Category: 2022 NBA Draft

Baylor freshman Kendall Brown declares for 2022 NBA draft

Brown was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team after averaging 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and one steal.

Baylor freshman Kendall Brown on Wednesday told Shams Charania of The Athletic that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Brown, who was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, averaged 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and one steal in 34 games. He finished with three double-doubles and nearly registered a triple-double on Nov. 15 with 13 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds versus Nicholls State.

The 6-foot-8 forward is considered to be a mid-to-late first-round pick. He filled the highlight reels on a consistent basis this season with his elite athleticism. He is a constant lob threat around the rim and has emerged as a tremendous cutter for Baylor.

Brown has shown he can affect games on the defensive end and can guard nearly every position on the court, save for the 5. He hasn’t shown real confidence in his shot, attempting only 41 3-pointers, but still knocked down 34.1% of those looks.

He could be a candidate to participate in the draft combine or NBA G League Elite Camp in May and improve his stock. He will also have the opportunity to take part in private workouts with teams between now and the NBA draft on June 23.

Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare for the NBA draft.

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Projected lottery pick Keegan Murray to enter 2022 NBA draft

Murray was the top scorer among all Division I players and led Iowa to the Big Ten title, earning MVP honors.

Iowa Hawkeyes sophomore Keegan Murray told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Murray, who was named a consensus first-team All-American, averaged 23.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals on 39.8% shooting from 3-point range. He was the top scorer in the country (822) and led Iowa to the Big Ten title, earning MVP honors.

He failed to score in double figures only once in 35 games.

The 6-foot-8 forward proved to be more than just a scorer, though. He was the only player this season to record at least 800 points, 300 rebounds, 60 blocked shots and 50 assists. He also led all Division I players with a 37.8 PER.

Murray started the season projected to be a late first-round pick, but, with an outstanding year, put his name in the discussion to be a lottery pick. He is currently projected to be selected in the 4-8 range given his ability to impact games on both ends of the floor.

Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare for the NBA draft.

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Michigan guard DeVante’ Jones to declare for 2022 NBA draft

Jones, who joined Michigan last year from Coastal Carolina as a grad transfer, averaged 10.3 points, 4.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds.

Michigan guard DeVante’ Jones announced that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft after just one season with the Wolverines, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Jones, who joined Michigan last year from Coastal Carolina as a grad transfer, averaged 10.3 points, 4.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 33 games. He was eligible to play one more season because of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 6-foot-1 standout tested the NBA draft last year but elected to play under head coach Juwan Howard. He viewed it as an opportunity to continue to improve his game, based on the feedback received last year, while also helping the Wolverines achieve success.

Jones did not play in the NCAA Tournament due to a concussion.

Jones is not currently projected to be drafted but could have the opportunity to participate in the draft combine or NBA G League Elite Camp in May and improve his stock. He will also have the opportunity to once again take part in private workouts with teams.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23 in Brooklyn, New York.

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Projected first-round pick Tari Eason to hire agent, enter NBA draft

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.

LSU Tigers sophomore Tari Eason told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he will hire an agent and declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.

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.

Eason is projected to be selected late in the lottery by most mock drafts. He is also highly efficient, boasting a 33.4 PER, which ranked fifth in the country, and is improving as a shooter after converting on 35.9% on 2.4 attempts per game from 3-point range.

Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare for the NBA draft.

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Stephen Curry pulled up to watch Arkansas upset top-seeded Gonzaga

Curry pulled up to watch No. 4 seed Arkansas upset top-seeded Gonzaga 74-68 on Thursday in the Sweet 16.

With the Sweet 16 making its way to the Chase Center in San Francisco, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry pulled up to watch No. 4 seed Arkansas upset top-seeded Gonzaga 74-68 on Thursday.

Of course, Curry was ruled out for at least two weeks on March 18 after suffering a left foot injury. He did not join the Warriors on their current five-game East Coast road trip and had the opportunity to watch the contest between the two teams.

The Razorbacks entered the contest winless in 10 tries versus No. 1 seeds, but held the Bulldogs in check and limited most of their key players to win. JD Notae scored a team-high 21 points to lead the Razorbacks while Jaylin Williams and Trey Wade each had 15 points.

Arkansas will now face either Duke or Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.

All-American Drew Timme led Gonzaga with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Meanwhile, All-American Chet Holmgren battled through foul trouble and eventually fouled out in 23 minutes of work. He finished with 11 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks.

The game likely marked the last for the two players as they look ahead to the NBA draft. Timme is currently projected to be a second-round pick while Holmgren is in the conversation to be the top selection on June 23.

They have until April 24 to declare for the NBA draft.

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Murray State forward KJ Williams to test NBA pre-draft process

Williams was named the OVC Player of the Year after averaging a career-high 18 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 34 games.

Murray State forward KJ Williams this week announced that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft without signing with an agent to maintain his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Williams was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year after averaging a career-high 18 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 34 games. He helped lead the Racers to the second round of the NCAA Tournament this year before losing to No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s.

The 6-foot-10 standout is listed as a junior, despite playing four years with the program, and could return to school for one more season. The NCAA granted student-athletes an additional year of eligibility last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Williams is highly touted for his scoring and rebounding ability. He can score in a variety of ways and has a solid 3-point shot, converting on 32.7% of his 3.3 attempts last season. He also has good size that figures to translate well to the next level at 245 pounds.

