Category: 2022 NBA Draft

Gonzaga sophomore Julian Strawther to test NBA pre-draft process

Strawther will declare for the 2022 NBA draft while leaving the door open to return to school.

Gonzaga sophomore Julian Strawther on Monday announced that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft while leaving the door open to return to school.

Strawther, who was a WCC Honorable Mention selection, averaged 11.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and one assist on 49.8% shooting from the field in 32 games. He scored in double figures 21 times and twice had a career-high 20 points.

The 6-foot-7 guard is not currently projected to be selected by most mock drafts. However, 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.

He has until June 1 to withdraw from the draft and maintain his eligibility.

Strawther becomes the second Bulldogs player to declare for the NBA draft, joining All-American teammate Drew Timme. Chet Holmgren, a potential No. 1 overall pick, is also expected to announce his draft intentions in the coming days.

Gonzaga made its 23rd straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament this season. They earned the top seed after posting a 28-4 record and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the seventh consecutive year.

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UCLA guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. to return for senior season

Jaquez was named to the first team All-Pac 12 after averaging 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals.

UCLA Bruins junior Jaime Jaquez Jr. announced on Monday that he will pass on entering the 2022 NBA draft and return to the program for one more season.

Jaquez, who was named to the first team All-Pac 12, averaged 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 34 games. He became the 59th different player in program history to score at least 1,000 career points and was also named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team.

The 6-foot-7 guard was considered to be a mid-to-late second-round pick this year but will now return to school for his senior year. He cited his desire to win a championship with the Bruins as a major factor in opting to stay with the program.

The Bruins advanced to the Sweet 16 this year and made it to the Final Four last season. With Jaquez back, the Bruins project to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament and could be among the favorites to win the championship next year.

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Projected first-round pick Mark Williams declares for NBA draft

Williams was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.

Duke Blue Devils sophomore Mark Williams on Monday announced that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Williams was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. He was also a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, and ranked fifth in the country in total blocked shots (110).

The 7-foot-1 center boasts a 7-foot-5 wingspan and has the skills every team covets on defense between his ability to control the paint and rebound. He is widely projected to be a lottery pick and should be able to help fortify teams’ frontcourts at the next level.

Williams, who turned 20 in December, 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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Memphis freshman Jalen Duren to hire agent and enter 2022 NBA draft

Duren was named the AAC Freshman of the Year after posting 12 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 assists in 29 games.

Memphis Tigers freshman Jalen Duren on Monday told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he plans to hire an agent and declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Duren was named the AAC Freshman of the Year after posting 12 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 assists in 29 games. He became the fourth freshman since the 2010-11 season to record 20 points, 19 rebounds and five blocked shots in a game on Nov. 19.

The 6-foot-11 center is widely projected to be a lottery pick this year after emerging as a force inside the paint. He broke out a mid-range shot at times, which will also add value to his offensive game at the next level.

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Defensively, Duren has the size to immediately make the jump to the NBA and hold his own against the bigger competition. Teams will certainly be impressed with his 7-foot-5 wingspan and that should also add to his ability on defense.

Duren, who turned 18 in November, is viewed as a player with plenty of upside and room to grow and that should ensure he is taken early in the first round.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Arizona junior Christian Koloko declares for 2022 NBA draft

Koloko was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocked shots and 1.4 assists.

Arizona Wildcats center Christian Koloko on Monday told Shams Charania of The Athletic that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft after a strong junior campaign.

Koloko, who was born in Cameroon, was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocked shots and 1.4 assists. His 102 blocks tied a Wildcats’ single-season record and were sixth-most in the country.

He was also a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist.

The 7-foot-1 standout saw dramatic improvement across the board this season. He was named the Pac-12 Most Improved Player after averaging 5.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks last season.

Koloko projects to be a late first-round pick given his ability on the defensive end of the floor. He finished 15th in the country in defensive rating (88.6) and was 20th in block percentage (10.3) to help the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

He will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning by participating in private workouts with teams. Koloko 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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Australian guard Dyson Daniels declares for 2022 NBA draft

Daniels averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.9 steals with the Ignite this season.

Projected lottery pick Dyson Daniels told Jonathan Givony of ESPN on Saturday that he is entering the 2022 NBA draft after one season with the G League Ignite.

Daniels, who was born in Australia, averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.9 steals with the Ignite this season. He emerged as one of the top prospects on the team and is viewed as one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft.

Before joining the Ignite, Daniels spent time at the NBA Academy in Australia. He emerged as one of the top international prospects after participating in several events, including the 2020 Torneo Junior Ciutat de L’Hospitalet in Barcelona, Spain.

