2022 NBA DRAFT: Positional Breakdown: Slashers and Wing Defenders

 

Dyson Daniels, Ben Mathurin, Johnny Davis


If you are not an elite scorer or shooter, you better be able to defend, have toughness and have some length. This group is the clear strength of the 2022 NBA Draft Class. He could see over 10 of these guys drafted in the first round and should have many more drafted later on.

FIRST ROUND LOCKS: 

Bennedict Mathurin-SG/SF-Arizona
6'6''/205/6'9''
17.7 PTS       5.6 REB         2.5 AST          1.0 STL    36.9%-3PT    
So./21.1
Hometown: Montreal
NBA Comparison: Andrew Wiggins/Terrence Ros
ROLE: Starting Wing with All Star Potential
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/Defense/Hustle

Mathurin improved his stock going back to school as he went from 10.8 to 17.7 ppg and ended up winning the PAC 12 Player of the Year. Like his fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins, Mathurin could eventually be an All Star but will need to be in the right situation. If he ends up being a quality starter like Ross that would still be good enough warrant a top 10 pick. Mathurin is among the safest picks in the draft given his two-way skills.

 


Dyson Daniels-SF/CG- G League Ignite
6'8''/195/ 6'10.5''
11.3 PTS       6.2 REB         4.4 AST          1.9 STL                     
GL/19.3
Hometown: Bendigo, Australia
NBA Comparison: Malcolm Brogdon/Evan Turner
ROLE: Starting Wing with All Star Potential
BEST TOOLS: Playmaking/Versatility/On Ball Defense

Daniels has really improved his stock in the pre-draft process as he showed well at the combine finishing first in the shuttle run. He is a glue guy that does all the little things well. He stuffed the stat sheet on Ignite this past season. He is NOT a good shooter by any means, but he should still be a great role player like Brogdon or Turner with Andre Igoudala upside in the perfect situation.



Johnny Davis-SG-Wisconsin
6'6''/196/6'8.5''
19.7 PTS       8.2 REB         2.1 AST          1.2 STL                     
So./20.3        
Hometown: La Crosse, WI
NBA Comparison: Bonzi Wells/Latrell Sprewell
ROLE: Starting Shooting Guard/High End 6th/7th Man
BEST TOOLS: Defense/Toughness/IQ/Scoring

Davis is a throwback player as he compares better with guys like Sprewell and Wells given his defense and toughness. If he was a better shooter, he would likely be a top 5 pick. Davis is a winning player that does a lot of the little things. He is an excellent rebounder considering his lack of length and athleticism. Some team picking in the 10-20 range will get a good player that can help a team right away.   


Jeremy Sochan-CF-Baylor
6'8''/230/7'0''
9.2 PTS          6.4 REB         1.8 AST          0.7 BLK          1.3 STL         
Fr./19.0
Hometown: Milton Keynes, England but also a Polish citizen
NBA Comparison: Ron Artest early career/Thabo Sefolosha
ROLE: All Defensive Player that can plug and play at several positions
BEST TOOLS: Elite Defender/Toughness/Playmaking/Hustle

Sochan should end up being the best wing defender in this draft. He reminds me so much of Artest when he came into the league. Sochan can realistically guard all five positions in the modern NBA. Sochan does not provide that much on offense yet so the team that drafts him should have scorers already in place, I am looking at you Pelicans. This is the player comparison that I am most proud of this year. 


T

Tari Eason-PF-LSU
6'8''/217/7'2''
16.9 PTS       6.6 REB         1.9 STL         
So./21.1
Hometown: Seattle
NBA Comparison: Wesley Johnson/Dorian Finney-Smith 
ROLE: High End 6th/7th Man/Starting Forward
BEST TOOLS: Defense/Hustle/Length

Eason transferred from Cincinnati to LSU and was an All-SEC performer. His length and situation remind me a lot of Wesley Johnson in his one year at Syracuse. Eason should be a very nice piece for a team picking in the 11-20 range. He can fit perfect next to a superstar like DFS is with Luka Doncic. 




Ousmane Dieng-SF-France/New Zealand Breakers     
6'10''/200/7'0''
New Zealand (NBL):    8.9 PTS        3.1 REB                    
INT/19.1
Hometown: Lot-et-Garonne, France
NBA Comparison: Otto Porter/Anthony Randoph
ROLE: High End 6th/7th Man/ Starting Forward
BEST TOOLS: Versatility/Playmaking/Length

Dieng is a long and slender wing that has versatility. He is not ready to play right away but has a lot of potential. His draft range varies from late lottery all the way to the 20s. As is the case with player like this he will need to find the right fit to have success.


Nikola Jovic-CF-Serbia   
6'11''/223/7'0.25''
Serbian League:       12.0 PTS       4.8 REB         3.6 AST                    
INT./19.0
Hometown: Belgrade
NBA Comparison: Hedo Türkoğlu/Dario Šarić
ROLE: High End 6th/7th Man/Average Starting Forward
BEST TOOLS: Playmaking/Wing Size/IQ

Jovic is a rising European prospect that was a water polo player before focusing on basketball in his late teens. He is an excellent passer for his size and brings good length for a wing. He was very skinny but looks to have put on some nice muscle to play at 220+ pounds. He doesn’t play physical though.



