His play can open up an opportunity for a two-way contract later down the road. Banchero is the type of offensive talent who can take over a game, and doing so when it matters most would be a great way to remind NBA executives why he was once considered the early favorite for the No. Few others like Makur Maker, Kai Sotto, Zaire Wade, Henri Drell and Samson Ruzhentsev are also there. 6 Alabama vs. No. The age of most freshmen, outplaying potential lottery picks such as Baylor's Kendall Brown and Jeremy Sochan in a potential second-round matchup would help Lewis secure his standing as a first-round prospect. Jay Bilas picks every single game in the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament. Kai Sotto's hope of realizing a nation's NBA dreams depends on whether the league will favor potential over results. He's a disruptive defender, as well, thanks to his quickness, instincts and 6-foot-5 wingspan that has allowed him to rip opposing guards on the perimeter, swipe the ball on digs and even block occasional jumpers as a key cog in Tennessee's top-three defense. These same traits help make him one of the most versatile defenders in college, a magnet for steals, blocks and rebounds who flies all over the floor in LSU's suffocating press while rotating from guarding point guards to big men. Theodore Chan, Adelaide's scouting director, insists Adelaide benefited from having Sotto on the defensive end, where the center's aggression and willingness to mask his deficiencies served the 36ers (109.9 defensive rating, sixth among 10 teams) well at various points in the season. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers), Walker Kessler | Sophomore | Auburn | 7'1" | C | Age: 20.6, What to watch for: At 7-foot-1 and 245 pounds, with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Kessler's appeal is readily evident on first glance. "Outside of being a drop-off/lob option, he seems most successful in getting his offense in the pick and roll. 2 Auburn vs. No. 10 Davidson | Friday | 9:40 p.m. | CBS. Eason has improved his ballhandling and perimeter shooting considerably while putting consistent pressure on opposing defenses with his quick first step, physicality and insatiable intensity, allowing him to live at the free throw line. Kai Sotto will be hoping to make it in the big time after declaring for the NBA draft on Thursday. After not appearing in any major mock drafts for the past few months -- including ESPN's big board, which lists the 7-foot-3 center as the 11th-best prospect at center -- the Filipino talent cracked Sports Illustrated's post-combine top 60 released on May 24 and is reportedly in line for a workout with NBA teams. Given Zach Edey's struggles staying on the floor late in games, Williams has a great opportunity to continue showcasing his passing, instincts and answering questions about his motor during what could be a lengthy Boilermakers run if Ivey is at his best.-- Schmitz, Keon Ellis | Senior | Alabama | 6'6" | SG/SF | Age: 22.1, Monday through Friday, host Pablo Torre brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet. While undersized for the power forward position he mostly plays, Harper's 245-pound frame and near 7-foot wingspan allows him to play bigger than his height. In 2019, he joined The Skill Factory a prep program in Atlanta, Georgia. What to watch for: Minott's struggles getting on the floor behind 25-year-old second-team All-Conference player DeAndre Williams has kept his draft stock in check this season, as he only played 13 minutes in Memphis' past two games. He made 39% of his 3-pointers this season, being especially effective with his feet set due to the low release on his jumper, but is also capable of scoring in the post, attacking closeouts and coming off screens, showing excellent scoring instincts as well as no fear with his approach. Gilas Pilipinas fall short against Jordan on road to FIBA World Cup, PBA Governors' Cup Import Rankings: Kevin Murphy powers NorthPort's surge. "His versatility is unlike most giant bigs, and it will continue to show as his body gets more matured. ", Scouting Report: Kai Sotto | The Jump (2:08), Kai Sotto's defense and experience may put him behind other international prospects. Ellis has been streaky with his shooting against better competition this season, and scouts will want to get a better feel for his ball-handling and decision-making, which has looked questionable at times.-- Givony, Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Junior | UCLA | 6'6" | SG | Age: 21.0, When: No. "More minutes, along with another year of skill development and physical training, could only help his stock in the eyes of NBA evaluators.". Few others like Makur Maker, Kai Sotto, Zaire Wade, Henri Drell and Samson Ruzhentsev are also there. What to watch for: We've truly never seen an NBA prospect quite like Holmgren: A shot-blocking, lob-catching, 3-point shooting, ballhandling 7-foot-1 "big man" with the fluidity of a guard and a relentlessness that doesn't match his slender, 195-pound frame. He is a streaky shooter who gets a lot of his offense in the post, on midrange pull-ups, in transition and while using his aggressiveness, physicality and smarts attacking out of the pick-and-roll. One surprising stat: Sotto was also pretty good against ball-handlers in the pick and roll, where he defended a fourth-most 10.7 percent of the time. While he's comfortable operating with his back to the basket, he's also a creative ball-handler and outstanding passer who is converting 45% of his 3-pointers on the season, making him a huge mismatch that has lit up mid-major and high-major teams alike. Draft Results: 2022 Draft Results and Instant Analysis, Draft Recap: Thoughts On How The 2022 NBA Draft Played Out, 2023 NBA Mock Draft 2024 NBA Mock Draft, 10 Elite High School Freshmen, Class of 2025. