2022 NBLxNBA Draft Preview

The eyes of the basketball world will be on the NBA Draft this Friday (Australian time) where New Zealand Breakers duo Ousmane Dieng and Hugo Besson, as well as Aussie Dyson Daniels, are all expected to be selected.

A host of other NBL players are also draft eligible, including Next Star Makur Maker (Sydney Kings), Aussie Luke Travers (Perth Wildcats) and Filipino star Kai Sotto (Adelaide 36ers).

As we approach the draft, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria runs his eye over the top prospects out of Australia and the NBL in the ultimate NBLxNBA Draft preview.

DYSON DANIELS

Age: 19

Position: Guard

Nationality: Australian

Last season: 11.0 points, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals per game for NBA G League Ignite

Highest Mock Draft Prediction: 5 – Detroit Pistons (CBS Sports)

Lowest Mock Draft Prediction: 12 – Oklahoma City (The Athletic)

What the experts are saying: Most mock drafts have Daniels getting snapped up by either Portland at seven or New Orleans at eight, but a report today from The Athletic’s Bob Kravitz suggests that the Aussie is gaining steam to be selected by Indiana at number six. Kravitz wrote that sources within the Pacers had told him that Daniels “had one of the greatest workouts a lot of people in the Indiana organisation have ever seen.” 

Others, like ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, believe Daniels would be an excellent fit in Portland while The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, who has him going to the Pelicans at eight, writes that “fans will love this guy immediately.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dyson Daniels is gaining a lot of steam to being selected by the Pacers at No. 6, per <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a>’s <a href="https://twitter.com/bkravitz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bkravitz</a>:<br><br>“I was told Dyson Daniels had one of the greatest workouts a lot of people in the Indiana organization have ever seen.” <a href="https://t.co/0lOgqvBEnZ">pic.twitter.com/0lOgqvBEnZ</a></p>&mdash; Evan Sidery (@esidery) <a href="https://twitter.com/esidery/status/1539267022462193664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


OUSMANE DIENG

Age: 19

Position: Forward

Nationality: French

Last season: 8.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game for the Sky Sport New Zealand Breakers

Highest Mock Draft Prediction: 8 – New Orleans Pelicans (The Athletic)

Lowest Mock Draft Prediction: 17 – Houston Rockets (Bleacher Report, CBS Sports)

What the experts are saying: Of all the established draft analysts, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie appears to be the highest on Dieng as his latest mock draft has him going at pick eight to New Orleans. Vecenie writes that “this is considered the start of Dieng’s range” while adding that he expects the Frenchman “to go somewhere in the lottery.”

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and ESPN’s Dick Vitale are also firm believers in Dieng’s talent and potential. Both have the Frenchman tabbed to go ninth to San Antonio with O’Connor labelling him “one of the highest-upside prospects in the draft.”

The most popular prediction, however, is for Oklahoma City to snap Dieng up at twelve, with Givony, The Athletic’s Zach Harper and many others listing him there in their mock drafts. Of course, that could get interesting if the Thunder wind up trading that pick, as has been suggested by numerous NBA insiders over the past few days.

Finally, Bryan Kalbrosky from USA Today has written that if Dieng slips past twelve, he could see the Charlotte Hornets snapping him up at thirteen, “after having success with LaMelo Ball out of Australia’s NBL.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New Zealand Breakers wing Ousmane Dieng has received an invite to attend the NBA Draft green room with his family on June 23rd, a source told ESPN. <a href="https://t.co/qc4s3WjrRs">pic.twitter.com/qc4s3WjrRs</a></p>&mdash; Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1536456549136224256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


HUGO BESSON

Age: 21

Position: Wing

Nationality: French

Last season: 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for the Sky Sport New Zealand Breakers

Highest Mock Draft Prediction: 38 – San Antonio Spurs (The Ringer)

Lowest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted (SB Nation, USA Today)

What the experts are saying: Besson was tremendous for the Breakers last season and his play has resulted in a likely second round selection. That said, opinions vary among analysts on how well his skillset will transfer to the Association. As a result, predictions on mock drafts suggest his range is roughly from the late thirties to the mid-fifties, with some outliers even expecting him to go undrafted.

