2022 NBA Draft Results: A Look Back at the Biggest Names and Biggest Surprises
The 2022 NBA Draft: A Quick Summary
The 2022 NBA Draft was a big one, with a total of 60 players entering the league. This was the first draft since the NBA went to a two-round format, with teams having the opportunity to select two players in the first round and three players in the second round. The draft was full of surprises and big names, with the first overall pick being a mystery until the very end. In the end, the New Orleans Pelicans selected Duke point guard Trevon Duval as the first overall pick.
The Biggest Names Selected in the 2022 Draft
While Duval was the first overall pick, there were plenty of other big names and potential superstars selected in the 2022 NBA Draft. In the first round, the Brooklyn Nets selected Duke swingman Marvin Bagley III second overall, while the Phoenix Suns took Arizona center Deandre Ayton third overall. Other notable selections include Texas A&M guard Robert Williams, who was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 27th overall pick, and Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 11th overall pick.
The Biggest Surprises of the 2022 Draft
The 2022 NBA Draft was full of surprises, with some players rising up the draft board and others falling unexpectedly. The most surprising pick of the night came when the Utah Jazz selected Duke point guard Grayson Allen with the 21st overall pick. Allen was widely expected to be a late first-round pick, but the Jazz saw something they liked and took a chance on him. Other surprising picks included Villanova guard Donte DiVincenzo, who was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 17th overall pick, and Kentucky forward PJ Washington, who was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 12th overall pick.
The Biggest Sleeper Picks of the 2022 Draft
The 2022 NBA Draft was also full of sleeper picks, with some players being selected much later than expected. One of the biggest sleepers of the night was Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura, who was selected with the ninth overall pick by the Washington Wizards. Hachimura was seen as a potential late first-round pick, but the Wizards saw the potential and took a chance on him. Other noteworthy sleepers include Maryland guard Kevin Huerter, who was selected with the 19th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks, and Michigan guard Charles Matthews, who was selected with the 46th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets.
The Biggest Busts of the 2022 Draft
As with any draft, there were some players who were selected much earlier than expected, only to fail to live up to expectations. The biggest bust of the night was Duke forward Wendell Carter Jr., who was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Chicago Bulls. Carter Jr. was seen as a potential top-five pick, but his play was underwhelming and his selection was widely seen as a reach. Other busts included Kentucky guard Hamidou Diallo, who was selected with the 45th overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets, and Michigan forward Moritz Wagner, who was selected with the 25th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Conclusion
The 2022 NBA Draft was full of surprises, with plenty of big names and sleepers being selected. While there were some reaches and busts, overall it was a successful draft for many teams. With so much talent entering the league, the 2022-2023 NBA season is sure to be an exciting one.