The 2022 NCAA Tournament will be a great introduction to what could be a deep crop of future superstars in the NBA Draft.
The 2022 NCAA Tournament is loaded with deep, talented rosters and there are more than a few players here who will likely be playing in the NBA next season. From explosive guards to game-changing big men, these are five of the best NBA prospects to keep your eyes on over the next few weeks.
5. AJ Griffin, Wing, Duke
The Blue Devils have a handful of prospects who could be selected in the first round but few have a higher ceiling than Griffin. There are concerns that his game may be too one-dimensional for NBA stardom but his most noteworthy skill — shooting — should let him carve out a long and productive career at the next level.
The 6-foot-6 wing is shooting an eye-popping 46.7 percent on 6.9 3-point attempts per 40 minutes. He’s deadly off the catch but also should be excellent shooting off movement, relocating around pick-and-rolls and running off screens around the primary action. He was a highly-touted high school recruit and it’s possible he has more self-creation chops than he’s been able to show on this crowded Duke roster. Improving his defense and making himself into a viable secondary creator could make him an NBA star but even if he’s just a high-level role player he could be a very important piece for a very good team.