Chet Holmgren, Caleb Houstan among college stars to watch in advance of 2022 draft

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RIGA, Latvia — The FIBA Under-19 World Cup — occurring every other year since 2007 — has produced 55 first-round picks in seven tournaments, making it one of the most important dates on the NBA scouting calendar. Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward, Bogdan Bogdanovic and RJ Barrett are just a handful of the names who have participated.

The top five players currently projected to be picked atop our latest 2021 NBA mock draft — Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs and Scottie Barnes — all represented the U.S. in 2019, and the team will add more distinguished alumni to this event’s impressive list of lottery picks in two weeks.

Unable to select high school players due to a scheduling conflict with the Nike EYBL and other grassroots circuits, the U.S. did not put together quite as impressive a group as in years past in terms of long-term talent, instead looking toward proven college players who fit the age criteria, as well as some of the best rising incoming college freshmen.

That led to some highly competitive medal-round games, including versus Canada in the semifinals and France in the finals, with the Americans coming perilously close to losing to Victor Wembanyama and France after trailing for much of the game.

Here’s our look at the top NBA prospects from the tournament, including several you’ll be seeing in the collegiate ranks during the 2021-22 season:

Chet Holmgren | 7-0 | PF | Gonzaga | USA | Age: 19.1

Holmgren had a strong tournament, winning MVP of the event after finishing third in PER and coming up big in the fourth quarter for the U.S. in the championship game to help bring home gold. Playing primarily power forward, Holmgren’s perimeter skill set was on full display, as he knocked down 7 of 13 3-pointers in seven games and posted 6.2 assists per 40 minutes while playing intelligent, unselfish and efficient basketball throughout.

He wasn’t asked to create much offense for the U.S., doing most of his best work running the floor in transition, finishing plays skillfully around the basket and dropping glimpses of his talent with some silky-smooth jump shots. Regardless, Holmgren’s versatility as a ball handler, passer and shooter is one of his best traits, in addition to the terrific footwork and fluidity he shows inside the paint, as he seems to move at a different speed than anyone at the event not named Victor Wembanyama.

Defensively, Holmgren was a force all tournament long, posting 5.1 blocks per 40 while showing exceptional timing, mobility and instincts turning his hips with agility on the perimeter and recovering to get back into plays quickly to put a lid on the basket anytime he was in games. Getting stronger, becoming a little more aggressive offensively and playing with a more consistent degree of physicality are the next steps in Holmgren’s development, but he’s well on his way in building his candidacy as the No. 1 player in the 2022 draft class.

Playing up by two years (and still eligible for the 2023 version of this event), Wembanyama was both the most impactful player in Latvia as well as the clear-cut best long-term prospect seen here. He thoroughly outplayed Holmgren in a thrilling head-to-head matchup despite being more than 18 months younger, and looked to be en route to carrying France to a historic gold medal before some very questionable whistles forced him to sit the final three minutes of what would become a loss to Team USA.

Still, Wembanyama more than made his point during his time on the floor, posting an impressive stat line of 22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 blocks in 27 minutes and coming up with several highlights on both ends of the floor that immediately went viral and showcased the incredibly unique talent he offers. He had a great case to be named MVP of the tournament.

Standing 7-foot-2 barefoot with a near-7-foot-9 wingspan and 9-foot-7-plus standing reach, Wembanyama is as fluid, graceful and coordinated a big man as you’ll find, gliding up and down the floor, getting off the ground effortlessly for blocks and dunks, and displaying an uncommon skill set and feel for the game for a player his size and age.

He can score from anywhere on the floor, with a picture-perfect shooting stroke that will make him a dangerous 3-point threat in very short order, as well as the ball-handling ability, passing, interior footwork and touch needed to create his own shot inside the arc and score with an array of turnaround jumpers. He’s an incredible presence as a lob-catching threat due to his reach, soft hands and the quickness with which he gets off his feet, and also knocked down 78% of his free throws to capitalize on the many attempts he inevitably draws from the charity stripe.

While exceptionally talented offensively, Wembanyama is even more impactful defensively at this stage, showing incredible instincts as a rim protector to go along with superb mobility and length. He regularly switches onto guards and shows terrific patience containing on the perimeter, staying down on fakes and then finishing plays with a block or strong contest. His work ethic, attitude and approach to the game match his extraordinary talent and give NBA talent evaluators plenty of room to be excited about his ability to reach his full potential.

