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Chet Holmgren out for season

What will be the impact of Chet Holmgren’s season-ending foot injury?

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced Thursday that the No. 2 pick of this year’s NBA draft will miss his entire first campaign as a pro after suffering a Lisfranc injury to his right foot while playing in the CrawsOver Pro-Am event on Saturday.

Although Holmgren’s untimely injury costs him a chance to play and Thunder fans the chance to see their franchise’s highest draft pick since taking Kevin Durant at No. 2 before moving to Oklahoma City, the track record of other top picks sidelined by injury during their first season suggests it shouldn’t be a major detriment to his development.

Playing without Holmgren could, however, affect the Thunder’s outlook for the coming season. Without him, Oklahoma City becomes more likely to spend another year battling for lottery position despite having a handful of core players already in place.

Additionally, the high visibility and timing of Holmgren’s injury might change how NBA teams treat offseason pro-am competitions, which have grown increasingly popular in recent years. Let’s break down the many implications.


A star-studded precedent for Holmgren’s injury

With Holmgren due to miss his entire first NBA season to injury — notably not his rookie season, since he’ll retain eligibility to win Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 — he joins a star-studded list of top-three picks to do so since 2007.

Three No. 1 picks have missed their entire first season in that span: Greg Oden (2007), Blake Griffin (2008) and Ben Simmons (2016). We also saw Joel Embiid, the No. 3 pick in 2014, miss two full campaigns due to a navicular fracture in his right foot.

Each of these injuries is distinct in terms of long-term impact. The microfracture knee surgery Oden underwent before making his NBA debut was a factor in his career being cut short, while Embiid dealt with injuries for years before being allowed to fulfill his potential as one of the league’s most dominant players.

Still, the common denominator is that these players played as well as could have been expected when they returned. Both Griffin and Simmons returned to win Rookie of the Year, controversially so in the latter case. Embiid finished a narrow second only because he was limited to 31 games as a rookie.

In fact, top draft picks who have missed their first season due to injury have played so well that I answered a mailbag question a few years ago wondering whether their success implied all rookies should take a redshirt year. I certainly wouldn’t say that, but that history is encouraging when it comes to projecting Holmgren’s return for 2023-24.


Is Holmgren at a greater risk for injuries?

Unfortunately, Holmgren’s injury will serve to validate fears that his 7-foot, 195 pound frame puts him at increased risk to miss time.

Holmgren is one of the leanest players in modern NBA history. Based on those listings — Holmgren did not take measurements at the NBA draft combine — his body mass index (BMI) of 19.4 is third-lowest among current players, trailing two of his Thunder teammates (Aleksej Pokusevski, 19.1, and Ousmane Dieng; 19.3).

Aside from his two teammates, only one player since the NBA-ABA merger has been listed with a lower BMI than Holmgren: 7-foot-7 defensive specialist Manute Bol, listed at 200 pounds for a BMI of 17.0. Bol played at least 71 games each of his first seven seasons in the NBA, including 80-plus four times.

A handful of other post players have been listed with BMIs lower than 20. Keith Closs, listed at 7-foot-3, 212 (19.7 BMI) played three seasons as a reserve for the Los Angeles Clippers. Ron Behagen played power forward for seven years at 6-foot-9, 185 (19.8 BMI) and played 80-plus games in three of his five seasons as a regular. And longtime forward Mickey Johnson, aka “Rubber Band Man,” was incredibly durable after becoming a regular in his second season, 1975-76. Johnson, listed at 6-foot-10, 190 (19.9 BMI) played all but three games over the next six campaigns and never fewer than 76 until 1984-85 at age 32.

Inevitably, the sample size for Holmgren comparisons is limited, but the track record doesn’t show evidence to support the idea that his frame makes injuries inherently a greater risk.


How might Oklahoma City handle this season?

With Holmgren sidelined, the Thunder’s 2022-23 roster will look remarkably similar to the group that finished 2021-22. Oklahoma City still adds a pair of first-round picks, Dieng and guard Jalen Williams, as well as second-round pick Jaylin Williams. Of that group, only the Jalen Williams drafted in the lottery seems likely to contribute much immediately, raising the possibility of a third season for the Thunder near the bottom of the NBA standings.

There are two interesting variables at play here. The first is how much internal development we’ll see from Oklahoma City’s young talent. Of the nine Thunder players who saw at least 1,000 minutes of action last season, all of whom are returning, only reserve forward Kenrich Williams is older than 24. As a result, we’d expect Oklahoma City’s players to come back at a higher level.

The other is just how much we’ll see those players, particularly in the second half of the season. Only one Thunder player (forward Darius Bazley) saw action in more than 61 games last season. Bazley played 69. Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City’s best player, has played a combined 91 of 154 possible games the past two campaigns. If he plays 70-plus games in 2022-23, the Thunder will be far more competitive.

At the same time, Oklahoma City has been unusually “lucky” in close games the past two years. The Thunder were outscored by 8.1 points per game last season, similar to the Orlando Magic (minus-8.0) and Houston Rockets (minus-8.5), yet won two more games than Orlando and four more than Houston, thanks in part to going 7-6 in games decided by three or fewer points.

