Boilermakers

Zach Edey spent the days following Purdue&rsquo;s historic NCAA Tournament&nbsp;loss lying low, his phone turned off, along with the rest of the outside world.
The disappointing finish did little to diminish the season the Boilermakers big man had.
Dominating at both ends of the floor during the regular season, Edey was a near-unanimous choice as The Associated Press men&rsquo;s college basketball player of the year. Edey received all but one vote from&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-college-basketball-player-of-year-b2820fee259952b664327b49a112f193" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a 58-person media panel</a>, with Indiana&rsquo;s Trayce Jackson-Davis getting the other.
&ldquo;The season ended in disappointment, which really sucks, but it&rsquo;s always nice to win individual accolades,&rdquo; Edey said. &ldquo;It kind of validates your work a little bit. The last three years I&rsquo;ve played here, I&rsquo;ve seen my game grow every year. AP player of the year is a great feeling, it just kind of stinks the way the season ended.&rdquo;
That ending came in the NCAA Tournament&rsquo;s first round, when Purdue lost to Fairleigh Dickinson, joining Virginia in 2018 as the only No. 1 seeds to lose to a No. 16.
Before that, Edey dominated.
The 7-foot-4 Canadian was named&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/all-america-mens-basketball-team-aa5e6381567b1d4732a0f0e17e60036b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a unanimous AP All-American</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a class="paragraph-link" href="https://apnews.com/article/all-big-ten-team-edey-collins-painter-67d40b744325f41456e1e33de758ebcf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Big Ten player of the year</a>&nbsp;after finishing sixth nationally in scoring (22.3), second in rebounding (12.8) and first in double-doubles (26).
Edey also shot 62% from the floor and averaged 2.1 blocked shots per game while leading Purdue to its first outright Big Ten regular-season title since 2017. He is the first player since Navy&rsquo;s David Robinson in 1985-86 to have at least 750 points, 450 rebounds and 50 blocked shots in a season.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s kind of a one of a kind,&rdquo; Purdue guard David Jenkins Jr. said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never played with someone like him, probably never will again.&rdquo;
And to think, Edey didn&rsquo;t want to play basketball when he was younger.
A hockey and baseball player growing up in Toronto, Edey resisted basketball at first. He was 6-2 by the sixth grade and the natural inclination by the adults was to push him toward basketball, where his size would be a massive advantage.
&ldquo;It was something I kind avoided all my life.,&rdquo; Edey said. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t like people telling me what I should be doing with my life and it felt like that&rsquo;s what people were doing with basketball. When I started playing competitively, that&rsquo;s when I really fell in love with the sport.&rdquo;
Edey developed his game quickly. He played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, and proved himself against some of the nation&rsquo;s best high school players, drawing attention from college coaches. He ended up at Purdue, where coach Matt Painter had a proven track record of developing big men.
Edey had a limited role as a freshman, then averaged 14.4 points and 7.7 rebounds last season on a team that had talented big man Trevion Williams and future NBA lottery pick Jaden Ivey.
Already a tireless worker, Edey put in even more time during the offseason, spending extra time after practice and taking better care of his body. His already solid footwork got better, he added quickness and developed more patience with the constant double teams he faced &mdash; not to mention the barrage of physical play teams tried to employ against him.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s not really any kind of cool, sexy answer,&rdquo; Edey said. &ldquo;I came in every day, I worked hard, I stayed after practice &mdash; stayed a long time after practice. I took care of my body and was able to steadily improve. There was nothing revolutionary I did. I just worked hard.&rdquo;
It certainly paid off, even if the season ended with a huge disappointment.

Dominating both ends of the floor, Zach Edey was a near-unanimous choice as the AP men’s college basketball player of the year.

