NCAA prospects who could turn into NBA All-Stars

The most talented hoops prospects soon to turn pro

PublishedMarch 15, 2022

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As March Madness kicks off in a few days, the next class of NBA regulars will play in their final college games before transitioning into pre-draft prep, doing everything they can to hear their name called higher on June 23. Most of the top prospects for this summer’s draft will display their talents in the NCAA Tournament.

Last year, it was Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, Scottie Barnes and Davion Mitchell showing out before going to the NBA. Who are the next possible league All-Stars? We’ll look at the possible lottery picks that will take the hardwood this week in the Tournament.

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Jabari Smith, Auburn

Playing for the Southeastern Conference’s regular-season champions, Smith is one of the top prospects heading into the draft. At 6-foot-10, the power forward has an elite ability to shoot the ball and play any of the five positions on the court. He’s a bit undersized at 220 pounds to be a true NBA post player. With bulking up, he can take on those responsibilities as well.

Smith came to Auburn as the No. 4 prospect in the nation for the Class of 2021, according to Rivals. In the regular season for the Tigers, Smith had a 17.1-point scoring average, hauled in 6.9 rebounds per game and nearly two assists per game. Because of his size and potential, most predictions have Smith not falling out of the top-three picks.

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Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga

The 7-foot center has been pegged into the No.1 overall discussion for the 2022 draft since he was a high-school superstar for Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis and the consensus No. 1 overall prep player in the Class of 2021. Playing for mid-major powerhouse Gonzaga, Holmgren has been an integral part of the Bulldogs’ run to a West Coast Conference regular-season championship and conference tournament title.

Holmgren averages a near double-double as part of Gonzaga’s frontcourt with Drew Timme, scoring 14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. With a 61% field-goal clip, including 41.2% from 3-point range, Holmgren has drawn early comparisons to Kevin Durant, who averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in his one season at Texas.

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Jaden Ivey, Purdue

As part of the Boilermakers’ resurgence to college basketball’s elite, Ivey has been the engine to their offense. In his second season in West Lafayette, the 6-foot-4 Ivey has increased his productivity across the board from a year ago. In more than six minutes more per contest, Ivey has a 6% higher field-goal percentage, up to 45.9% this year. His scoring average rose from 11.1 points per game to 17.2 in 2021-22.

Ivey’s two-way game should translate well to either guard position in the NBA, as he’s expected to be off the board within the top-five selections. He’s also limited mistakes this year, being called for 1.8 fouls per game and committing 2.5 turnovers per game, a low number for how involved Ivey is in Purdue’s offense.

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Shaedon Sharpe, Kentucky

Sharpe is the biggest wildcard of the 2022 draft, as he’s never played in a college game, and won’t, if he suits up for John Calipari at all, until next season. He’s a mid-year enrollee at Kentucky and is practicing with the Wildcats. Considering his draft status, it’s likely he leaves Lexington at season’s end. But his draft eligibility with playing in college or a comparable professional landscape, like the G-League, makes his professional status murky.

The 6-foot-5 shooting guard was the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2021 class according to the 247Sports Composite. Should he return to Kentucky, he’d likely be the consensus No. 1 pick for the 2023 NBA draft, especially in a system like the Wildcats, who have alumni across the NBA. He’ll likely be NBA bound after his case for draft eligibility is heard.

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Paolo Banchero, Duke

The centerpiece of Mike Krzyzewski’s final Blue Devils’ team should be off the board by the time pick No. 10 comes around in June. Banchero doesn’t quite dazzle like others do on this countdown because of his overall game. As a scorer, he more than makes up for it and will be helpful offensively to some team in the NBA next season.

So far this season for Duke, Banchero averages 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He’s a decent 3-point shooter at 32.4%, with that number likely slipping at the next level. He won’t be a big fish in a smaller pond in the NBA, but learning from a blue-blood program like Duke should serve him well moving forward.

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A.J. Griffin, Duke

The New York City-area native has overcome injuries as an elite prospect to show out as a freshman for the Blue Devils. Heading into the ACC Tournament semifinals, Griffin’s minutes per game aren’t as high as others on this list, only playing in 22 minutes per game. His contributions on a deep Duke team have made a difference, averaging 10.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

Griffin translates to a shooting guard or small forward in the NBA at 6-foot-6. Maybe most impressive about Griffin is his ability as a shooter, with a 50.6% clip from the field and a 47.9% mark from 3-point range. His play has steadily increased throughout the year. His best performance this season as a 27-point outburst in Duke’s road victory over North Carolina in February.

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Keegan Murray, Iowa

There isn’t a player that’s a possible lottery pick who has improved more over the last year than Murray. As a freshman for the Hawkeyes, he played 18 minutes per game, averaging 7.2 points. Heading into Iowa’s Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal, that scoring average has more than tripled to 23.4 points per contest, fourth in Division I.

At 6-foot-8, playing a versatile role in the NBA would be valuable, along with his two-way ability. Murray’s scoring total isn’t from solely being a bulk shooter either, with a 55.9 percent field-goal percentage. He’s also a consistent rebounder, averaging 8.6 boards per game. If Iowa makes a deep NCAA Tournament run, Murray will be a big reason why.