The trend was even more extreme in 2020-21, when Oklahoma City’s minus-10.6 point differential was far and away the league’s worst yet three teams won fewer games. If the Thunder’s record in close games flips, it’s possible they could be far more competitive next season yet still end up with a similar record.

As frustrating as one more season near the bottom of the standings would be, Oklahoma City would be rewarded with another high lottery pick who could team up with Holmgren in 2023-24, potentially fueling a rapid rise toward the playoffs.


Will — and should — pro-am appearances be curtailed?

Given how protective NBA teams have become of their players’ long-term futures, it will be interesting to see what discussions come out of Holmgren’s injury — particularly in the context of Saturday’s game featuring LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero among others subsequently ending early due to court conditions.

Having been in attendance on Saturday, I think it’s worth noting that condensation on the court worsened significantly over the course of the quarter and a half that was played as compared with conditions when Holmgren was injured in the opening moments.

Last Saturday also featured an unusual set of circumstances with LeBron making his first appearance in Seattle in 15 years, leading to a packed gym and crowds lingering outside, a factor that prevented organizers from opening the doors to create airflow. Add in an unusually humid day in Seattle and the gym’s air conditioning was overwhelmed. A similar crowd to see Banchero and Holmgren play at the CrawsOver in late July went off uneventfully.

Still, NBA teams could use Holmgren’s injury as an opportunity to tighten restrictions on pro-am appearances currently outside of their control. Although everything about Holmgren’s appearance Saturday was within the NBA’s rules for sanctioned pro-am events, those are subject to change with the league and its players’ association beginning negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.

I hope the league doesn’t overreact to one unfortunate injury. Serious injuries in pro-am settings are rare — injury expert Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com noted Brandon Knight’s ACL tear in 2017 as another example that cost a full season — and players must play basketball during the offseason for their conditioning and for their development.

Pro-ams get more attention because they’re open to the public, and in this case livestreamed, but that doesn’t make them any different from the pickup runs that are an inevitable part of the NBA summer.

Sadly, Holmgren’s most recent tweet — from just after his first CrawsOver appearance — was agreeing with Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray about the value of pro-am appearances to allow fans who can’t afford NBA tickets a chance to see their favorite players during the summer.

Let’s hope that continues and Holmgren is able to play in them again soon.



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Chet Holmgren injury update: Thunder rookie out entire 2022-23 season after hurting right foot at Pro-Am

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Chet Holmgren, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, will miss the entire 2022-23 season, the team announced Thursday. Holmgren suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot.

“Certainly, we are disappointed for Chet, especially given the excitement he had about getting on the floor with his teammates this season,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. “We know Chet has a long career aead of him within our organization and the Oklahoma City community. One of the things that most impressed us during the process of selecting Chet was his determination and focus. We expect that same tenacity will carry him through this period of time as we work together and support him during his rehabilitation.”

Holmgren was playing at Jamal Crawford’s “The Crawsover Pro-Am” in Seattle last weekend and at one point went up to defend LeBron James at the rim. He appeared to land awkwardly and was limping as he tried to make his way back down the court. He left the game after that play and a short time later the entire event was called off due to condensation on the court. (His injury did not seem to be related to the court issue.)

This is obviously disappointing news for both him and the Thunder. Holmgren impressed on both ends of the floor during Summer League action in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, which generated even more excitement for his eventual NBA debut.

In his first game in Salt Lake City, he dropped 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and six blocks; over three games in Vegas he averaged 12 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.3 steals and two blocks. Sure, you can only read so much into Summer League stats, but his ability to impact the game in so many different ways was exactly why the Thunder were eager to make him the second overall pick. 

Heading into the draft, one of the few concerns about Holmgren was in regards to his body. Many had questions about how his spindly, 7-foot, 195-pound body would hold up to the rigors of the professional game. Some may use this injury as proof that they were right, but it’s worth noting this was a fluke play and landing on someone’s foot under the basket can happen to anyone. 

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Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren undergoing tests for foot injury suffered at pro-am

Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren is undergoing tests for a possible right foot injury suffered in a pro-am game Saturday in Seattle, a team spokesperson told ESPN.

“Chet is in the process of undergoing evaluation, and when we have an update, we will communicate,” the spokesperson told ESPN.

Holmgren, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft, suffered the injury early in the CrawsOver Pro-Am event while defending LeBron James on a fast break.

Holmgren was one of a number of NBA players to participate in the pro-am, along with James, Jayson Tatum, No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, Dejounte Murray and Aaron Gordon.

The game was canceled in the second quarter because of the condition of the court. The unusually humid day in Seattle combined with a full crowd caused repeated wet spots and condensation.

The 7-foot-1, 195-pound Holmgren averaged 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds in five games for the Thunder earlier this year at the Las Vegas Summer League.

