Sotto, a former four-star prospect from the Philippines, averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds on 50% shooting from the field in 23 . His skill sets and physical advantages position him to play versatile lineups down the road. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Cavaliers via Wizards), Andre Jackson | Sophomore | Connecticut | 6'6" | SG/SF | Age: 20.3, When: No. "I think mock draft boards are great for the general public's . Liddell | Junior | Ohio St. | 6'7" | PF | Age: 21.2, When: No. A 2022 NBA mock draft big board just one day after the 2021 Draft? What to watch for: Eason wasn't particularly well-known upon transferring from Cincinnati to LSU, but he made the transition to the most talented conference in college basketball look easy in emerging as a first-team All-SEC player, scoring in bunches and filling up the box score despite coming off the bench. - The Philippines' best prospect Kai Sotto may not be a popular name in major mock drafts, but he is a legitimate NBA talent in the eyes of many teams. Kessler has had some issues dealing with physicality at times this season and has some limitations offensively for what NBA teams expect from a modern big man in terms of a shooting range that suppresses his upside to a degree -- all while, simultaneously, questions persist about the value of drafting centers in the first round.-- Givony, JD Davison goes behind his back for the absolute dime, Kennedy Chandler | Freshman | Tennessee | 6'1" | PG | Age: 19.4, When: No. -- Givony. Few others like Makur Maker, Kai Sotto, Zaire Wade, Henri Drell and Samson Ruzhentsev are also there. What to watch for: Christie is a 6-foot-6 guard who has the type of footwork to develop into both an on-the-move shooter and sound defender as he continues to grow in the toughness, confidence and experience departments. How scouts feel about his confidence and aggression will go a long way in determining whether NBA teams view him as the next productive college upperclassmen turned draft-day steal la Herb Jones and Ayo Dosunmu. But in terms of his age, positional length (6-foot-11 wingspan), shooting and productivity, Branham checks a lot of the boxes teams look for in a young guard prospect. Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? Sotto, the 7-foot-3 wunderkind, made it at No. Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Grading Sotto: How the Philippines' prospect's offense stacks up in the 2022 NBA draft, Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream", Kai Sotto claims NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player award. 12 Richmond | Thursday | 3:10 p.m. | truTV. What version of Banchero will show up? Jun 6, 2022. 05/11/02 (20.8 yrs) Hometown. The highest-ranked prospect, 6-foot-10 French center Ousmane Dieng who is projected by ESPN to be selected 11th overall in the next NBA Draft, is norming just 4.83 points and 2.33 rebounds for the . Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren elevates and jams it home vs. San Francisco. He has taken some lumps in the Big Ten, struggling at times to create efficient offense and making some scouts ponder just how heavy of an offensive role he can shoulder at the NBA level, something that will surely be scrutinized in the NCAA tournament. He made 39% of his 3-pointers this season, being especially effective with his feet set due to the low release on his jumper, but is also capable of scoring in the post, attacking closeouts and coming off screens, showing excellent scoring instincts as well as no fear with his approach. He was part of the initial 33-man list of such prospects, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony: This "also-eligible" list (33 players) includes: Dominick Barlow, Marjon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Michael Foster, Jaden Hardy, Jean Montero, Kok Yat and Fanbo Zeng. 1on1 Interview with Paolo. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? "With Kai's progression throughout the season, it was within expectation Kai would declare for the 2022 Draft. In general, catch-and-shoot shots (8.5 percent) and pick and pops (4.5 percent) comprised a small percentage of his shots, and Adelaide was below average in possessions that involved Sotto in those plays, per InStat. Proving that he values every defensive possession will be key for Wesley in NCAA tournament play, also. Hes been focused on basketball all is life and it shows in his skill level, passing and great understanding of the game. His 7-foot-4 wingspan, outstanding mobility and quickness getting off his feet make him a force both around the rim as well as covering ground on the perimeter, where he's often asked to