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Johnny Davis, Wisconsin

Another underclassman who has stepped up during his sophomore year. Davis has been an important player in Wisconsin’s run to a No. 3 seed. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 20 points per game in 2021-22, up from seven as a freshman, heading into the Badgers Big Ten quarterfinal against Michigan State.

A minor concern for Davis despite his second-year collegiate rise is his dip in 3-point percentage down from 38.9% to 33.3% this season, while his overall field-goal percentage has only risen by less than one percent, making his NBA journey a little questionable as a future superstar. Yet, all the pieces are there.

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TyTy Washington, Kentucky

The 6-foot-3 true point guard was limited by a leg injury for part of this season but is one of the most talented true point guards believed to be heading to the NBA. The No. 4-ranked point guard in the Class of 2021 according to 247Sports has combined speed and strength to help be the ignition to help the Wildcats earn a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.

His freshman-year stats aren’t as impressive as others on this list, averaging only 28.7 minutes per game for the Wildcats heading into the SEC quarterfinals. Add in 12.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game on a deep Kentucky team, with a heavy reliance on Naismith Award contender Oscar Tshiebwe, and a better picture of his NBA production comes into focus.

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Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona

The Wildcats’ 6-foot-6 guard has had an under-the-radar season that’s been stellar. The Montreal native is another Canadian hoping his detour through high-level college basketball can lead to NBA success, such as Andrew Wiggins. Unlike many of the others on this list, Mathurin was not a highly touted prep prospect, being ranked No. 129 in the nation during the 2020 recruiting period by 247Sports.

Mathurin’s sophomore season for Arizona has put him on the map as a first-rounder with legitimate lottery potential. Going into the Wildcats’ Pac-12 Tournament semifinal, Mathurin averaged 17.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He’s got NBA backcourt size and could even shift to a small forward with a smaller lineup at the next level.

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Jalen Duren, Memphis

The likely No. 2 center on everyone’s draft boards after Holmgren. The 6-foot-11 post was named the American Athletic Conference’s Freshman of the Year for Penny Hardaway’s NCAA Tournament-bound squad. Ranked behind Holmgren as the top center in the country as part of the 2021 by 247Sports, he’s listed at 6-foot-11 and 230 pounds, meaning he could be a true center in the NBA, as opposed to a needed switch to power forward.

During the regular season, Duren averaged 11.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, shooting 62.2% from the field. The Tiger is also 18 months younger than Holmgren and possesses a more focused skill set over the Gonzaga star. That will make him shoot up draft boards in June.

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Malaki Branham, Ohio State

The Ohio native has shown out for his hometown university during his freshman season. He went to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, famous for producing a basketball player named LeBron James. While Branham doesn’t have close to those legendary expectations, making a jump to the NBA, especially with his lottery-pick potential, makes a lot of sense.

This season for the Buckeyes, the 6-foot-5 Branham averaged 13.3 points per game, shooting 49.2 % from the field, including 42.5% from 3-point range. Due to his overall play with Ohio State this season, Branham has overcome a second-round draft grade before the season started to possibly be picked among the first 14 in June.

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Kendall Brown, Baylor

Not part of last season’s national championship team, Brown was a top-15 prospect in the Class of 2021 according to 247Sports and has immediately stepped into a leadership role for the Bears this year. Baylor will receive a high NCAA Tournament seed despite losing to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals, with Brown having a big role in Baylor’s search for a second-straight title.

Heading into the Tournament, Brown has an impressive 59.5% field-goal mark, alongside 10 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Baylor’s rotation is deep, spreading playing time between more players than usual for an NCAA Tournament team. Brown also scored in double figures in 11 of Baylor’s first 12 games of the season, but has only scored more than 11 points in a game four times since.

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Tari Eason, LSU

The lowest-rated prep prospect on this list filled with young NBA Draft prospects is Eason, ranked No. 138 in the country before committing to Cincinnati as part of the 2020 class. He landed at LSU for his sophomore year via the transfer portal and the switch has elevated his career.

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 17 points per game heading into the Tigers SEC quarterfinal against Arkansas. Eason also hauled in 6.9 rebounds and two steals per game. He’s only started four games for LSU this season, but is one of the team’s most important players despite coming off the bench.

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Kennedy Chandler, Tennessee

In a draft class full of taller players, Chandler stands out at only 6-foot. The point guard was the No. 9 national prospect in the 2021 class per 247Sports and has helped lead the Volunteers to one of the SEC’s best ahead of the NCAA Tournament. From the start of February to the end of the regular season, Chandler only failed to score in double figures in one game.

Chandler averaged 13.7 points, 4.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals during the regular season as one of the focal points of Rick Barnes’ offense. While Chandler isn’t a guaranteed lottery pick, because of the limited number of high-end true point guards entering the 2022 draft, the Memphis native could have his stock skyrocket over the next few months.

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