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Chet Holmgren: No. 2 overall pick shines in NBA Summer League debut as he sets record

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder donned the blue jersey for the first time on Tuesday in the NBA Summer League.
The Summer League is an off-season competition in which teams predominately play rookies, second year and fringe NBA players to give minutes to developing talents and see who fits and who doesn’t.

In the 98-77 victory over the Utah Jazz, Holmgren wowed the fans in his 24 minutes on the court, setting records as he went.

The 20-year-old big man finished with 23 points — including 4-of-6 attempts from three-point range — seven rebounds and four assists.

He also finished with six blocks, the most ever in an NBA Summer League game.

When he was told afterwards that he had broken the block record, Holmgren said he wanted more. “Only six? That’s the record? Oh, well I’m coming to break it again,” he told ESPN in his post-game TV interview.

According to ESPN, Holmgren became the first player in Summer League history to record at least five blocks and hit four three-pointers.

Playing alongside much of the Thunder’s vast array of young talent — Josh Giddey, Alekesej Pokusevski, Jaylin Williams and Jalen Williams — Holmgren’s size and shooting ability stood out immediately.

The seven-footer from Gonzaga locked up the paint with his size and displayed some of the crafty offensive skills he’s already learned.

He emphatically dunked the ball to score his first points, hit a three-point shot in the face of seven-foot-six Tacko Fall and hit a fadeaway mid-range shot that bore an uncanny similarity to NBA Hall-of-Famer Dirk Nowitzki.

“Shout out to my teammates for setting me up, talking to me, just putting me in position to be successful,” Holmgren said, with his arm around Giddey.

“Shout out to this guy right here,” he said, pointing to Giddey. “Double-double with assists. Great night for him and that helped me out a lot.”

Giddey was effusive in his praise of Holmgren. “The hype that he came in with, the way he played tonight was big for us,” the Australian guard said.

“Being a high pick like that, there’s a lot of pressure coming in, and he handled it as good as he could’ve. It makes my job easy playing with someone like him. He can stretch the floor, finish at the rim. He protects me, he’s got my back on the defensive end. So love playing with him. It’s been one game, and the chemistry’s only getting stronger.”

The Thunder’s coaching staff was also impressed by Holmgren’s debut performance.

“I thought he was really good offensively. The thing that impressed me the most with him was how well he played within our style,” Kameron Woods, the Thunder’s summer league team coach, said.

“He obviously had a great game, but the most impressive part to me was he did it within our offense. It looked like team basketball out there and he found success within what we’re doing.”



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2022 NBA Draft: Debating case for Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith or Jaden Ivey as No. 1 prospect

Who is the No. 1 prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft? 

We’ll find out on Thursday night who the Orlando Magic value as the No. 1 pick as they select first overall for the first time since 2004 — but there’s far from a consensus view at the top of this draft among NBA front offices. And ditto for our team of experts. In our final top 100 rankings comprised of a consensus taken from rankings by CBS Sports experts Gary Parrish, Matt Norlander, David Cobb and myself, along with Adam Finkelstein and Travis Branham of 247Sports, there were four different players who earned votes at No. 1.

So who is the No. 1 prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft?

The scouts have their opinions but our math in the consensus rankings determined Chet Holmgren was deserving of the honor — but below each of us have stated our cases for our choice as the No. 1 pro prospect in this year’s draft. Here’s who each of us had in the top spot, and why, as we barrel towards Thursday night’s draft with a wide range of views about the top of the class.

Want more analysis of the top prospects in the NBA Draft? Listen below and subscribe to the Eye on College Basketball podcast where we take a deep dive on the top players heading to the next level.

The case for Chet Holmgren

I understand the arguments for Jabari Smith, Paolo Banchero and even Jaden Ivey to go first overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. I don’t think any of them are ridiculous options. But I still genuinely believe Holmgren is the best prospect available this year, and that’s why I also believe Orlando should take him with the No. 1 pick. He’s an elite rim-protector on defense who can float on offense, bounce it, shoot and generally exploit matchups. 

If a traditional big guards him, he can likely go around him. If a smaller player guards him, he can definitely shoot right over him. Am I concerned about the slight frame? Sure, on some level, I guess. But as ESPN’s Jonathon Givony noted on a recent podcast, how many great prospects have fallen short of greatness strictly because they’re too skinny? He couldn’t think of any. Neither can I. So I’m just going to assume Holmgren’s unique skill-set will allow him to overcome his unique frame and eventually emerge as the best player from this draft. — Gary Parrish

Holmgren has the highest ceiling in the draft in my opinion. He changes the game on both ends of the floor. There just aren’t many 7-footers, anywhere in the world, who can protect the rim, stretch the floor, and still provide such an efficient interior finishing presence. He’s even a better ball-handler and passer than I think some people are giving him credit for. But on top of all of that, I’m just a big believer in his mentality and that inner-toughness. I know he has to build up his body, but if there’s one thing that NBA teams have all figured out how to do at an exceptionally high-level, it’s that. Adam Finkelstein