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? In Adelaide, Sotto mostly subsisted on cuts and as a roll man in the pick and roll -- two of four play types where he derived most of his offense. NBA Draft 2023 News - ESPN Draftcast Skip to main content Skip to navigation Search You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. Mock Draft Roundup Familiar Names And The Prospect Of Trades. "I feel like the next year or so is going to give us a better idea of the extent of his perceivable upside. Sotto averaged 11.6 points on 52.6 percent shooting along with 4.2 boards and 1.2 swats while breaching double-digit scoring in three of those contests. Asked if this means Sotto might be limited mostly to defending in drop coverage as to being able to defend in more aggressive schemes in the NBA, Houben concurred. ", Scouting Report: Kai Sotto | The Jump (2:08), Grading Sotto: How the Philippines' prospect's offense stacks up in the 2022 NBA draft. Whoever signs him will get a well-worth piece in their winning puzzle.". What to watch for: Smith has emerged as one of the most dynamic shooters in college, converting 43% of his 3-pointers despite standing 6-foot-10. The 2.18-meter center -- who only turns 20 on May 11 -- just finished his first season with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's National Basketball League, where he averaged 7.52 points and 4.48 rebounds across 23 games. His passing and floor vision has garnered some attention over the years, but the potential has yet to fully materialize, as Sotto tallied more turnovers (32) than assists (14) in his first year with Adelaide. Hell have to develop his lower body strength and work on his agility and foot-speed to be able to defend at the next level. Per tracking data from InStat, the 36ers scored 1.33 points per possession (PPP) with Sotto as a cutter and 1.17 PPP when he was involved as a roller, both marks above the league average (1.09 and 1.02 PPP, respectively). 12 New Mexico State | Thursday | 6:50 p.m. | TNT, Matthew Mayer | Senior | Baylor | 6'9" | SF/PF | Age: 22.4, Trayce Jackson-Davis | Junior | Indiana | 6'9" | PF/C | Age: 22.0, When: No. People will realize how special Kai is," Chan said when asked about Sotto's draft stock. Chet Holmgren will be trying to lead No. "The first thing that stands out with Kai is that the size is very real. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? What to watch for: Although undersized at 5-foot-11 barefoot, Chandler is a shifty, dynamic point guard who gets wherever he wants on the floor thanks to his tight handle and skill level. 9 Memphis | Thursday | 1:45 p.m. | TNT. LIVE NBA MOCK DRAFT! Just how high Tshiebwe gets drafted is what scouts are trying to determine, but a deep NCAA tournament run that includes strong showings against physical frontcourts could go a long way in solidifying his standing and potentially emerge as a first-round prospect. Kai Sotto is projected to land in the second round of the NBA rookie draft, according to the recent mock draft of US-based outlet Sports Illustrated. Koloko's thin frame, lack of physicality and developing feel for the game, which manifests itself in foul trouble, point-blank misses and struggles keeping up with the speed of the game are things NBA scouts will want to learn more about in high-stakes matchups with pro-sized frontcourts as the competition stiffens. -- Givony, Johnny Juzang | Junior | UCLA | 6'7" | SF | Age: 20.9, Tevin Brown | Senior | Murray St. | 6'5" | SG | Age: 23.4, When: No. Fresh off the back of being named the NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player on Wednesday evening, Sotto declared his intentions on an Instagram post which initially began with him expressing gratitude after his season with the 36ers. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. If it happens with LaVine, the Bulls will need to diversify their money. Smith, meanwhile, says the NBL is a great avenue for Kai to continue growing as a professional at this stage in his young career. He is an ambidextrous, straight-line driver who also can play some pick-and-roll and punish smaller defenders with turnarounds over either shoulder. He had a 7-foot-3 wingspan and a 30-inch maximum vertical leap. In the first of our two-part series on 2022 NBA Draft hopeful Kai Sotto, ESPN talked to scouts and experts who cover Australia's National Basketball League about his decision to declare for the draft, as well as his production and upside on offense. A head-to-head matchup with Ivey in the Sweet 16 would be a great chance for Washington to prove that his more methodical game can hold up against a high-level athlete. A total of 36 international . Caine Purnell, who works for scouting agency ID Prospects, says strength is still a valid concern heading into the draft. Sotto can still land a contract and play in the Summer League in July. NBA Draft News Best Available Teams Get the App Jaden Ivey | Sophomore | Purdue | 6'4" | PG/SG | Age: 20.0, When: No. However, he toggles between brilliant moments and head-scratching ones, not always quite as consistently aggressive as you'd hope in big moments given his experience. 6 LSU vs. No. On June 24, Facebook page "NBA World" uploaded a screenshot of a fake tweet from American sports reporter Shams Charania. He is the only prospect in NCAA history to average at least 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks while shooting over 70% from 2 and 40% from 3, and he's doing so on the No. When Lewis is at his best, it's easy to see him filling a role in the NBA pick-and-pop 4 -man who can even slide up to the small-ball 5 some given his strength and length. In the NBL, Sotto provided glimpses of what could come and averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in over 15 minutes. Sotto managed to carve out a niche in the NBL, albeit in a limited role, because of his unusual blend of size and mobility. NBA rumors: 2022 top draft prospect Kai Sotto signs with NBL club 2 years ago - via Twitter ShamsCharania Shams Charania: Kai Sotto a 7-foot-2 prospect from the Philippines is signing. "While his late season performances certainly helped, it felt like only a glimpse of his potential, and with those flashes, it felt like another season in the NBL would have seen him play a bigger role that could've highlighted his game even more," Houben said. The NCAA's withdrawal deadline has passed and the final phases of preparation are underway around the NBA. 3 Purdue vs. No. Sotto's size and length has made him a viable rim protector in the NBL, where he averaged 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes, seventh among 84 players who played at least 15 minutes a game, per SpatialJam. Stay on current site or go to US version. The race for No. "Kai had a more productive NBL season statistically than I think many were expecting him to, but as it remains, there is still room for improvement," Smith said. He is at his best when keeping things simple, and he can be prone to huge swings of intensity and productivity on both ends of the floor, depending on the night and how well things are going early in games. "Kai had a more productive NBL season statistically than I think many were expecting him to, but as it remains, there is still room for improvement," Smith said. Even so, a possible callup in the second round remains within the realm of possibility. NBA Draft 2023 Best Remaining Players - ESPN Draftcast Skip to main content Skip to navigation Presented By Full Scoreboard ESPN Search You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. I think it's a valid concern in the NBA if he got a chance. He is the best shot-blocker in college, with intriguing versatility and mobility guarding the pick-and-roll, stepping out the perimeter and recovering to make plays at the rim. They currently own the. "Further growth as a passer as he matures and the games slows down for him will also be extremely helpful, as he has shown a certain level of vision at previous levels of play.". Jonathan Givony is an NBA Draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams. He was part of the initial 33-man list of such prospects, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony: This "also-eligible" list (33 players) includes: Dominick Barlow, Marjon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Michael Foster, Jaden Hardy, Jean Montero, Kok Yat and Fanbo Zeng. Rediscovering his defensive toughness, finding a rhythm from 3 and determining the right blend between scoring and playmaking will go a long way in solidifying his status as a top-20 prospect. 2024 NBA mock draft: Why Bronny James is projected as a top-10 pick . Sotto was eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft because he is a 19-year-old talent one year removed from playing high school basketball. (2:02). As the NBA draft draws closer, some teams have shown an increasing interest in Sotto's potential. The ACC defensive player of the year is one of the best shot-blockers in this draft class and brings a consistent presence as a vertical spacer and an offensive rebounder for Duke, finishing 71% of his field goal attempts, with nearly half of those makes coming on dunks. Grizzlies-Nuggets, 10 p.m. Offense has been a major struggle at times for Davison, who isn't a polished ball-handler or a consistent shooter. If he can, that would go a long way in convincing execs the Iowa star isn't just a "high-floor NBA starter" but rather that his production is more than a product of Iowa's system and he belongs in the same conversation as Holmgren and Smith as a member of the draft's elite. What to watch for: Eason wasn't particularly well-known upon transferring from Cincinnati to LSU, but he made the transition to the most talented conference in college basketball look easy in emerging as a first-team All-SEC player, scoring in bunches and filling up the box score despite coming off the bench. If Sotto goes undrafted in June, a couple of alternative routes await. Skip to main content Skip to navigation > ESPN Search You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. Mathurin's decision-making in high-leverage moments also will be closely scrutinized. The NCAA tournament officially starts on Tuesday, signaling the most exciting three weeks in college basketball. 