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NCAA Basketball: Predicting top performer from each top-25 2022 recruiting class

By Matt Melton

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 15: Brandon Miller #24 of Team Flight handles the ball during the men's Jordan Brand Classic against Team Air at Hope Academy on April 15, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 15: Brandon Miller #24 of Team Flight handles the ball during the men's Jordan Brand Classic against Team Air at Hope Academy on April 15, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Dereck Lively II NCAA Basketball Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

5. Cason Wallace – Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky is one of the toughest teams on this list to predict as both Wallace and fellow five-star Chris Livingston are projected to be day one starters for the Wildcats. Both should make a significant impact on both ends of the floor, but I’ll say that the Richardson High School (TX) product is the top producer of the two as the guard will likely rank among the Wildcats’ leaders in points, assists, and steals this season, with Livingston certainly not a wrong choice either.

4. Gradey Dick – Kansas Jayhawks

The defending national champion Kansas Jayhawks will have to replace a notable amount of production, with Dick as one of the names that could do just that on the wing. A five-star prospect out of Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas, Dick is one of the top perimeter shooters in the 2022 class, and should be an impact scorer for the Jayhawks from day one.

3. Brandon Miller – Alabama Crimson Tide

A five-star prospect out of Cane Ridge High School in Tennessee, Miller is one of the most talented wings to ever commit to the Crimson Tide. The likely favorite to lead Alabama in scoring this season, Miller should be a day one starter for the Crimson Tide, and is a legit preseason candidate to win the SEC Freshman of the Year.

2. Nick Smith – Arkansas Razorbacks

The highest-rated recruit to ever commit to Arkansas, Smith joins the Razorbacks from in-state North Little Rock High School where the five-star is arguably the top guard in the 2022 class. Smith could be one of NCAA Basketball’s top guards this season, and is set to shine in Fayetteville alongside fellow five-stars Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh in 2022-23.

1. Dereck Lively II – Duke Blue Devils

Next. Top returning college prospects for 2023 NBA Draft. dark

Arguably the hardest class to pick from is that of Duke, with five-stars Dariq Whitehead and Kyle Filipowski also set to make a significant impact for the Blue Devils. The choice here however goes to Lively, a 7-foot-1 center out of Westtown School in Pennsylvania, as the No. 1 overall player in the 2022 class should rank among the Blue Devils’ leaders in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots.

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