We know the entire world is questioning his physique but the truth is, Holmgren has never had a history of injuries or shown that his lack of strength is an actual hindrance. You won’t be able to throw him at the Joel Embiids of the world, but no one can throw anything at him. In four to five years, we could legitimately be talking about him being one of the faces of the League with his ability to dribble, pass and shoot unlike any we have seen at his size and length along with the fact that he is an elite defender and rim protector. Travis Branham

I understand the allure of Smith and Banchero, but to me Holmgren’s upside is a notch above. Smith lacks playmaking potential — Holmgren can blossom beautifully in that department. Banchero’s suspect as a 3-point shooter and on defense — Holmgren has a sweet stroke and is one of the best rim-protecting prospects we’ve ever seen. I don’t buy the boisterous ravings about the unique body type, either. Holmgren’s been able to hold his own against stronger players his entire life, and the NBA rules will continue to evolve in his favor. He’s already proven that he can perform at the highest levels of amateur basketball, and he also has the most room to improve of any of the top three prospects. Add it all up, and that certainly sounds like the best player in the draft class. Colin Ward-Henninger

The case for Paolo Banchero

Be it for CBSSports.com, on Eye on College Basketball or on CBS Sports HQ, I’ve explained my position on having Banchero No. 1 on my big board many times in recent weeks. But here, right up against the draft, once more, with feeling. Banchero is the most sensible pick of any player in this class because he’s the most developed and proven talent. His numbers at Duke, with multiple other first-rounders in the starting lineup, were beyond satisfactory: 17.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.2 apg for the top-rated offensive team in the nation, per KenPom.com. 

Banchero was a 52.% 2-point shooter and 33.8% from 3-point range. Nobody in this draft has Banchero’s combination of size + skill + touch + passing ability + play-creation + rebounding prowess + competitive edge. He has an above-average handle, can work the post, shoot from beyond the arc, and isn’t a black hole. The hesitation with him at No. 1 stems from the fact that he’s not as potentially damaging of a 3-point shooter as Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren and even Jaden Ivey are. But he can still shoot it. Defensively, he’s got more ground to make up. No one is as ready to play in the NBA tomorrow like Banchero, though, and I think that he’ll ultimately prove to be a multiple-time All-Star by the end of his second contract. — Matt Norlander

The case for Jaden Ivey

There are safer prospects at the top of this class (Smith Jr.) and bigger boom/bust propositions, too (Holmgren), but no one possesses the rare combination of explosive athleticism and creation ability that Ivey has in this draft. He’s a human firecracker who can pop to the rim. He has the potential to develop into a true lead guard at the next level if he continues to develop and improve as a decision-maker. 

At worst he can be a change-of-pace initiator whose dynamic explosiveness helps ease the burden of a team’s No. 1 initiating option. I’d take him No. 1 over everyone in this class on the chance his playmaking improves even marginally, if not substantially, and his improvement as a shooter over the last year portends very nicely for him as a blossoming star entering the NBA. — Kyle Boone

The case for Jabari Smith Jr.

What most clearly separates Smith from Banchero, Holmgren and others as the best pick at No. 1 in the 2022 NBA Draft is his elite outside shooting. At 6-10 and with a 42% 3-point mark on 5.5 attempts per game in his lone season at Auburn, Smith projects as an excellent long-term shooter at the next level. While Banchero and Holmgren each flashed some range from the perimeter in their lone college seasons, neither projects as elite in any facet of the game quite like Smith does as an outside shooter. 

Given that Smith also boasts excellent defensive upside and a blossoming shot-creation portfolio offensively, he is the safest bet of the group to one day be an NBA All-Star. With promising young guards like Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony distributing the basketball in Orlando, Smith would make an excellent addition to the Magic’s core group. Though it may take years for Smith to reach his full potential, it’s easy to see him becoming the Magic’s leading scorer early in his career due to feathery shooting touch he’ll bring into the league on day one. David Cobb

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Southeast Draft Notes: Holmgren, Hornets, Williams, O’Neal

Chet Holmgren met with the Magic‘s front office on Wednesday and Thursday, writes Matt Murschel of The Orlando Sentinel. Holmgren is the No. 1 prospect on ESPN’s big board, although his thin frame has caused some other talent evaluators to drop him a bit lower than that.

A person with knowledge of the situation tells Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press that the 20-year-old’s visit included “meetings, interviews and a dinner.” The Magic previously held a solo workout with Jabari Smith, and Paolo Banchero “expects to meet with” Orlando before the draft on June 23, according to Reynolds.

The big men are widely considered the top three prospects in the draft, and the Magic hold the No. 1 overall pick, so it makes perfect sense that they’re meeting with all of them.

In 32 games (26.9 MPG) in his lone college season with Gonzaga, Holmgren was a consensus All-American with averages of 14.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 APG and 3.7 BPG on .607/.390/.717 shooting.

