NBA Draft Big Board 2.0 (with strengths, weaknesses, and NBA comparisons)

The 2022 NBA Draft is less than two weeks away! Do you want a quick breakdown of all the top guys to get prepared for June 23rd? Then look no further! In this article, I ranked my top 40 prospects while also outlining three strengths and weaknesses for each, and also included an NBA comparison to help you get a feel for the type of player the prospect is or could become! As always, follow @SportsVerseHQ for frequent new articles leading up to the draft and follow my personal Twitter @zachefiene for everything else! Enjoy!

Tier 1: 1. Chet Holmgren, Big (Gonzaga)

Steve Cheng, Bruin Report Online, Chet Holmgren, CC BY 2.0

Strengths:

• Shot blocking

• Perimeter skills

• Size/length

Weaknesses:

• Frame

• Play strength

• Post scoring

NBA Comparison: Rudy Gobert mixed with Kristapas Porzingis

2. Jabari Smith, Big (Auburn)

Gamecock Central, Jabari Smith Jr, CC BY 2.0

Strengths:

• Shot making

• Defensive versatility

• Size/length

Weaknesses:

• Playmaking for others

• Ball handling

• Post game

NBA Comparison: Defensive minded Michael Porter Jr.

3. Paolo Banchero, Forward (Duke)

Strengths:

• Playmaking for others

• 3 level scoring

• Athleticism

Weaknesses:

• Jumper consistency

• Defensive effort

• Shot selection

NBA Comparison: Good Julius Randle Tier 2: 4. Jaden Ivey, Guard (Purdue)

Strengths:

• Quickness/first step

• Slashing/finishing

• High offensive effort and activity

Weaknesses:

• Defensive effort

• Jumper consistency

• Questionable playmaking skills

NBA Comparison: Donovan Mitchell

5. Keegan Murray, Forward (Iowa)

Strengths:

• Defensive ability and versatility

• Strength and body control

• Inside and outside scoring ability

Weaknesses:

• Old (22)

• Jumper consistency

• Playmaking for others

NBA Comparison: Buff Pascal Siakam

6. Shaedon Sharpe, Wing (Kentucky)

Strengths:

• Athleticism

• Jump shooting

• Shot creation

Weaknesses:

• Inexperienced (did not play in college)

• Defensive effort

• Shot selection

NBA Comparison: Paul George

Tier 3: 7. Dyson Daniels, Guard (G-League)

Strengths:

• Passing vision/IQ

• Ball handling

• On-ball defense

Weaknesses:

• Jump shooting

• Below average athlete

• Downhill finishing

NBA comparison: Mini prime Ben Simmons

8. Jalen Duren, Big (Memphis)

Strengths:

• Shot blocking

• Interior finishing

• Athleticism

Weaknesses:

• Jump shooting

• Mental lapses

• Post game

NBA Comparison: Robert Williams

9. AJ Griffin, Wing (Duke)

Strengths:

• 3 point shooting

• 3 level scoring

• Defensive potential

Weaknesses:

• Long injury history

• Playmaking for others

• Defensive effort

NBA Comparison: Jaylen Brown

10. Johnny Davis, Guard (Wisconsin)

Strengths:

• Mid range scoring ability

• Playmaking for others

• Defensive grit

Weaknesses:

• Average athlete

• 3 point shooting

• Finishing around the rim

NBA Comparison: Spencer Dinwiddie

11. Jeremy Sochan, Forward (Baylor)

Strengths:

• Ability to guard 1-5

• Playmaking ability and high IQ

• High motor

Weaknesses:

• Jump shooting

• Shot creation

• Post game (doesn’t take advantage of mismatches)

NBA Comparison: Draymond Green in Aaron Gordon’s body

12. Benedict Mathurin, Wing (Arizona)

Strengths:

• 3 point shooting

• Noticeable “next gear” in transition

• Athleticism

Weaknesses:

