As I sit down to evaluate this year's NBA draft prospects, I can't help but reflect on how much the landscape has changed since I first started covering basketball prospects professionally over a decade ago. The 2022 class presents some particularly fascinating cases that have kept scouts and analysts like myself debating late into the night. What strikes me most about this group is how they embody that competitive spirit former coach Jong Uichico once captured perfectly when he said that while finishing either No. 1 or 2 isn't a big concern, there's nothing more satisfying than going to the playoffs on a winning note. These young athletes aren't just playing for draft position—they're building toward something greater, and that mindset separates the truly special prospects from the merely talented ones.
When we talk about top prospects this season, Paolo Banchero immediately comes to mind as someone who understands that winning mentality. Standing at 6'10" with a wingspan measuring exactly 7 feet 1 inch, he's not just physically imposing—he's got this remarkable basketball IQ that you don't often see in 19-year-olds. I watched him play against Virginia Tech last November where he put up 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, but what impressed me more was how he took over during crunch time. There's a certain poise to his game that reminds me of a young Chris Webber, though I think his ceiling might actually be higher given his modern skill set. His mid-range game is already at NBA level, and while his three-point percentage sits around 33.7% this season, I've seen enough in his shooting mechanics to believe he'll develop into a reliable outside threat.
Then there's Chet Holmgren, who's probably the most divisive prospect in this draft class. At 7 feet tall with a ridiculously slender 195-pound frame, I've heard plenty of concerns about how he'll handle NBA physicality. But having watched him dominate against tougher opponents throughout the season, I'm firmly in the camp that believes his unique abilities outweigh the risks. His defensive impact is just staggering—he averaged 3.8 blocks per game while committing only 2.1 fouls, which shows incredible discipline for a young big man. Offensively, he's shooting an impressive 42.3% from three-point range on about 3.5 attempts per game, numbers that would be good for a guard, let alone a seven-footer. I remember specifically watching Gonzaga's matchup against Texas where he completely changed the game without even scoring much—his presence alone forced opponents to alter their entire offensive approach.
Jabari Smith Jr. represents what I consider the safest bet in this draft. His shooting numbers are just phenomenal—he's hitting 43.1% of his three-point attempts on nearly six tries per game, which is elite efficiency for any player, much less a 6'10" forward. What I love about his game is how seamlessly it should translate to the NBA. He doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective, he moves well without it, and his defensive fundamentals are already ahead of where most prospects are at this stage. I've spoken with several scouts who project him as a future All-Star, though I'm slightly more conservative in my assessment—I see him as a high-level starter who could make an All-Star game or two in his prime.
The guard position this year is particularly stacked, with Jaden Ivey bringing an explosive athleticism we haven't seen since Ja Morant entered the league. His first step is absolutely devastating—I clocked him reaching top speed in just two dribbles on multiple occasions—and he's improved his three-point shooting to a respectable 36.2% this season. If I have one concern, it's his decision-making in half-court sets, where he sometimes forces difficult shots instead of making the simple pass. But his potential is just too tantalizing to ignore. Then there's Keegan Murray from Iowa, who might be my personal favorite in this class. He's slightly older at 21, but he plays with a maturity beyond even that age. His scoring efficiency is historic—averaging 24.3 points on 55.8% shooting while taking just over 14 attempts per game demonstrates an incredible understanding of how to pick his spots.
What makes this draft class particularly compelling is how these top prospects embody different paths to NBA success. Some, like Holmgren, represent high-risk, high-reward propositions that could transform a franchise if they develop properly. Others, like Smith, offer more certainty but perhaps with a slightly lower ceiling. Having evaluated hundreds of prospects throughout my career, I've learned that draft position matters less than finding players who fit an organization's culture and system. That's why Uichico's wisdom about the satisfaction of entering playoffs on a winning note resonates so strongly with me—these prospects aren't just collections of stats and measurements, they're future contributors to winning basketball.
As we approach draft night, I'm convinced this class will produce at least three All-Stars and several other solid starters. The depth is there, particularly in the frontcourt, where we're seeing an interesting evolution of the modern big man who can shoot, handle the ball, and defend multiple positions. My personal ranking would have Banchero at the top, followed very closely by Smith, with Holmgren rounding out my top three—though I fully acknowledge reasonable people can disagree with this order. What's undeniable is that teams picking in the top five this year have an excellent chance of landing franchise-changing talent, provided they do their homework and understand both the strengths and limitations of these remarkable young athletes. The future of the NBA appears to be in very capable hands.