Here are a few more draft-related notes from the Southeast Division:

  • The Hornets, who control the Nos. 13, 15 and 45 picks in the 2022 draft, are hosting a group workout on Friday (Twitter link) featuring Malaki Branham, MarJon Beauchamp, Kendall Brown, Bryce McGowens, Isaiah Whaley and Trevion Williams. Branham (No. 13) and Beauchamp (No. 23) are both projected first-round picks, with McGowens (No. 33) and Brown (No. 38) considered early second-rounders. Williams also has a solid shot to get drafted going by ESPN’s rankings, as he’s No. 56 on the board, but Whaley isn’t listed.
  • Mark Williams has a solo workout with the Wizards on Friday, tweets Josh Robbins of The Athletic. Williams is a potential lottery picked at No. 14 on ESPN’s board, and Washington controls the No. 10 pick. The 7’0″ center averaged 11.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 2.8 BPG while shooting 72.1% from the floor and 72.7% from the free-throw line in 39 games (23.6 MPG) as a sophomore for Duke this season, winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year in the process.
  • Shareef O’Neal worked out for the Heat on Thursday, Robbins relays in another tweet. O’Neal only averaged 2.9 PPG and 2.1 RPG in 14 games (9.2 MPG) as a junior for LSU and isn’t considered a strong draft candidate, but perhaps he could be auditioning for summer league as an undrafted free agent. Miami currently controls the No. 27 pick.



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2022 NBA Mock Draft: Magic take Chet Holmgren at No. 1 in first projection after Orlando wins lottery

Gonzaga

• Fr

• 7’0″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Orlando

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

14.1

RPG

9.9

APG

1.9

3P%

39%

I understand the concerns about Holmgren’s slight frame — but he’s such a unique talent that I’d be uncomfortable passing on a 7-foot legitimate rim-protector who can also bounce it like a guard and reliably make 3-pointers. He’s the most talented prospect in this draft and should be selected as such.

Duke

• Fr

• 6’10”

/ 250 lbs

PPG

17.2

RPG

7.8

APG

3.2

3P%

33.8%

Banchero is probably the safest option at the top of this draft. He’s a big, strong and skilled forward who could be an incredible building block in Oklahoma City alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Auburn

• Fr

• 6’10”

/ 220 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

16.9

RPG

7.4

APG

2

3P%

42%

Smith still needs to develop in lots of ways but he’s already a great shooter and switchable defender who plays with great energy. If he doesn’t go first or second — and he obviously could — the Rockets will be thrilled to snag him with the third pick in this draft.

Purdue

• Soph

• 6’4″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Sacramento

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

17.3

RPG

4.9

APG

3.1

3P%

35.8%

Ivey is an explosive athlete who plays big and is capable of attacking the rim in a variety of ways. As the Kings continue to build, the Purdue star would be a great option at this point in the draft in part because he could reasonably play beside DeAaron Fox.

Iowa

• Soph

• 6’8″

/ 225 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

23.5

RPG

8.7

APG

1.5

3P%

39.8%

Murray is a switchable big who can guard in space and consistently make shots from the perimeter. What he does, at his size, is perfectly suited for the modern NBA and would fit well with a Detroit franchise trying to return to respectability with Cade Cunningham as the centerpiece.

Kentucky

• Fr

• 6’6″

/ 200 lbs

Projected Team

Indiana

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Even though he enrolled in January and was eligible to compete, Sharpe never played at Kentucky in part because the people around him wanted to protect his status as a projected top-10 pick. Unless he really bombs in workouts, it’s hard to imagine the explosive athlete going much lower than this considering he’s a gifted scorer with the physical tools to be a disruptive defender on the wing in Indiana.

Kansas

• Sr

• 6’5″

/ 215 lbs

Projected Team

Portland

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

18.8

RPG

5.1

APG

1.6

3P%

40.9%

I’m higher on Agbaji than most simply because I don’t understand what’s not to like about a 6-5 athlete who is a plus-defender on the wing and excellent 3-point shooter. Once you get past the top-tier prospects in this draft, the Kansas All-American makes as much sense as anybody and would provide Damian Lillard with a new teammate equipped to help from Day One.

Wisconsin

• Soph

• 6’5″

/ 194 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

19.7

RPG

8.2

APG

2.1

3P%

30.6%

Davis went from a mostly anonymous power-conference player to a candidate for national player of the year in his sophomore season at Wisconsin. An ankle injury limited him down the stretch, but he showed enough before that to justify his status as a projected lottery pick.

Memphis

• Fr

• 6’11”

/ 250 lbs

Projected Team

San Antonio

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

12

RPG

8.1

APG

1.3

FG%

59.7%

Duren isn’t really the type of floor-spacing big franchises prefer these days, but he’s such a physical specimen and great athlete that there’s probably a place for him in the top 10 of this draft. At worst, he should be a terrific rim-running and rim-protecting center who alters shots and dunks everything.

Arizona

• Soph

• 6’6″

/ 210 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

17.7

RPG

5.6

APG

2.5

3P%

36.9%

Mathurin was the star of Arizona’s team that won the Pac-12 and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-6 wing is an impressive athlete and above-average shooter who could lighten the scoring load on Bradley Beal in Washington

Baylor

• Fr

• 6’9″

/ 230 lbs

Projected Team

New York

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

9.2

RPG

6.4

APG

1.8

3P%

29.6%

Sochan is the rare sub-100 high school recruit who could be a one-and-done lottery pick. His ability to guard multiple positions in multiple ways is among the reasons he’s a tantalizing prospect who is one of the most versatile players available in this draft.