O’Connor is one who is very high on Besson, listing him at 38 on his ‘Big Board’ and describing him as a “scorer with a flair who can create space off the dribble and make plays for others.” Meanwhile, Kyle Boone from CBS Sports has Besson slated to go at pick 48 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, writing that “he plays a style that’s conducive to winning in the NBA in the right situation.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Blazers got to know Hugo a little better after he was in town for a Pre-Draft Workout to start this week ?<br><br>Portland have the 7th, 36th and 57th picks in Friday&#39;s NBA Draft.<br><br>? <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trailblazers</a> <a href="https://t.co/hXlwI6nGRO">pic.twitter.com/hXlwI6nGRO</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1539380336236580864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


LUKE TRAVERS

Age: 20

Position: Wing

Nationality: Australian

Last season: 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game for the Perth Wildcats

Highest Mock Draft Prediction: 55 – John Hollinger’s Top 75 Prospects (The Athletic)

Lowest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted (multiple)

What the experts are saying: Travers has been busy throughout the pre-draft process, competing at the G League Elite Camp in Chicago and working out with eight NBA teams; Minnesota, Cleveland, Sacramento, Dallas, Indiana, Phoenix, Golden State and the LA Clippers.

John Hollinger from The Athletic has described Travers as one of his “favourite stash candidates,” adding that with his play in Chi-town the Aussie “showed enough feel as a passer and secondary ball-handler to think he can make it if his shot straightens out.” Hollinger is also a fan of the Wildcat’s aesthetics, writing that Travers “also rocks a glorious blond mullet straight out of a 1984 Ratt video, which makes every play twice as impressive.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The boy from Rocko, Luke Travers, is making a name for himself in the US, having now worked out with 8 NBA teams ahead of the 2022 NBA draft. ?<br><br>Luke caught up with <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsPerth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@9NewsPerth</a> to chat about chasing his NBA dream. <a href="https://t.co/3i17BfZrfF">pic.twitter.com/3i17BfZrfF</a></p>&mdash; Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1539232105598976001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


MAKUR MAKER

Age: 21

Position: Forward/Centre

Nationality: South Sudanese / Australian

Last season: 7.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, 36.1% from three for the Sydney Kings

Highest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

Lowest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

What the experts are saying: Sydney’s Makur Maker has been heavily involved in the pre-draft process over the past few weeks, participating in workouts with a dozen NBA teams; Washington, Utah, Charlotte, Cleveland, Brooklyn, Phoenix, Miami, Sacramento, Portland, Milwaukee and Oklahoma City.

After a productive season with the Kings – one that that ultimately ended in a championship – the 21-year-old appears at number 95 on ESPN’s big board of best available talent, however none of the major outlets have included him in recent mock drafts, suggesting he’s unlikely to get selected when all is said and done.

Either way, Maker should wind up on a Summer League team next month in Las Vegas, where he’ll get more chances to put his versatile skillset on display.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fresh off a championship with the <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydneyKings</a>, Next Star Makur Maker worked out for the Charlotte Hornets earlier today ?<br><br>? <a href="https://twitter.com/hornets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hornets</a> <a href="https://t.co/NAuCqBmwI2">pic.twitter.com/NAuCqBmwI2</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1537196420293627904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


KAI SOTTO

Age: 20

Position: Centre

Nationality: Filipino

Last season: 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.8 blocks per game for the Adelaide 36ers

Highest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

Lowest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

What the experts are saying: Sotto is currently ranked seventy-second on one Sports Illustrated Top 100 Prospects list but, to this point, hasn’t appeared on mock drafts from any of the more established analysts.