15 Jacksonville State | Friday | 12:40 p.m. | truTV. 4 UCLA vs. No. 8 Seton Hall vs. No. The league loves him, the fans love him, and he will undoubtedly grow into one of the league's best big men if he continues to play in Australia," said Houben. NBA draft scouts. Having already played over 1,500 NCAA minutes despite not turning 22 until late April, Agbaji is the type of experienced wing poised for a signature performance or two in March. -- Schmitz, Mark Williams | Sophomore | Duke | 7'1" | C | Age: 20.2, What to watch for: Williams' 7-foot-1, 242-pound frame and 7-foot-7 wingspan certainly stand out at the college level. His measurements at the 2020 BWB were recorded at 7-foot-1.5 in shoes and 227 pounds. "Having this opportunity to develop in the NBL is a great situation for Kai and I'd imagine he spends the next year or two in Australia as he continues to find his footing in the world of professional basketball," Smith explained. At the time of this writing we have him no.5 overall in our 2022 Mock Draft. If not, is he a skilled enough shooter, passer and ball handler to be an asset on the perimeter? Adelaide (109.9 defensive rating, sixth among 10 teams) held them to just 0.72 PPP during those possessions (league average is 0.86 PPP allowed), per InStat -- an indication that the big man pushed back when smaller attackers targeted him in the two-man game. "I feel like the next year or so is going to give us a better idea of the extent of his perceivable upside. -- Schmitz. Kai Sotto - NBA Draft Room Kai Sotto NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT Draft Notes Sotto is an intriguing prospect who comes from good basketball bloodlines (father Ervin Sotto) and who has shown marked improvement in his frame over the past couple of seasons. Chet Holmgren | Freshman | Gonzaga | 7-foot-1 | PF | Age: 19.8, 14.2 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, 3.6 blocks per game, 1.8 assists per game, When: No. 2 Duke vs. No. Get all the latest news around the 2023 NBA Draft with Draftcast on ESPN. Those who followed him closely through high school have long raved about his competitiveness and winning spirit, which despite nagging injuries did shine through at times during his freshman campaign. Harper's thick, doughy frame has always been a concern dating back early in his career, and it's been disappointing to see him fail to get in better shape, something teams will certainly want to see him do in the pre-draft process. MANILA, Philippines -- Kai Sotto remains a no-show on the latest mock drafts released by US-based sports websites ESPN and Bleacher Report barely three weeks away from the 2022 NBA draft. Even so, a possible callup in the second round remains within the realm of possibility. Scouts will have a close eye on Banchero's defensive intensity and off-ball awareness, as his inconsistency on that end of the floor is a big reason why he has taken a back seat to two-way prospects such as Holmgren and Smith. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream" Search You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. After attempting just 2.3 free throws per 40 minutes in 34 games, Griffin -- who has looked like a potential top-five pick at times and at others a one-dimensional gunner -- must demonstrate he is more than just a standstill shooter and a willing, engaged defender. Only two players in the country average at least 13 points, five rebounds and four assists while shooting at least 50% from 2 and 40% from 3 -- Moore and Baylor Scheierman of South Dakota State. 1on1 Interview with Paolo. Sotto averaged 11.6 points on 52.6 percent shooting along with 4.2 boards and 1.2 swats while breaching double-digit scoring in three of those contests. He was part of the initial 33-man list of such prospects, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony: This "also-eligible" list (33 players) includes: Dominick Barlow, Marjon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Michael Foster, Jaden Hardy, Jean Montero, Kok Yat and Fanbo Zeng. 13 Chattanooga | Friday | 6:50 p.m. | TNT, Jahvon Quinerly | Junior | Alabama | 6'1" | PG | Age: 23.2, Caleb Love | Sophomore | North Carolina | 6'4" | SG | Age: 20.4, 57. ESPN's mock draft (ESPN) ESPN's Jonathan Givony delivered his latest mock draft on Nov. 17. Scouts still have questions about Liddell's long-term upside as he stands no taller than 6-foot-7 with average positional length, a flat jumper that might take time to