NCAA Basketball: Top 15 pending decisions for 2022 NBA Draft

Mar 24, 2022; San Francisco, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) hugs Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jaylin Williams (10) after the game in the semifinals of the West regional of the men's college basketball NCAA Tournament at Chase Center. The Arkansas Razorbacks won 74-68. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

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NBA Draft NCAA Basketball North Carolina Tar Heels guard Caleb Love Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

5. G Caleb Love – North Carolina Tar Heels

2021-22 stats: 15.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.6 apg

The sophomore guard took a much big leap this past season as an overall offensive player, taking his scoring up five points while also taking the shooting numbers from 32-37% and more importantly, 27-36% from three-point range. And considering how tough of shots Love likes to take in the Tar Heels offense, those numbers are actually better than they look.

Love had 13 games of at least 20 points this past season, including his two best games from the NCAA Tournament, including 30 points against UCLA and 28 versus Duke in the ultimate rivalry win that sent Coach K into retirement. The high-level shot-making skills and Love’s much improved three-point shooting put him onto the NBA Draft radar.

That being said, Love still has his flaws that would make it not a guarantee that he gets drafted. And after making it to the national championship game, is there anything else to prove? Teammate and star forward Armando Bacot has already declared his intentions to return, as well as All-Defensive wing Leaky Black.

Attention now turns to guards Love and RJ Davis. As long as one of them is back, UNC will have a capable ball-handler to run the offense. But Love has turned into the leader and his ability to score in bunches won’t be easily replaced. If he comes back to join Bacot, the Tar Heels will have a great chance to make it back to the Final Four.

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