• Defensive consistency

• Takes too many risks as a passer

• A bit undersized, hurts him around the rim

NBA Comparison: Caris LaVert

Tier 4: 13. Ochai Abaji, Wing (Kansas)

Strengths:

• 3 point shooting

• On ball defense

• Combination of strength and athleticism

Weaknesses:

• One season of good shooting

• Shot creation

• Energy level at times

NBA Comparison: Desmond Bane

14. Mark Williams, Big (Duke)

Strengths:

• Offensive rebounding

• 7’7” wingspan

• Offensive perimeter skills and untapped potential

Weaknesses:

• Lateral quickness

• Average athlete

• Solid defender but not an elite shot blocker

NBA Comparison: Clint Capela

15. Malaki Branham, Wing (Ohio State)

Strengths:

• Getting buckets

• Ball handling

• Jump shooting

Weaknesses:

• Playmaking for others

• Shot selection

• Small sample size

NBA Comparison: Kris Middleton

16. Wendell Moore Jr, Wing (Duke)

Strengths:

• Playmaking for others

• 7 foot wingspan

• High IQ and motor

Weaknesses:

• Below average athlete

• Shooting consistency

• Defensive effort at times

NBA Comparison: Josh Hart

17. Walker Kessler, Big (Auburn)

Strengths:

• Best shot blocker in the class

• Defensive versatility

• Finishing around and above the rim

Weaknesses:

• Jump shooting

• Below average athlete

• Not as strong as he should be

NBA Comparison: Jakob Poeltl

18. Ousmane Dieng, Forward (New Zealand)

Strengths:

• Deep bag of dribble moves

• Shot creation

• Playmaking

Weaknesses:

• Inefficient shooter

• Weak body

• Defensive IQ

NBA Comparison: Poor man’s Brandon Ingram Tier 5: 19. Tari Eason, Forward (LSU)

Strengths:

• High motor

• Defensive toughness

• Athleticism

Weaknesses:

• Playmaking

• Jumper consistency

• Fundamentals/IQ

NBA Comparison: Athletic Robert Covington

20. Nikola Jovic, Forward (Serbia)

Strengths:

• Playmaking for others

• Shot creation

• High IQ

Weaknesses:

• Jumper consistency

• Below average athlete

• Defense

NBA Comparison: Danillo Gallinari

21. TyTy Washington, Guard (Kentucky)

Strengths:

• IQ

• In between game (floaters and creative finishes)

• Fundamentally sound on both ends

Weaknesses:

• Jumper consistency

• Not vertically explosive

• Lateral quickness

NBA Comparison: Immanuel Quickley

22. Kennedy Chandler, Guard (Tennessee)

Strengths:

• Reliable decision maker

• Pull up jumper

• High activity on both endS

Weaknesses:

• Size (6’0”)

• Catch and shoot consistency

• 60% from the free throw line

NBA Comparison: Less athletic Collin Sexton Tier 6: 23. Jalen Williams, Forward (Santa Clara)

Strengths:

• Tough shot maker at all 3 levels

• Good passer

• High IQ

Weaknesses:

• One season of production in weak conference

• Lateral quickness

• No left hand

NBA Comparison: TJ Warren

24. Blake Wesley, Guard (Notre Dame)

Strengths:

• Shot creation

• Dribble package

• Reliable

Weaknesses.

