Paolo Banchero | Freshman | Duke | 6'10" | PF/C | Age: 19.3, When: No. -- 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. Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream", Kai Sotto claims NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player award. 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. Although he is rock solid across the board, Branham doesn't quite have that one elite skill, at least at the level of an NBA starter. 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. The 2.18-meter center -- who . Stay on current site or go to US version. He has taken some lumps in the Big Ten, struggling at times to create efficient offense and making some scouts ponder just how heavy of an offensive role he can shoulder at the NBA level, something that will surely be scrutinized in the NCAA tournament. Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream", Kai Sotto claims NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player award. Birthday. 15 Cal-State Fullerton | Friday | 7:10 p.m. | CBS, What to watch for: Griffin is one of the best shooters in college, converting 47% of his 3s while ranking third in catch-and-shoot efficiency among high-volume shooters at high-major programs. Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? -- Givony, Max Christie | Freshman | Michigan St. | 6'6" | SG | Age: 19.0, When: No. Kai Sotto will be hoping to make it in the big time after declaring for the NBA draft on Thursday. He represented the Philippines in the 2018 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship, where he averaged a double-double and was named to the tournament's First Team. -- Schmitz, Blake Wesley | Freshman | Notre Dame | 6'5" | SG | Age: 18.9, When: No. Standing 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and an NBA-level bounce, Agbaji is one of nine players in the NCAA shooting over 40% from 3 on at least 6.5 attempts per game, and he's doing so while adding value defensively and ranking in the top 25 in scoring. With all that said, Christie has picture-perfect shooting mechanics, can rise up off the dribble with ease, and holds some defensive potential as well given his projectable frame and feet, even if he gives up too many straight-line drives to the rim at this stage. 10 San Francisco | Thursday | 9:40 p.m. | CBS. He's coachable and receptive to feedback from coaches and teammates," Chan said. Tshiebwe lacks some modern elements to his game, having a difficult time defending in space on the perimeter, scoring outside the paint and facilitating for others, but it's difficult to argue with his productivity and sheer intensity, which should give him a ready-made role early in his NBA career. Sotto, of course, still has to cover more ground in terms of his build in order to stick around in a league where the world's best athletes reside. 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. Although still improving as a passer, Murray has added something new to his offensive repertoire seemingly every game and has the next-play mentality that generally shines in the postseason. 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. 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. AJ Griffin | Freshman | Duke | 6'6" | SF/PF | Age: 18.5, When: No. His progress is ideal for both a foreign kid and a 7-3 unicorn.". Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream", Kai Sotto claims NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player award. Even so, a possible callup in the second round remains within the realm of possibility. "I have declared for the 2022 NBA Draft," wrote Sotto. 1 Arizona vs. No. 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. How scouts feel about his confidence and aggression will go a long way in determining whether NBA teams view him as the next productive college upperclassmen turned draft-day steal la Herb Jones and Ayo Dosunmu. "There's no reason Sotto would not have the potential to be a productive contributor on the offensive end of the floor," Houben said. "The first thing that stands out with Kai is that the size is very real. Sotto never ended up playing for the Ignite, as he opted to play for the Philippine national team at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. Holmgren averaged 12.6 points per game on 66.4% true shooting in 18 games against teams over .500 as opposed to 16.9 points on 78.1% true shooting in fewer minutes across 11 bouts versus teams with a losing record. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. Go to Ratings, What to watch for: Davison entered the college game known as a YouTube sensation thanks to his explosive dunking ability, but quickly showed there's more to his game, showing impressive feel as a passer and real grit defensively. 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. Sports Illustrated's mock draft recently had Sotto at number 49 going to the Sacramento Kings. NBA teams will be intrigued by his physical profile, age and long-term upside, but avoiding some of the lapses defensively that have plagued him at times and finishing the season on a good note will certainly help his cause.-- Givony, 16. (2:08). 2 Kentucky vs. No. Their confidence is not unfounded. -- Givony. "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. 