Purdue’s Zach Edey named AP men’s player of the year

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) &mdash; The Purdue Boilermakers are coming off a 29-win season in which they were ranked in the AP top 10 from wire to wire, including the No. 1 spot for one week in December, and drew a No. 3 seed for the NCAA Tournament.
Still, they finished one game shy of first place in the conference, lost to Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament final and were upset by upstart St. Peter&rsquo;s in the Sweet 16. That didn&rsquo;t sit well with coach Matt Painter or anybody else associated with the program.
&ldquo;We thought we had a team that could do more damage than it did. As a coach, you take sole responsibility for that,&rdquo; Painter said Tuesday in Minneapolis at Target Center, where the conference took its basketball media days this year. &ldquo;I thought we should have won our league. I thought we should have won our tournament. I thought we should have gotten to the Final Four. We didn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
While the Boilermakers have lost first team All-Big Ten guard Jaden Ivey and stalwarts Trevion Williams and Sasha Stefanovic, they&rsquo;ve still got a team headlined by the 7-foot-4 Zach Edey &mdash; one of three unanimous picks for the 11-player preseason all-conference team &mdash; that ought to be able to contend for the conference title again.&nbsp;
These days, with the transfer portal doing heavy business, picking the favorites is even more of an inexact science. The Boilermakers were pegged for fifth in the Big Ten preseason media poll.
&ldquo;You have some people that are being picked in the top half, and 70 to 80% of their guys didn&rsquo;t play for them last year. Normally when that&rsquo;s the case, they don&rsquo;t get picked in the top half,&rdquo; Painter said. &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got a good chunk of some of these guys that have had really good careers so far so it&rsquo;s easier to gauge, easier to say this guy averaged 16 points in another high major conference, he&rsquo;s going to be successful here. Having that experience of success together is still important.&rdquo;
FRESH START
Kevin Willard took over the Maryland program after 12 seasons at Seton Hall. A longtime resident of New York and New Jersey, Willard revealed some of the discoveries he&rsquo;s made since moving down the Atlantic coast. The first thing to stand out to him was the quality of recruits playing in the Terrapins&rsquo; backyard &mdash; including the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
&ldquo;High school basketball, AAU basketball in the DMV is by far second to none,&rdquo; Willard said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s kind of cool being there because you get first dibs on a lot of kids that obviously we couldn&rsquo;t get before.&rdquo;
The first player Willard signed upon arriving in College Park was 6-foot-6 swingman Noah Batchelor, a native of Frederick, Maryland, who played last year at the IMG Academy in Florida. He also picked up a graduate transfer in guard Jahmir Young, a product of DeMatha Catholic High School in the D.C. suburbs who averaged 16.7 points per game over three seasons at Charlotte.
But Willard knows there&rsquo;s no such thing as building a fence around the state.
&ldquo;You&rsquo;re never going to keep all your local kids home,&rdquo; Willard said. &ldquo;Fan bases love saying that. If you keep everyone home, then you&rsquo;re not going to be able to play everybody and everyone is going to get mad at you anyways.&rdquo;
His steepest learning curve might actually be in the dining room.
&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got to know how to eat crab cakes. I&rsquo;m learning how to crack crabs and eat crabs. It&rsquo;s a new thing for me. Very hard,&rdquo; Willard said with a laugh. &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got to split the middle, take the legs off, go through the whole process.&rdquo;
THREE-PEAT IN JERSEY?
Rutgers is aiming for a third straight NCAA Tournament berth, a streak the program has never before accomplished. Coach Steve Pikiell&rsquo;s returning players accounted for 64% of the team&rsquo;s minutes played last season. Key among those players is fifth-year guard Caleb McConnell, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
There&rsquo;s also a significant homecourt advantage the Scarlet Knights have developed in recent years at the 8,000-seat building now known as Jersey Mike&rsquo;s Arena, enough to warrant attention in a conference with some of the country&rsquo;s most imposing gyms for visiting teams.
When Indiana&rsquo;s Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson were mulling over the most raucous road-game scenes, they mentioned usual suspects Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue. But also:
&ldquo;Rutgers is pretty lit,&rdquo; Thompson said.
&ldquo;Yeah, Rutgers is awesome,&rdquo; Jackson-Davis said.
Pikiell praised the fan base for the environment.
&ldquo;I think they really like our guys and respect how they play,&rdquo; Pikiell said. &ldquo;They play with a little Jersey grit and excitement and enthusiasm.&rdquo;
DAD JOKES
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery again has two of his sons on the roster, with sixth-year forward Connor McCaffery back for one more ride in a reserve role and fourth-year forward Patrick McCaffery returning to the starting lineup.
There are downsides to playing for dad, of course. Connor told on himself for feeling &ldquo;a little bit more comfortable talking back&rdquo; to the coach than anyone else in authority. Patrick cited the pressure that comes from the family name and the unfounded assumptions of nepotism around status on the team.
The good outweighs the bad, though, like being part of a true family environment. Then there&rsquo;s the credibility that Connor has built up through so much time in the program.
&ldquo;We think alike,&rdquo; Connor said. &ldquo;My suggestions and points a lot of times are on the same page. He gives me the freedom to audible plays and call plays.&rdquo;
___
AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this report.

