NCAA Basketball: Top returning players to watch for 2022 NBA Draft

3. Jabari Walker – Colorado – Sophomore – 6’8, 200 lbs – July 2002

Walker is another player who had a limited role on a good team, but he excelled in that role. He was a very young college player, who seemingly adjusted as the season went along. Despite limited volume (1.7 attempts per game), Walker hit an astonishing 52% of his attempts from deep.

He’s a lanky forward, who had some impressive flashes of team defense and rebounding. He was one of four major conference college freshmen since 2016 to record a 2% block percentage, 2% steal percentage, shoot 40% from three on seven attempts per 100 possessions, and have 10 dunks.

Walker didn’t flash much self-creation, but like Mathurin, that’s probably not something he’ll be tasked to do at the next level. He too could improve shooting versatility, particularly off the dribble (he only attempted two last season), but he can shoot off the move.

Turning those team defense flashes into improved consistency on that end is the next step I’d like to see Walker take. His body needs work as well, but given his youth, and the fact that his father had good size, that seems attainable.

Walker likely won’t shoot 52% again, but if he can knock down shots at a 40% or better clip, it’s easy to see him being a first-round prospect. While the ancillary skills may never be great, there is a role in the NBA for large wing shooters who can defend (see Trey Murphy and Cam Johnson). Walker can perfectly fit that archetype.