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. Somewhat of a jack of all trades, master of none, Braun's ability to emerge as a consistent scoring presence, and not run away from open jump-shots, will be scrutinized by scouts as the stakes rise in big moments. Some of those improvements have reflected in Sotto's frame, one that he has filled out over the past couple of years and enabled him to keep up in a highly-physical NBL. Sotto, of course, still has to cover more ground in terms of his build in order to stick around in a league where the world's best athletes reside. 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. (2:04) Facebook 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. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? "Drop bigs can still find ways to be effective on the defensive end of the floor," he continued. On to. 15 Jacksonville State | Friday | 12:40 p.m. | truTV. 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. Scouts will be watching his ballhandling and passing to try to determine if he projects as more than a 3-and-D style wing, as over 50% of his offense comes by way of transition and spot-ups. 2 Duke vs. No. "With Kai's progression throughout the season, it was within expectation Kai would declare for the 2022 Draft. 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. I think it would be even worse and he would struggle a fair bit against stronger post players. But there is belief Sotto can build around those figures in order to raise his ceiling and find a place on offense in the modern NBA. "More minutes, along with another year of skill development and physical training, could only help his stock in the eyes of NBA evaluators.". "His versatility is unlike most giant bigs, and it will continue to show as his body gets more matured. -- Mike Schmitz. "Continuing to find ways to maximize the value he gets out of his physical tools while he continues to work on improving the processing and shooting seems to be the current path for Kai," Smith offered. -- Schmitz, Oscar Tshiebwe | Junior | Kentucky | 6'9" | C | Age: 22.2. We'll learn more about Christie's ability to take and make big shots in clutch moments during Michigan State's NCAA tournament run, which will either put scouts at ease about the 19-year-old's underwhelming freshman campaign or suggest that he clearly needs more seasoning at the collegiate ranks before making the pro leap. 1 pick. "Outside of being a drop-off/lob option, he seems most successful in getting his offense in the pick and roll. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? 13 South Dakota State | Thursday | 12:40 p.m. | truTV. He has two siblings. His shooting stroke was apparent at times, but Sotto did not take enough 3s and attempted just 14 shots from beyond the arc through 24 games, including just four from the corners. Sotto was considered a consensus four-star recruit. With legitimate guard skills that allow him to initiate Duke's offense in transition and function as a pick-and-roll ball handler in the half court, Banchero is a true mismatch nightmare, comparing favorably to post-injury Blake Griffin with his combination of power, agility and court vision. What to watch for: Branham is a long-armed, 6-foot-5 off guard who can score the ball at all three levels and defend his position, and he holds some untapped upside as a secondary ball handler in the Caris LeVert mold. With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? 15 CSU Fullerton | Friday | 7:10 p.m. | CBS. Sochan gives Baylor a different dynamic as a small-ball 5, and a few strong NCAA tournament performances could help solidify his status as a potential lottery pick. (2:08). Chat Sports will be live for every pick for both rounds, so make sure you join us by subscribing. "He has the type of movement that allows him to find himself an open lane for big-time dunks and create open shots for himself.". 16 Bryant/Wright State | Friday | 7:27 p.m. | truTV, What to watch for: The Pac-12 player of the year, Mathurin made a big jump as a sophomore while leading Arizona in scoring. 15 CSU Fullerton | Friday | 7:10 p.m. | CBS |. Search Players; Articles; News; Blogs; Forum; BLACK LIVES MATTER. Sotto also made junior national team and senior national team appearances for the Philippines. NBA Draft News Best Available Teams Get the App Kai Sotto, a 7-foot-2 center from the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League, has at least 12 pre-draft workouts scheduled with NBA teams, according to Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog. 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. Still, there's a near consensus that he still has a lot of work to do before becoming a no-brainer pick for a spot on an NBA roster. 05/11/02 (20.8 yrs) Hometown. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. 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). And Duke's Paolo Banchero is one of the Blue Devils' five first-round prospects who are hoping coach Mike Krzyzewski's legendary career ends by cutting down the net at the Final Four in New Orleans. Sotto posted up a lot -- about 19.3 percent of his offense came from the block, per InStat, which was the second-highest figure from his portfolio -- but Adelaide only scored 0.68 PPP during those trips, well below the league average of 0.89. He's easy to get along with, loves joking, and doesn't back away from challenges. 