NCAA Basketball: Top 15 pending decisions for 2022 NBA Draft

3. C Drew Timme – Gonzaga Bulldogs

2021-22 stats: 18.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.8 apg

Gonzaga had potentially the future No. 1 pick in the frontcourt in Chet Holmgren, the 7’1 “unicorn”. But speaking just on NCAA Basketball, Timme is the better player and the stats proved it. It was another All-American campaign for the junior big, scoring in double figures in 29 of 32 games total and had scored 20+ points in eight of the past nine games in the NCAA Tournament.

Despite being a big man that doesn’t have a real three-point shot, Timme is capable of going for 30+ points against any team, regardless of how talented the opposing frontcourt is. He’s arguably the best low-post scorer in the sport and it’ll be virtually impossible to replace him.

For Gonzaga, they’ve been reportedly in the transfer portal looking for his potential replacement if Timme stays in the NBA Draft. The only other center on the roster is Kaden Perry, who missed most of his freshman season with a back injury and recently got surgery, so he may not be 100% healthy by the time next season starts.

If Timme comes back, Gonzaga will be a preseason top-10 and once again a Final Four and national title contender. But if he’s gone, they might take a step back, especially depending on what Rasir Bolton and Julian Strawther do with the draft as well. And with the top center transfers likely to decide on their respective futures by the time Timme does, the Bulldogs will struggle to look for a Plan B.