The 22-year-old is not currently projected to be drafted but could have the opportunity to participate in the draft combine or NBA G League Elite Camp in May and improve his stock. He will also have the opportunity to take part in private workouts with teams.

The early-entry withdrawal deadline for underclassmen is June 1.

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‘I’m the best player’: Jaden Hardy credited G League for draft prep

Hardy believes the experience of playing in the G League has made him the top prospect in the NBA draft.

Projected first-round pick Jaden Hardy recently credited the NBA G League for preparing him to advance to the next level after playing this season with the Ignite.

Hardy, who was the No. 3 prospect in the high school class of 2021, opted to turn professional and sign with the Ignite for their second season. He averaged 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 37.6% shooting from the field in 25 games with the Ignite.

The Ignite program was started to give the top high school prospects the opportunity to turn pro early while staying in the United States. The players have the chance to learn from seasoned veterans while also playing against G League competition.

The inaugural class featured the likes of Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Isaiah Todd among others. Hardy headlined the team this year, along with MarJon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Michael Foster Jr. and Scoot Henderson among others.

Hardy, speaking on the “Posted Up” podcast with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, believes that experience in the G League has made him the top prospect in the draft.

I feel like I’m the best player in this draft if you ask me. I feel like playing in the NBA G League, I mean, it is the second-best league in the world. I played against people in the NBA right now like Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga — those guys are in the NBA getting good minutes.

They were just playing against me so I’m playing against NBA talent-level guys every game. Not only that, but I’m learning every game. I’m getting more comfortable. I’m learning from my mistakes. I’m watching film, playing against vets — you start to pick up things.

Hardy entered the season widely projected to be a top-five pick by most mock drafts. However, the 6-foot-4 guard has slipped down boards and is now considered to be a late first-round selection due to a variety of factors, such as his shooting and shot selection.

The 19-year-old shot just 30.9% from 3-point range on 7.5 attempts per game with the Ignite. The shooting does not appear to be a concern for Hardy, though, as he told Haynes that he is the best shooter in the draft.

He believes he is being overlooked at this point of the pre-draft process.

I feel like people are sleeping on me. I feel like they don’t really know, they haven’t seen my whole bag yet. I feel like they’re sleeping on me, for real.

Despite those perceived flaws, Hardy emerged as a strong scorer with the Ignite against tougher competition than those at the collegiate level. He scored in double figures in each of his last eight games, including a season-high 31 points and nine assists on Jan. 28.

Hardy will have the opportunity to improve his draft stock between now and the NBA draft on June 23. He could be a candidate to participate in the draft combine in May and private workouts with teams. He certainly doesn’t lack confidence and that figures to help him along the way.

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Memphis freshman Josh Minott to declare for 2022 NBA draft

Minott was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team after averaging 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 33 games.

Memphis Tigers freshman Josh Minott told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft with the intention to maintain his collegiate eligibility.

Minott, who does not plan to return to Memphis, was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team after averaging 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 33 games. The 6-foot-8 forward produced his best game of the season on Jan. 23 with 18 points and nine rebounds in a win over Tulsa.

Despite seeing a limited role, averaging only 14.6 minutes per game, Minott projects to be an intriguing prospect at the next level. He has great length and athleticism and was the second-most efficient player on the roster, posting a 23.7 rating.

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Minott is currently not projected to be drafted but will have the opportunity to improve his stock between now and the night of the draft on June 23. He could be a candidate to participate in the draft combine May 16-22 while he can also make a name for himself in private workouts.

Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare for the NBA draft.

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Rutgers forward Ron Harper Jr. declares for 2022 NBA draft

Harper was named an All-American honorable mention after averaging a career-high 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights senior Ron Harper Jr. on Wednesday announced that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft, leaving after four seasons with the university.

Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, was named an All-American honorable mention after averaging a career-high 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and one steal. He finished with 1,525 career points, tied with Roy Hinson for 12th all-time in program history.

The 6-foot-6 forward is projected to be a second-round pick given his ability as a scorer and shooter. He shot 39.8% from 3-point range this season and hit two game-winning shots and a game-tying shot in regulation versus Notre Dame in an overtime loss in the First Four.

Harper will have the opportunity to improve his stock between now and the night of the draft on June 23. He will likely be a candidate to participate in the draft combine May 16-22 while he can also make a name for himself in private workouts with teams.

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Nebraska freshman Bryce McGowens to hire agent and enter NBA draft

McGowens posted the highest scoring average by a freshman in Big Ten conference play since D’Angelo Russell in 2015.

Nebraska freshman Bryce McGowens 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.

McGowens earned third-team All-Big Ten honors after averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 31 games this season with the Cornhuskers. He ranked third in the country among true freshmen in scoring and was first in made free throws (162).

The 6-foot-7 guard is widely projected to be a late first-round pick given his ability as a scorer. He recorded 11 20-point games this season and posted the highest scoring average by a freshman in conference play (17.3) since D’Angelo Russell during the 2014-15 season.

McGowens will have the opportunity to improve his stock between now and the night of the draft on June 23. He will likely be a candidate to participate in the draft combine May 16-22 while he can also make a name for himself in private workouts with teams.

Underclassmen have until April 24 to declare for the NBA draft.

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