Kai Sotto, a 7-foot-2 center from the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League, has at least 12 pre-draft workouts scheduled with NBA teams, according to Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog. Scouts will have a close eye on Banchero's defensive intensity and off-ball awareness, as his inconsistency on that end of the floor is a big reason why he has taken a back seat to two-way prospects such as Holmgren and Smith. 6 Colorado State vs. No. Tshiebwe lacks some modern elements to his game, having a difficult time defending in space on the perimeter, scoring outside the paint and facilitating for others, but it's difficult to argue with his productivity and sheer intensity, which should give him a ready-made role early in his NBA career. According to his agent Joel Bell, NBA scouts were "very enthusiastic" about the 7'3" big man and had even secured a guarantee with one team that they will pick Sotto once the draft rolls on. "A negative assist-to-turnover ratio indicates further experience is needed to make him an efficient player with ball in hand," Houben added. -- Schmitz, Jalen Duren | Freshman | Memphis | 6'10" | C | Age: 18.3, When: No. A head-to-head matchup with Ivey in the Sweet 16 would be a great chance for Washington to prove that his more methodical game can hold up against a high-level athlete. Last Updated: April 28, 2020 myESPN Recruits. Scouts will be closely analyzing whether or not Moore takes a back seat in important moments or takes ownership as one of the lone upperclassmen during a Blue Devils NCAA tournament run. The U19 FIBA World Cup MVP is more than able to space the . Sochan gives Baylor a different dynamic as a small-ball 5, and a few strong NCAA tournament performances could help solidify his status as a potential lottery pick. Williams' motor has fluctuated wildly this season, as he simply goes through the motions at times, especially on the defensive end, where he doesn't quite project as a rim protector or a switch defender despite being a stellar positional rebounder (14.8 per 40 minutes) with sharp instincts. My Mock Drafts; Create Your Own Mock Draft; Actual Drafts; Outstanding Trades; . Whether it's Eric Paschall or P.J. Finishing on a strong note will be important considering the way Davison's productivity has fluctuated, something that may make returning for another season in college appealing (or necessary) depending on how his season ends. (2:08). "I remember I really liked his passing for a big man but his body was a big problem. When Lewis is at his best, it's easy to see him filling a role in the NBA pick-and-pop 4 -man who can even slide up to the small-ball 5 some given his strength and length. Harper's thick, doughy frame has always been a concern dating back early in his career, and it's been disappointing to see him fail to get in better shape, something teams will certainly want to see him do in the pre-draft process. He's a risk-taker like you'll see from an NBA big such as Alperen Sengun, throwing behind the back passes out of the post, trying to thread the needle on backdoor feeds and working to break down his man with a variety of different dribble moves, showcasing the type of shift you don't usually see from a player with his body type. Asked if this means Sotto might be limited mostly to defending in drop coverage as to being able to defend in more aggressive schemes in the NBA, Houben concurred. Few others like Makur Maker, Kai Sotto, Zaire Wade, Henri Drell and Samson Ruzhentsev are also there. A deep NCAA tournament run could earn him looks in the late lottery, similar to what we saw from Joshua Primo last year. 5 UConn vs. No. He was part of the initial 33-man list of such prospects, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony: This "also-eligible" list (33 players) includes: Dominick Barlow, Marjon Beauchamp, Dyson Daniels, Michael Foster, Jaden Hardy, Jean Montero, Kok Yat and Fanbo Zeng. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? Most notably, he was named to the All-Tournament First Team in the 2018 U16 Asia Championship, where Sotto averaged 16.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.2 assists in 25 minutes per game. On to. 12 New Mexico State | Thursday | 6:50 p.m. | TNT, Matthew Mayer | Senior | Baylor | 6'9" | SF/PF | Age: 22.4, Trayce Jackson-Davis | Junior | Indiana | 6'9" | PF/C | Age: 22.0, When: No. He has two siblings. NBA personnel have been keeping track of him so he will have his fair chance of being considered," said Theodore Chan, Adelaide's scouting director. