Last season proved to be a banner year for rookie forwards in the NBA.
Scottie Barnes claimed Rookie of the Year honors after a draft-day surprise at No. 4 overall, Evan Mobley announced his arrival as a game-changing defensive force, Franz Wagner showcased his versatile playmaking as a foundational piece in Orlando, Herb Jones blossomed as an All-Defensive caliber wing stopper and Jonathan Kuminga showed flashes of star potential for the Warriors.
The bar may be high but this year's rookie class flexes some serious muscle at the forward spot starting with the potential No. 1 overall pick.
Is your favorite team in need of a forward or wing? If so, you've come to the right place. We ranked the top 10 forwards in the 2022 NBA Draft class to provide you with a wishlist of players who could be on the board when your team makes a selection.
MORE: Post-Finals NBA Mock Draft: Two-round edition
Top 10 forwards in 2022 NBA Draft
1. Paolo Banchero, Duke
Height and weight: 6-10, 235 pounds
Age: 19, Freshman
Even though Jabari Smith Jr. has become the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1, Banchero is still my favorite prospect in this draft class.
At 6-10, he's an advanced shot creator with elite passing skills for a player with his build. He has a soft shooting touch and an arsenal of go-to scoring moves from the perimeter and the post. His physicality and mobility make him as NBA-ready as anyone in this class.
When he locks in on both ends of the floor, you see exactly why he could be a future star in the league.
MORE: Banchero NBA Draft Prospect Profile: Strengths, weaknesses
2. Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn
Height and weight: 6-10, 210 pounds
Age: 19, Freshman
The 6-10 forward has a case as the best pure shooter in this class, one capable of knocking down shots from all over the floor with his high release and smooth stroke. His quick feet, length and athleticism make him the type of versatile defender every NBA team is looking for.
He's an impact player in all facets of the game. His development as a shot creator will determine just how high his ceiling rises.
MORE: Smith NBA Draft Prospect Profile: Strengths, weaknesses
3. Keegan Murray, Iowa
Height and weight: 6-8, 210 pounds
Age: 21, Sophomore
Murray emerged as one of the best — and most efficient — scorers in the entire country this past season.
Averaging 23.6 points per game on 55.5 percent shooting from the field and 40.5 percent shooting from 3-point range, the sophomore forward gets to his spots, knocks down shots and rarely forces offense. He's a long and versatile defender who is intelligent on the help side.
His game will translate seamlessly as a plug-and-play player in the NBA.
4. AJ Griffin, Duke
Height and weight: 6-6, 220 pounds
Age: 18, Freshman
Griffin is the best shooter in this draft class. He can knock down shots from the midrange and beyond the arc, and he has a confident catch-and-shoot jumper.
Griffin is also capable of putting the ball on the floor and using his strong, running back-like frame to attack the basket. He's a pure offensive threat.
5. Jeremy Sochan, Baylor
Height and weight: 6-9, 230 pounds
Age: 19, Freshman
Sochan has become a draft darling with his measurables and switchability as a defender. At 6-9 with a reported 7-foot wingspan, he can hold his own in the paint, but he's also quick enough to guard on the perimeter.
His activity as a cutter and rebounder makes up the bulk of his scoring on the offensive end, and his development as a 3-point shooter will determine his ceiling at the next level.
6. Malaki Branham, Ohio State
Height and weight: 6-5, 180 pounds
Age: 19, Freshman
Branham was a late bloomer for Ohio State this season, but the freshman forward can flat out score the ball. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year is a fluid shot creator and knockdown shooter.
He has good size and length as a defender, and he is shaping up to be one of the biggest sleepers in this year's draft.
7. Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
Height and weight: 6-5, 215 pounds
Age: 22, Senior
Agbaji is a switchy wing with good length and elite athleticism. He's an active defender and uses his speed to his advantage in transition to create easy buckets for his team.
He's always moving off the ball as a cutter, and after knocking down nearly 40 percent of his 3-pointers this year, he projects as an ideal 3-and-D player that any NBA roster could use.
8. Ousmane Dieng, New Zealand Breakers
Height and weight: 6-9, 185 pounds
Age: 19
Dieng is the definition of a potential diamond in the rough, as he displayed some flashes of brilliance during his first NBL season this year.
At 6-9, Dieng is a creative scorer on the perimeter with quality ball-handling skills to get to his spots, and he's a good passer for his size. He continued to improve as his rookie season went on, but he'll still be a work in progress when he first gets to the NBA level.
9. Tari Eason, LSU
Height and weight: 6-8, 216 pounds
Age: 21, Sophomore
Eason is one of the most versatile defenders in his class. His length, physicality and athleticism set him apart as a prospect. His jump shot could use some fine-tuning, but he still found a way to average 17 points per game this past season.
If he can knock down catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, he'll have a successful future in the NBA.
10. E.J. Liddell, Ohio State
Height and weight: 6-7, 240 pounds
Age: 21, Junior
Liddell projects as a two-way player at the next level, and he's positionally fluid as a four or small-ball five. He may be undersized at 6-7, but he's extremely athletic, strong and mobile to make up for what he lacks in height.
He has a reported 7-foot wingspan, and his strong frame allows him to hold his own against bigs. He's a savvy post scorer and improved as a 3-point shooter over his three years at Ohio State.
