It's hard to believe it, but March Madness has come and gone.
After a whirlwind of a couple of weeks, it's time to take a look at how the NCAA Tournament reshaped the 2022 NBA Mock Draft board.
Were players like Duke's Paolo Banchero and Kansas' Ochai Agbaji rewarded for deep postseason runs? How did early exits affect players like Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren or Iowa's Keegan Murray?
With the NBA regular season drawing to a close on Sunday, we're starting to get a better idea of where teams could possibly land in the NBA Draft Lottery. That gives us a little bit more clarity as to where each prospect may fall, but the NBA's more balanced lottery odds make it tough to project the final draft order.
For this Mock Draft order, we went with the reverse final standings from FiveThirtyEight's NBA predictions model.
For comparison to previous Mock Drafts, you can check out our editions from the start of college basketball season, after the NBA trade deadline and prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament.
So without further ado – with the first pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic select...
NBA Mock Draft 2022
1. Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero, Duke
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-10, 235 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
In my pre-March Madness Mock Draft, I had Holmgren jump Banchero for the top spot for the first time this season. Holmgren was dominant during conference play and had a solid showing in the tournament, but Banchero made it clear during Duke's run to the Final Four that he is the most NBA-ready prospect in this class.
His agility at his size made for a mismatch any time bigs tried to defend him on the perimeter. If he found a matchup he liked in the post, he flashed his smooth footwork and elite shot creation skills to get a bucket. Banchero knocked down big shots from 3-point range, showed off his perceptive playmaking and gave us a better idea of his ceiling as a defender when he's locked in on that end of the floor.
As a result, he reclaims the No. 1 spot in the 2022 NBA Draft.
MORE: Three plays from NCAA Tournament show Banchero's NBA potential
2. Houston Rockets: Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
Position: F/C
Height and weight: 7-foot-1, 190 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
Even though he slides down one spot, Holmgren was still impressive in the NCAA Tournament. The freshman 7-footer showcased all of the tools that make him one of the most unique prospects we've ever seen.
He owned the paint on the defensive end, putting a lid on the rim by tallying 13 blocks in just three games. He was dominant on the glass as well, recording two double-doubles while coming up just one point and one rebound shy of a third against Memphis. Holmgren also flashed some confidence as a ball-handler and knocked down a couple of jumpers that made you see why he's in consideration for the top pick.
He passed a physicality test against Jalen Duren in the second round but foul trouble did limit him – and Gonzaga – in that contest and in its Sweet 16 elimination game. Holmgren silenced some of his critics, but there will always be doubters who don't see how he projects as a top prospect in the NBA.
MORE: Holmgren put NBA potential on display vs. Jalen Duren in NCAA Tournament
3. Detroit Pistons: Jabari Smith Jr., Auburn
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-10, 210 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
Smith's tournament run was cut short after Auburn was upset by Miami in the Round of 32.
The rising freshman forward had moments where he looked like a potential top pick, but some of his biggest questions were also brought to light. He recorded two double-doubles, knocked down four 3s in the opening round, tallied three blocks in the second round and dished out four assists in each game. His pure shooting stroke looked great against Jacksonville State, but his inability to create for himself was magnified in a 3-for-16 shooting night against Miami.
He controlled the glass and showed he can be a versatile defender who can also protect the rim, but his ball-handling and shot creation will have to improve to get to that potential All-Star level as an NBA prospect.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jaden Ivey, Purdue
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-4, 200 lbs.
Age: 20, Sophomore
Ivey did it all for Purdue during its run to the Sweet 16. The undeniable best perimeter player in the 2022 NBA Draft class showed off his blend of speed, explosiveness and physicality on both ends while also giving us a glimpse of his improved jump shot that has helped him turn into a top-five pick.
Even with a poor shooting night in Purdue's elimination game to Saint Peter's, Ivey still knocked down 37.5 percent of his 16 3-point attempts in the tournament and proved he's comfortable taking midrange jumpers, too. He made some clutch shots in the Boilermakers' second-round win over Texas and got to the free throw line at will in each of his first two games.
If there's an NBA team that lands in the top three in the lottery and needs a guard more than a big, don't be surprised to see Ivey's name called ahead of one of the prospects above him on this list.
MORE: Could Ivey become the best prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft class?
5. Indiana Pacers: Keegan Murray, Iowa
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-8, 215 lbs.
Age: 21, Sophomore
Murray didn't get to make much noise in the NCAA Tournament after Iowa was upset by Richmond in the first round, but that result doesn't affect his draft stock, either.
Murray emerged as one of the best – and most efficient – scorers in the entire country this season, averaging 23.5 points on 55.4 percent shooting from the field and 39.8 percent shooting from 3. He has proved to be a long and versatile defender who can comfortably guard four positions and his ability to score from all three levels of the floor, on or off the ball, makes him a plug-and-play player in the NBA.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 195 lbs.
