NBA: Forget 2021, Who Are The Top-10 NBA Prospects For 2022?
The 2021 Draft has been a whirlwind, and now we are looking ahead to 2022. The NBA has a lot of exciting talent to look forward to in the coming years. The 2022 class is pretty well established with potential stud prospects. I’ll list my top-10. I’d like to point out, this is off a very limited sample size. Opinions will change as the college and international season starts up. A lot of my rankings of these 10 aren’t what the general consensus is saying. These are just how I see things as it stands now.
1. Nikola Jovic
Let’s start the 2022 Draft prospects off with a bang! I’ll go against the popular opinion and elect to put Jovic as the best player of the upcoming 2022 class. The U19 FIBA’s solidified my choice. Jovic was the main attraction for the Serbian team. He led them with 18.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.7 blocks. At 6’10, Jovic might have the height of a PF. I don’t see that at all. In fact, Jovic plays more of a point forward. He can bring the ball up-court and find the open man on a fastbreak, a very crafty dribbler and finisher around the rim. He’s an athletic freak of nature. Unlike Chet Holmgren, I see Jovic as a much more capable fastbreak/ high offense player. He’s not the most confident with his 3-point shot. Jovic’s main skill is his driving ability and court vision. I’m in the minority here for sure, but I feel Nikola Jovic is the best player in the 2022 class.
2. Jaden Hardy
I’m going with my gut at putting Hardy at 2. No question, he’s the one guy that stands out in this class as an NBA scoring champ. Hardy loves to shoot the 3 (I’m not a fan of his release, although I know most disagree on that). Finding highlights of him is a bit hard. I noticed he’s very capable of being the lead guard, loves to dribble, and has the ball in his hands. I have concerns over what kind of player he will be in the NBA or even the G-League Ignite. Does he want to be the 30 ppg scorer? Or the 22 ppg scorer that facilitates? The James Harden comps are there and are warranted. As of now, I have him at 2. If he develops into a score/pass guard I’ll keep him. However, if Hardy shows he’s more of a scorer and less of a facilitator I’ll drop him lower.
3. Paolo Banchero
I’m absolutely sold on Banchero being a top-3 pick. He’s only going to falter if others have amazing, breakout seasons. Banchero is arguably the most NBA-ready prospect in this draft. Standing 6’10 and 250 lbs, Banchero is going to bully fellow collegiate players on his way to the league. His offensive game is strong, highlighted by a very efficient stepback jump shot. One thing Banchero has, an inside game. His size will allow him to be rather physical down low, in addition to having a very promising outside/mid-range game. He’s probably the safest prospect. The only reason he’s at 3, the other two ahead of him have a bit more projection and potential.
4.Chet Holmgren
Let me state for the record, I’m not sold on Chet Holmgren. It’s not that I don’t think he’s a talented prospect or NBA player. I think the two guys ahead of him are much more of the players NBA teams look to find. My issue with Holmgren isn’t really a fault of his. When matched up against Victor Wembenyama in the U19, I forgot all about Chet. I don’t think he’s flashy with his playmaking. Holmgren loves to shoot the 3 and can be an effective pick and pop player. With that being said, there are a lot of college bigs that can do the same thing. Holmgren isn’t muscular and will be knocked around if he doesn’t put on weight. By doing that, he’s going to lose a lot of that athleticism that has so many intrigued. I don’t see a scenario where Holmgren plays a stretch 3-point shooter role and being effective moving without the ball, while also being a dominant defensive and down low offensive presence. Gonzaga is going to tell us a lot. I’ll like him a lot more if he’s truly able to be a real inside-out big, or just a pick-and-pop 3-point bench option.
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5. Caleb Houstan
Another controversial pick, as Houstan might not be on many top-5 2022 lists. He’s a bit undersized at 6’7, 190 lbs. For what it’s worth, I don’t think Houstan is much of a banger or inside presence. He’s going to be most effective moving without the ball, finding the open 3. Think of Houstan as this year’s dominant 3-and-D guy. Normally those guys don’t intrigue me as much, however, Houstan has a very potent mid-range game as well. At his very highest potential, he’s Kyle Korver with All- NBA Defensive Team appeal and a higher scoring average. There’s still so much growth to be had, he’s one of the guys to really keep an eye on.