guard smaller players in Arizona's jumbo lineups. While he's comfortable operating with his back to the basket, he's also a creative ball-handler and outstanding passer who is converting 45% of his 3-pointers on the season, making him a huge mismatch that has lit up mid-major and high-major teams alike. What to watch for: Sochan is the prototypical "initiator" modern big who can defend 4s and 5s while bringing the ball up the floor in transition and creating for himself and others in the half court, looking like Baylor's version of Boris Diaw when he's at his best. If he can continue to improve his hands and strength offensively, whilst refining a basic but effective post game to penalize smaller lineups, then Sotto has a legitimate role offensively," Houben said. He is the best shot-blocker in college, with intriguing versatility and mobility guarding the pick-and-roll, stepping out the perimeter and recovering to make plays at the rim. 2 seed in the Midwest. Still, there's a near consensus that he still has a lot of work to do before becoming a no-brainer pick for a spot on an NBA roster. Breaking down the top prospects for the 2022 NBA Draft | NBA Today 229,202 views Feb 3, 2022 2K Dislike Share Save ESPN 8.61M subscribers Mike Schmitz joins NBA Today to discuss the. And the way his intensity has ramped up substantially while the game has simultaneously slowed down for him is extremely intriguing for a player who won't turn 19 until November. Sotto never ended up playing for the Ignite, as he opted to play for the Philippine national team at the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. -- Schmitz, Blake Wesley | Freshman | Notre Dame | 6'5" | SG | Age: 18.9, When: No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. Standing 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and an NBA-level bounce, Agbaji is one of nine players in the NCAA shooting over 40% from 3 on at least 6.5 attempts per game, and he's doing so while adding value defensively and ranking in the top 25 in scoring. He appeared in 23 games during the 2021-22 season, where he averaged 7.6 points and 4.5 rebounds in 15.2 minutes. Perhaps most intriguing are the competitiveness, technique and instincts defensively Harper shows, in addition to his extremely long arms, which gives some hope about his ability to guard wing players in the NBA like his height suggests he'll need to. He also has made strides as a ball handler and passer, while still only being 19 years old. NBA teams will be intrigued by his physical profile, age and long-term upside, but avoiding some of the lapses defensively that have plagued him at times and finishing the season on a good note will certainly help his cause.-- Givony, 16. Chet Holmgren will be trying to lead No. We'll learn more about Christie's ability to take and make big shots in clutch moments during Michigan State's NCAA tournament run, which will either put scouts at ease about the 19-year-old's underwhelming freshman campaign or suggest that he clearly needs more seasoning at the collegiate ranks before making the pro leap. Las Pias, Philippines . 5 amid Smith talks, O's, Pirates play ump-less bottom of ninth inning, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West. Brown's productivity has really fluctuated against better competition, which makes sense considering his limitations in the skill department. At the end of the day, the NBL is a highly-regarded league that is able to help ease prospects into the professionalism of next-level basketball. After not appearing in any major mock drafts for the past few months -- including ESPN's big board, which lists the 7-foot-3 center as the 11th-best prospect at center -- the Filipino talent cracked Sports Illustrated's post-combine top 60 released on May 24 and is reportedly in line for a workout with NBA teams. 2 Auburn vs. No. "I imagine Sotto goes undrafted, but even if he [isn't] picked up, he still has two years on his contract with the Adelaide 36ers, and the NBL is an excellent environment for giving Kai the resources and opportunity to further develop and work towards bigger opportunities.". What to watch for: Williams is one of the best passing bigs in the country and a true hub that you can run the offense through from both the post and the perimeter, at least in college. At 6-foot-6, he sees quite a few minutes at center, which he can thrive at thanks to his 260-pound frame. His father, Ervin Sotto, and his godfather, Ranidel de Ocampo, played pro basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association. Few others like Makur Maker, Kai Sotto, Zaire Wade, Henri Drell and Samson Ruzhentsev are also there. There's been plenty . A capable pull-up shooter (37% from 3), Chandler is a nightmare for opposing defenses to keep in front, and he has the vision to spray the ball out to shooters or drop it off to bigs once he gets a piece of the paint. His play can open up an opportunity for a two-way contract later down the road. Sotto's name was absent from the 2022 NBA draft early entrants list released on Tuesday, which featured 36 international players among a total of 283 candidates. Sotto can still land a contract and play in the Summer League in July. Sotto averaged 11.6 points on 52.6 percent shooting along with 4.2 boards and 1.2 swats while breaching double-digit scoring in three of those contests. 