Wembanyama will spend the next two years with Tony Parker’s Euroleague club ASVEL in France before, barring any surprises, becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. He’ll need to work on his lanky, 215-pound frame carefully to avoid injuries and show that his lack of strength won’t be too much of an issue competing in arguably the most physical league in the world.

Caleb Houstan | 6-8 | SF | Michigan | Canada | Age: 18.5

Houstan had an outstanding tournament, leading Canada to a bronze medal and showcasing an all-around game that should make him one of the best two-way players in college basketball as a freshman.

Known as a spot-up shooter earlier in his career, Houstan struggled badly with his jumper (11-of-58 from 3, 19%) in Latvia, but showed impressive versatility as a ball handler, passer and finisher, attacking the rim relentlessly, playing through contact, extending gracefully for layups with both hands around the basket and coming up huge for Canada late in games on several occasions.

Houstan was also one of the most impactful defenders at the tournament, demonstrating elite awareness off the ball as well as the ability to get up and guard smaller players with his quick feet and tough-minded approach.

Houstan’s shooting percentages will likely look better in a more compact role at Michigan, and NBA teams will surely be attracted to the versatility he brings on the wing as well as his cerebral approach. He made a case to be considered a potential top-five pick next year.

Jaden Ivey | 6-4 | PG/SG | Purdue | USA | Age: 19.4

Averaging only 16.5 minutes per game due to Team USA’s outstanding backcourt depth, Ivey was one of the most productive players at the tournament on a per-minute basis, averaging 29.8 points per 40 to go along with 7.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.8 steals.

Standing 6-4 with a terrific frame, an explosive first step and highlight-reel-caliber finishing ability, Ivey had arguably the best physical tools of any guard in Latvia, and consistently put them to use on the defensive end, where he was an absolute force both on and off the ball.

Shooting just 8-of-28 (29%) from 3 and turning the ball over a little more often than you’d hope, Ivey still has some things to iron out offensively in terms of shot selection, decision-making and polish, but looks to be en route to a breakout sophomore season at Purdue that could very well solidify him as a lottery pick next year.

Dyson Daniels | 6-6 | SG | G League Ignite | Australia | Age: 18.3

Playing up a year on the competition, Daniels had a strong tournament, demonstrating his talent and versatility despite not being able to lead a weak Australia team to the quarterfinals.

Daniels did a little bit of everything for his team, impressing in particular with the fluidity, pace and skill he shows as a shot creator along with the touch and creativity he displays as a finisher around the basket.

Always playing with his head up, the 6-6 guard finished fourth in the tournament with 4.6 assists per game. His awareness and instincts were noticeable with the way he defended off the ball, finishing second in steals and rating among the best rebounders at the event among backcourt players.

Daniels still has work to do on his jump shot (13-of-43 from 3, 30%) and ability to absorb contact at the rim, as he’s still growing into his frame, isn’t blessed with major explosiveness and at times looks to be figuring out the proper balance between playing the right way and knowing when his team needs him to take over.

It will be interesting to see how Daniels’ team-first, cerebral style of play translates to the G League Ignite setting, where he’ll likely be forced out of his comfort zone and asked to play a different style of basketball than what he has experienced in Australia so far.

Clearly looking the part physically, and also having a relatively complete skill set to build off, Daniels fits the mold of backcourt players NBA teams are seeking. He also possesses plenty of upside to grow long-term, more than justifying the attention he has received to this point.

Kennedy Chandler | 6-1 | PG | Tennessee | USA | Age: 18.8

Coming off the bench as part of a stacked U.S. backcourt, Chandler did an excellent job of playing his role while still showing scouts his significant talent. He brought great energy defensively every time he stepped on the court, putting strong pressure on the ball, getting in passing lanes consistently, and then igniting the break with his tremendous speed. He’s a blur in the open floor who can also play above the rim with a head of steam; the game obviously comes very naturally for Chandler, especially in terms of handling the ball and facilitating for teammates.

Chandler shows terrific timing and pace operating out of pick-and-roll, using both sides of the floor and impressive vision threading the needle with well-timed bounce passes on the move. He’s also a capable shooter with his feet set or off the dribble (9-of-23, 39%), and has soft touch on his floater, an important shot to have in his arsenal at his size. Listed at 6-1, NBA scouts say Chandler’s lack of height and bulk are their primary concerns at the moment, as he struggled at times to finish around the basket in traffic in the half court and can get a little turnover-prone when faced with length. Still, guards with Chandler’s speed who can create for themselves and others, shoot with range and are willing defenders remain in high demand in today’s NBA, and he’ll have every opportunity to prove himself on a talented Tennessee team in the loaded SEC.

