Possible second round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, 5-Star Corner: Patrick Baldwin Jr. Interview, A Closer Look At Bronny James as a NBA Draft Prospect, Talented Sons of Famous NBA Fathers Part 2, The 10 Top Freshmen In High School Basketball Class of 2026 Recruits, Re-Draft of the 2022 NBA Draft, Top 20 2 Months Into The Season, My Guys Prospects Im Irrationally High On In The 2023 Draft, 2023 NBA Draft Big Board Early Season Edition, Upperclassmen Moving Up The Draft Board The Desmond Bane Effect, The Elite 25 The Top NBA Prospects In High School Basketball Fall 2022, 2026 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings (2025 recruiting class), Victor Wembanyamas Physical Profile and NBA Comparisons. With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? 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. A 2022 NBA mock draft big board just one day after the 2021 Draft? Scouts will want to see Lewis make better decisions, play with more energy defensively and find more ways to impact the game when the tough jump shots he tends to live off of aren't falling. When Christie's jumper is falling, it's easy to see him getting looks in the late first-round, projecting somewhere between Landry Shamet and Primo on his best days. Hes been focused on basketball all is life and it shows in his skill level, passing and great understanding of the game. 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. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Kai Sotto will be hoping to make it in the big time after declaring for the NBA draft on Thursday.. 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. Offense has been a major struggle at times for Davison, who isn't a polished ball-handler or a consistent shooter. -- Schmitz, 10. "If Sotto can develop the things in his control, such as his strength, his awareness and his technique, he could grow into a strong rim protecting presence that could anchor an effective defense.". 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. -- Schmitz, JD Davison | Freshman | Alabama | 6'3" | PG | Age: 19.4, When: No. He left for the United States as a junior in high school to advance his basketball career. In the eyes of these experts, Sotto lags behind his fellow international draft prospects and might have to wait a bit before being able to get a shot at playing in the NBA. Can Liddell score efficiently against NBA-caliber rim protectors? NBA personnel have been keeping track of him so he will have his fair chance of being considered," said Theodore Chan, Adelaide's scouting director. The defensive end is where the junior will be studied most closely, as well as his ability to get to his spots off the dribble and get his shot off effectively despite his low, unorthodox release. There are only four sub-6-foot-1 guards who play at least 15 minutes per game in the NBA this season, meaning Chandler will have to be viewed as a special talent to warrant a high draft pick. What to watch for: Christie is a 6-foot-6 guard who has the type of footwork to develop into both an on-the-move shooter and sound defender as he continues to grow in the toughness, confidence and experience departments. Sotto was eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft because he is a 19-year-old talent one year removed from playing high school basketball. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 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. 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. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. Photo from Adelaide 36ers. 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). Editor's Picks. 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. It has . 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. 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. 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. You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. 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. Sotto was eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft because he is a 19-year-old talent one year removed from playing high school basketball. -- Givony, Wendell Moore Jr. | Junior | Duke | 6'6" | SF | Age: 20.4. Leading the Buckeyes deep into March will go a long way in proving to NBA scouts that they should value Liddell's on-court impact and toughness over his perceived "upside." The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? 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. Foul trouble and turnovers have been an issue at times this season, exposing his youth and lack of experience. "Kai is a positive influence who brings energy and effort to the team at practices and games everyday. He also has made strides as a ball handler and passer, while still only being 19 years old. At the end of the day, the NBL is a highly-regarded league that is able to help ease prospects into the professionalism of next-level basketball. Today, we're focusing on the rest of his game: His defense, his intangibles on and off the floor, and his potential future paths. 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. "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.". With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? 9 Memphis | Thursday | 1:45 p.m. | TNT. 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 . Sotto also made junior national team and senior national team appearances for the Philippines. Kai Sotto . Understandably, NBL21 has been a year dominated by talks of Adelaide 36ers star Josh Giddey as an NBA draft prospect. 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. Caine Purnell, who works for scouting agency ID Prospects, says strength is still a valid concern heading into the draft. Over time I think he continues to get stronger, and his muscle growth has been very promising, but he isn't strong enough just yet.". Scouting Report: Kai Sotto | The Jump (2:08), Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream". 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. Sotto drew nothing but compliments about his work ethic and demeanor during his year in the NBL, where experts and colleagues took note of his energy and poise throughout the season. He's coachable and receptive to feedback from coaches and teammates," Chan said. Portland Trail Blazers (from Pelicans), Bennedict Mathurin | Sophomore | Arizona | 6'6" | SF | Age: 19.7, When: No. "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.". 11 - Kai Sotto. Jay Bilas picks every single game in the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages. He is a natural with the ball in his hands, changing speeds and directions at will to either generate offense for himself or his teammates. How will Holmgren's frame fare against more physical tournament opponents, particularly Memphis big man and projected top-10 pick Jalen Duren, as Duren, with his Dwight Howard-like physical profile, is the exact type of player that Holmgren's biggest naysayers worry he'll struggle against in the NBA. What to watch for: One of the most improved players in college, Liddell has turned himself into a first-round pick by modernizing his game on both ends of the floor as a powerful 4/5. 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? 1 overall seed Gonzaga to its first NCAA men's basketball title. Sochan's upside and draft stock will ultimately be decided by the type of shooter NBA teams think he can become, as he has converted just 29.2% of his 3s and 57.5% of his free throws. -- 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. If Sotto goes undrafted in June, a couple of alternative routes await. He has two siblings. "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. He's been somewhat streaky at times from beyond the arc, but has found more success as of late after hitting a midseason slump, while consistently doing all the little things his team needs to win games. 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