15 Saint Peter's | Thursday | 7:10 p.m. | CBS. Gilas Pilipinas fall short against Jordan on road to FIBA World Cup, PBA Governors' Cup Import Rankings: Kevin Murphy powers NorthPort's surge. "If Sotto can develop the things in his control, such as his strength, his awareness and his technique, he could grow into a strong rim protecting presence that could anchor an effective defense.". Scouts will want to see if he can turn that talent into consistent and efficient production - on both ends -- in do-or-die games that matter before anointing him a surefire first-round pick. In the first of our two-part series on 2022 NBA Draft hopeful Kai Sotto, ESPN talked to scouts and experts who cover Australia's . If nothing materializes there, an NBL return is always on the table, as he still has two more years (with the second a team option) on the original three-year deal he signed with Adelaide. The league loves him, the fans love him, and he will undoubtedly grow into one of the league's best big men if he continues to play in Australia," said Houben. Duren has emerged as a major force inside the paint on both ends of the floor -- be it crashing the glass, protecting the rim or finishing ferociously and with incredible ease around the basket -- giving him a ready-made role to step into early in his NBA career. Filipino big man Kai Sotto needs to ramp up his on-court work as he still ranks low in several NBA mock drafts. His play can open up an opportunity for a two-way contract later down the road. He was part of the initial 33-man list of such prospects, per . He went to the Miami School in Hamilton, Ohio. With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? He is a lights-out shooter with NBA range who doesn't need much time to get his shot off, even sprinting around screens like a wing. -- Schmitz, Tari Eason | Sophomore | LSU | 6'8" | PF | Age: 20.8, When: No. International Stock Watch - 05/27/2022; 2022 NBA G . Editor's Picks. "I have declared for the 2022 NBA Draft," wrote Sotto. What to watch for: Smith has emerged as one of the most dynamic shooters in college, converting 43% of his 3-pointers despite standing 6-foot-10. Scouts still have questions about Liddell's long-term upside as he stands no taller than 6-foot-7 with average positional length, a flat jumper that might take time to adjust to the NBA line and a somewhat power-reliant game. 16 Texas-Southern/Texas A&M-CC| Thursday | 9:57 p.m. | truTV, What to watch for: Braun plays up to four positions for Kansas, switching seamlessly on the perimeter, putting a body on big men in the post and doing quite a bit of facilitation in the half-court. The U19 FIBA World Cup MVP is more than able to space the . . Multiple teams currently . If Sotto goes undrafted in June, a couple of alternative routes await. I can recall Sam Froling absolutely dominating him when they played against Australia (in 2019 at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup)," Purnell recalled. Visit Instagram His shooting stroke was apparent at times, but Sotto did not take enough 3s and attempted just 14 shots from beyond the arc through 24 games, including just four from the corners. With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? -- Schmitz, 10. Whoever signs him will get a well-worth piece in their winning puzzle.". In the eyes of these experts, Sotto lags behind his fellow international draft prospects and might have to wait a bit before being able to get a shot at playing in the NBA. He fits an obvious mold as a strong-framed, 6-foot-6 wing who can space the floor from well beyond the NBA line, shoot running off screens or pulling up off the dribble, and finish explosively in the open floor. The 6-foot-6 Summit league player of the year wears many hats as their primary facilitator, leading rebounder and 47% 3-point shooter, sliding between the point guard and power forward spots for an up-tempo, undersized team that ranks as the best 3-point shooting team in the country. 