Sotto was eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft because he is a 19-year-old talent one year removed from playing high school basketball. He's a magnet for fouls attacking the rim, is highly switchable on the perimeter and is always around the ball as a cutter and offensive rebounder. 1 Kansas vs. No. 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. Go to Ratings, What to watch for: Davison entered the college game known as a YouTube sensation thanks to his explosive dunking ability, but quickly showed there's more to his game, showing impressive feel as a passer and real grit defensively. "I think mock draft boards are great for the general public's reference but don't entirely represent the full picture. "There's no reason Sotto would not have the potential to be a productive contributor on the offensive end of the floor," Houben said. His skill sets and physical advantages position him to play versatile lineups down the road. Six-time PBA champ 'Plastic Man' Saldaa remembered fondly following death at 64, Grading Sotto: How the Philippines' prospect's offense stacks up in the 2022 NBA draft, Kai Sotto declares for 2022 NBA draft in hopes of fulfilling "ultimate dream", Kai Sotto claims NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player award. Will it be the ultra-confident potential No. 14 Yale | Friday | 2:00 p.m. | TBS. When given the opportunity, Minott has shown impressive flashes of talent with the footwork, body control, quickness getting off his feet and touch he demonstrates from the free-throw line and around the rim, along with how hard he plays on both ends of the floor. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Kai Sotto will be hoping to make it in the big time after declaring for the NBA draft on Thursday.. Even so, a possible callup in the second round remains within the realm of possibility. -- Mike Schmitz. Can Liddell score efficiently against NBA-caliber rim protectors? As the NBA draft draws closer, some teams have shown an increasing interest in Sotto's potential. He fits an obvious mold as a strong-framed, 6-foot-6 wing who can space the floor from well beyond the NBA line, shoot running off screens or pulling up off the dribble, and finish explosively in the open floor. His progress is ideal for both a foreign kid and a 7-3 unicorn.". NBA Draft News Best Available Teams Get the App It has . Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? -- Schmitz, Jalen Duren | Freshman | Memphis | 6'10" | C | Age: 18.3, When: No. Governors' Cup Power Rankings: Is NorthPort's rise real? If he can continue to improve his hands and strength offensively, whilst refining a basic but effective post game to penalize smaller lineups, then Sotto has a legitimate role offensively," Houben said. 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. In honor of March Madness, ESPN's NBA draft experts Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz have complied a mock draft with just players participating in the NCAA tournament. 10 San Francisco | Thursday | 9:40 p.m. | CBS. Leading the Buckeyes deep into March will go a long way in proving to NBA scouts that they should value Liddell's on-court impact and toughness over his perceived "upside." Mock Draft Roundup Familiar Names And The Prospect Of Trades. 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. The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder completed a trade on Monday that included a 2022 first-round pick headed to Denver, and trade chatter is certain to intensify throughout the rest of the league in the coming days. Get all the latest news around the 2023 NBA Draft with Draftcast on ESPN. "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. The ACC defensive player of the year is one of the best shot-blockers in this draft class and brings a consistent presence as a vertical spacer and an offensive rebounder for Duke, finishing 71% of his field goal attempts, with nearly half of those makes coming on dunks. Andrew Gaze and Nat Edwards breakdown 218cm Kai Sotto's impact on the Adelaide 36ers, areas of improvement and future prospects. Griffin has the type of physical profile NBA teams covet on the perimeter at 6-goot-6 and 225 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan. Eason has improved his ballhandling and perimeter shooting considerably while putting consistent pressure on opposing defenses with his quick first step, physicality and insatiable intensity, allowing him to live at the free throw line. Fresh off the back of being named the NBL Fans' Most Valuable Player on Wednesday evening, Sotto declared his intentions on an Instagram post which initially began with him expressing gratitude after his season with the 36ers. ", Scouting Report: Kai Sotto | The Jump (2:08), Grading Sotto: How the Philippines' prospect's offense stacks up in the 2022 NBA draft. "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. A day after Sotto declared for. 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. "Further growth as a passer as he matures and the games slows down for him will also be extremely helpful, as he has shown a certain level of vision at previous levels of play.". 11 Notre Dame vs. No. Sotto's name was absent from the 2022 NBA draft early entrants list released on Tuesday, which featured 36 international players among a total of 283 candidates. "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. He's coachable and receptive to feedback from coaches and teammates," Chan said. Drew Timme | Junior | Gonzaga | 6'10" | PF/C | Age: 21.5, Andrew Nembhard | Senior | Gonzaga | 6'4" | PG | Age: 22.1, Zach Edey | Sophomore | Purdue | 7'4" | C | Age: 19.8, Jaylin Williams | Sophomore | Arkansas | 6'10" | C | Age: 19.7, When: No. 1 Kansas vs. No. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; Kai Sotto will be hoping to make it in the big time after declaring for the NBA draft on Thursday.. 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. His father, Ervin Sotto, and his godfather, Ranidel de Ocampo, played pro basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association. 16 Texas-Southern/Texas A&M-CC | Thursday | 9:57 p.m. | truTV. Standing 6-foot-5 with long arms and excellent footwork as a ball handler, Wesley has a lot of juice off the bounce, changing speeds and directions to attack the rim or stop on a dime to pull up. A post shared by Kai Zachary Sotto (@kzsotto). 