Daniels is poised to become just the second player from the NBA Academy (Josh Giddey) to be drafted. He is currently projected to be taken in the 10-15 range by most mock drafts.

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Daniels, a 6-foot-6 guard, impressed with his decision-making throughout the year and his ability to make plays for others. He struggled to shoot from deep, converting on only 25.5% of his 3.6 attempts, but he figures to affect games in a variety of ways at the next level.

Declaring for the draft was a formality by Daniels after spending time with the Ignite. The program was developed to offer some of the top prospects an avenue to play professionally under the tutelage of NBA coaches and veteran players.

The Ignite sent the likes of Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix to the NBA last year. Daniels was part of the second Ignite class and is poised to become part of the next wave of prospects set to enter the NBA.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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French guard Ousmane Dieng of the NBL declares for 2022 NBA draft

Dieng became the first European player to join the “Next Stars” program in the NBL.

Ousmane Dieng, a 6-foot-9 forward of the New Zealand Breakers in the National Basketball League, told ESPN on Friday that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft.

Dieng, who was born in France, became the first European player to join the “Next Stars” program, a plan introduced by the NBL to give the top prospects a way to play professionally. Along with Dieng, LaMelo Ball, R.J. Hampton and Didi Louzada have also participated in the initiative.

The 18-year-old is widely considered to be a first-round pick given his playmaking and defensive ability. He is averaging 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 40% shooting from the field in 23 games this season with the Breakers.

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Prior to joining the Breakers, Dieng played with the INSEP Academy, a French training center in Paris, averaging 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 assists. The program also hosted players like Tony Parker and Boris Diaw among others.

Dieng will likely need additional time to develop but teams certainly liked that he played in the NBL against tough competition. Given his improving skillset and age, Dieng could hear his name called in the first round this year.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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International prospect Nikola Jovic to enter 2022 NBA draft

The Serbian is averaging 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists with KK Mega Basket in the Adriatic League.

Projected first-round pick Nikola Jovic has filed the necessary paperwork to declare for the 2022 NBA draft, his agent, Misko Raznatovic, told Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Jovic, who was born in Serbia, is averaging 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists with KK Mega Basket in the Adriatic League. He is shooting 40.6% from the field, including 33.9% from 3-point range, in 26 total games this season.

The 18-year-old forward is highly touted for his international experience.

Jovic debuted with Mega Basket’s senior team last season and previously played with Serbia in the 2021 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. He was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 18.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in seven games.

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Jovic is widely projected to be a mid-to-late first-round pick given his overall ability. He can space the floor and has also shown promise as a ballhandler and rebounder. He has been on the NBA radar for some time now and even received votes as the best international player by GMs.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Baylor freshman Jeremy Sochan announces NBA draft decision

Sochan was named the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year after posting 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steal.

Baylor freshman Jeremy Sochan on Friday told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he will hire representation and declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Sochan, who will turn 19 next month, was named the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year after posting 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 30 games. He produced perhaps his best game of the season on Feb. 26 with 17 points and five rebounds in a win over No. 5 Kansas.

He also boasts international experience after playing for Poland.

Sochan, whose mother is Polish, first played for the junior national team in the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship. He then became the youngest to appear with the senior national team in the FIBA Eurobasket qualifiers in February 2021, scoring 18 points in a win over Romania.

Sochan emerged as an excellent defender with Baylor and affected games in a variety of ways. He has an evolving offensive game but projects to be able to develop into a player that can run the show and create for himself at the next level.

The 6-foot-9 forward is currently considered to be a potential lottery pick this year. While his offensive game is a work in progress, it will be his defense that will get him on the floor at the next level. He should be a high first-round pick, as a result.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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Alabama freshman JD Davison to declare for NBA draft

Davison was named to the SEC All-Freshman team after averaging 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and one steal.

Alabama freshman JD Davison announced that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft. Davison didn’t state if he would be hiring an agent but told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he is “done with college.”

Davison, who was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists and one steal in 33 games. He led the Crimson Tide in assists and finished seventh in the SEC among all players in that category.

The 6-foot-3 guard is projected to be a second-round pick given his elite athleticism and explosiveness to create for himself. His best game of the season came on Dec. 4 when he produced a career-high 20 points in a win over then-No. 3 Gonzaga.

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Davison struggled to shoot from deep, converting only 30.1% on 3.9 attempts per game. Despite those concerns, Davison should earn some looks from teams that have development opportunities given his raw athleticism and ability on offense.

He will have the opportunity to participate in private workouts with teams to improve his draft stock over the next two months. He also figures to be a strong candidate to earn an invitation to take part 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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