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

7. Allen Flanigan – Auburn – Junior – 6’6, 215 lbs – April 2001

After a quiet freshman year, Flanigan took a huge statistical leap as a sophomore. He certainly passes the eye test, having good size and strength for a wing. Offensively, he has a unique scoring package and flashed some awesome moments of self-creation. He shot just 33.8% from deep, but half of his makes were unassisted. While he’s left-hand dominant, he’s still a capable good finisher, using his plus leaping ability.

Flannigan needs to improve as a decision-maker with the ball and getting others involved. Flanigan can create advantages with his paint pressure, he just needs to become a more willing passer and make better reads.

Flanigan should be better on defense with his frame, but he gets caught sleeping a bunch. He misses rotations that NBA-level defenders should make. He’ll need to improve his activity on that end.

The caveat with Flanigan is he suffered an Achilles injury and is out until at least January. If he does return, it’ll be crucial to see how his movement skills have altered. Assuming he plays at some point this season, Flanigan will be surrounded by an excellent team context with Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler in the front-court, and a lead playmaker in Wendell Green.