9 Memphis | Thursday | 1:45 p.m. | TNT. He also posted the sixth-highest block rate (5.3 percent) among 76 players who played at least 350 minutes, according to the website. The 2.18-meter center -- who only turns 20 on May 11 -- just finished his first season with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia's National Basketball League, where he averaged 7.52 points and 4.48 rebounds across 23 games. What to watch for: Branham is a long-armed, 6-foot-5 off guard who can score the ball at all three levels and defend his position, and he holds some untapped upside as a secondary ball handler in the Caris LeVert mold. He is a steady offensive presence with his ability to catch difficult passes, hammer home lobs, finish with touch around the basket and make good decisions out of short rolls. 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. 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. As talented as he may be, the 7-foot-3 teen titan is well . 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. 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. 6 Alabama vs. No. Indiana Pacers (from Cavaliers via Rockets), Caleb Houstan | Freshman | Michigan | 6'8" | SF | Age: 19.1, Peyton Watson | Freshman | UCLA | 6'8" | SF/PF | Age: 19.5, Josh Minott | Freshman | Memphis | 6'8" | PF | Age: 19.2. What version of Banchero will show up? What to watch for: Duke's most versatile prospect, Moore is an X factor of sorts for the Blue Devils as he gives them a different dimension when he's fully engaged and playing with confidence as a do-it-all wing who can initiate offense, make open 3s, attack the rim and defend his position. "With Kai's progression throughout the season, it was within expectation Kai would declare for the 2022 Draft. "With Kai's progression throughout the season, it was within expectation Kai would declare for the 2022 Draft. He can be a playmaker defensively when engaged, thanks to his huge wingspan and impressive lateral quickness, but he loses his focus frequently and has too many bad moments falling asleep off the ball. 1 overall in the 2022 NBA draft is far from solidified but it's going to be hard for teams to pass on Chet Holmgren. His fluidity and mobility is an intriguing aspect of his game and really stands out when rolling to the basket, where he had some vicious dunks," Smith said. He's easy to get along with, loves joking, and doesn't back away from challenges. He is a streaky shooter who gets a lot of his offense in the post, on midrange pull-ups, in transition and while using his aggressiveness, physicality and smarts attacking out of the pick-and-roll. His fluidity and mobility is an intriguing aspect of his game and really stands out when rolling to the basket, where he had some vicious dunks," Smith said. 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. Over time I think he continues to get stronger, and his muscle growth has been very promising, but he isn't strong enough just yet.". A total of 36 international . I think it's a valid concern in the NBA if he got a chance. Their confidence is not unfounded. Here are some more mocks to check out: NBA MOCK DRAFTS: Older Mocks 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026, Remember to bookmark and add to your home-screen, 5-Star Corner: Patrick Baldwin Jr. Interview, A Closer Look At Bronny James as a NBA Draft Prospect, Talented Sons of Famous NBA Fathers Part 2, Thoughts On How The 2022 NBA Draft Played Out, The 10 Top Freshman in High School Basketball, Draft Buzz: Freshmen Ballers Off To A Fast Start, State of the 2023 NBA Draft An Early Look, The Elite 25 The Top Pro Prospects In High School Basketball, 2026 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings (2025 recruiting class), Victor Wembanyamas Physical Profile and NBA Comparisons, The 10 Top Freshmen In High School Basketball Class of 2026 Recruits, Re-Draft of the 2022 NBA Draft, Top 20 2 Months Into The Season, My Guys Prospects Im Irrationally High On In The 2023 Draft, 2023 NBA Draft Big Board Early Season Edition, Upperclassmen Moving Up The Draft Board The Desmond Bane Effect, The Elite 25 The Top NBA Prospects In High School Basketball Fall 2022, April 13-16 The 2022 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, June 1 Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (NCAA deadline). Their confidence is not unfounded. 13 Vermont | Thursday | 9:20 p.m. | TNT, Dalen Terry | Sophomore | Arizona | 6'7" | PG/SG | Age: 19.6, 41. June 17, 2022 12:57 PM PDT. He lacks a degree of strength and explosiveness, converting just 44% from 2-point range. 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. C - Gonzaga - HT: 7-0 - WT: 195 - WING: 7-6 - Fr - This is a . 15 Jacksonville State | Friday | 12:40 p.m. | truTV. 16 Texas-Southern/Texas A&M-CC| Thursday | 9:57 p.m. | truTV, What to watch for: Braun plays up to four positions for Kansas, switching seamlessly on the perimeter, putting a body on big men in the post and doing quite a bit of facilitation in the half-court. 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. "There's no reason Sotto would not have the potential to be a productive contributor on the offensive end of the floor," Houben said. Sotto also made junior national team and senior national team appearances for the Philippines. 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. 2 Duke vs. No. Stock watch: Which players are on the move during Champ Week? 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. Scouts will want to see if he can turn that talent into consistent and efficient production - on both ends -- in do-or-die games that matter before anointing him a surefire first-round pick. The 21-year-old Murray, who is shooting 63% from 2 and 40% from 3, has turned himself into arguably the best player in college basketball and the most complete prospect in the draft as a 6-foot-9 forward with length and a modern skill set. Should the stars align . Minnesota Timberwolves (from Nuggets), Azuolas Tubelis | Sophomore | Arizona | 6'9" | PF/C | Age: 19.9, Kofi Cockburn | Junior | Illinois | 7'0" | C | Age: 22.5, When: No. Sotto isn't popping up in any mock . Given Zach Edey's struggles staying on the floor late in games, Williams has a great opportunity to continue showcasing his passing, instincts and answering questions about his motor during what could be a lengthy Boilermakers run if Ivey is at his best.-- Schmitz, Keon Ellis | Senior | Alabama | 6'6" | SG/SF | Age: 22.1, Monday through Friday, host Pablo Torre brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet. Draft with Draftcast on ESPN Prospect of Trades | CBS Ervin Sotto, his!, some teams have shown an increasing interest in Sotto 's impact on the during... | 2:00 p.m. | truTV Draft News Best Available teams get the App it has improvement future... 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