Age: 19, Sophomore
In my last Mock Draft, I wrote, "In my opinion, there isn't much that separates Mathurin from Duke's AJ Griffin or Wisconsin's Johnny Davis." During the NCAA Tournament, Mathurin proved he not only belongs in that next tier of wings in this draft class, but he may be the best of the bunch.
Mathurin had one of the best individual games of March Madness with his 30-point performance in an overtime win over TCU. He was the fastest and most explosive player on the floor, blowing by defenders to attack the basket. (He also threw down the poster dunk of the tournament, too.) He showed his ability to score on or off the ball, but when it mattered most, he was the one taking and making the big shots.
He still has work to be done on the defensive end but his speed and athleticism, arsenal of moves as a shot creator and NBA range as a shooter make Mathurin worthy of a top-10 pick.
7. Sacramento Kings: Jalen Duren, Memphis
Position: C
Height and weight: 6-foot-11, 250 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
Foul trouble robbed us of a better look at Duren against potential No. 1 pick Holmgren in the second round, but his physicality was still on display. At 6-foot-11, 250 pounds, Duren has an NBA body and his plus-athleticism helps him move fluidly for his size. He had trouble finishing around the basket in the NCAA Tournament – he shot 7-for-22 from the field in two games – but he was dominant on the offensive glass, bringing the energy with putbacks. He also had moments where he showed improved footwork on post moves, although he'll have to polish his touch in the paint.
Duren's size, mobility, and strength will make him an intriguing player for any team in the top 10.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (via LAL): Johnny Davis, Wisconsin
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-5, 194 lbs.
Age: 20, Sophomore
Davis is one of the biggest risers in the 2022 NBA Draft class, going from unanimously being left off of preseason Mock Drafts to cracking the top-10 over the course of the season. He showed his ability to knock down tough shots and score from all three levels of the floor in Wisconsin's first-round win over Colgate, but he did go ice cold in the second round against Iowa State. Even with a poor shooting night, Davis still impacted the game with his relentless motor and defensive intensity, two things that make him so appealing at the NBA level.
9. San Antonio Spurs: AJ Griffin, Duke
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 220 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
Griffin slides down a few spots following the NCAA Tournament. The freshman wing had a slow start to his freshman season but eventually found his groove as a scorer. His strength, athleticism and smooth shooting stroke make him enticing as a two-guard in the NBA, but he had a tendency to disappear from games this season. When he's red hot – like Duke's Sweet 16 win over Arkansas – it's easy to fall in love with his knack for scoring. He has a confident catch-and-shoot jumper and can put the ball on the floor to get to his spots, too. But when he's not on – like Duke's Final Four loss to North Carolina – he doesn't impact the game much in other areas.
I do think that could be a product of playing on a Blue Devils team loaded with talent where he wasn't always consistently getting his shots, but it still raises some questions as an NBA player.
10. Washington Wizards: Dyson Daniels, G League Ignite
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 180 lbs.
Age: 19
Daniels made the most of his opportunity with the G League Ignite, elevating his draft stock into a sure-fire lottery pick. His length and energy make him extremely disruptive and suffocating on defense. His passing ability allows him to act as a secondary initiator on offense. He does the majority of his scoring as a cutter and finishes well around the rim, but he's also developed a little floater that will help him at the next level. His jumper is coming along and that will be the final piece to truly become a two-way threat.
11. New York Knicks: Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-5, 215 lbs.
Age: 21, Senior
Agbaji's improvements as a shooter this season had him skyrocketing up draft boards and after leading Kansas on a run to the national championship, it's easy to see why. Even though it's rare to see a senior in the lottery these days, Agbaji looks like he could contribute to an NBA rotation immediately. He's 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 3s this year, he projects as an ideal 3-and-D player that any NBA roster could use.
12. Portland Trail Blazers (via NOP): Jeremy Sochan, Baylor
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-9, 230 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
Even though he only averaged 9.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks this season, Sochan has become a bit of a draft darling with his measurables and switchability as a defender. At 6-foot-9 with a reported 7-foot wingspan, Sochan 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, but he'll have to become a more consistent 3-point shooter to really carve out a role in the NBA. Sochan is still a project but he has a ton of upside potential.
13. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Mark Williams, Duke
Position: C
Height and weight: 7-feet, 245 lbs.
Age: 20, Sophomore
Williams was one of the biggest risers with his play in the NCAA Tournament. The sophomore center showcased his potential as a rim protector and lob threat at the next level, scaring away attackers with his reported 7-foot-7 wingspan while also finishing everything on the offensive end. Williams tallied 11 blocks over the first three games and only missed seven shots the entire tournament, shooting 80.6 percent from the field. He has great hands and is always ready for a pass or lob, going straight up and down to finish at the rim. He doesn't shoot any jumpers at all but he'll always be a threat in the dunker spot on offense. His shot-blocking and rebounding will be his biggest asset to an NBA team.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Tari Eason, LSU
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-8, 216 lbs.