Duke

• Fr

• 6’6″

/ 222 lbs

PPG

10.4

RPG

3.9

APG

1

3P%

44.7%

It took Griffin a little while to get comfortable at Duke because of a preseason knee injury that seemed to affect his ability to show his athleticism. But the five-star high school recruit, who is the son of former NBA player Adrian Griffin, eventually showed glimpses of why he’s a lottery talent, mostly by proving to be a fantastic 3-point shooter who made 44.7% of his 4.1 attempts from beyond the arc per game.

Duke

• Soph

• 7’0″

/ 242 lbs

Projected Team

Charlotte

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

11.2

RPG

7.4

APG

0.9

FG%

72.1%

Williams, like fellow projected lottery pick Duren, is more of a traditional big than a modern big. But any franchise in need of a rim-protector and lob-catcher — like Charlotte — would have to consider him at this point in the draft.

Ohio State

• Fr

• 6’5″

/ 180 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

13.7

RPG

3.6

APG

2

3P%

41.6%

Branham is a shooting guard with good size and great length who really flourished in the second half of the season. While shooting 41.6% from the 3-point line, the one-and-done standout became the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year and a legitimate lottery option for his home-state franchise.

LSU

• Soph

• 6’8″

/ 216 lbs

Projected Team

Charlotte

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

16.9

RPG

6.6

APG

1

3P%

35.9%

Eason was a breakout star at LSU after transferring following a so-so first season at Cincinnati. He’s a versatile frontcourt option who can guard multiple positions and punish defenses in transition opportunities.


Ousmane Dieng


SF

France

• 6’9″

/ 185 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

6th

Dieng is a long and skilled prospect who still needs to develop but is worth a serious look anywhere outside of the lottery. He might not contribute immediately but definitely projects as an interesting long-term investment with undeniable potential.


Dyson Daniels


SG

G League Ignite

• 6’6″

/ 175 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

11.3

RPG

5.9

APG

4.4

3P%

25.5%

Daniels isn’t quite the prospect previous Ignite stars have been but is still a fascinating guard with size who can play with or without the ball. His jumper, at this point, is the biggest area of concern.

Auburn

• Soph

• 7’1″

/ 245 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

28th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

11.4

RPG

8.1

APG

0.9

3P%

20%

Kessler was arguably the best defensive player in college basketball this season while averaging 4.6 blocks per game. He’s an incredible rim-protector with the potential to develop into a comfortable perimeter shooter.

Kentucky

• Fr

• 6’3″

/ 197 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

12.5

RPG

3.5

APG

3.9

3P%

35%

Washington mostly played off the ball in his one season at Kentucky but projects as a lead guard in the NBA. Ankle injuries limited him in the second half of the season but the one-and-done Wildcat showed enough before he was hampered to solidify his status as a top-20 pick.


Jaden Hardy


SG

G League Ignite

• 6’4″

/ 185 lbs

Projected Team

San Antonio

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

17.7

RPG

4.6

APG

3.2

3P%

26.9%

Hardy didn’t do much over the past year to help his draft stock — but he’s still a likely first-round talent capable of developing into a special player. Being drafted by a franchise like San Antonio would probably be the best thing for the trajectory of his career.

Baylor

• Fr

• 6’8″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

Denver

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

9.7

RPG

4.9

APG

1.9

3P%

34.1%

Brown never really became more than a role player in his one season at Baylor, which is notable and somewhat concerning. But the 6-8 wing still has the physical tools to make him worthy of a first-round pick from a Denver franchise desperate to put more talent around Nikola Jokic.

Tennessee

• Fr

• 6’0″

/ 171 lbs

Projected Team

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

34th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

13.9

RPG

3.2

APG

4.7

3P%

38.3%

The possibility of Tyus Jones leaving via free agency might have Memphis in the market for a point guard. At this point in the draft, the best option would be Chandler — the Memphis-raised product who has won at every level and already possesses a close relationship with Grizzlies’ star Ja Morant.

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 240 lbs

Projected Team

Brooklyn

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

8th

PPG

19.4

RPG

7.9

APG

2.5

3P%

37.4%

Liddell is the type of player who could help Brooklyn’s core of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons theoretically compete for a title next season. He’s undersized but effective.

Duke

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 213 lbs

Projected Team

Milwaukee

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

13.4

RPG

5.3

APG

4.4

3P%

41.3%

Moore shot above 40% from 3-point range in his final season at Duke. The bet here is that his jumper is a translatable skill, which would be valuable in a place like Milwaukee, where chasing championships with Giannis Antetokounmpo is the goal for the foreseeable future.

Kansas

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 218 lbs

Projected Team

San Antonio

PROSPECT RNK

31st

POSITION RNK

11th

PPG

14.1

RPG

6.5

APG

2.8

3P%

38.6%

Braun is a wing with size who can guard his position, reliably make jumpers and finish in transition. He’s the type of prospect who could flourish in the culture San Antonio has established.