These days, with the transfer portal doing heavy business, picking the favorites is even more of an inexact science.

Purdue back near Big Ten top? Portal makes predictions tough

Thursday's NBA Summer League action brought even more breakout stars as more NBA teams rest their top young talent.&nbsp;
We had healthy double-doubles, game-winners and undrafted surprises throughout the day. So why waste time harping on those who struggled when we can highlight those who excelled?
Instead of the usual "Studs and Duds," I'm going all-in with 10 studs for today's recap.
Take a look at the wide variety of impact players from another great day of hoops:
JD Davison, Boston Celtics
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JD Davison was EVERYWHERE for the <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@celtics</a> in their <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA2K23SummerLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA2K23SummerLeague</a> win!<a href="https://twitter.com/jddavison10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jddavison10</a>: 28 PTS, 5 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL, 4 3PM <a href="https://t.co/R6aTEI6J4x">pic.twitter.com/R6aTEI6J4x</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547704239383687170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 28 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 9/14 FG, 4/6 3PT
Davison hasn't played poorly by any stretch, showing great passing instincts and active, if a bit reckless, defense. But he was missing a breakout scoring performance, and it all came together beautifully against Memphis. He drilled four triples, including some off the dribble, which is an exciting sign considering Davison has struggled from deep throughout most of his hoops career.
He also attacked when he wanted to and displayed impressive chemistry on lobs with Bostons' bigs. The energy Davison brings to the court is electric, and so when he's on his game, he truly dazzles the audience.&nbsp;
Blake Wesley, San Antonio Spurs
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Good call! Here's the Blake Wesley sequence, starting to show some great passing instincts. <a href="https://t.co/hHIPzO74yc">https://t.co/hHIPzO74yc</a> <a href="https://t.co/de45kaVwwd">pic.twitter.com/de45kaVwwd</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1547677023807500288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 20 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 8/17 FG, 2/3 3PT
Wesley has admittedly been snubbed from a few of these daily roundups. He gets his moment here with another great performance as a lead playmaker. Wesley dished out skip passes, transition dump-offs and connecting feeds, as he's done all summer for San Antonio. He also showed improved efficiency as a self-creator after some rougher shooting splits. If you're picking a value 2022 Draft pick off of Summer League alone -- which I strongly advise not to do, but anyway -- Wesley might be the one.
Dalen Terry, Chicago Bulls
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Fantastic sequence on both ends from Dalen Terry. As long as he continues to cut and plays the defense we know he's capable of, he'll have an important role. <a href="https://t.co/yJuNisfI4F">pic.twitter.com/yJuNisfI4F</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1547706447030472704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 8/12 FG, 2/2 3PT
Like with Wesley, I've been close to sticking Terry on the "Studs" list multiple times, and he finally breaks through here. Terry hit both spot-up attempts from distance and capitalized on some timely cuts. His passing didn't shine in this game, but Terry has shown fun court vision throughout Summer League.
Terry continues to be at his best on defense with his length, and also used that length to finish off a tough bucket through contact. His defensive acumen and passing give him a stable floor, and these scoring moments hint at the upside for the first-round rookie.
Deuce McBride, New York Knicks
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Deuce drives baseline and finds Feron Hunt cutting down the lane then jumps the hand-off and finishes on the other end. Fantastic sequence from Deuce McBride and the Knicks start another Summer League game on a run. <a href="https://t.co/DYxsbo1lQb">pic.twitter.com/DYxsbo1lQb</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1547727894205517824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 23 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 9/13 FG, 1/3 3PT
McBride is already an exemplary pull-up and perimeter shooter. We saw this on display against the Magic, but we also got to see him play a bit more aggressively as a driver. McBride took two attempts to the basket, hit two floaters, and had a nice jump stop turn into a fadeaway score. He still doesn't get all the way to the hoop quite as much as you'd like. However, he's improving his confidence attacking, in addition to the rest of his positive moments on both ends.
Tommy Kuhse, Orlando Magic
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Tommy Kuhse still a bucket <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MagicSummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MagicSummer</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/AdventHealth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdventHealth</a> <a href="https://t.co/1rkKf1o1sG">pic.twitter.com/1rkKf1o1sG</a>
&mdash; Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1547733787932405764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 25 points, 4 assists, 5 steals, 11/15 FG, 3/5 3PT
