To the 2021-22 season of American basketball He has three games left, those of the Final Four in New Orleans. From there, from the iconic Caesars Superdome, will come the successor to Baylor’s list of winners, which caused a surprise last season but this time could not advance beyond the second round, where it was dropped by North Carolina. Now, the Tar Heels will play a historic semifinal against Duke, their eternal rival. One of the great rivalries in the USA and one that had never moved to the national tournament, let alone a Final Four. On the other side are two very powerful universities, Kansas and Villanova. So the poster is difficult to improve. And as always, the NBA scouts will take the opportunity to make their last duties. The 2022 draft will be held on June 23four days after a hypothetical Game 7 of the Finals.
Is there much to see in the Final Four for those keeping an eye on the next rookie generation? Yes and no. talent remains, including up to three players who can enter the top 10, one with serious aspirations to be top 3 and who is not even ruled out to be 1 from a very, very promising litter in their top positions. But it is also true that three players have fallen who are clearly aiming for the top 4 and who could (in some cases, one could almost say they should) be here because of the potential of their universities.
The most obvious case is Chet Holmgren. The Unicorn of Gonzaga, the university favorite that, a year after hitting it in the final after a season without defeats until the last game, fell again before time, this time in the Sweet 16against rocky Arkansas. Holmgren is a 2.13 of only 88 kilos. At 19, his possibilities are endless: he shoots, he bounces, he intimidates… but some fear that his physique prevents him from exploiting to the fullest at the NBA level.
It is also the case of Jabari Smith, power forward of Auburn and for many the number 1 more sure del draft. A player with talent, instinct, physique and finesse. That defends, shoots, moves the ball… he was wrong on the day of his team’s elimination. And it is the case of Jaden Ivey, whom nobody sees below 4 and whom some raise to 1. Purdue, his university, was an offensive machine that collapsed in the Sweet 16 against the humble St Peter ‘s, the Cinderella of this edition of Madness. Ivey is a combo guard (base-escort) explosive, which haunts Ja Morant and even Dwayne Wade. Who plays with the ball and without it, penetrates at will and also has a good hand.
Those who will be in the Final Four
But none of those three will see them in Louisiana. Yes to these players who are also destined, or aspiring, to be selected in the first round of the next draft:
PAOLO BANCHERO (DUKE). The great star of the Final Four, and the banner of a Duke that arrives as a favorite, full of NBA talent for the last home from Coach K, a Mike Krzyzewski who retires after the tournament. 19 years old, just one season at Duke after being a star in the Seattle area. Italian origin and a few print numbers in his only assault on College: 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists. In addition, he has responded in the tournament and has shown up whenever Duke has needed him. It will be top 5 for sure, top 3 with many possibilities and some see it as number 1 because it seems like a very good option. safea player who he’s going to be yes or yes, and at the very least, a brilliant scorer in the NBA. It can be much more than that, and the tournament is raising his candidacy, so if he makes a good Final Four… Draft specialists compare him to power forwards like Chris Webber and Blake Griffin. At 2.08, he has the wingspan and size to give smaller defenders trouble because of his ability to generate points. A player called to be an NBA star if he gets close to the best possible version of himself.
AJ GRIFFIN (DUKE). A companion of Banchero who is top 10 in all forecasts (moves in the sixth, seventh positions…). Forward of 18 years, he has averaged just over 10 points and almost 4 rebounds with the Blue Devils. A season in which he has clearly gone further after starting with a knee injury. Some compare him to Jimmy Butler. He has the physicality to be a forward with a lot of defensive capacity and he is progressing very promisingly in attack, as he showed with his essential 18 points to secure, against Arkansas, the ticket to the Final Four. He comes to New Orleans with confidence in his outside shot and good efficiency around the rim, more because of talent than explosiveness.
OCHAI AGBAJI (KANSAS). Shooting guard from Kansas who got his start in the sport playing soccer as a kid. He’s 5’3″ and is making leaps and bounds from the back of the first round into the top 10. He’s got NBA physique and has been maturing his game over, in his case, three years in College. In the last one he has averaged almost 19 points and more than 5 rebounds per game. He is fast, strong, has potential as a defender and has a reliable shot. In the tournament he has shone: 15 points and 8 rebounds against Creighton and, after a bad day against Providence, 12 of his 18 points in his team’s explosion in the second half against Miami, to get the ticket to New Orleans. In addition, he captured 5 rebounds, gave 4 assists and also added 4 steals.
MARK WILLIAMS (DUKE). Another one from Duke. A strong defensive center, intimidating, capable of doing the dirty work and acting as a stabilizing anchor behind. His ceiling is getting close to the top 10 and he shouldn’t fall outside the top 20. The tournament is also earning him a lot of points. He is 20 years old, measures 2.16 and in his second season at Duke he has averaged more than 11 points and 7 rebounds per game with, the essential data right now, 2.9 blocks per night. In the four games of March Madness, 14.5 points and 4 blocks on average. In addition to what was already known about him, he is showing potential through footwork and actions near the rim with the ball. He can be more than an alley oops finisher and that can make him lottery pick (top 14).
WENDELL MOORE JR (DUKE). The fourth Duke who should be picked in the first round, in his case closer to the end (around picks 22-30). A swingman (shooting guard-forward) 20 years old who came to Duke as a great promise and a player called to be the top 15 in the draft but who has had a hard time maturing. In his third season (more than 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game) he has really found his game. He has proven capable of being efficient without hogging shots, alongside stars. Has the potential to defend and higher ceiling of his current level in attack. He has to gain strength and improve his ball handling.
TREVOR KEELS (DUKE). Another Duke player? Yesthat’s why the university Coach K is the great favorite for the title in the Final Four, eliminated Gonzaga and Arizona. At 18 years old and 1.96, Keels is a shooting guard for whom the big universities were fighting and who for now has shown that he has the talent… but not so much consistency. He’s aiming for the second round, although he can sneak in at the back of the first. Very strong, with the body to be a defensive specialist but with the talent to be more than that. He has instinct and shooting and he knows how to play for his team, so he is a player that will be very, very interesting if he gains the consistency that is necessary.
CALEB LOVE (NORTH CAROLINA). He has skyrocketed his value in the tournament. So if your North Carolina can beat Duke in a semifinal ultra media and he plays a good game… Against UCLA, he exploded in the second half and finished with 30 points and 4 assists, serving as a benchmark for his team. And against St Peters, a blowout in the Elite 8, he had 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. He is 20 years old and was one of the star point guards of his generation, tempted by many universities. He chose the Tar Heels, where he has averaged more than 10 points and 3 assists as freshman. If he comes out in the first round (not very likely), it will be thanks to the fireworks of Madness.
CHRISTIAN BRAUN (KANSAS). Can he climb to the first round? We will see, but Braun has shown in the tournament he has shown that he is a complete player in attack: shooting, passing, finishing near the hoop… In the four games he has given 14 assists and has signed a 6/11 in triples. He is very competitive and could sneak into the first round if he shines in New Orleans this weekend. After three years of Collegeis ready to be a contributing forward in an NBA team, although in no case (a priori) a star. He works hard on defense to cover his limitations and his 39% shooting from 3-point range is very promising.