Patrick Baldwin Jr. | 6-10 | PF | Milwaukee | USA | Age: 18.6

Playing in his first extended action since suffering a serious ankle injury in December 2020, Baldwin looked to be shaking off the rust of the past seven months and wasn’t asked to play an outsized role for this team.

Baldwin did show glimpses of what makes him interesting as a fluid 6-10 power forward who can pass off a live dribble, step into open 3-pointers and make plays defensively off the ball using his instincts and knowledge. Still, scouts in attendance say they wanted to see a bit more from the projected top-10 pick, expressing surprise at an ordinary level of explosiveness, as well as the lack of consistency he displayed as a shooter outside of wide-open 3-pointers (9-of-28 from 3, 32%) and the fact that he didn’t bring the type of physicality and aggressiveness they hoped for on both ends of the floor. Many were unaware of Baldwin’s recent extended absence, which clearly played a part in his struggles, as did the minor role he played on this team.

Baldwin will be handed the keys to his father Pat’s Milwaukee team in the Horizon League this season and have every opportunity to show that he’s a different player than the one scouts saw in Riga.

Bennedict Mathurin | 6-6 | SG | Arizona | Canada | Age: 19.0

A one-man roller-coaster ride from game to game in terms of consistency and approach, Mathurin had a sensational performance in the bronze-medal game (31 points) that demonstrated how impactful a two-way player he can be when he’s operating at full potential.

Mathurin didn’t shoot as well at this tournament (10-of-29, 34.5%) from beyond the arc as he did at Arizona last season (46%) but was able to take on more offensive responsibility. He dropped impressive glimpses of talent as a creator, at times changing speeds on the perimeter and finishing at the rim with his left hand. Still, Mathurin has some things to prove in terms of playmaking, knowledge of the game and overall decision-making, as he went through long stretches at times where he seemed to be overthinking things and struggled to make his presence felt.

Defensively, Mathurin was similarly inconsistent, at times showing tremendous energy and intensity sliding his feet and containing on the perimeter, but also having too many moments where he looked detached from his team, failing to communicate with teammates and looking a step slow in terms of his awareness off the ball.

NBA scouts in Latvia sounded split on their evaluation of Mathurin, largely depending on which game they caught, and it seems he has plenty to prove as a sophomore to live up to his potential lottery billing.

Nikola Jovic | 6-10 | SF | Serbia | Age: 18.0

Playing up a year on the competition, Jovic helped Serbia to a fourth-place finish while landing a spot on the all-tournament team after averaging 18.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. You won’t find many more versatile players offensively at 6-10, as he demonstrated a high skill level creating shots in the post, pushing the ball in the open court, knocking down 3-pointers effectively, and serving as a consistent presence as a cutter and finisher operating off the ball.

With that said, Jovic’s limitations were fairly evident as the competition stiffened. He struggled badly defensively, looking like a total liability when on an island trying to contain smaller players with his thin frame and short arms — and often appeared to be barely trying on that end of the floor. Jovic’s perimeter shot creation was more or less shut down by France’s and Canada’s arrays of long-armed, quick-footed defenders, and his body language was very concerning around teammates and referees. He struggled to handle the pressure of big moments, at times looking very passive and letting his emotions get the best of him on other occasions.

It’s important to note that Jovic just turned 18 and is a relative newcomer at this level of basketball, as he more or less came out of nowhere in the past year and simply hasn’t faced this level of athleticism up until this point in his career. He’ll have an outsized role next season playing in the Adriatic League and will have a good chance to continue to build his candidacy as a first-round pick.

Khalifa Diop | 7-0 | C | Senegal | Age: 19.4

Diop came alive once 7-1 countryman Ibou Badji surprisingly elected to leave Senegal mid-tournament to conduct private NBA workouts in the U.S. That allowed Diop to return to his natural center position and log some outstanding performances against the U.S., Spain and Argentina. Diop wouldn’t look out of place in a NBA game tomorrow, standing 7 feet with a chiseled 250-pound frame and long wingspan, and he also has a fairly high skill level to go along with a strong feel for the game.

