According to NBA scouts, seven players have a chance to be the first overall pick in 2022.
Three Tier 1 players and three Tier 2 players were selected in the NBA Draft of 2021. And we had an overwhelming No. 1 choice — Cade Cunningham — who spent the whole year at the top of my Big Board.
The NBA Draft in 2022 will be a bit different.
Here are the top 5 candidates to go No. 1 in 2022:
1) Jalen Duren: American college basketball player for the Memphis Tigers
Jalen Duren, a five-star big man, committed to Memphis on Friday and also revealed that he has been reclassified to 2021. Duren just passed Emoni Bates for the top overall place in the 2022 class.
Duren is regarded as one of the top high school basketball prospects. In the backcourt, he’s a complete beast who can command a double team and always knows where it’s coming from. He is more physical, athletic, and wider than his peers, indicating that he is on his way to becoming a pro. He can run the court and can also burst off it, where he adds value as a diligent rebounder.
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2) Paolo Banchero: Duke Blue Devils of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Freshman Paolo Banchero is already the widely held favorite to be the overall top selection in next summer’s draft.
Paolo Banchero will be able to develop and improve all aspects of his game throughout the next Duke basketball season. He’s a strong and versatile forward with quickness and agility to burn. He’s a danger to score on all three levels. He caused most of his damage in high school in the high and low post, but he also displayed a rare combination of perimeter abilities.
3) C Chet Holmgren: Houston Rockets
Holmgren is a one-of-a-kind player. He’s a 7-footer who handles the ball like a guard and moves down the lane with such fluidity that defending him is nearly impossible. He recently contributed to Team USA’s gold medal performance in the U19 FIBA World Cup, scoring 10 points and dishing out five assists in the championship game.
With his rim protection, Holmgren is a genuine game-changer on defense. He’s the finest shot-blocker in the country, and certainly the best I’ve seen in high school basketball. He’s also one of the most versatile players in the senior class, and while he’s highly productive and fills the stat sheet in numerous areas, his ceiling is still enormous.
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4)G Jaden Hardy: Orlando Magic
Hardy, America’s top scorer, selected the G League Ignite club over UCLA, Arizona, and Kentucky. He isn’t scared to shoot from any spot on the court and is the greatest dribbler in the draft at generating separation. Hardy may be a contender for the No. 1 pick if he destroys the G League as he did in high school.
In little action this season, Hardy looked like a pro, scoring 36 points per game with his club squad and earning a position on the SI All-American First Team. Hardy’s finest performances were against other SI All-Americans.
5)G Caleb Houstan: Cleveland Cavaliers
Juwan Howard is bringing in the best recruiting class in the country, headed by Houston. Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, and Moses Moody all played high school basketball at Montverde Academy, where the 6-foot-8 winger played. Houston has a good feel for the game and can make 3-point shots. His jump shot features a high release point that makes it nearly difficult to guard.
Houston is a long, lean shooter who will be a low-maintenance prospect. With his stature and talent level, he is an ideal stretch four. His feathery catch-and-shoot jump shot, which he knocks down at a high rate, distinguishes him from his contemporaries.
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Honorable mention:
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