Jean Montero


SG

Overtime Elite

• 6’2″

/ 180 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

7th

Jalen Brunson’s pending free agency could lead to a departure from Dallas, which might have the Mavericks targeting a primary ball-handler with this pick. If so, Montero, a deep-shooting guard who is still only 18 years old, would be a reasonable option.

Notre Dame

• Fr

• 6’5″

/ 181 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

10th

PPG

14.4

RPG

3.7

APG

2.4

3P%

30.3%

Adding a young athlete to the backcourt wouldn’t be the worst idea for a Miami franchise that has advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Wesley is exactly that and would be a steal at the bottom of the first round if his jumper becomes more consistent.

Arizona

• Jr

• 7’1″

/ 230 lbs

Projected Team

Golden St.

PROSPECT RNK

45th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

12.6

RPG

7.3

APG

1.4

3P%

0%

With James Wiseman’s potential unclear, the Warriors could target a center with their first-round pick. Koloko is the reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year with better mobility than most bigs his size.

Milw.

• Fr

• 6’9″

/ 220 lbs

Projected Team

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

37th

POSITION RNK

9th

PPG

12.1

RPG

5.8

APG

1.5

3P%

26.6%

Baldwin was a projected top-10 pick before he more or less disappeared for a year after choosing to play for his father at Milwaukee. The Grizzlies could afford to take a big swing here and see if they hit on another pick late in the first round.


Nikola Jovic


SF

Serbia

• 6’10”

/ 210 lbs

Oklahoma City remains very much in rebuild mode with a young core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort and Josh Giddey. Adding an 18-year-old international prospect like Jovic to the franchise could be a nice long-term move.

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Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, the No. 1 prospect in the ESPN 100, entering the NBA draft

Gonzaga Bulldogs freshman 7-footer Chet Holmgren — the No. 1 prospect in the ESPN Top 100 — will enter the 2022 NBA draft, he told ESPN.

Holmgren, considered one of the front-runners to go first overall in the June 23 draft, brings to the NBA a unique skill set of 3-point shooting, lob catching and shot-blocking that has long inspired imaginations of league executives.

“After a season where we accomplished a lot of great things as both a team and an individual, I feel like I’m in a position to be able to chase my lifelong dream to play in the NBA,” Holmgren told ESPN.

Holmgren’s arrival in the NBA draft has been highly anticipated for several years as front offices closely watched his development as a high school star in Minnesota. The opportunity to go No. 1 overall has been part of the conversation surrounding Holmgren since his days at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis.

“I understand basketball is a business and going No. 1 doesn’t mean nearly as much as finding a good fit and the right situation,” Holmgren told ESPN. “At the end of the day, I’m hoping for whatever is best for me and my future, and if that’s at No. 1, then that’s great.”

Holmgren, 19, averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks for Gonzaga. Holmgren shot 60% from the field and 39% on 3-pointers. Holmgren said he told the Gonzaga coaches to “coach him hard” during his season there, and believes he benefited immensely from the experience with a deeply talented roster and a Hall of Fame-caliber coach, Mark Few.

For now, Holmgren plans to immerse himself in a training regimen to strengthen his body and skills.

“My goal every day is to do everything I can to become the best I can be,” Holmgren said. “I’m doing that with my pre-draft training — in the weight room getting stronger, tightening up my [ballhandling], my shooting, and becoming more accustomed to handling an NBA style of game. Summer league will be my first opportunity to showcase that.

“I take great pride in doing what I am asked to do to try and win. On the next level, I know there will be more [floor] space and freedom and a different style of basketball, and I’m really excited to get used to it and play in that style.”

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Is Chet Holmgren or Paolo Banchero No. 1?

LAS VEGAS — The battle for the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft continued as Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren went head-to-head with Duke’s Paolo Banchero. 

The 20,000 fans at T-Mobile Arena were also in for a treat as two of the top-five teams faced off in November in a game that felt like the end of March. In another thriller in Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season after 41 years, scouts for every NBA team were present for the matchup between the two star freshmen. 

The No. 5 Blue Devils edged No. 1 Gonzaga 84-81 with both prospects putting up big numbers.

“I’m sure you’ll be watching these two battle each other on and off for the next 15 years,” Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said. “They’re both incredible basketball players with a bright future.” 

Who had the upper hand and impressed scouts Friday evening? Yahoo Sports makes the case for both prospects and shines a light on a few other NBA draft prospects who could hear their names called in June.

Duke’s Paolo Banchero is one of the top 2022 NBA draft prospects. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Paolo Banchero

Duke: Freshman

Position: Forward

Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 250 pounds

2021-22 season: 17.8 ppg, 8 rpg

Banchero has the most NBA-ready body in this draft class and moves extremely well on the court for his size. As a high school prospect, Banchero’s lateral movement on defense was one of his weakest traits, but he worked on his explosiveness and footwork this summer with the Duke staff. It’s showing early in the season. Banchero was the best prospect on the court and finished with 21 points and five rebounds in the upset win over Gonzaga.