As a 24-year-old, undrafted graduate student from St. Mary's, Kuhse carried little expectation into Las Vegas, but he broke out with Thursday's performance. He was methodical with his offensive possessions, taking advantage of space and driving lanes the defense gave him. Kuhse relocated for open threes, probed for mid-range pull-ups and attacked for layups. He also frequently found himself in the right place at the right time for steals.
Moses Wright, Dallas Mavericks
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Moses Wright is everywhere today for the Mavs. Hits the trailing C&amp;S 3 and then in the next possession dunks home the put-back! <a href="https://t.co/MFhjxiuAwf">pic.twitter.com/MFhjxiuAwf</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1547754212968132609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 26 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 10/16 FG, 1/1 3PT
Wright overpowered the Bucks, who could not match his physicality in the frontcourt. He did damage rolling to the basket on hand-offs and screens against a Milwaukee defense that was consistently late getting over to help. Wright also knocked down a three-pointer as a trailer and battled on the boards. The 6-foot-9 big man played 14 combined minutes with the Clippers and Mavericks last season and mostly suited up for the Agua Caliente (now Ontario) Clippers in the G League. Dallas should want to hang onto Wright as a physical presence.
Lindell Wigginton, Milwaukee Bucks
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Lindell Wigginton &amp; Sandro Mamukelashvili combined for 44 points while both shooting better than 50% from the field in the <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bucks</a> win!<a href="https://twitter.com/Lwigginton5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lwigginton5</a>: 25 PTS, 4 AST, 3 STL<a href="https://twitter.com/Mamukelashvili5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Mamukelashvili5</a>: 19 PTS, 6 REB, 2 STL <a href="https://t.co/Xb6R8iMB2e">pic.twitter.com/Xb6R8iMB2e</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547770570871169024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 25 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, 8/14 FG, 2/5 3PT
Wigginton has been rock-solid all week, and this was another stellar performance for a player who deserves a long-term home. His smooth scoring and creative passing have been present in several games. Wigginton also jumped passing lanes to create steals and displayed some quality defensive activity. He appeared in 19 games for the Bucks last season, and hopefully Milwaukee recognizes how valuable the second-year player can be to their guard depth.
Tyson Etienne, Atlanta Hawks
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Tyson Etienne For the Win! <a href="https://t.co/B4mXrUpwOU">pic.twitter.com/B4mXrUpwOU</a>
&mdash; Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/ATLHawks/status/1547698906078711812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Etienne's got some serious range. The 22-year-old canned several triples from well beyond the arc with confidence. But his biggest moment came at the rim, when Etienne exploded on a drive to the basket and finished an off-balance layup to win the game 87-86 against the Spurs. A 6-foot-2 guard who went undrafted this June, Etienne brings a fun mix of speed and shooting, and I'd imagine the Hawks want to keep him around in some capacity.
Keon Johnson, Portland Trail Blazers
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Buckets and efficiency! Keon Johnson piled on the points in the <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trailblazers</a> win 🏀<a href="https://twitter.com/iamkeonjohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iamkeonjohnson</a>: 25 PTS (8-13 FGM), 4 REB, 4 3PM <a href="https://t.co/lKwtpLcBbe">pic.twitter.com/lKwtpLcBbe</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547788742773002240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Box score stats: 25 points, 4 rebounds, 8/13 FG, 4/8 3PT
Johnson still has peaks and valleys as a creator, but man, are the flashing exciting. His confidence is rising as a pull-up shooting, and Johnson knocked down some threes when defenses played him conservatively. He remains an electric player in the open court and a constant threat to attack and throw down a massive dunk. Consistency is everything with the 2021 first-round pick at this stage, but it's great to see meaningful progression in his scoring development.&nbsp;
Day'Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets
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Day'Ron Sharpe: Return to Sender 📨 Live Now on ESPN <a href="https://t.co/k8oWGnX0Iy">pic.twitter.com/k8oWGnX0Iy</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547769318615556099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
Box score stats: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists, 8/10 FG, 1/2 3PT
Sharpe was an absolute monster in Brooklyn's dominant win to close the night. His four blocks included one impressive play where he stuck to Minnesota's Josh Minott on a drive and stuffed a long-reaching layup attempt. The center held his own on multiple switches and was more mobile than I expected him to be.
Sharpe's passing is one of his hallmark skills, and he showcased it on one eyebrow-raising whip pass out of the post to David Duke Jr. in the opposite corner. He flashed some savvy as a low-post scorer and even knocked down a corner three. Cam Johnson has rightfully gotten much of the Summer League attention out of Brooklyn, but Sharpe's game was one of the best by a Nets player this week.
Other notable performers: Cam Johnson (Nets), RJ Nembhard Jr. (Cavaliers), Trevion Williams (Celtics), Ziaire Williams (Grizzlies), Kennedy Chandler (Grizzlies), Kenny Lofton Jr. (Grizzlies), Quentin Grimes (Knicks), Jericho Sims (Knicks), Sandro Mamukelashvili (Bucks), Jerrick Harding (Mavericks), Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets), Tari Eason (Rockets)