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. What to watch for: Brown looks like a Cinderella darling candidate, playing for a formidable Murray State team that is 30-2 and hasn't lost in nearly three months. What to watch for: Williams is one of the best passing bigs in the country and a true hub that you can run the offense through from both the post and the perimeter, at least in college. Michael Houben, a scouting expert for the Australian independent basketball publication "The Pick and Roll," said Sotto's decision to head to the draft felt buoyed mostly by a strong finish in the last five games of the NBL season. In 24 games, he shot 49.6% from the floor, 35.7% from 3-point range and 68.1% from the free throw line -- numbers that have drawn polarizing opinions from those who have followed Sotto's journey with close interest. What to watch for: Christie is a 6-foot-6 guard who has the type of footwork to develop into both an on-the-move shooter and sound defender as he continues to grow in the toughness, confidence and experience departments. You have reached ESPN's Australian edition. "While his late season performances certainly helped, it felt like only a glimpse of his potential, and with those flashes, it felt like another season in the NBL would have seen him play a bigger role that could've highlighted his game even more," Houben said. 11 Iowa State | Friday | 7:20 p.m. | TBS. 13 South Dakota State | Thursday | 12:40 p.m. | truTV. Get all the latest news around the 2023 NBA Draft with Draftcast on ESPN. Data from InStat state that Adelaide hemorrhaged points when Sotto defended the roll man in the pick and roll (16 percent of his defensive possessions, second most) and gave up 1.37 PPP -- way above the league mean. His shooting stroke was apparent at times, but Sotto did not take enough 3s and attempted just 14 shots from beyond the arc through 24 games, including just four from the corners. Just how high Tshiebwe gets drafted is what scouts are trying to determine, but a deep NCAA tournament run that includes strong showings against physical frontcourts could go a long way in solidifying his standing and potentially emerge as a first-round prospect. On the other hand, Michael Houben -- a scouting expert for the Australian independent basketball publication "The Pick and Roll" -- was not as optimistic and called his defense "a very clear limitation at this point in time for Sotto.". Kai Sotto's hope of realizing a nation's NBA dreams depends on whether the league will favor potential over results. Jabari Smith gets the 3-pointer to fall as Auburn hopes to come back vs. Texas A&M. Breaking down the top prospects for the 2022 NBA Draft | NBA Today 229,202 views Feb 3, 2022 2K Dislike Share Save ESPN 8.61M subscribers Mike Schmitz joins NBA Today to discuss the. Scouts will be watching his ballhandling and passing to try to determine if he projects as more than a 3-and-D style wing, as over 50% of his offense comes by way of transition and spot-ups. "I feel like the next year or so is going to give us a better idea of the extent of his perceivable upside. You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? He's easy to get along with, loves joking, and doesn't back away from challenges. "More minutes, along with another year of skill development and physical training, could only help his stock in the eyes of NBA evaluators.". "More minutes, along with another year of skill development and physical training, could only help his stock in the eyes of NBA evaluators.". "He has the type of movement that allows him to find himself an open lane for big-time dunks and create open shots for himself.". 15 Cal-State Fullerton | Friday | 7:10 p.m. | CBS, What to watch for: Griffin is one of the best shooters in college, converting 47% of his 3s while ranking third in catch-and-shoot efficiency among high-volume shooters at high-major programs. Are PSG better off without Neymar in big games? Davis' rebounding, defensive versatility and all-around grit stand out in addition to the strides he has made offensively. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. 12 Wyoming | Tuesday | 9:10 p.m. | truTV, Julian Strawther | Sophomore | Gonzaga | 6'7" | SF | Age: 19.9, Moussa Diabate | Freshman | Michigan | 6'10" | PF/C | Age: 20.1, Ron Harper Jr. | Senior | Rutgers | 6'6" | SF/PF | Age: 21.9. 1 overall pick in this year's lottery via the Draft. Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren elevates and jams it home vs. San Francisco. Although he is as proven a talent as you'll find in the lottery, Agbaji has no shortage of elite prospects in the Midwest region -- Davis, Murray, Tari Eason, Smith -- whom he could go toe-to-toe with to further improve his draft stock. Washington plays a relatively simple game, thriving off transition hit-aheads, spot 3s, closeout attacks, midrange pull-ups, floaters and occasional ball screens, for which he makes the right play more often than not. Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? While thin, he's also a competitive defender who rebounds, gets in passing lanes and plays with outstanding energy. He is the best shot-blocker in college, with intriguing versatility and mobility guarding the pick-and-roll, stepping out the perimeter and recovering to make plays at the rim. 1.7K. 2 Kentucky vs. No. -- Givony, Christian Braun | Junior | Kansas | 6'6" | SG/SF | Age: 20.9, When: No. 1 team. Here's a look at the two-round mock draft: ESPN NBA Mock Draft Chet Holmgren, PF (Gonzaga), Houston Rockets Jabari Smith, SF/PF (Auburn), Orlando Magic Paolo Banchero, PF/C (Duke), Indiana Pacers Jaden Ivey | Sophomore | Purdue | 6'4" | PG/SG | Age: 20.0, When: No. What to watch for: No player offers the same type of size, strength and shot creation that Duke star Banchero brings to the table at 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds. "I think he's very unique compared to all overseas and American prospects. His progress is ideal for both a foreign kid and a 7-3 unicorn.". Ellis has been streaky with his shooting against better competition this season, and scouts will want to get a better feel for his ball-handling and decision-making, which has looked questionable at times.-- Givony, Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Junior | UCLA | 6'6" | SG | Age: 21.0, When: No. -- Givony, Christian Koloko | Junior | Arizona | 7'1" | C | Age: 21.7, What to watch for: The Pac-12 defensive player of the year and most improved player, Koloko is on pace to become the best shot-blocker in Arizona history in the next few games. Running off screens, pulling up in transition, making iso step-back jumpers and hitting impossible fadeaways out of the post -- seemingly no shot is too difficult for the 18-year-old thanks to his high release point and soft touch. "More minutes, along with another year of skill development and physical training, could only help his stock in the eyes of NBA evaluators.". "Kai had a more productive NBL season statistically than I think many were expecting him to, but as it remains, there is still room for improvement," Smith said. "There's no doubt that Sotto is a skilled big man -- his touch, particularly on short floaters, stood out as a skill he can use to get points around the rim, and he had some fun moments as a lob threat as well. Sotto isn't popping up in any mock . When Christie's jumper is falling, it's easy to see him getting looks in the late first-round, projecting somewhere between Landry Shamet and Primo on his best days. "Seeing him at practices and games reinforce the projection he's achieving. In Adelaide, Sotto mostly subsisted on cuts and as a roll man in the pick and roll -- two of four play types where he derived most of his offense. One of the most prolific isolation players in the NCAA, Banchero has an NBA-ready offensive bag. Duke extends its lead over Syracuse thanks to Paolo Banchero's cut inside and big finish. Sotto managed to carve out a niche in the NBL, albeit in a limited role, because of his unusual blend of size and mobility. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Cavaliers via Wizards), Andre Jackson | Sophomore | Connecticut | 6'6" | SG/SF | Age: 20.3, When: No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga to its first NCAA men's basketball title. Sotto also made junior national team and senior national team appearances for the Philippines. Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream", Kai Sotto claims NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player award. Scouts still have questions about Liddell's long-term upside as he stands no taller than 6-foot-7 with average positional length, a flat jumper that might take time to adjust to the NBA line and a somewhat power-reliant game. As the field of 68 eventually gets down to one team left standing with the championship trophy, some of the top NBA prospects will be on display. A 2022 NBA mock draft big board just one day after the 2021 Draft? Proving that he values every defensive possession will be key for Wesley in NCAA tournament play, also. "I feel like the next year or so is going to give us a better idea of the extent of his perceivable upside. However, he decided to forgo his college eligibility and join the NBA G League Ignite. Even so, a possible callup in the second round remains within the realm of possibility. What to watch for: Eason wasn't particularly well-known upon transferring from Cincinnati to LSU, but he made the transition to the most talented conference in college basketball look easy in emerging as a first-team All-SEC player, scoring in bunches and filling up the box score despite coming off the bench. Stay on current site or go to US version. "I think with the way he plays, his height and length helps to make up for that but he was still struggling against some players in the post. Stock watch: Which players are on the move during Champ Week? Search Players; Articles; News; Blogs; Forum; BLACK LIVES MATTER. And the way his intensity has ramped up substantially while the game has simultaneously slowed down for him is extremely intriguing for a player who won't turn 19 until November. -- Mike Schmitz. The 32 teams are set: Who's in and who's out for FIBA World Cup 2023? "I imagine Sotto goes undrafted, but even if he [isn't] picked up, he still has two years on his contract with the Adelaide 36ers, and the NBL is an excellent environment for giving Kai the resources and opportunity to further develop and work towards bigger opportunities.". Sotto posted up a lot -- about 19.3 percent of his offense came from the