Age: 20, Sophomore
Eason emerged on Mock Draft boards as one of the best, most versatile defenders in his class. His length, physicality and athleticism set him apart as a prospect, capable of providing fluid switchability on the wing for an NBA team. He is all over the place defensively, getting his hands in passing lanes and disrupting shots around the basket. His jump shot could use some fine-tuning but he still found a way to average 17 points per game. If he can knock down catch-and-shoot 3s, he'll have a successful future in the NBA.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Jaden Hardy, G League Ignite
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-4, 185 lbs.
Age: 19
Hardy had some ups and downs during his season with the G League Ignite but his potential as a scorer still makes him one of the most well-rounded offensive threats in his class. He is an elite shot creator with deep 3-point shooting range, which helps give him a runway to blow by defenders and get to the rim. He has developed as a passer which bodes well for his future as a combo guard in the NBA, but he needs to work on his shot selection and play within the offense.
16. Houston Rockets (via BKN): TyTy Washington, Kentucky
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-3, 185 lbs.
Age: 20, Freshman
Washington didn't have much of a chance to showcase his talent in the NCAA Tournament after Kentucky was stunned by Saint Peter's in the first round. The freshman guard struggled mightily in that contest, scoring just five points on 2-for-10 shooting from the field with only one assist. It's one thing to have an off-night as a scorer, but Washington failed to make any sort of an impact as a distributor, either. The skill is there – Washington looked like one of the best guards in the country at times this season, scoring and playmaking at a high level for Kentucky. But there were some games where he fell into the background, which is concerning for a lead guard. It is worth noting he played through multiple injuries this season, though.
17. Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Kennedy Chandler, Tennessee
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-feet, 170 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
Chandler was the lone bright spot for Tennesse in its second-round loss to Michigan. The freshman guard was aggressive as a scorer and decisive as a playmaker, getting right into the teeth of the Wolverines' defense. He finished at the rim and flashed a reliable floater, but also knew when to dish it off to his teammates when the defense collapsed on him. He shot the 3-ball consistently during tournament play and was a pesky defender, raising his draft stock considerably. The next step is Chandler declaring for the NBA Draft, which he has yet to do.
18. Chicago Bulls: E.J. Liddell, Ohio State
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-7, 240 lbs.
Age: 21, Junior
Liddell has slowly progressed into an NBA talent over his three years at Ohio State. Even though he is undersized as a forward at 6-foot-7, his IQ and mobility make up for what he lacks in size. His length (with a reported 7-foot wingspan) and versatility allow him to defend both bigs and wings and he has quick hands and good instincts to come up with blocks. He's a savvy post scorer and has developed into a reliable 3-point shooter – something that is crucial for his future in the league. He'll be a stretch forward or small-ball big at the next level.
19. Minnesota Timberwolves: Malaki Branham, Ohio State
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-5, 180 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
Branham was a late bloomer for Ohio State this season but the freshman forward can flat out score the ball. After averaging 6.3 points over his first 10 games in college, Branham broke out with a 35-point game against Nebraska. He never looked back from that point, scoring double figures in 11 consecutive games to end his freshman season. Branham was awesome in the NCAA Tournament, too, putting on a shot-creating clinic against Villanova in the second round. With good size and length as a defender and a confident shooting stroke, Branham is shaping up to be one of the biggest sleepers in this draft class.
20. San Antonio Spurs (via TOR): Nikola Jovic, Mega Basket (ABA), Serbia
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-10, 210 lbs.
Age: 18
Jovic has an incredible feel for the game as a 6-foot-10 forward. He's at his best playing on the perimeter as a point-forward with crafty passing skills, but also has great touch around the basket as a slithery finisher. He has come along strong as the season has gone on, going for over 19 points in three of his last four games. He is also averaging 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists over that span, showing he can produce against other pros overseas.
21. Denver Nuggets: Ousmane Dieng, NZ Breakers (NBL), France
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-9, 185 lbs.
Age: 18
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 has improved as the NBL season has gone on, putting forth a couple of double-digit scoring performances. He has tallied six double-digit scoring performances since the start of February, coming along nicely before he tests the NBA waters. Dieng will be a development project for an NBA team.
22. Brooklyn Nets (via PHI): MarJon Beauchamp, G League Ignite
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-6, 199 lbs.
Age: 21
Beauchamp played 14 games in Junior College (and averaged roughly 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in that span) before taking his talents to the Ignite. With the Ignite, he has displayed his NBA potential as an energetic forward who can defend multiple positions. He needs to improve as a spot-up shooter to reach his ceiling as a 3-and-D player, but he's a glue guy who will crash the glass, run the lane and put pressure on defenses as a cutter.