That said, the Adelaide big man has participated in pre-draft workouts with a bunch of NBA teams over the past several weeks, including Chicago, New York, Orlando, Cleveland, Atlanta, Sacramento and the LA Clippers.

His most recent workout took place in Indiana, after which Sotto spoke glowingly about his time in the NBL last season.

“The whole year was a really fun experience,” Sotto said. “I really learned a lot and it really helped me develop and improve as a player.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sacramento had a good l?k at <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Adelaide36ers</a> big man Kai Sotto who was in town for a workout earlier this week ?<br><br>The Kings have the 4th, 37th and 49th picks in next week&#39;s NBA Draft.<br><br>? via <a href="https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SacramentoKings</a> <a href="https://t.co/q93paOnZ0c">pic.twitter.com/q93paOnZ0c</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1537281975429779456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


SAM WAARDENBURG

Age: 23

Position: Forward

Nationality: New Zealand

Last season: 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks per game, 42% from three for the University of Miami (NCAA)

Highest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

Lowest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

What the experts are saying: Waardenburg participated in a pre-draft workout with the Golden State Warriors last week but there’s no expectation that he’ll be selected on Friday.

Having recently signed a multi-year deal with the Cairns Taipans, Waardenburg will be hoping to secure a Summer League spot before heading to Far North Queensland to prepare for his first season as a pro.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Haven&#39;t heard about Sam Waardenburg?<br><br>There&#39;s a lot for Cairns fans to like about their new signing ?<a href="https://twitter.com/SamWaardenburg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SamWaardenburg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CairnsTaipans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> <a href="https://t.co/vcwzeORR06">pic.twitter.com/vcwzeORR06</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1535072183428739072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


BUL KUOL

Age: 25

Position: Wing

Nationality: South Sudanese / Australian

Last season: 10.4 points per game, 35% from three for the Cairns Taipans

Highest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

Lowest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

What the experts are saying: Kuol is auto-eligible for this year’s draft after completing his first season as a pro in the NBL, however he’s not expected to be selected when all the names are called out on Friday.

That said, the 25-year-old did work out with Chicago last week and, according to a report from ESPN’s Kane Pitman, followed that up with a similar workout with the Cleveland Cavaliers. All of that means that Kuol could potentially score a Summer League invite from one of those teams in the days following the draft.

“I think I took full advantage of the workouts,” Kuol told ESPN.

“I think they got to know me, saw my character, saw how I played, the level of intensity and leadership skills, so if teams take the chance and want to bring me in, it’s a possibility but I’m not really thinking about it.

“I got everything I wanted out of it and if they bring me in, it would be a bonus.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">??????? ???? ??<br><br>Our very own Rookie of the Year Bul Kuol is spending some of the off-season with the <a href="https://twitter.com/chicagobulls?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chicagobulls</a> ??<br><br>?: Facebook / Damian Cotter <a href="https://t.co/jxHOqW7BsJ">pic.twitter.com/jxHOqW7BsJ</a></p>&mdash; Cairns Taipans (@CairnsTaipans) <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans/status/1538375644920176640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


AKOLDAH GAK

Age: 19

Position: Centre

Nationality: South Sudanese / Australian

Last season: 1.9 points per game for the Illawarra Hawks

Highest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

Lowest Mock Draft Prediction: Undrafted

What the experts are saying: Gak has participated in a pre-draft workouts with four different NBA teams over the past few weeks; Utah, Chicago, Milwaukee and, most recently, the Washington Wizards.

The Illawarra big man is still really young and possesses impressive physical tools but is nonetheless set to go undrafted. From there it will be a matter of trying to secure a gig at next month’s NBA Summer League and then gearing up for NBL23 with the Hawks.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Last week <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> young gun Akoldah Gak worked out for the Washington Wizards ahead of the NBA Draft ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> ? <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WashWizards</a> <a href="https://t.co/2hYpFG1JNT">pic.twitter.com/2hYpFG1JNT</a></p>&mdash; The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1539007658929569792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


 

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