block, per InStat, which was the second-highest figure from his portfolio -- but Adelaide only scored 0.68 PPP during those trips, well below the league average of 0.89. He can push the ball himself in transition or run the floor like a center. And Duke's Paolo Banchero is one of the Blue Devils' five first-round prospects who are hoping coach Mike Krzyzewski's legendary career ends by cutting down the net at the Final Four in New Orleans. He is a natural with the ball in his hands, changing speeds and directions at will to either generate offense for himself or his teammates. -- Givony, Keegan Murray | Sophomore | Iowa | 6'9" | PF/C | Age: 21.5, When: No. After not appearing in any major mock drafts for the past few months -- including ESPN's big board, which lists the 7-foot-3 center as the 11th-best prospect at center -- the Filipino talent cracked Sports Illustrated's post-combine top 60 released on May 24 and is reportedly in line for a workout with NBA teams. "Please pray for me and support me during my quest to fulfill my ultimate dream.". What to watch for: Washington is a highly skilled 6-foot-4 guard with the type of winning pedigree that bodes well for March. His father, Ervin Sotto, and his godfather, Ranidel de Ocampo, played pro basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association. Still, there's a near consensus that he still has a lot of work to do before becoming a no-brainer pick for a spot on an NBA roster. How Oftana and Lastimosa went from Dumaguete dreamers to Gilas, Already a standout walk-on, La Salle's Ben Phillips looks to make his mark on another court, 'It's a fans' game': Tiongson, Ahanmisi move on from All-Star snubs, The seven biggest 2023 PBA All-Star omissions, and the players who took their spots, A night of nostalgia: Toyota Tamaraws celebrate 50th anniversary, Kai Sotto's second season mirrors 36ers' ups and down. Today, we're focusing on the rest of his game: His defense, his intangibles on and off the floor, and his potential future paths. But in terms of his age, positional length (6-foot-11 wingspan), shooting and productivity, Branham checks a lot of the boxes teams look for in a young guard prospect. With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? One surprising stat: Sotto was also pretty good against ball-handlers in the pick and roll, where he defended a fourth-most 10.7 percent of the time. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, Sizing up the player of the year winners in all 32 Division I men's conferences. Adelaide (109.9 defensive rating, sixth among 10 teams) held them to just 0.72 PPP during those possessions (league average is 0.86 PPP allowed), per InStat -- an indication that the big man pushed back when smaller attackers targeted him in the two-man game. The biggest draft experts make every pick in the 2022 NBA Draft The Field Of 68 33K views Streamed 1 month ago Top 10 Center Prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft. How scouts feel about his confidence and aggression will go a long way in determining whether NBA teams view him as the next productive college upperclassmen turned draft-day steal la Herb Jones and Ayo Dosunmu. "While his late season performances certainly helped, it felt like only a glimpse of his potential, and with those flashes, it felt like another season in the NBL would have seen him play a bigger role that could've highlighted his game even more," Houben said. He left for the United States as a junior in high school to advance his basketball career. Stay on current site or go to US version. ", "His mobility and awareness are above average at his height," Chan added. His progress is ideal for both a foreign kid and a 7-3 unicorn.". "I think mock draft boards are great for the general public's reference but don't entirely represent the full picture. "Outside of being a drop-off/lob option, he seems most successful in getting his offense in the pick and roll. With a body type that earns him comparisons ranging from Kevin Durant to Brandon Ingram to Kristaps Porzingis to Bol Bol, Holmgren has let his game do the talking, as he is in the midst of a record-breaking freshman season for Gonzaga. Kai Sotto . 16 Norfolk State | Thursday | 2:00 p.m. | TBS. Grading Kai Sotto: How the Philippines' prospect's offense stacks up in the 2022 NBA draft Skip to main content Skip to navigation > ESPN Search You have come to the ESPN Africa. Las Pias, Philippines . NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages. With rival Asian leagues circling, is the five-year college player a thing of the past in the Philippines? -- Givony, Kris Murray | Sophomore | Iowa | 6'8" | PF | Age: 21.5, Mike Miles | Sophomore | TCU | 6'1" | PG | Age: 19.5, When: No. Standing 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and an NBA-level bounce, Agbaji is one of nine players in the NCAA shooting over 40% from 3 on at least 6.5 attempts per game, and he's doing so while adding value defensively and ranking in the top 25 in scoring.
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