Neither Holmgren nor Banchero shied away from the head-to-head matchup and 10 minutes into the first half, Banchero bullied Holmgren in the lane for an and-one play to put the Blue Devils up by three points.

Banchero showed NBA scouts that he’s a grab-and-go defender who can handle the ball in the open court. When running the sideline after a missed shot, he’s confident calling for the ball and isn’t afraid to take a transition 3-pointer (he hit two in the first half). Banchero is much more fluid in his decision-making on the court. After seeing both prospects on the court at the same time, Banchero gets the slight edge as the No. 1 overall prospect.

Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren also has a strong case for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Chet Holmgren

Gonzaga: Freshman

Position: Center

Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 195 pounds

2021-22 season: 13.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.5 bpg

There isn’t another prospect like Holmgren in this draft class. 

He’s the best shot blocker in college basketball with his 7-foot-5 wingspan and is averaging over three blocks per game. 

“Chet’s a game-changer on defense and there were a couple of layups that I would usually make with no problem but with him at the rim, that wasn’t happening tonight,” Banchero said after the game.

Holmgren can handle the ball like a guard and dominated the paint in the game earlier this week against UCLA and showed off how deadly he can be in the open court when he went coast-to-coast for one of the best plays of the game. 

Holmgren is solid in the pick-and-pop on offense and connected on 62% of his shots. Similar to Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley, Holmgren has a slight frame but great footwork in the paint. Mobley’s early success in the NBA is helping Holmgren’s case for No. 1, despite being undersized for an NBA center.

Other 2022 NBA draft prospects

Mark Williams

Duke: Sophomore

Position: Center

Ht./Wt.: 7-0, 242 pounds

2021-22 season: 8.7 ppg, 6 rpg

Williams runs the floor well for his size and has great hands in the open court. When Banchero is on the court and draws defenders, Williams has mastered the short-corner shot off the block and is great in the pick-and-roll. He has the athleticism to step out and guard the wing on defense and is a projected late first-round, early second-round pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Williams looked fantastic Friday and finished with 17 points and five blocks.

Duke guard Trevor Keels brings the ball up the court. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Trevor Keels

Duke: Freshman

Position: Guard

Ht./Wt.: 6-4, 221 pounds

2021-22 season: 13.3 ppg, 3 apg

Keels is a bully guard who loves to get downhill. He can also hit deep 3-pointers and is tenacious on defense. Keels showed glimpses of splitting the defense on the pick-and-roll and is a pass-first guard who dished out six assists in the close win over Gonzaga.

Andrew Nembhard

Gonzaga: Senior

Position: Guard

Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 193 pounds

2021-22 season: 9.8 ppg, 5 apg

Nembhard is a true floor general who looked like an NBA-ready guard Tuesday night against UCLA. He finished with 26 points and six assists in the convincing win and led both teams in assists with 11 in the close loss against Duke. He’s now on NBA scouts’ radar, and teams will be watching for more consistency on his shot selection as the season progresses.

Wendell Moore Jr.

Duke: Junior

Position: Guard

Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 213 pounds

2021-22 season: 17.5 ppg, 5.7 apg

Moore is a former five-star recruit who has been patient with his development at Duke. He was the most consistent guard on the court against Gonzaga and hit a clutch free throw with 17 seconds remaining to extend the lead to four points. Moore finished with 20 points, six assists and four steals and was named the Player of the Game on Friday.

Nolan Hickman

Gonzaga: Freshman

Position: Guard

Ht./Wt.: 6-2, 185 pounds

2021-22 season: 8.3 ppg, 2 apg

Hickman has great court sense and is an extremely good passer in transition and in the half-court set. He’s a strong defender who challenges players at the rim and can sit down and keep players in front of him. Hickman is a former teammate of Banchero and was originally committed to Kentucky before eventually committing to Gonzaga.

Gonzaga’s Drew Timme dribbles the ball during a game in Las Vegas this week. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Drew Timme

Gonzaga: Junior

Position: Forward

Ht./Wt.: 6-10, 235 pounds

2021-22 season: 18.7 ppg, 6 rpg

Timme is the Luka Garza of this college basketball season. He’s a Player of the Year candidate and does all the little things that make Gonzaga the No. 1 team in the country. The high-low between Timme and Holmgren is virtually unstoppable, and he has a nice hook shot off the block. Timme has high-level footwork around the rim and has an old-school back-to-the-basket game where he excels in the up-and-under move. Defensively, he can slide over and defend off the block well, too. Timme finished with 17 points, five rebounds and five assists Friday.

A.J. Griffin

Duke: Freshman

Position: Small forward

Ht./Wt.: 6-6, 222 pounds

2021-22 season: 5.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg

Griffin is coming off a knee injury and is getting limited minutes early in the season. He’s an explosive wing who loves to get in the lane and has great body control in traffic. Even with his limited time on the court, Griffin remains a projected first-round pick in the 2022 draft and has tremendous upside as an NBA wing.



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