NBA Draft of 2022

There is only one way to watch and enjoy the NBA Draft- expect the unexpected, and that’s exactly what happened. After much speculation, Paolo Banchero was ultimately selected by the Orlando Magic with the first overall choice. Chet Holmgren joined the Thunder as the No. 2, and Jabari Smith, the overwhelming favorite to go first, was passed over in favor of the Rockets at No. 3.

The NBA draft of 2022 is over, although the draft cycle will last a little while longer because of the undrafted free agents who have found new teams to play for.

The following future stars can take comfort in the knowledge that their road to the pros is still very much open even though they didn’t hear their name called in the Draft Session on Thursday night. Making a name for themselves in the NBA as an undrafted free agent is not unheard of.

Only the previous season, we witnessed former undrafted free agent Fred VanVleet become an All-Star. Despite not having their names called in the draught, we also witnessed a number of players, including rookie Austin Reaves of the Lakers, play important roles for their teams.

This season, noteworthy talents like Justin Lewis of Marquette and Jean Montero of Overtime will join the group of undrafted basketball players who are still hoping to carve out a name for themselves in the NBA.

Though there are many big prospects that remained undrafted, here are some names that need to be mentioned.

1. Justin Lewis

College: Marquette Golden Eagles: Big, sophomore, 6-7

Possible DESTINATION: Chicago Bulls

2. Jean Montero

College: Elite: Guard, Overtime, 6-2

3. Dereon Seabron

College: North Carolina State Wolfpack: Wing, Sophomore, 6-7

Possible DESTINATION: New Orleans Pelicans

4. Julian Champagnie

College: St. John’s Red Storm: Wing, Junior, 6-7

5. Michael Foster

College: Ignite: Big, G League, 6-8

6. John Butler

College: Florida State Seminoles: Big, Freshman, 7-1

7. Alondes Williams

College: Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Guard, Senior, 6-5

8. Dominick Barlow

College: Elite: Big, Overtime, 6-9

9. Trevion Williams

College: Purdue Boilermakers: Big, Senior, 6-10

10. Keon Ellis

College: Alabama Crimson Tide: Wing, Senior, 6-6

Possible DESTINATION: Sacramento Kings

11. Orlando Robinson

College: Fresno State Bulldogs: Big, Junior, 7-0

12. Jordan Hall

College: Saint Joseph’s Hawks: Guard, Sophomore, 6-8

13. Ron Harper Jr.

College: Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Wing, Senior, 6-6

Possible DESTINATION: Toronto Raptors

14. Kenneth Lofton Jr.

College: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs: Big, Sophomore, 6-7

15. Aminu Mohammed

College: Georgetown Hoyas: Wing, Freshman, 6-5

16. Kofi Cockburn

College: Illinois Fighting Illini: Big, Junior, 7-0

17. Ziga Samar

College: Montakit Fuenlabrada: Guard, International, 6-6

18. Iverson Molinar

College: Mississippi State Bulldogs: Guard, Junior, 6-3

19. Hyunjung Lee

College: Davidson Wildcats: Wing, Junior, 6-7

20. Jamaree Bouyea

College: San Francisco Dons: Guard, Senior, 6-2

Possible DESTINATION: Miami Heat (summer league)

21. Tevin Brown

College: Murray State Racers: Guard, Senior, 6-5

22. Scotty Pippen Jr.

College: Vanderbilt Commodores: Guard, Junior, 6-2

Possible DESTINATION: Los Angeles Lakers

23. Collin Gillespie

College: Villanova Wildcats: Guard, Senior, 6-3

Possible DESTINATION: Denver Nuggets

24. Johnny Juzang

College: UCLA Bruins: Wing, Junior, 6-6

25. Darius Days

College: LSU Tigers: Big, Senior, 6-7

26. Bryson Williams

College: Texas Tech Red Raiders: Big, Senior, 6-8

27. Jared Rhoden

College: Seton Hall Pirates: Wing, Senior, 6-6

28. Gabe Brown

College: Michigan State Spartans: Wing, Senior, 6-7

29. Quenton Jackson

College: Texas A&M Aggies: Guard, Senior, 6-5

30. Brady Manek

College: North Carolina Tar Heels: Big, Senior, 6-9