1 pick who looked unfazed by the pressure of MSG or the player who looked tentative down the stretch of a few Duke losses during conference play? 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. New Orleans Pelicans (from Cavaliers), Baylor Scheierman | Junior | South Dakota St. | 6'6" | SF | Age: 21.4, When: No. "Outside of being a drop-off/lob option, he seems most successful in getting his offense in the pick and roll. Scouts will be evaluating Branham's ballhandling and passing to discern whether they think he can play more of an on-ball role in the future, as that would greatly boost his value given that he's most impactful defending 1s and 2s. Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? 14 Longwood | Thursday | 2:45 p.m. | CBS. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers via Rockets), Caleb Houstan | Freshman | Michigan | 6'8" | SF | Age: 19.1, Peyton Watson | Freshman | UCLA | 6'8" | SF/PF | Age: 19.5, Josh Minott | Freshman | Memphis | 6'8" | PF | Age: 19.2. Philippines International . Sotto managed to carve out a niche in the NBL, albeit in a limited role, because of his unusual blend of size and mobility. His father, Ervin Sotto, and his godfather, Ranidel de Ocampo, played pro basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association. Will it be the ultra-confident potential No. Of course. The race for No. But there is belief Sotto can build around those figures in order to raise his ceiling and find a place on offense in the modern NBA. "He has the type of movement that allows him to find himself an open lane for big-time dunks and create open shots for himself.". 14 Yale | Friday | 2:00 p.m. | TBS. With a body type that earns him comparisons ranging from Kevin Durant to Brandon Ingram to Kristaps Porzingis to Bol Bol, Holmgren has let his game do the talking, as he is in the midst of a record-breaking freshman season for Gonzaga. 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. 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. Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Grading Sotto: How the Philippines' prospect's offense stacks up in the 2022 NBA draft, Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream", Kai Sotto claims NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player award. And he has averaged as many turnovers as assists, making it difficult for him to emerge as a late-game, go-to option, which has hampered Auburn at times with its inconsistent guard play. Yet, Christie's shooting has been all over the place this season, as he's knocking down just 28.6% from beyond the arc over his past 10 games and has a tendency to play a sped-up style, running from open shots on occasion and not quite exuding the type of self-belief that would suggest he's ready to make an NBA jump. 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. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 4 Illinois vs. No. Still, there's a near consensus that he still has a lot of work to do before becoming a no-brainer pick for a spot on an NBA roster. "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.". If he can continue to improve his hands and strength offensively, whilst refining a basic but effective post game to penalize smaller lineups, then Sotto has a legitimate role offensively," Houben said. Williams came out of North Carolina with an elevated level of expectations, so much so that the Broncos moved up in the NFL draft to land him in the second round. His play can open up an opportunity for a two-way contract later down the road. He's an excellent finisher one of college basketball's most prolific dunkers, and a much-improved offensive player in general. 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. KAI Sotto 's name was noticeably absent from the early entry candidates list for the 2022 NBA Draft that the league released on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time). -- Schmitz, Kendall Brown | Freshman | Baylor | 6'8" | SF | Age: 18.8, What to watch for: The most explosive leaper in college, Brown is a highlight reel waiting to happen anytime he catches the ball with room to operate. 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. 1 Kansas vs. No. 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. Photo from Adelaide 36ers. While thin, he's also a competitive defender who rebounds, gets in passing lanes and plays with outstanding energy. 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. -- Givony, Kris Murray | Sophomore | Iowa | 6'8" | PF | Age: 21.5, Mike Miles | Sophomore | TCU | 6'1" | PG | Age: 19.5, When: No. Running off screens, pulling up in transition, making iso step-back jumpers and hitting impossible fadeaways out of the post -- seemingly no shot is too difficult for the 18-year-old thanks to his high release point and soft touch. Sotto's name was absent from the 2022 NBA draft early entrants list released on Tuesday, which featured 36 international players among a total of 283 candidates. With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? 