4 Providence vs. No. He is a capable spot shooter from 3 at 42%, is elite rising up in midrange spots and is slithery downhill to the rim while also showing the ability to make some basic reads. 9 TCU | Friday | 9:57 p.m. | truTV, Tyler Burton | Junior | Richmond | 6'7" | SF | Age: 22.0, 53. He was part of the initial 33-man list of such prospects, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony: This "also-eligible" list (33 players) includes: Dominick Barlow, Marjon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Michael Foster, Jaden Hardy, Jean Montero, Kok Yat and Fanbo Zeng. "I think with the way he plays, his height and length helps to make up for that but he was still struggling against some players in the post. Sotto's size and length has made him a viable rim protector in the NBL, where he averaged 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes, seventh among 84 players who played at least 15 minutes a game, per SpatialJam. Last week, the Orlando Magic were handed the No. His combination of physical tools (6-foot-11, 250 pounds, 7-foot-5 wingspan), power, explosiveness and budding skill is unmatched. 1.7K. June 17, 2022 12:57 PM PDT. Search Players; Articles; News; Blogs; Forum; BLACK LIVES MATTER. "Please pray for me and support me during my quest to fulfill my ultimate dream.". -- Givony, 13. ", "His mobility and awareness are above average at his height," Chan added. 6 LSU vs. No. Data from InStat state that Adelaide hemorrhaged points when Sotto defended the roll man in the pick and roll (16 percent of his defensive possessions, second most) and gave up 1.37 PPP -- way above the league mean. What to watch for: Washington is a highly skilled 6-foot-4 guard with the type of winning pedigree that bodes well for March. "Having this opportunity to develop in the NBL is a great situation for Kai and I'd imagine he spends the next year or two in Australia as he continues to find his footing in the world of professional basketball," Smith explained. Standing 6-foot-5 with long arms and excellent footwork as a ball handler, Wesley has a lot of juice off the bounce, changing speeds and directions to attack the rim or stop on a dime to pull up. Sotto drew nothing but compliments about his work ethic and demeanor during his year in the NBL, where experts and colleagues took note of his energy and poise throughout the season. NBA rumors: 2022 top draft prospect Kai Sotto signs with NBL club 2 years ago - via Twitter ShamsCharania Shams Charania: Kai Sotto a 7-foot-2 prospect from the Philippines is signing. BASKETBALL; FOOTBALL; Player Traits Key KAI Sotto 's name was noticeably absent from the early entry candidates list for the 2022 NBA Draft that the league released on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time). MANILA, Philippines -- Kai Sotto remains a no-show on the latest mock drafts released by US-based sports websites ESPN and Bleacher Report barely three weeks away from the 2022 NBA draft. Washington, there are players in Lewis' mold having success in the NBA. Can the Lions fix their defense? While thin, he's also a competitive defender who rebounds, gets in passing lanes and plays with outstanding energy. With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? PF - Duke - HT: 6-10 - WT: 250 - WING: 6-10 - Fr - Paolo is making a late move up the board and could go no.1 overall to the Magic. Stay on current site or go to US version. Today we look at Sotto's decision to declare for the draft and what he brings on offense. What to watch for: Agbaji has been one of the NCAA's most consistent players, reaching double figures in scoring and knocking down at least one 3-pointer in 32 of 33 games while also converting a remarkable 75% of his shots at the rim. Over time I think he continues to get stronger, and his muscle growth has been very promising, but he isn't strong enough just yet.". 4 UCLA vs. No. He's a disruptive defender, as well, thanks to his quickness, instincts and 6-foot-5 wingspan that has allowed him to rip opposing guards on the perimeter, swipe the ball on digs and even block occasional jumpers as a key cog in Tennessee's top-three defense. Kai Sotto's hope of realizing a nation's NBA dreams depends on whether the league will favor potential over results. ESPN's mock draft (ESPN) ESPN's Jonathan Givony delivered his latest mock draft on Nov. 17. But there is belief Sotto can build around those figures in order to raise his ceiling and find a place on offense in the modern NBA. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? He's coachable and receptive to feedback from coaches and teammates," Chan said. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. Stay on current site or go to US version. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. With the 2021 NBA Draft in the books, Jason McIntyre looks ahead to the top 30 players available in 2022. . 13 Vermont | Thursday | 9:20 p.m. | TNT, Dalen Terry | Sophomore | Arizona | 6'7" | PG/SG | Age: 19.6, 41. Murray leads the nation in win shares, ranks fourth in scoring and has been a driving force in Iowa's March run, making timely shots with the type of unwavering confidence and focus we've seen from stars such as Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan. -- Givony, TyTy Washington Jr. | Freshman | Kentucky | 6'4" | PG/SG | Age: 20.3, When: No. "[But] it is generally only justifiable to play a seven-footer on an NBA floor if they're being heavily utilized on the offensive end, and whilst Sotto has shown utility as a finisher and lob threat at the NBL level, a clear cut offensive skill will go a long way into making him a useful NBA player.". Owning the rights to 21 first-round picks and 34 total draft picks through 2028, the Oklahoma City Thunder are expected to be very aggressive in the 2022 NBA Draft. Eason has improved his ballhandling and perimeter shooting considerably while putting consistent pressure on opposing defenses with his quick first step, physicality and insatiable intensity, allowing him to live at the free throw line. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? 49 of the mock draft by prestigious outlet Sports Illustrated for the NBA draft proceedings on June 23 in Brooklyn, New York. "Further growth as a passer as he matures and the games slows down for him will also be extremely helpful, as he has shown a certain level of vision at previous levels of play.". New Orleans Pelicans (from Cavaliers), Baylor Scheierman | Junior | South Dakota St. | 6'6" | SF | Age: 21.4, When: No. -- Schmitz, Malaki Branham | Freshman | Ohio St. | 6'5" | SG | Age: 18.8. "Seeing him at practices and games reinforce the projection he's achieving. People will realize how special Kai is," Chan said when asked about Sotto's draft stock. 1 overall seed Gonzaga to its first NCAA men's basketball title. NBA Draft 2023 Best Remaining Players - ESPN Draftcast You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. 13 Akron | Thursday | 9:50 p.m. | TBS, 33. "His versatility is unlike most giant bigs, and it will continue to show as his body gets more matured. What to watch for: Named second-team All-Big Ten, Harper carried Rutgers into the NCAA tournament with several heroic late game shots after a slow start to the season. -- Schmitz, David Roddy | Junior | Colorado St. | 6'5" | PF | Age: 20.9, When: No. His measurements at the 2020 BWB were recorded at 7-foot-1.5 in shoes and 227 pounds. "I think mock draft boards are great for the general public's reference but don't entirely represent the full picture. Foul trouble and turnovers have been an issue at times this season, exposing his youth and lack of experience. Noteworthy: There's arguably no better fit between team and prospect than Saddiq Bey and. As the field of 68 eventually gets down to one team left standing with the championship trophy, some of the top NBA prospects will be on display. 13 Chattanooga | Friday | 6:50 p.m. | TNT, Jahvon Quinerly | Junior | Alabama | 6'1" | PG | Age: 23.2, Caleb Love | Sophomore | North Carolina | 6'4" | SG | Age: 20.4, 57. 11 Iowa State | Friday | 7:20 p.m. | TBS. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Today, we're focusing on the rest of his game: His defense, his intangibles on and off the floor, and his potential future paths. He's also shooting just 40% at the rim in the half-court, converting 16 shots at the rim in 33 games. Scouts will surely be hoping for a deep run from Duke and Gonzaga, as that would set up a Banchero-Holmgren rematch in the Elite 8. What to watch for: We've truly never seen an NBA prospect quite like Holmgren: A shot-blocking, lob-catching, 3-point shooting, ballhandling 7-foot-1 "big man" with the fluidity of a guard and a relentlessness that doesn't match his slender, 195-pound frame. Only two players in the country average at least 13 points, five rebounds and four assists while shooting at least 50% from 2 and 40% from 3 -- Moore and Baylor Scheierman of South Dakota State. 14 Colgate | Friday | 9:50 p.m. | TBS, The most improved player in college, Davis went from role player to superstar in the span of an offseason after winning a gold medal with USA Basketball. "I remember I really liked his passing for a big man but his body was a big problem. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. What to watch for: Brown looks like a Cinderella darling candidate, playing for a formidable Murray State team that is 30-2 and hasn't lost in nearly three months.