MarJon Beauchamp-SF/CG-G League Ignite
6'7''/197/ 7'0.25''
15.1 PTS       7.3 REB         2.5 AST          1.5 STL                     
GL/21.7
Hometown: Yakima, WA
NBA Comparison: Stephen Jackson/James Ennis
ROLE: High End 6th/7th Man/Starting Wing
BEST TOOLS: Length/Versatility/On Ball Defense

Beauchamp has taken a very interesting path to the 2022 draft. After playing high school in Washington for former NBA star Brandon Roy he decided to skip college and train for the 2020 draft. Then Covid hit the world and him personally and he contemplated giving up basketball. He then played at a JUCO and last year played well for G-League Ignite. He is the ultimate role player and showed his versatility and how he can play well alongside other great players on Ignite.   

 

FIRST ROUND BORDERLINE:


Dalen Terry-SF/SG/PG-Arizona
6'7''/195/ 7'0.75''
8.0 PTS          4.8 REB         3.9 AST          1.2 STL
So./19.9
Hometown: Phoenix
NBA Comparison: Corey Brewer/John Salmons
ROLE: Energy guy off the bench that can play point in a second unit
BEST TOOLS: Energy/Defense/Hustle/Playmaking

Terry is a very interesting prospect given his size and skill set. He can’t really score be he can do a little bit of everything else. He will likely be drafted by a team in the 20s that can use a quality bench player that can take them to the next level.



Kendall Brown-SF-Baylor
6'8''/201/6'11''
9.7 PTS          4.9 REB         1.9 AST          1.0 STL      Fr./19.1
Hometown: Cottage Grove, MN
NBA Comparison: Derrick Jones Jr./Jeremy Evans
ROLE: Energy guy off the bench
BEST TOOLS: Elite Leaping Skills/Off Ball Cutting

Brown has a 41-inch vertical and knows how to move without the ball to get open dunks and put backs. The problem is that is the main thing to his game right now. He isn’t a playmaker or scorer, but he can hit an open three. He is really thin, but he can rebound well for his size. The team drafting him will need to be patient with his development.


Josh Minott-CF-Memphis
6'8''/205/6'11''           
6.6 PTS          3.8 REB                    
Fr./20.4
Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
NBA Comparison: Tony Snell/Darius Bazley
BEST TOOLS: Athletic Ability/Defense/Mobility/Scoring Potential

Minott has good physical tools and a very good feel for the game. His per 36-minute averages of 16.2 PTS, 9.2 REB, 2.3 AST, 1.6 BLK and 2.0 STL show his production upside. He played only 14.6 minutes per game, and he fell out Penny Hardaway’s rotation late in the season. There are some concerns, but his upside is as good as any player in the second round



David Roddy-CF-Colorado St
6'6"/261/6'11.5''                   
19.2 PTS       7.5 REB         2.9 AST          1.1 BLK          1.2 STL
Jr./21.2
Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL
NBA Comparison: Glen “Big Baby” Davis
BEST TOOLS: Versatility/Power/Scoring


Roddy has the body of an NFL defensive end but plays like a guard on offense. Scouts will still want him to trim down a bit more to play more minutes at the next level. He gives you a bit of everything and can become a nice rotation player.


Justin Lewis-CF-Marquette
6'8"/235/7'2.5''                      
16.8 PTS       7.9 REB         1.1 STL                     
So./20.2
Hometown: Baltimore
NBA Comparison: Larry Nance Jr./Quincy Acy
BEST TOOLS: Rebounding/Length/Scoring

Lewis can really rebound and on the right team could fit as a scoring option off the bench. He showed incredible improvement from his from his Freshman to Sophomore seasons as he improved in every statistical category and was the best player on his team.


GETTING DRAFTED BORDERLINE:

Jabari Walker-CF-Colorado
6'8''/214/6'10.75''     
14.6 PTS       9.4 REB        
So./19.9
Hometown: Inglewood, CA
NBA Comparison: Ivan Rabb/Damion James
BEST TOOLS: Rebounding/Versatility/Defense

Walker saw his playing time and production double in his second season at Colorado. He has a chance to make a NBA roster if he can continue to show his value as a role player that can rebound and defend.  


Michael Foster-CF-GL Ignite
6'9''/237/7'0.25''       
16.3 PTS       10.4 REB      
Fr./19.8
Hometown: Milwaukee
NBA Comparison: Terrence Jones/Leon Powe
BEST TOOLS: Energy/Power/Rebounding

Foster is tweener in the sense that he has the skill set of a high energy wing but the body of a physical post player. He can score down low and can rebound at a high level too.


Peyton Watson-SF-UCLA
6'8''/203/7'0.5''          
3.3 PTS          2.9 REB        
Fr./19.8
Hometown: Los Angeles
NBA Comparison: Tyler Honeycutt/Jarred Vanderbilt
BEST TOOLS: Versatility/Defense/Length/Scoring Potential

Watson was the number 8 prospect in the country coming into the season but had a very unproductive season where he barely cracked the Bruins rotation. He is a pure potential pick but has the physical tools for a small forward.