JD Davison, Deuce McBride and Tommy Kuhse highlighted the standout games from Thursday.

10 studs from Day 8 of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas

JD Davison had 28 points and 10 assists, Juhann Begarin added 19 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Memphis Grizzlies 108-91 on Thursday for their third straight victory in the NBA Summer League.
Davison, the 53rd pick in the draft, made 5 of 6 field goals in the first half and scored 19 points to help Boston (3-1) take a 51-39 lead. Davison finished 9 of 14 overall, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range.
Justin Jackson added 16 points, Brodric Thomas had 13, and Trevion Williams finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Ziaire Williams scored 21 points for Memphis (2-2). David Roddy and Kenny Lofton Jr. each had 16 points. The Grizzlies were just 3 of 20 from distance.
HAWKS 87, SPURS 86
Tyson Etienne scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half, including a <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1547700565617938437">go-ahead layup with 14.3 seconds left</a>, and Atlanta handed San Antonio its fourth straight loss.
Atlanta (2-2) scored 14 straight points to make it 85-81 with two minutes remaining.
Sharife Cooper added 15 points and Tyrese Martin scored 13 for Atlanta.
Blake Wesley scored 20 points for San Antonio (0-4).
CAVALIERS 82, PISTONS 79
Cameron Young scored 15 points, RJ Nembhard Jr. added 14 and Cleveland beat Detroit.
Stanley Umude made a layup with 58 seconds left to give Detroit its first lead, 77-76, since 7-5. Ochai Agbaji made two free throws at the other end as Cleveland retook the lead with 45.3 left. The Cavaliers made 6 of 6 free throws in the final minute and Young blocked a 3-point attempt in the final seconds.
Agbaji had 12 points and seven rebounds for Cleveland (2-2).
Jules Bernard scored 14 points for Detroit (2-2).
The Pistons missed their first 12 3-pointers until Braxton Key beat the halftime buzzer to cut Cleveland's lead to 45-26. The Pistons had 13 turnovers and just 10 field goals in the first half.
BULLS 89, HORNETS 73
Dalen Terry scored 20 points, Marko Simonovic had 17 points, 13 rebounds and four assists and Chicago eased past Charlotte.
Malcolm Hill and Makur Maker each scored 11 points for Chicago (3-1).
Bryce McGowens led Charlotte (2-2) with 15 points. Jalen Crutcher and JT Thor had 10 points apiece.
KNICKS 102, MAGIC 89
Miles McBride had 23 points and five assists, Quentin Grimes scored 22 with six rebounds and New York breezed past Orlando.
Jericho Sims, the only pick the Knicks (3-1) haven't traded away in the last two drafts, added 12 points and 10 rebounds. New York, which will have three protected first-round picks in next year's draft, chose Sims with the 58th selection (out of 60) in the 2021 draft.
Tommy Kuhse had 25 points and five steals to pace the Magic (2-2). Justin James scored 16 and Zavier Simpson added 10 points and nine assists.
Paolo Banchero, the top pick in this year's draft, was among eight Orlando players who did not play.
BUCKS 100, MAVERICKS 89
Lindell Wigginton scored 25 points, Sandro Mamukelashvili added 19 and Milwaukee eased past Dallas.
Milwaukee (3-1) first-rounder MarJon Beauchamp &mdash; 24th overall and the Bucks' only pick &mdash; finished with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Moses Wright led Dallas (0-4) with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Jerrick Harding added 16 points and five assists.
TRAIL BLAZERS 85, ROCKETS 77
Keon Johnson hit four 3-pointers and scored 25 to lead Portland over Houston.
Second-round pick Jabari Walker had nine points and nine rebounds for Blazers (3-1).
No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr. had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Rockets. Tari Eason &mdash; the 17th pick &mdash; added 17 points and seven boards. Daishen Nix scored 15.
NETS 102, TIMBERWOLVES 83
Cam Thomas scored 26 points, Day'Ron Sharpe added 20 points and 10 rebounds and Brooklyn rolled to a win over Minnesota.
Thomas made four 3-pointers for the Nets (2-2). Sharpe sank 8 of 10 shots and grabbed four offensive boards. David Duke Jr. totaled 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Kessler Edwards scored 15 with nine rebounds.
Wendell Moore Jr. led the Timberwolves (1-3) with 16 points. Josh Minott had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Kevon Harris and Terrell Brown Jr. each scored 10.

