Orlando Magic Daily 2022 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0: Before the Madness

Orlando Magic 2022 NBA Draft Big Board

Still some questions

NCAA Tournament First Round: vs. Wright State (Fri., 7:27 p.m.)

Bennedict Mathurin was a completely different player his freshman year last year. He was a reportedly quite guy who was still trying to find his way in a new environment and gain confidence on the court.

Every scout loves to see how players grow and change as they mature. They love to see players improve. And that is what Mathurin has done in his sophomore year, blossoming into a solid scoring guard who can do all the dirty work on both ends of the floor.

Mathurin averaged 17.4 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game. His real value is on the defensive end where he has been a catalyst for Arizona’s run back to a one-seed.

Mathurin is still probably seeking some consistency as he builds his skill-based work. He is still fairly new to the game. But the way he has grown this year is extremely encouraging.

There are still a few big mysteries in this NBA Draft. And none is bigger and could have a bigger effect on the Draft order than Shaedon Sharpe.

Sharpe is at Kentucky, having graduated in the fall and enrolling early. But the Wildcats opted to hold him out this year since it is unclear if the NCAA would clear him. They did not want that uncertainty hanging over their season.

Sharpe was the top prospect in the high school class of 2022 before he reclassified and joined Kentucky. Scouts just do not have a ton of tape on him right now and it is hard to judge guys against high schoolers.

If Sharpe enters the NBA Draft Combine or does workouts, there will be a lot of people flocking to see him. More likely, Sharpe is going to head back to college next year.

NCAA Tournament First Round: vs. Cal State Fullerton (Fri., 7:10 p.m.)

As the Duke Blue Devils hit the doldrums of the season and Paolo Banchero struggled a bit to close the year, A.J. Griffin seemed to emerge as a potential star from the Blue Devils. Duke is a really good bet to win the national championship. At least from a talent perspective.

Griffin averaged 10.4 points per game and shot 46.7-percent from beyond the arc. But in Duke’s final 13 games, he averaged 12.5 points per game and shot 43.5-percent from three. That included a 27-point game at North Carolina and 21-point game in the ACC Tournament semifinal vs. Miami.

Griffin is a shooter. He may not be someone who can create a ton off the dribble. But this is a good draft at this stage to find some shooters. And that is something a team like the Orlando Magic desperately needs.