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Orlando Magic 2022 NBA Draft: 3 rising, 3 falling after the NCAA Tournament

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Ochai Agbaji and Kansas celebrated a national championship and made a statement ahead of the NBA Draft. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Ochai Agbaji and Kansas celebrated a national championship and made a statement ahead of the NBA Draft. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paolo Banchero, Duke Blue Devils
Paolo Banchero made his case for stardom as he led Duke to the Final Four. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

2022 NBA Draft: 3 Rising and 3 Falling after the NCAA Tournament

Rising: Paolo Banchero, Duke

Heading into the NCAA Tournament, the race to be the top pick seemed to be a two-man race.

Jabari Smith of Auburn seemed like the safer pick. A sweet-shooting forward with a more complete offensive game, Parker seems like he would fit in pretty quickly and provide the skills the NBA needs.

Chet Holmgren is the unicorn in the draft. The guy who seems like a generational talent but who has questions about whether he can hold up in the NBA thanks to his thin frame and body.

At the top of the draft, you are picking nits and figuring out what you like.

Paolo Banchero spent a good part of the season in that conversation but seemed to fall off for whatever reason. It is not really clear why everyone went out on him — maybe Duke’s difficult finish to the season or his relatively poor 3-point shooting.

No player probably used the stage of the NCAA Tournament better than Banchero. Banchero should absolutely be in the conversation to be the top pick in the Draft.

In leading Duke to the Final Four, Banchero averaged 18.8 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game and 3.4 assists per game. He made 50.0-percent of his shots (13.6 field goal attempts per game) and made 52.6-percent of his 3-pointers.

He scored 22 points in the Sweet 16 win over Texas Tech and 20 points in the Final Four loss to North Carolina. Duke’s inability to get Banchero the ball late in that game might be why Duke’s archrival ended up in the title game.

If the top player in the draft is supposed to be the guy teams dump the ball to and go get a basket, there is no one better at that than Banchero. He showed throughout the tournament he could be a go-to option and work both facing up and in the post. Banchero is as complete an offensive player as there is in this class.

Whatever caused Banchero to drop out of the top pick conversation, this tournament run should stop that conversation.