6. Jabari Smith Jr.
Auburn has really amassed some talent lately. Smith, a 5-Star recruit, might be the best they’ve had. Smith is a PF, who while not an entirely effective shooter outside the paint, might be the best pick-and-roll big in the draft. He’s got long arms, and can really be a pest on the defensive end. And while he might not be the most effective scorer, Smith Jr. can take shots off the dribble, and that’s something he will look to improve on in college and the NBA. I see a lot of Larry Nance Jr. in Smith’s game. Based on potential, he’s someone who’s going to shoot up boards as the college season gets going.
7. Ty Ty Washington
The next great Kentucky PG. Washington is without question, the best dribbler in this class. He’s able to get out of double teams and tough defensive situations. He’s able to hit the pull-up jumper and shoot the 3. My biggest concern and it could affect draft stock, does he play more as a PG or SG? If Washington can really hone into his passing abs facilitating skills, he’s got a very Damian Lillard-like upside to him. If Washington stays as more of a shooter, his ceiling is still high, however, he’s not as versatile. On his floor, think of Darius Garland Jr. I’d be interested to see how Calipari uses him, especially given Shavir Wheeler as the Wildcats best passer.
8. Yannick Nzosa
If Nikola Jovic wasn’t in this draft, Nzosa is the best international player by a mile. The 6-10 PF/C from Congo, isn’t just a typical big man. He’s athletic, evident by his insane number of chase-down blocks, gets to the basket with ease, and just looks smooth as butter on the court. The one red flag, and a big one, he’s not a shooter. Nzosa has a very weak shot, and might not be a very effective shooter at the NBA level. Still, looking at Giannis, he wasn’t the most effective shooter coming into the league (still isn’t) and he just won an NBA title. Not saying Nzosa is Giannis, he does have a very high ceiling.
9. Ryan Nembhard
Here’s where I’ll lose some of you. Nembhard might not even be a first-round guy on any boards. I’m once again going with my gut. I see Nembhard as the current Chris Paul NBA PG. He’s not athletic, won’t wow with amazing offensive plays, and he has an awkward shot ( not necessarily a CP3 trait). What I see, a guy who can find the open man, passes over defenders, makes smart decisions, and judging by his FIBA U-19 performance, can lead a team without being the most explosive player on the court. Creighton isn’t going to get press this year as a D1 dominant team. They’ll make the tournament, and that’ll fall on Nembhard. I’m really intrigued here, especially if he finds some sort of explosion in his game.
10.Jaden Ivey
I didn’t have Ivey anywhere near the top-8 before the FIBA U-19. He showed how much of a scorer he could be at Purdue as a freshman, which included a 26 point game against North Texas in the team’s NCAA Tournament loss. The FIBA U-19’s where were I had to check myself and really ask if he’s indeed a top-10 guy. Yes, Ivey is truly a scorer. I don’t think he will ever be a passing guard, nor does he really need to be. Ivey knows how to get buckets. He’s going to shoot the 3, and he’s a solid NBA wing defender in the making. His athleticism really makes him a high pick for me. He didn’t just run through the FIBA field he ran literal laps around the competition. He’s got the scoring ability of Bradley Beal, but the mold of a top-5 wing defender. In terms of being both an explosive athlete and scorer, he’s only behind Hardy.
Honorable Mention
Jalen Duren
Not much scouting done. Depending on a decision on college or professional, his stock could rise. Some extra scouting is needed.
Patrick Baldwin Jr
A lot of good traits, still raw. Playing in the Horizon league might skew opinions of how he fares against top talent
Adrian Griffin
Need to see more outside of the post-game. Could end up as a very one-dimensional player.
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Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
