NBA Draft 2022: Final Big Board of top 60 overall prospects

41. Andrew Nembhard – Gonzaga – Guard – 6’4.5, 195 lbs – January 2000 – Senior

Despite being the catalyst of one of the best teams in the country and arguably the best point guard in the sport, Nembhard flew under the radar as a prospect. He’s a rock-solid game manager who consistently makes the right and has a terrific pace and control on offense. In Gonzaga’s pick-and-roll, roll-and-replace, heavy offense, Nembhard was a maestro dissecting defenses. He’s not gifted physically or athletically (although is tall for a lead guard), but Nembhard is very good at winning on the margins.

The shooting will have to be somewhat a threat to defenses, to make the idea of him as a backup point guard work, but Nembhard showed improvement in year four. Defenses will likely sag a bit on him to start his career, daring him to shoot, so he’ll have to earn their respect. The Tyus Jones comparison has gotten thrown out a bunch and I think their career arches and roles could be similar, Nembhard isn’t that level of a defender. He’s not overly long or quick so applying pressure on the ball and using his awareness will be key. Not a ton of upside here, but second unit point guard is very in play.

42. Kennedy Chandler – Tennessee – Guard – 6’0, 172 lbs – September 2002 – Freshman

For his physical shortcomings, Chandler had a productive year in a tough and strong SEC this past season. Outside of Jaden Ivey, Chandler might be the quickest player with the ball in his hands going downhill. He doesn’t have an elite handle, but his speed makes it hard to stay in front of him. But even when he creates those advantages, his lack of size makes it easier for defenses to recover, especially at the rim. The passing windows available at his size too are extremely mitigated.

Defensively, Chandler worked hard and has elite hand speed, and does a good job understanding angles. He’s not Jose Alvarado, but he does very well with the tools he’s given. But again, being that size will still make defense an uphill battle in the NBA.

It’s incredibly hard for small guards to make it in the NBA. I thought Sharife Cooper was a much better prospect in last year’s class, and he had a hard time finding minutes as a rookie. Chandler was a good shooter from what I saw of him in high school but was inconsistent at Tennessee and his sub 65% free throw percentage concerns me. Chandler will have to shoot it and continue to grind as a defender to make it in the NBA.

43. Walker Kessler – Auburn – Center – 7’1, 256 lbs – July 2001 – Sophomore

Kessler had an absurd season as a rim protector. His block rate of 18.8 is the highest of all time on Bart Torvik (tied with Larry Sanders…shout out to Larry Sanders). He’s got an incredible understanding of when a shot is going up and can reject shots with either hand. He’s just decent at guarding in space. I don’t think he moves great in-person, but again he’s pretty smart and has a general understanding of where to be. Teams that favor drop coverage should prefer him.

The reason I’m so low on him is I have no idea what I am getting on offense. Kessler has a 7’4 wingspan, but his slow load time to jump, average at best hands, and aversion to contact on offense hurt his projection as a lob-threat. He likely won’t be a post-up threat and I don’t love his court processing and passing on offense. There’s some low-hanging fruit with him as a shooter because he took 50 last season, But he only made 10, shot sub 60% from the free throw line, and has a sling-shot-like release that needs a lot of time to get off. I just don’t buy the shooting projection at all.

The defense and rim-protection are legitimate NBA skills that can certainly be utilized, and as long as he’s not a complete zero on offense (again I’m worried he might be) then there’s probably a bench piece in there somewhere. But a bench piece at the position I value the least isn’t super-enticing.

44. Dominick Barlow – Overtime Elite – Forward – 6’9.75, 221 lbs – January 2004

My first few times watching OTE, I was surprised Barlow wasn’t the consensus best prospect out of that group. He wasn’t dominating or anything, but he’s a big-bodied, young prospect, who moves well for his position and has some shooting potential.

Barlow seemed a little out of place at the combine, which is natural given the bump in the level of play, but at least looked like he belonged from a physicality/tools standpoint. At just under 6’10 with a 7’3 wingspan, there’s a ton of room for Barlow to grow as a defender. Could he ultimately be a small-ball five?

He’s a longer-term investment for sure but has long-term starter potential if the shooting, decision-making, and defense come full circle. That’s asking a lot and he may just be a bench piece, but it’s a gamble I’m comfortable taking in this range.