2022 NBA Draft: Small School Studs
Draft season is one of hope for each of the league’s 30 teams, as the next wave of prospects arrives to potentially change a franchise’s fate. While there will be plenty of discussion about the true top-tier prospects, we’ll start to see unfamiliar names slip in as the draft goes on– guys who could be game-changers if they’re developed properly. Serious talent comes from every corner of the basketball world and the onus is on teams to identify it everywhere, even from less conventional sources. Today we’re going to take a quick glance at some noteworthy draft prospects who have made their names at smaller programs and might not be well-known until their name gets called on draft night. You don’t need to go to Kentucky or Kansas to be an impactful NBA player.
Jalen Williams, F, Santa Clara
In early mock drafts, Williams’ name was being slotted in around the 40s and beyond. Since the combine and interview cycles have passed, he’s been one of the draft’s major climbers, now widely expected to go at some point in the back-half of the first round. Standing 6’6″ with a 7’2″ wingspan, Williams uses his length and tenacious effort to compensate for a lack of explosiveness. He did it all for the Broncos, scoring 18 points per contest, but his role at the NBA level will be much more streamlined. Luckily, Williams has the right attitude and skills for that. He’s a well-rounded player that can handle multiple positions and plays a mature game that means he’ll fit alongside a wide variety of teammates. Williams shot a shade under 40% from deep last year, also chipping in 4.2 dimes and 2.1 steals per contest. He plays hard, can score in a variety of ways and is willing (and able) to make sharp passes to teammates. Having a do-it-all role player with scoring upside is of definite appeal to any team. Guys with that profile — with even less scoring pop — have hit the fantasy radar before.
Ryan Rollins, G, Toledo
Rollins was a top-level player in the MAC, averaging 18.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting .468 from the field as Toledo’s top scorer. His 3-point numbers (.311 last season) are ugly but his free throws (.802) and strong shooting mechanics suggest he can improve over time. Rollins can play either on or off the ball, though often defaulted to score-first mode in college as his team’s best player. He can hit a wide array of shots from the mid-range thanks to impressive footwork, and can ping the ball to teammates thanks to his court vision. Don’t let the assist numbers fool you — Rollins looks like a capable facilitator when he isn’t getting his own shots up. A bit undersized at 6’3″, Rollins makes up for that with a 6’10” wingspan. The big question with Rollins is how he transitions from top-dog against weaker competition to a limited role against the best in the world. The underlying attributes are strong, even if Rollins will be playing at an athleticism deficit, and fantasy GMs have to like the look of his stat set should he ever hit his ceiling.
Patrick Baldwin Jr., F, Milwaukee
Baldwin’s draft stock has taken a tumble over the last season, with a disappointing year at Milwaukee putting a lot of doubt into the air as to how good Baldwin really is. He saw time in only 11 games with UWM last season, his only at the collegiate level. The highest-ranked recruit to ever jump into the Horizon League, Baldwin’s NCAA career (while playing under his father, who was Milwaukee’s coach) was disastrous as ankle injuries prevented him from ever finding a rhythm. He shot just .266 from distance and .344 overall, falling apart after aggravating his ankle in the fourth game of the season. His first three were productive–21 & 11, 19 & 11 and then 13 points–but he only had one standout game after that before getting shut down. At the combine, Baldwin only raised further questions with poor marks for agility and explosiveness, and teams may bristle at a 6’10” guy being more inclined to take jumpers than mix it up in the paint. All that said, Baldwin was an elite high school player, and to judge him so harshly on a rough 11-game sample seems unfair. The mechanics of his jumper look sound and last year was essentially a worst-case scenario. His development looks to be behind schedule but there’s lots of raw talent here, and perhaps all Baldwin needs is a break or two to get things moving in the right direction again.
Leonard Miller, F, Fort Erie International Academy
It may be cheating to go with a guy in prep school, but we can’t ignore a legitimate NBA prospect coming out of Fort Erie, Ontario. It’s also impossible to ignore a guy who’s gone from 6’4″ to 6’11” in the last two years. In his year with FEIA, Miller averaged 31.0 points and 11.6 rebounds per contest, dominating vastly inferior competition. Length and athleticism are his calling cards, though he’ll need some seasoning to learn how to use his frame to its maximum potential. He’ll also need to round out his offensive game, as the current version of his jump shot will not work at the NBA level. Miller does have wrist surgery in his past, but odds are that a developmental staff will be able to work out the kinks with some time — which is going to be required with Miller regardless. Most intriguingly, Miller has shown acumen for handling the ball and playmaking, giving teams long-term visions of a 6’11” lefty point guard who can burst past his opponents or see over them with equal ease. He is simply not pro-ready at this point in time, however, leaving Miller on the board for more patient organizations, or ones who aren’t afraid to take a big swing on lots of raw talent. Miller is far enough away that fantasy managers will have zero expectations for a few years, but the long-term upside is worth daydreaming about.
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