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. Kai Sotto joins NBA Draft Sotto has yet to make it to the Top 60 of most mock drafts even after his solid showing for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League (NBL) in. Smith is also a highly versatile defender who plays with outstanding intensity, switching all over the floor with quick feet and impressive energy. As talented as he may be, the 7-foot-3 teen titan is well . Looking the part of an NBA wing physically with his long arms and solid frame, he brings great energy on the glass, gets in passing lanes frequently, fills lanes effectively in transition and is an efficient scorer who does a lot of little things to impact winning. A 2022 NBA mock draft big board just one day after the 2021 Draft? 1 Kansas vs. No. Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? His decision to make the NBA jump despite having two more years left on his Adelaide contract (with a team option on the final year) did not come as a surprise to the 36ers. Sotto was eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft because he is a 19-year-old talent one year removed from playing high school basketball. Brown could help himself significantly with strong showings against San Francisco and likely Kentucky in the opening weekend if the Racers advance, and will be studied closely by teams in the pre-draft process as he has a real NBA skill he can hang his hat on and might be able to carve out a roster spot, similar to Bryn Forbes or Garrison Mathews. 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. "A negative assist-to-turnover ratio indicates further experience is needed to make him an efficient player with ball in hand," Houben added. He also has gradually emerged as a more consistent force in Purdue's half-court offense, doing a better job of harnessing his explosiveness, picking his spots and making others better, even if his decision-making still leaves something to be desired at times. Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? PF - Duke - HT: 6-10 - WT: 250 - WING: 6-10 - Fr - Paolo is making a late move up the board and could go no.1 overall to the Magic. 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. As the NBA draft draws closer, some teams have shown an increasing interest in Sotto's potential. Sotto can still land a contract and play in the Summer League in July. His skill sets and physical advantages position him to play versatile lineups down the road. In general, catch-and-shoot shots (8.5 percent) and pick and pops (4.5 percent) comprised a small percentage of his shots, and Adelaide was below average in possessions that involved Sotto in those plays, per InStat. "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. As the NBA draft draws closer, some teams have shown an increasing interest in Sotto's potential. 1 overall in the 2022 NBA draft is far from solidified but it's going to be hard for teams to pass on Chet Holmgren. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Nuggets), Azuolas Tubelis | Sophomore | Arizona | 6'9" | PF/C | Age: 19.9, Kofi Cockburn | Junior | Illinois | 7'0" | C | Age: 22.5, When: No. Charlotte Hornets (Hawks if 19 to 30), E.J. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. "Continuing to find ways to maximize the value he gets out of his physical tools while he continues to work on improving the processing and shooting seems to be the current path for Kai," Smith offered. 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. While Roddy is competitive with excellent instincts, his lateral quickness and ultimate position defensively at the NBA level is something scouts will want to gather more information about in the NCAA tournament. Note: The projected 2022 draft order is based on the previous NBA mock draft from Feb. 23. Jaden Ivey | Sophomore | Purdue | 6'4" | PG/SG | Age: 20.0, When: No. My Mock Drafts; Create Your Own Mock Draft; Actual Drafts; Outstanding Trades; . The defensive end is where scouts will want to see Mathurin show better focus, especially off the ball, where he can at times be Arizona's weakest link. While there is some strong consensus among those taking a stab at predicting the 2022 . Keels' early-season ball pressure, along with his strong frame, earned him comparisons to a guard such as Luguentz Dort. What to watch for: Ivey is the most electric guard in college, possessing the type of extra gear-changing speeds in the open floor that few NBA players possess. "There's no doubt that Sotto is a skilled big man -- his touch, particularly on short floaters, stood out as a skill he can use to get points around the rim, and he had some fun moments as a lob threat as well. On the other hand, Michael Houben -- a scouting expert for the Australian independent basketball publication "The Pick and Roll" -- was not as optimistic and called his defense "a very clear limitation at this point in time for Sotto.". 329m goal: Felix the only men's contender for Chelsea's Goal of the Month, UFC 285's Shevchenko by the numbers: It all adds up to domination, A battle for 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. 5 amid Smith talks, O's, Pirates play ump-less bottom of ninth inning, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West. Offense has been a major struggle at times for Davison, who isn't a polished ball-handler or a consistent shooter.
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