Previously asked to play a minor role at the highest levels of European basketball with Gran Canaria in the ACB, Diop benefited from the increased opportunities he had with Senegal, showing the ability to handle the ball in the open floor, find open teammates on the move and make shots from the perimeter in small doses, elements that complement his brute strength burying weaker defenders in the post and finishing softly with nice touch. Diop also showed terrific versatility defensively, finishing as the only player at the tournament to average more than 2 steals and 2 blocks per 40 minutes, as well as demonstrating the ability to switch onto smaller players on the perimeter, slide his feet and elevate off the ground quickly to protect the rim with strong timing.

Diop could very well build on his strong tournament in Latvia by carving out a bigger role in the ACB next season, which would help him make a push for the late first round if he continues to make progress, which he consistently has for the better part of two and a half years since we first evaluated him.

Jun Seok Yeo | 6-9 | SF/PF | Korea | Age: 19.3

The tournament’s leading scorer by a wide margin at 25.6 points per game (seven points higher than the next-best player), Yeo had an outstanding showing in Latvia that firmly cemented him as a prospect NBA scouts will need to monitor in the coming years.

Measured at a hair under 6-foot-9 while at the NBA Global Academy, Yeo nevertheless emerged as one of the tournament’s most dynamic shooters, regularly throwing in 3-pointers off step-backs, running off screens, pulling up off hang dribbles and scoring with his feet set whenever he was given even a glimmer of daylight. While he converted only 29% of his shots, that was largely due to the huge volume of attempts — Yeo was asked to shoulder the biggest scoring load of any player at the event, a product of the weak roster that surrounded him.

That reality exposed some of Yeo’s weaknesses, as he’s not the most advanced shot creator and can still stand to add some craft as a finisher and passer operating in the half court, as well as improve his shot selection.

Defensively, Yeo is somewhat of a mixed bag too, as he isn’t quite quick enough laterally to stick with perimeter players, and doesn’t have ideal length for a power forward. Still, his strong frame, tough-nosed approach and solid instincts allowed him to do some good things on this end of the floor still, as he finished as the tournament’s second-leading rebounder, and top-10 in both blocks and steals.

Yeo elected to leave the NBA Global Academy, where he made significant strides, at the onset of the pandemic and is reportedly a candidate to play professionally in the Korean Basketball League next season. He was the youngest player to see time at the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Kaunas last month with the Korean senior national team.

Zach Edey | 7-4 | C | Purdue | Canada | Age: 19.1

Edey led the tournament in PER with a monster per-40 stat line of 25.6 points, 23.9 rebounds and 3.9 blocks. At 7-4, 280 pounds, there wasn’t a single player at this tournament physically equipped to slow him down inside the paint, and likely won’t be one in the Big Ten next season either.

More than just a giant, Edey impressed with the skill level he displayed around the basket, his terrific hands and instincts as a rebounder, and the nonstop intensity level he brought as a competitor. He understandably ran out of gas after playing a brutal seven games in nine days — while taking a constant pounding due to his style of play — but continued to put forth maximum effort in everything he did regardless. Players in Edey’s mold aren’t exactly what the NBA is looking for anymore, but if he continues to improve his defensive technique and awareness while rounding out his offensive skill set, there could certainly be a place for him in a Boban Marjanovic-type role. In the meantime, he’s certain to emerge as one of the most productive players in the college game in the coming years.

Ruben Dominguez | 6-6 | SG | Spain | Age: 18.4

The tournament’s second-leading scorer and most prolific 3-point shooter, Dominguez carried Spain on his back to a surprise fifth-place finish, despite playing up a year on the competition. The MVP of the 2019 U16 European Championship, Dominguez has added more to his game since leading Spain to a gold medal in Udine over Victor Wembanyama and France, becoming a capable pick-and-roll option who can find the open man creatively and score efficiently inside the arc, as well being an elite shooter.

Strongly built at 6-6 with average length, Dominguez will likely need to prove his physical tools translate to the highest levels of basketball in the Spanish ACB to maximize his draft stock. He struggles to get all the way to the rim at times due to his average first step, rarely gets to the free throw line and has some question marks to answer defensively in terms of slowing down more athletic wing-types.

Still, 6-6 18-year-olds with this type of shooting stroke and range who can score from anywhere on the floor, play with unlimited confidence and have the vision and instincts to make plays for others certainly don’t grow on trees. Dominguez looks like a player scouts will be closely monitoring once he starts carving out playing time with Estudiantes, which was relegated to the Spanish second division this season and should present a significant opportunity for him to stand out.

