Strength: Rotational bigs
Teams looking to add big man depth to their roster will enjoy this draft class. There’s a handful of bigs that can carve out a role as a rim-running, rim-protecting fives.
Memphis’ Jalen Duren is, in my eyes, the best prospect that fits this mold. The 18-year-old had a productive season in a weird context at Memphis. He’s a bit undersized for a five, and the shooting and passing were a bit behind what I was hoping for. But he has a lot of room to grow and at least has the floor of an athletic lob threat.
Speaking of athletic lob threats (led the country in dunks), Duke’s Mark Williams did a phenomenal job anchoring Duke’s defense this season. Seeing him in person, he’s a legit seven-footer with plus leaping ability. The shooting and playmaking ability isn’t really there but we have seen plenty of players in Williams’ mold succeed and he’s a safe bet to stick in the NBA.
Great debut for Jalen Duren. 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks for the 6'11, 18 year old. Looked like a man amongst boys against inferior competition.
— Brandon Simberg (@BrandonSimberg) November 11, 2021
The Tigers were willing to switch him on the perimeter and he did a good job staying in front of guards. pic.twitter.com/KVE9MU75j1
He’s a similar prospect to Arizona’s Christian Koloko, who has gotten a lot better since the beginning of his three-year college career. Koloko is in the same mold as lob threat, rim-protector (5th in dunks, 12 in blocks), but has shown some flashes of good decision-making as well as being a 73% free throw shooter. Paris Basketball’s Ismael Kamagate is also in that mold of athletic, rim-running five and could go anywhere from late first round to mid-second.
Thought Christian Koloko's growth as a short-roll passer was excellent this season. First clip, he sees the tag coming from the weak side and hits the skip (need better placement).
— Brandon Simberg (@BrandonSimberg) April 21, 2022
Think he'll provide value where he's picked, continue to improve and stick as a rotational big. pic.twitter.com/79PN1sCsLz
Auburn’s Walker Kessler might be a better shot-blocker than any of the guys listed, leading the country with an 18.8 block rate this season. He isn’t a springy finisher like Williams, Duren, and Kamagate, but there’s some optimism he can develop a three-point shot.
Going deeper down boards, both Purdue’s Trevion Williams is a tad undersized but are two of the best passing bigs in the draft and could make a rotation on their offensive skill set alone. Neither projects to shoot well and both will struggle to protect the rim, but we’ve seen smaller-ish fives with ball skills succeed. Fresno State’s Orlando Robinson has an interesting mix of passing and shooting potential. He needs to improve defensively guarding on the perimeter and protecting the rim, but he’s also an interesting long-term bet.