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March Madness is just around the corner in the world of college basketball and that means the 2022 NBA Draft is also inching closer with each passing week. A number of prospects around the country have already started to shine on the court this season. With the NCAA tournament fast approaching, NBA scouts and team personnel around the league will be paying close attention to the performances of some of the top young players in the world.
The NCAA season has started to go through its conference play these past couple of weeks. It's a good time of the year for college players around the country to start making a case for themselves and elevate their stock for the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft. Several players have begun to see their value rise and we are getting an idea of who might hear their names called early on draft night.
Who Are the Early Candidates for the Top 5 of the 2022 NBA Draft?
The 2022 NBA Draft class is shaping up to be one that is "top-heavy." While there are still plenty of questions regarding the overall depth of the class, there's a slate of players that are becoming favorites to be selected in the Top 5. Here's a look at early predictions for five players who could end up near the top of the upcoming NBA Draft.
#5 Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
One of the most impressive players in college basketball this year has been Wisconsin Badgers sophomore, Johnny Davis. After coming into the preseason as a potential first-round pick, Davis' name has been one of the most talked about in NBA Draft circles and has found himself in the conversation to be a top five pick in the upcoming draft.
After averaging just 7.0 points per game as a freshman, Davis took off in his second year. Currently, the 6'5" wing player is averaging 22.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 43.8% from the field.
#4 Jaden Ivey, Purdue
Many were pleased when Purdue Boilermakers guard Jaden Ivey announced he would return to the team for his sophomore year. After playing impressively during the second half of last season, Ivey was quickly trending upwards as a breakout star in his second year. The 6'4" guard has been absolutely sensational for Purdue and has dazzled basketball fans with his combination of quickness and elite explosiveness.
Ivey has now become a favorite to hear his name called near the top of the upcoming draft and teams will be fascinated with his ability to takeover a game at any moment. The Purdue sophomore is currently averaging 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.5% from the field and 42.4% from downtown.
#3 Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn
Auburn Tigers freshman Jabari Smith Jr. continues to be the talk of the college basketball world. The 6'10" forward is also getting the attention of numerous NBA personnel, as many think the 18-year-old has a serious chance of becoming the first overall selection in the upcoming NBA Draft. When Smith announced that he would play at Auburn, many believed he had the potential to be a top ten selection.
After being one of the top players in college basketball, the Auburn Tigers freshman is now being seriously considered to be selected first overall. Smith continues to be sensational for the Tigers this year, currently averaging 15.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 40.4% from downtown.
#2 Paolo Banchero, Duke
Heading into the 2021-22 college basketball season, many NBA personnel and college basketball analysts were expecting Duke Blue Devils freshman Paolo Banchero to be the second overall selection in the upcoming NBA Draft. After a strong start to the year, that conversation began to heat up as many now believe that Banchero could end up being the first player selected on draft night.
Banchero is a physical force on the floor and stands out with his ability to be a dangerous weapon on offense. Listed at 6'10", 250 pounds, the Blue Devils freshman has the ability to overpower opponents with his size but also has the quickness to make defenders look silly on a nightly basis. So far this year, Banchero is averaging 17.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51.0% from the field and 33.9% from downtown.
#1 Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
The runaway favorite to become the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft has been Gonzaga Bulldogs big man Chet Holmgren. Although Holmgren struggled with his outside shot to start the year, he has been finding his groove of late. The debate about the top three prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft class will only intensify as time goes on. Each player offers their own unique ability to make an impact at the next level.
While teams could be intrigued by the upside of Jabari Smith Jr. or the offensive firepower of Paolo Banchero, Gonzaga freshman Chet Holmgren possesses the ability to be a game-changing presence on the defensive end. Listed at 7'0", 195 pounds, Holmgren has plenty of skeptics because of his thin-frame. The lengthy big man makes up for it with elite defensive instincts and awareness on the floor. So far this year, Holmgren is averaging 13.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 61.8% from the field and 39.6% from downtown.
Guess the Lakers players!