Mike Miles | 6-1 | PG | TCU | USA | Age: 18.8

A relative unknown entering this event, Miles had a breakout tournament playing for his head coach at TCU, Jamie Dixon, and emerging as Team USA’s main engine in the backcourt as both a scorer and playmaker.

Not blessed with great physical dimensions, Miles stood out for his fearless approach, ability to play at different speeds and advanced scoring instincts finishing inside the arc from difficult vantage points. He was the go-to U.S. option when things tightened up in the half court, and his ability to make something happen out of a ball screen bailed the team out in several important moments.

Becoming more efficient with his shot selection and decision-making will be the next step in Miles’ evolution as a point guard, especially as the competition stiffens. He’ll also need improvement defensively, an area that might always be a disadvantage because of his size.

Still, Miles did a great job of putting himself on the radar of NBA teams and looks like a good bet to emerge as one of the better players in the Big 12 in the years ahead.

Peyton Watson | 6-8 | SF | UCLA | USA | Age: 18.8

Watson played a minor role for this U.S. team at just 12.4 minutes per game, and struggled to get much going offensively. He hit just 2 of his 12 3-point attempts and looked fairly raw in terms of his frame, handle and shot selection.

While it’s clear that Watson is much more of a long-term prospect than anyone else on this U.S. team, he did drop several hints of good things to come. His activity defensively was notable, evidenced by the 3.7 blocks and 1.8 steals he averaged per 40 minutes. Watson came into games looking to wreak havoc in passing lanes and had some impressive moments using his length and athleticism to cover ground, crash the glass and make plays defensively.

Although he struggled to score, Watson did make some high-level passes within the flow of Team USA’s offense, showing unselfishness and court vision that will aid in his development as his lanky frame and unpolished skill set evolve.

A late bloomer who grew and emerged as a top-shelf prospect only recently, Watson is on a different trajectory than most. He’ll be judged by the type of improvement he makes in the next year or so, as he has all of the ingredients NBA teams are looking for in players at his position long-term, giving him lottery-type upside.

Kenneth Lofton Jr. | 6-7 | C | Louisiana Tech | USA | Age: 18.9

Team USA’s top scorer at 13.1 points in just 18.4 minutes per game, Lofton played an essential role, coming up especially huge in the medal rounds against Canada and France, where he pumped in 32 points in 47 minutes, many of which came down the stretch.

Lightly recruited out of high school despite being extremely productive in the Nike EYBL, the all-Conference USA third-team member’s emergence as the savior of an American team typically dominated by McDonald’s All-Americans was one of the best storylines of the tournament. Playing with incredible joy, Lofton was clearly the biggest personality on the team and the player everyone gravitated to for energy on the bench. International teams had no answer for his huge frame, deep post catches, nimble footwork and fluid spin moves to either shoulder, fouling him incessantly and proving unable to prevent him from completely dominating them on the offensive glass.

The big question everyone in Riga wanted to know was how does it translate to the NBA? There just aren’t that many 6-7, below-the-rim centers in the modern game, especially those who don’t shoot from outside and struggle to move their feet defensively outside of the paint. Lofton will certainly need to transform his body over the next few years, expand his shooting range and develop better technique and instincts on the defensive end. That will take time, but he doesn’t look like he should be in a rush despite his outstanding performance in Latvia — which some people felt was deserving of the MVP nod over Holmgren. Barring dramatic improvement, starting with his body type, carving out a high-level niche overseas, a la former UC Santa Barbara star Alan Williams, might be a more plausible scenario at the moment.

Jayson Tchicamboud | 6-5 | PG | France | Age: 19.4

At 18 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.3 steals per 40, Tchicamboud had one of the most versatile stat lines at the event and did so on sparkling efficiency (68% true shooting), helping France make the gold-medal game. Standing 6-5, he has excellent size for a point guard, plays with terrific pace, changes speeds while operating out of pick-and-roll, whips the ball all over using both sides of the floor and is a hard-nosed, versatile defender.

The son of a former French national team point guard known for his toughness and smarts, Steed Tchicamboud, the younger Tchicamboud’s biggest question marks revolve around his jumper, as he’s a career 23% 3-point shooter (60% on free throws) who sports funky, unorthodox mechanics. He did make progress in that area in Riga, hitting 7 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc, even making some deep ones off the dribble in small doses. If he can continue to make progress with his overall scoring ability while doing a better job of minimizing turnovers, Tchicamboud has a chance to emerge as a real NBA prospect thanks to his terrific size, feel for the game and versatility.

This article was originally published by Espn.com. Read the original article here.
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