2022 NBA Draft: Who are the 10 best prospects in this draft class?

10. Jalen Duren – Memphis Tigers

6-11 250 7-5 WS

29 GP 12 ppg 8.1 rpg 2.1 bpg 59.7 FG%

Shades of: Dwight Howard

One of the youngest players in the entire draft class yet so physically mature. A chiseled and buff frame with an extensive reach, Duren looks like he’s been in an NBA weight room already. Coming into Memphis as a highly touted recruit, Duren had a lot of expectations to perform like a superstar center. Coming fresh off a Nike EYBL Peach Jam Final win with Team Final and a GEICO Nationals Championship with Montverde Academy added fuel to the expectations fire.

Duren had a pretty quiet freshman season due to a boatload of [valid] reasons. He’s flying under the radar even in this draft process. Due to poor offensive schemes and playing time misuse Duren wasn’t managed properly in his lone season at Memphis. The defensive prowess is enough to rate him this high in the draft.

I know next level his role offensively will be to pick-and-roll, become a viable lob threat, crash the offensive boards for putbacks and occasionally post up. Duren has been succeeding on every level due to him staying true to himself. There aren’t any perimeter skills nor does he try to show it. Duren has shown touch away from the basket shooting 47 attempts in the midrange area. His jumper doesn’t carry a hitch or anything detrimental going forward. He goes up with an almost over the headshot. With more reps, he can be a threat away from the basket.

A really impressive tool he added to his game over the course of the season was his passing capabilities. Being able to locate an open cutter or a glimpse of space to fit in a pass. I think Duren can co-exist with another big in high-low action. Once he expands his own perimeter game it will make the floor open up for him. In a more spaced-out floor we can see the true nature of his processing and decision-making capabilities.

Duren was a force down low converting 70 dunks and 73% around the rim. Soft hands combined with the ability to snag any and everything out of the air. Duren needs to improve his touch but so far he’s shown

We’ve seen in this playoffs teams having or needing mobile centers to defend the paint territory. Duren is decent on the perimeter. His true positives on the defensive end are where he is protecting the rim. Coming over or behind to ferociously block shots. He spikes the ball like it’s a volleyball. Great timing and location abilities to notice where and when the ball is going to a specific area. Such great vertical pop around the rim, Duren is an explosive leaper.

Duren is a god-gifted athlete with an upside in every area. Since he’s fairly young and doesn’t carry injury risks he would be a great addition in the lottery. He’s much more than a rim-running big.