Ron Harper Jr.-CF-Rutgers
6'6''/240/7'1.25''       
15.8 PTS       5.9 REB         1.0 STL
Sr./22.3
Hometown: Franklin Lakes, NJ
NBA Comparison: Ryan Gomes
BEST TOOLS: Power/Length/Defense

Harper is a strong combo forward that will need to prove that he can guard the 2-4 to have a place in the NBA.


Julian Champagnie-SF-St. John's
6'8''/212/6'10''           
19.2 PTS       6.6 REB         2.0 AST          1.1 BLK          2.0 STL
Jr./21.0
Hometown: Brooklyn, NYC
NBA Comparison: Torrey Craig
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/Defense/Versatility

Champagnie’s stats pretty much speak for themselves and show what he can do on a basketball court. Though he lacks optimal athleticism and may be too small to play power forward at the next level.


Tyrese Martin-SF/SG-UConn
6'7"/216/6'8'' 
16.6 PTS       7.5 REB        
Sr./23.3
Hometown: Allentown, PA
NBA Comparison: Cody Martin
BEST TOOLS: Versatility/Rebounding/Hustle

While he is not related to Cody, Tyrese took a very similar long path the NBA as the other Martin. Both were transfers who had success at the end of their college careers. Tyrese had a huge jump in 3-point shooting after struggling in college. He will need to be more consistent if he hopes to make a roster.  


Jordan Hall-SF-St Joseph's
6'8"/210/6'9'' 
14.1 PTS       6.7 REB         5.8 AST         
So./20.4
Hometown: Wildwood, NJ
NBA Comparison: Denzel Valentine 
BEST TOOLS: Point Forward/Playmaking/IQ

Hall is a playmaking point forward that has risen in the draft process because he is such a unique prospect.


Dereon Seabron-SG/SF-NC St.
6'6''/182/6'8.75''       
17.3 PTS       8.2 REB         3.2 AST          1.4 STL
So./22.1
Hometown: Norfolk, VA
NBA Comparison: Patrick McCaw
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/Playmaking/Versatility

Seabron is on the light side for a wing. but he makes up for it with tough play. He can really get to the rim and is an excellent rebounder


Aminu Mohammed-SF-Georgetown
6'5''/213/6'11''           
13.7 PTS       8.2 REB         1.6 STL
Fr./20.6
Hometown: Temple Hills, MD
NBA Comparison: Royce O'Neale
BEST TOOLS: Toughness/Hustle/Physical Play

Mohammed was an older Freshman that has an NBA ready frame. He does the dirty work and that will give him a good chance to get minutes early in the league.


G-League Potential/Summer League Invite:

Gui Santos-SF-Brazil/Minas
6'6''/209
10.5 PTS       5.0 REB         2.1 AST         
INT./20.0
Hometown: Brasilia, Brazil
BEST TOOLS: Athleticism/Energy/Defense


Luke Travers-SF-Australia/Perth Wildcats
6'8"/199/6'10''
7.8 PTS          5.4 REB         2.3 AST         
INT/20.8
Hometown: Perth
BEST TOOLS: Versatility/Efficiency/Playmaking


Karlo Matkovic-PF-Bosnia/KK Mega Bemax (Serbia)
6'10''/220/6'10''
11.6 PTS       6.2 REB         1.0 AST          1.2 BLK
INT./21.2
Hometown: Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina
BEST TOOLS: Defense/Hustle


Keve Aluma-CF-Virginia Tech
6'9''/230/6'11.5''
15.8 PTS       6.5 REB         1.3 AST         
Sr./23.5
Hometown: Berlin, MD
BEST TOOLS: Mobility/Scoring/Defense


Jermaine Samuels-CF-Villanova          
6'7''/220/6'11.5''       
11.1 PTS       6.1 REB         1.4 AST         
Sr./23.7
Hometown: Franklin, MA
BEST TOOLS: Versatility/Defense


Fanbo Zeng-CF-GL Ignite/China
6'11"/199/6'11''
GL/19.4
Hometown: Harbin, China
BEST TOOLS: Mobility for size/Rebounding


Jules Bernard-SF-UCLA
6'6"/207/6'7'' 
12.8 PTS       4.7 REB         1.7 AST          1.0 STL
Sr./22.4         
Hometown: Los Angeles
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Defense


Izaiah Brockington-SG-Iowa St
6'4"/196/6'4'' 
16.9 PTS       6.8 REB         1.6 AST          1.3 STL
Sr./21.9
Hometown: Philadelphia
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/On Ball Defense


Stanley Umude-G/F-Arkansas
6'6''/210
11.9 PTS       4.6 REB         1.1 AST          1.0 STL
Sr./23.2
Hometown: San Antonio 
BEST TOOLS: Athleticism/Energy/Defense


Quenton Jackson-SG-TX A&M
6'3"/171/6'5.5''          
Sr./23.8
14.8 PTS       3.5 REB         2.0 AST          1.8 STL
Sr./23.8         
Hometown: Los Angeles
BEST TOOLS: On Ball Defense/Hustle  

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