 assists. He became the first major-conference player to average 15 points and 15 rebounds since Bill Walton in the 1972-73 season.

The 6-foot-9 forward led the country in rebounding, offensive rebounds (5.3) and rebounding percentage (34.6). His 515 total rebounds were third-most in program history as he was one of just three players to haul in at least 500. He also set a program record with 28 double-doubles.

Tshiebwe explained that his faith played a large role in coming back after discussing the decision with his family. He came to the conclusion about a week ago and is looking forward to helping the Wildcats advance to the NCAA Tournament once again next season.

He was most commonly projected to be a second-round pick. Tshiebwe wants to use his senior season as one last chance to develop his game and develop into a first-round pick. Behind the tutelage of head coach John Calipari, Tshiebwe believes he can reach that goal.

With Tshiebwe back, the Wildcats figure to be among the favorites to win the SEC next season and make a deep tournament run. They secured the No. 2 seed this year before bowing out in the first round against No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s.

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All-American Kofi Cockburn to hire agent, declare for NBA draft

Cockburn was the only Division I player to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds this season.

Illinois junior Kofi Cockburn on Wednesday announced that he will hire an agent and declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Cockburn, who was a consensus All-American, averaged 20.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and one blocked shot in 28 games. He was the only Division I player to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. He was also the only player to rank in the top 20 in each category.

The 7-footer tested the pre-draft process in 2020 and 2021 but ultimately opted to return to school for the 2021-22 season. He was one of the top centers in the country and led the Fighting Illini to a 23-10 record and a share of the Big Ten regular-season title.

Cockburn enters the offseason not projected to be selected by most mock drafts. He established himself as more of a traditional center by working in the post and impacting games on the defensive end of the floor with his 7-foot-4 wingspan.

He will have the opportunity to improve his draft stock by participating in private workouts with teams. He could also earn an invitation to compete in the draft combine next month.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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