adjust to the NBA line and a somewhat power-reliant game. Eason's passing ability, decision-making and still-streaky jumper are question marks scouts will want to gather more information about in the NCAA tournament, as he sees most of his minutes at center but isn't particularly big or bulky at 6-foot-8 and 216 pounds. Although talented with the ball both as a scorer and occasional distributor, the game is still slowing down for Wesley, who can be a bit wild as a decision-maker, which shows in his inefficiency from 3 (31%) and struggles around the rim (42% in the half court). What to watch for: Keels is a skilled two-way combo guard with a strong foundational skill set and the type of defensive toughness -- when fully engaged -- that NBA teams covet. Kai isnt the most agile big man so hell have to rely more on his great height and basketball instincts. Today we look at Sotto's decision to declare for the draft and what he brings on offense. 16 Texas-Southern/Texas A&M-CC | Thursday | 9:57 p.m. | truTV. He's an outstanding rebounder, Kansas' best rim-protector, and is converting 38% of his 3-pointers, making him one of the more versatile wing players in this class. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Cavaliers via Wizards), Andre Jackson | Sophomore | Connecticut | 6'6" | SG/SF | Age: 20.3, When: No. The biggest draft experts make every pick in the 2022 NBA Draft The Field Of 68 33K views Streamed 1 month ago Top 10 Center Prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft. -- Schmitz, Malaki Branham | Freshman | Ohio St. | 6'5" | SG | Age: 18.8. 2 Duke vs. No. While Tshiebwe's 7-foot-4 wingspan helps, the questions NBA scouts have is how his 6-foot-8 frame and struggles playing through length in traffic translate to the pro level -- which is what has so far kept him out of first-round consideration. 2 Kentucky vs. No. After not appearing in any major mock drafts for the past few months -- including ESPN's big board, which lists the 7-foot-3 center as the 11th-best prospect at center -- the Filipino talent cracked Sports Illustrated's post-combine top 60 released on May 24 and is reportedly in line for a workout with NBA teams. 4 Arkansas vs. No. My Mock Drafts; Create Your Own Mock Draft; Actual Drafts; Outstanding Trades; . "If the NBA is not to be for Sotto, he could certainly make the NBL a home long term, as his Filipino citizenship exempts him from import status in the league. Data from InStat state that Adelaide hemorrhaged points when Sotto defended the roll man in the pick and roll (16 percent of his defensive possessions, second most) and gave up 1.37 PPP -- way above the league mean. However, he decided to forgo his college eligibility and join the NBA G League Ignite. 11 - Kai Sotto. You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. AJ Griffin | Freshman | Duke | 6'6" | SF/PF | Age: 18.5, When: No. Perhaps most intriguing are the competitiveness, technique and instincts defensively Harper shows, in addition to his extremely long arms, which gives some hope about his ability to guard wing players in the NBA like his height suggests he'll need to. Playing with little help around him offensively, Harper has been forced to carry a heavy load for Rutgers this season, which has led to some inconsistent and especially inefficient performances. How Oftana and Lastimosa went from Dumaguete dreamers to Gilas, Already a standout walk-on, La Salle's Ben Phillips looks to make his mark on another court, 'It's a fans' game': Tiongson, Ahanmisi move on from All-Star snubs, The seven biggest 2023 PBA All-Star omissions, and the players who took their spots, A night of nostalgia: Toyota Tamaraws celebrate 50th anniversary, Kai Sotto's second season mirrors 36ers' ups and down. -- Givony, Christian Braun | Junior | Kansas | 6'6" | SG/SF | Age: 20.9, When: No. "I have declared for the 2022 NBA Draft," wrote Sotto. 11 Michigan | Thursday | 12:15 p.m. | CBS, What to watch for: The Mountain West Conference player of the year, Roddy emerged as a potential All-American and one of the most versatile and unique college players as a junior. Sotto was eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft because he is a 19-year-old talent one year removed from playing high school basketball. SNEAK PEAK OF THE TOP CENTER OF NBA DRAFT CLASS OF 2022 WERE OUR HOPE KAI SOTTO WILL SEAL HIS SPOT TO ENTER THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (NBA)#adelai. Michael Houben, a scouting expert for the Australian independent basketball publication "The Pick and Roll," said Sotto's decision to head to the draft felt buoyed mostly by a strong finish in the last five games of the NBL season. His skill sets and physical advantages position him to play versatile lineups down the road. Duren has emerged as a major force inside the paint on both ends of the floor -- be it crashing the glass, protecting the rim or finishing ferociously and with incredible ease around the basket -- giving him a ready-made role to step into early in his NBA career. Favor potential over results 2019, he seems most successful in getting his in... 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