• Catch and shoot consistency

• Odd looking jumper

• Finishing around the rim

NBA Comparison: Bones Hyland

25. Jaden Hardy, Guard (G-League)

Strengths:

• Bucket

• Deep bag

• Defensive effort

Weaknesses:

• Average athlete (at best) vertically and laterally

• Shot selection/efficiency

• Playmaking for others

NBA Comparison: Dion Waiters

26. Patrick Baldwin Jr, Forward (Milwaukee)

Strengths:

• Body (6’9”, 230)

• Shot mechanics

• Shot creation

Weaknesses:

• Shot selection

• Below average athlete

• Defense

NBA Comparison: Kevin Knox

27. EJ Liddell, Forward (Ohio State)

Strengths:

• Strength

• Position versatility on both ends

• Catch and shoot jumpers

Weaknesses:

• Playmaking for others

• Shot creation

• “Tweener”

NBA Comparison: Paul Millsap

28. MarJon Beauchamp, Wing (G-League)

Strengths:

• Physicality/strength

• Athleticism

• Rebounding

Weaknesses:

• 3 point shooting

• Consistency

• Older prospect with no D1 experience

NBA Comparison: Derrick Jones Jr.

29. Kendall Brown, Forward (Baylor)

Strengths:

• Might be the best vertical athlete in the class

• Good cutter

• 3 point potential

Weaknesses:

• Shot creation

• Defensive fundamentals

• Finding a role

NBA Comparison: Gerald Green

30. Bryce McGowens, Wing (Nebraska)

Strengths:

• Shot creation

• Solid frame and wingspan

• Initiates and finishes through contact

Weaknesses:

• Bothered by length

• Catch and shoot consistency

• Defensive fundamentals (relies solely on athleticism)

NBA Comparison: Will Barton Tier 7: 31. Jean Montero, Guard (Overtime Elite)

Strengths:

• Speed and quickness

• Shooting mechanics

• Playmaking for others

Weaknesses:

• Strength

• Defense

• Experience against quality competition

NBA Comparison: Dennis Schroeder

32. Christian Braun, Wing (Kansas)

Strengths:

• On ball defense

• Elite vertical athlete

• High motor player who makes winning plays

Weaknesses:

• Struggled against length

• Jump shot mechanics (slow release)

• In between game

NBA Comparison: Pat Connaughton

33. Caleb Houston, Wing (Michigan)

Strengths:

• 3 point shooting

• High IQ

• High motor on both ends

Weaknesses:

• Below average athlete

• Shot creation

• Skinny frame

NBA Comparison: DeAndre Hunter

34. Trevor Keels, Guard (Duke)

Strengths:

• Playmaking for others

• Downhill attacking

• Strength

Weaknesses:

• Below average athlete

• Jumper consistency

• Playing without the ball

NBA Comparison: Thick RJ Hampton

35. Trevion Williams, Big (Purdue)

Strengths:

• Passing vision and IQ

• Strength

• Back to the basket post game

Weaknesses:

• Below average athlete

• Not a great shot blocker

• Shooting range (though he’s got good touch)

NBA Comparison: Nikola Vucevic without the range

36. Justin Lewis, Forward (Marquette)

Strengths:

• Body (Height/Weight/Length/Wingspan)

• Slashing ability

• 3 point upside

Weaknesses:

• Jumper consistency

• Playmaking for others

• Shot creation

NBA Comparison: Marcus Morris

37. Harrison Ingram, Wing (Stanford)

Strengths:

• Playmaking for others

• Versatile defender

• High motor

Weaknesses:

• Shot creation

• 3 point shooting

• Efficiency

NBA Comparison: Herb Jones

38. Max Christie, Wing (Michigan State)

Strengths:

• 3 point shooting

• Good athlete

• Defensive effort and activity

Weaknesses:

• Skinny and not very strong

• Lateral quickness

• Shot selection

NBA Comparison: Landry Shamet

39. Jamaree Bouyea, Guard (San Francisco)

Strengths:

• Speed and quickness

• Shot creation

• 3 point shooting

Weaknesses:

• Defense

• Drawing and finishing through contact

• Below average athlete vertically

NBA Comparison: Devonte' Graham

40. Buddy Boeheim, Wing (Syracuse)

Strengths:

• 3 point shooting

• Length

• Takes advantage of smaller defenders

Weaknesses:

• Lateral quickness

• Athleticism

• Defense

NBA Comparison: Duncan Robinson