Tag: 2022 nba draft

Ohio State guard Malaki Branham a fast riser in NBA mock draft

Do you think Malaki Branham is off to the NBA?

Now that the Ohio State basketball season is over, it’s time to focus on a couple of players that will be potential first-round NBA draft picks in 2022. We already know that E.J. Liddell is passing on his senior season to enter the draft, but we’re still waiting on a decision by freshman guard Malaki Branham.

Despite a slow start to the season, Branham really came into his own through the second half of the season, showing explosiveness and a varied game that should play well at the next level. He quickly became OSU’s second most reliable scoring option and even had some coaches calling him the best player on Ohio State’s team.

With his improved game, the NBA types have started to take notice, and with it, so too have all the mock drafts out there. In fact, one, in particular, has him as a top ten pick.

For the Win updated its 2022 NBA mock draft and it had some updated slots and commentary about both Branham and Liddell. Here’s what Bryan Kalbrosky had to say about both Ohio State stars and why Brahnham is moving up the boards.

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.

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

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Former Penn State guard Izaiah Brockington declares for the NBA Draft

This former Penn State basketball player has declared for the NBA draft.

While he may not still be a Nittany Lion, it is worth noting how [autotag]Izaiah Brockington[/autotag] is now taking his talents to the NBA after transferring to Iowa State. Brockington announced on his Twitter account that he was declaring for the draft after Iowa State’s sweet sixteen exit.

Before leaving for Iowa State, Brockington had carved out a role on a Penn State squad that while it never played too much potential did help groom Brockington. Ironically, Brockington had transferred to Penn State from Saint Bonaventure in 2018. Once he was eligible at Penn State he was able to earn decent minutes as a redshirt sophomore with 20 minutes a game and averaged 8 points, 2 rebounds and an assist a game. Those numbers jumped during his junior season improved to  12.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.

That improvement from his sophomore to junior year had him primed for a breakout senior season but alas he decided to have that breakout somewhere else. He transferred of course to Iowa State and then proceeded to have career highs. While Penn State will forever be a part of his journey, it does seem from the highlights posted by Draft Express that they missed out on quite the talent.

 

Penn State finished the season 14-17 and finished third to last in the Big Ten, although they had a strong showing in the Big Ten tourney and hope to grow on that in 2022. The program has already started to get commits for the 2022 class. Mix in some veterans with some fresh faces and maybe Penn State can see themselves working their way out of the cellar of the Big Ten next season.

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OKC Thunder news: The Thunder selections in latest USA Today 2022 NBA Mock Draft

. @ForTheWin released its latest 2022 NBA Mock Draft, let’s see who the Thunder ended up with.

USA Today’s “For The Win” released its latest full 2022 NBA Mock Draft last Thursday. This is the fifth version of the mock. With the Oklahoma City Thunder slated to most likely finish with the fourth-best lottery odds — especially following its win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday — the team will pick fourth overall in this mock.

The Thunder had four selections overall — three first-round picks and a second-round pick. The Thunder own its own first-round pick as well as the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns. Let’s take a look at the four new additions to the roster in this mock.

2022 NBA draft race: March 29 update for Rockets, Nets picks

The Magic and Rockets (20-56) each lost close games on Monday, allowing them to stay tied at the top of the race for 2022 NBA draft positioning. Both benefited from an Oklahoma City win.

With Houston owning one of the NBA’s worst records, the 2022 playoffs are already off the table for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for in the final two weeks of the 2021-22 season.

Until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest competitors in the race for 2022 NBA draft lottery odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 29, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

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.

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

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Kennedy Chandler projected as a first-round pick to Chicago

Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler projected as a first-round pick to Chicago.

Freshman guard Kennedy Chandler appeared in 34 games for the Vols during the 2021-22 season.

Chandler averaged 13.9 points, 4.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game for Tennessee.

The 6-foot, 170-pound freshman is projected as a first-round NBA draft pick by For The Win. Chandler is listed as a No. 20 overall selection by Chicago in For The Win’s 2022 NBA mock draft 5.0.

The Bulls have had an awesome ascension into contending status this season, and they have star power with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan on the perimeter.

If they could add another player who can orchestrate the offense, a more reliable option to serve as a floor general, this could go a long way to bolster their long-term potential.

There are some size concerns surrounding Chandler. But during his March Madness game against Michigan, he showed exactly why he can make an impact in the pros, offering 9 assists for Tennessee. –For The Win

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2022 NBA draft race: March 28 update for Rockets, Nets picks

Charlotte’s unexpected win at Brooklyn on Sunday night dropped the Nets (39-36) into a tie for the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

With Houston owning one of the NBA’s worst records, the 2022 playoffs are already off the table for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for in the final two weeks of the 2021-22 season.

Until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest competitors in the race for 2022 NBA draft lottery odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 28, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

2022 NBA draft race: March 27 update for Rockets, Nets picks

The 2022 NBA draft race has tightened after Houston’s back-to-back wins in Portland, with the Magic and Pistons now tied with the Rockets in the win column for the No. 1 positioning slot.

With Houston owning one of the NBA’s worst record, the 2022 playoffs are already off the table for the Rockets. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to still watch for in the final month of the 2021-22 campaign.

Until the regular season’s conclusion on April 10, we’re regularly updating where the Rockets stand in relation to their closest competitors in the race for 2022 NBA draft lottery odds and positioning.

Houston owns two picks in this year’s first round: Their own, and one from Brooklyn. For purposes of these updates, we’re going to focus on teams (at the time of publication) within three games in either direction of both the Rockets and Nets in the standings.

After a second straight season at the bottom of the West, will the Rockets land another elite prospect such as Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith or Paolo Banchero for their troubles? Scroll on for the latest updates as of March 27, along with information on odds and tiebreaker scenarios.

LSU star Tari Eason declares for 2022 NBA draft

Eason led the Tigers with 16.9 points per game in 2021-22.

In a move that was widely anticipated, star LSU forward [autotag]Tari Eason[/autotag] announced on Friday that he will forego his final two seasons of college eligibility and enter the 2022 NBA draft.

Eason is commonly projected to be a first-round pick in June’s draft, where he is mocked as high as the late lottery selections. He announced his decision in a post on Twitter.

“I’m grateful for so much,” he wrote. “To my LSU guys, for every drop of blood and sweat and for being at my side for the daily grind: I appreciate you! I learned so much from y’all, you’re my brothers now. To my coaches, for pushing me and showing me hot to be better on and off the court: I appreciate you. Thank you LSU for taking a chance on an unknown kid! And to the fans who laced ’em up with me every fame: I appreciate you!!!”

A transfer from Cincinnati, Eason averaged just 7.3 points and 5.9 rebounds as a freshman with the Bearcats last season, but he exploded onto the national radar this season. He led LSU with 16.9 points per game, and he was named the SEC’s Sixth Man of the Year as well as being a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

Eason helped guide the Tigers to a 12-0 start to the season but after a mediocre finish in which they were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in an upset, coach [autotag]Will Wade[/autotag] was fired.

Eason becomes the latest key contributor to depart in the wake of that, as guards [autotag]Brandon Murray[/autotag] and [autotag]Xavier Pinson[/autotag] entered the transfer portal on Thursday. Eason’s departure to the NBA likely would have happened regardless, though.

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