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

9. Jalen Williams – Santa Clara Broncos

6-4 209 lbs. 7-2 WS

33 GP 18 ppg 4.4 rpg 4.2 apg 51.3 FG% 39.6 3P% 80.9 FT%

Shades of: James Harden

No, this is not recency bias. Check the receipts. I was preaching to the world Jalen Williams is really good, please pay attention. This is all the way back in December of 2021 when Santa Clara was still flying under the radar. Williams at that time impressed me with his mobility around the court shifting the different speeds to get the looks he wanted. He’s so high on these rankings due to the playoffs being a different animal in the way perimeter players are able to maneuver. Let’s talk about it.

Playoff basketball becomes physical to a point where athleticism can only be used in certain spurts. It becomes a chess game, the smart succeed and survive. Williams has captained the ship at Santa Clara this past season showcasing his ability to play different positions on and off the ball. In doing so he’s uplifted not only his teammates (4.2 apg) but also elevated his own game (11.5 ppg to 18 ppg). Williams is the master of manipulation. Defenders become bamboozled once they understand that Williams and his ambidextrous capabilities result in smooth shot creation or an open look for a teammate. Williams picks apart defenses.

Speaking of shot creation Williams isn’t the most fluid compared to some other wings in the draft. He will still break down the opposition incorporating hesitations into his dribble packages. He uses quick in-between dribbles to feel out his next move. There will be times he shields off defenders from the ball by using his size giving him extra time to survey the floor. Williams does a good job of changing his pace of play to keep the defender guessing.

While creating for himself he has also learned the nuances of angles. Generating looks for others has become easier. Picking out the right angle to properly place a pass. Williams displays nice touch out of the pick-and-roll but also in live dribble situations. He can get out of a sticky situation with advanced reads and patience. During crunch time situations coaches can trust Williams due to him simply having the track record of having the clutch gene. He has a demeanor of showing out and about versus the best competition. Sometimes it’s bigger than just playing basketball, how is this prospect mentally?

Williams is a mature player, beyond his years. I will credit where credit is due. He’s impressed me to the point he’s arrived this high on my big board. A player comfortable in any situation or context that he can thrive.

In an era of big playmakers, Williams should be considered amongst the best of the best. Factoring in his condor-esque wingspan he could eventually become a plus defender. He is smart enough to be an instinctive defender. Even if he’s not super impactful on the defensive end his offensive ceiling is sky-high.