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

Orlando Magic 2022 NBA Draft Big Board

Rounding out the Lottery

NCAA Tournament First Round: vs. Boise State (Thur., 1:45 p.m.)

The Memphis Tigers sort of flamed out this year despite a really talented recruiting class. But Anfernee Hardaway got his team right to end the season and center Jalen Duren was a big part of that.

Duren is still a bit limited beyond finishing around the rim. But he does that really well. He is solid in pick and rolls and will be good crashing the lane. If he had more consistent guard play, he might play a whole lot better — he averaged 12.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for the season.

Duren is good around the basket and while he may not have a ton of versatility, he plays well for a traditional center.

NCAA Tournament First Round: vs. Saint Peter’s (Thurs., 7:10 p.m.)

The Kentucky Wildcats are not the juggernaut they were early on in John Calipari’s tenure as head coach. But they quickly found themselves this year and a dark horse favorite to win the whole thing. A lot of that comes from veteran big man Oscar Tshiebwe. But if this team is going to go deep in the tournament, it will be because of Tyty Washington.

Washington averaged 12.8 points per game and 4.0 assists per game. He is a dynamic athlete but a still-improving shooter. Washington needs a good tournament to solidify his place in the Draft.

NCAA Tournament First Round: vs. Colgate (Fri., 9:50 p.m.)

There was a point in this draft process that Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis looked like the guy who would be pushing to get inside that consensus top four. He made a major step up in his scoring from 7.0 points per game as a freshman to 19.0 points per game. There is a real smoothness to his game when it is working and he can score effortlessly, piling up points even when it seems like he is not.

Then something happened. His efficiency dropped, ending with an 11-point, 3-for-19 shooting performance in Wisconsin’s conference tournament loss to Michigan State. The Big Ten’s player of the year lost his spark.

Davis is not an effective outside shooter yet. And when defenses started to close down his space and make it tough for him to get separation, Davis had to start forcing things for the offensively challenged Badgers.

Davis is dealing with an ankle injury entering the tournament and so there are more questions than answers for him.

NCAA Tournament First Round: vs. Texas Southern (Thurs., 9:57 p.m.)

It is rare for seniors to get much attention from the NBA, certainly not at the upper echelons. But there are far too many examples of overlooked senior players and upperclassmen making immediate impacts at the NBA level — think Malcolm Brogdon or Chris Duarte. Someone is going to get a solid player in Ochai Agbaji.

Agbaji averaged 19.7 points per game as his scoring increased in all four of his seasons at Kansas. He finished this year shooting a career-high 47.7-percent from the floor and 40.5-percent from beyond the arc. That arc of improvement is important as scouts hope to wring out a bit more from an older player.

Agbaji is an improving 3-point shooter and he has the defensive tools to make a quick impact in the NBA.

The second year of the G-League Ignite did not entice the same kind of talent that the first year did in Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga. It ultimately put its best prospect, Jaden Hardy, in a really tough spot. He was pigeonholed quickly as the team’s top offensive option and even as a lead guard way before he was ready.

Stats are harder to come by right now for the G-League Ignite (unlike last year, they are not eligible for the G-League playoffs). But after struggling early on, Hardy has shown some of the explosive scoring ability that made him a top prospect entering the season.

NCAA Tournament First Round: vs. Iowa State (Fri., 7:20 p.m.)

Tari Eason quickly gained attention at LSU for his ball-hawking skills and defense. He averaged 6.7 rebounds per game and 3.1 “stocks” per game. He is an active defender able to hold his own in the paint and get out on the perimeter.

What is perhaps most impressive is how he jumped from Cincinnati to embracing a sixth man role at LSU. He averaged 16.9 points per game off the bench for the Tigers this year after averaging 7.3 with the Bearcats last year.

He is not much of a shooter yet. but his defensive activity will give him a fair look in the NBA.

We will be back to update our big board as we get closer to the NBA Draft. Until then, enjoy the NCAA Tournament!