23. San Antonio Spurs (via BOS): Blake Wesley, Notre Dame
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-foot-5, 185 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
Wesley inserted his way onto Mock Draft boards as the catalyst of Notre Dame's successful season. He excels as a shot creator, using his quick handle and change of direction to navigate through the teeth of defenses to get to the rim. As we saw in the NCAA Tournament, his jumper is inconsistent, but he has no problem creating space and trusting his pull-up. He's a capable passer off the bounce, making him a pick-and-roll threat, but he has a tendency to force it and turn the ball over at times. He's a raw guard prospect but his skillset and measurables make him an interesting late first-round pick.
24. Memphis Grizzlies (via UTA): Kendall Brown, Baylor
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-8, 205 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
Brown slides down the draft board after a couple of rough outings in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. He had a really strong start to the season, which saw the Baylor freshman rise up on Mock Drafts because of his athleticism, quick feet, breakaway speed and vertical leap. He's a versatile defender who can guard 1-through-4 but his jumpshot mechanics are a little unorthodox and his 3-point percentage dropped off at the end of the season. Brown didn't score more than seven points in any of his tournament games (Big 12 or NCAA) and he didn't make as much of an impact as a rebounder or defender as you would expect, either. He is a late first-round development project.
25. Dallas Mavericks: Patrick Baldwin Jr., Milwaukee
Position: F
Height and weight: 6-foot-9, 220 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
It was a disappointing freshman season for Baldwin. The No. 5-ranked player in his high school class elected to take his talents to mid-major Milwaukee to play for his father and didn't dominate at that level the way he was expected to. An ankle injury eventually cut his season short, limiting him to 11 games played. His measurables and potential still land him in the first round, but he'll have to shoot the 3 at a much higher clip (26.6%) to truly make an impact at the NBA level.
26. Milwaukee Bucks: Walker Kessler, Auburn
Position: Center
Height and weight: 7-foot-1, 245 lbs.
Age: 20, Sophomore
Kessler had a tale of two completely different games in the NCAA Tournament. In Auburn's first-round win over Jacksonville State, he showed why he was the nation's best shot-blocker this season, nearly recording a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks. In the Tigers' second-round loss to Miami, we saw how Kessler may struggle as a big in the NBA, getting played off the floor by a much faster, perimeter-oriented team. Kessler isn't very mobile, which will hurt when NBA teams hunt him on mismatches. But he is physical inside, he has shown some signs of a perimeter shooting touch and he's a great rim protector.
27. Golden State Warriors: Christian Koloko, Arizona
Position: C
Height and weight: 7-foot-1, 230 lbs.
Age: 21, Junior
Koloko cracks the first round of this Mock Draft for the first time this season after making major improvements over the course of his junior year. Koloko was a monster in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 18.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 72.4 percent from the field. He recorded two huge double-doubles in each of Arizona's wins while also showing his potential as a rim protector and raw playmaker out of the post. Koloko has the agility and athleticism to hold his own on switches at the NBA level and he's still growing his offensive game. Reigning from Cameroon, Koloko is fairly new to basketball, said to have primarily played soccer until he was 15. He could be a late first-round steal.
28. Miami Heat: Trevor Keels, Duke
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-4, 221 lbs.
Age: 18, Freshman
Keels was thrown a curveball at the start of the NCAA Tournament when head coach Mike Krzyzewski elected to move him to the bench after starting all but five games this regular season. As a result, Keels had some games where he wasn't featured as much as usual, like his scoreless contest in only 14 minutes of playing time against Texas Tech. But the freshman guard was ready when his number was called, stepping up to keep Duke in their Final Four showdown against North Carolina.
In that game, we saw everything that makes Keels an NBA prospect. He's a big and physical guard who defends multiple positions at a high level. He has a quick and powerful burst when he attacks the basket and he also knocked down a pair of clutch 3s. Keels is well worth a flier in the first round.
29. Memphis Grizzlies: Bryce McGowens, Nebraska
Position: Guard
Height and weight: 6-foot-7, 179 lbs.
Age: 19, Freshman
McGowens has declared for the NBA Draft after being projected as a first-rounder. His shot creation skills are intriguing as a 6-foot-7 guard, but he took all the shots on a poor Nebraska team. If he can become a more consistent shooter and develop his playmaking skills, he could be a diamond-in-the-rough prospect for whichever team takes a chance on him in the late first round.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHX): Jean Montero, Overtime Elite, Dominican Republic
Position: G
Height and weight: 6-foot-2, 170 lbs.
Age: 18
Montero is a confident ball handler who changes speed and direction well. He lets the game come to him as a floor general, knowing when to attack or set up his teammates with keen passing instincts. He's one of the better pure point guards in his class, looking to become the first player drafted from the newly establish Overtime Elite program.