JD Davison had 28 points and 10 assists in Boston's third straight win in Summer League.

JD Davison leads Celtics past Grizzlies in Summer League play

Keep track of where the top 2022 undrafted free agents are headed after draft night.

2022 NBA UDFA Tracker: Latest news on undrafted free agents

In recent years, there are many examples of players who slipped on draft night because they were older than their peers and teams wanted to go with a younger, higher-upside option.
Players who fit this description include Desmond Bane, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Jalen Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, Herb Jones, Grant Williams, Payton Pritchard, Grayson Allen, Matisse Thybulle, Brandon Clarke and Terance Mann among others.
Many of these players have outperformed their draft slot, and quite a few were key contributors during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, rewarding the teams that took a chance on them.
Most NBA teams prioritize youth and upside in the draft. As a result, the more experienced prospects tend to fall. But given the success of these older players in recent years, could we see teams shift their thinking a bit when it comes to these prospects?
&ldquo;The trends seem to go in waves, but I do think some of the recent success that older players have had will affect some decisions to a certain extent,&rdquo; said Matt Babcock, a former NBA agent and current NBA Draft analyst. &ldquo;However, I believe teams will always have somewhat of a juggling act when it comes to selecting prospects who have upside and ones who are NBA-ready.&rdquo;
While it&rsquo;s true that younger players tend to have a higher ceiling, there is this idea that older prospects have already realized their full potential and what you see is what you get. Bane, Bridges, Brunson and Co. are proving that this isn&rsquo;t always true, as they have each made huge strides since being drafted despite their advanced age.
&ldquo;The perception that an older rookie doesn&rsquo;t have as much upside isn&rsquo;t a fair label for a tough-minded player who continues to work on his game,&rdquo; an Eastern Conference general manager told BasketballNews. &ldquo;I think history and analytics show that the younger the player, the more likely that player succeeds, but it isn&rsquo;t a cut-and-dry method when it comes to selecting players. There are older players who often come from strong college programs who tend to have a chance to succeed, because they have been through three-to-four years of great coaching and have developed the work habits and toughness that allow them to impact an NBA game right away.&rdquo;
&ldquo;A high ceiling isn&rsquo;t just based on your physical gifts, a high ceiling is based on your work ethic when nobody is watching,&rdquo; ESPN&rsquo;s Fran Fraschilla added. &ldquo;So whether it&rsquo;s a 19-year-old player or an older prospect with a few years of college experience, what the team needs to figure out is, &lsquo;What kind of character are we drafting? When we pay him life-changing money, is he going to be the same guy and keep working?&rsquo; I think you&rsquo;re more confident (trusting) a four-year-guy like a Desmond Bane or CJ McCollum because you can go back and watch more of his career unfold, and you&rsquo;re more confident that those guys are going to continue developing their game. So, in effect, their ceiling becomes just as high as the guys who have all of this great potential and who could be more boom-or-bust sometimes.&rdquo;
Rather than generalizing and writing off players because of their age, it&rsquo;s important to evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis.
&ldquo;I do believe in the concept that a younger player generally possesses more upside and room for growth; I mean, it's common sense,&rdquo; Babcock said. &ldquo;However, every player is different and has had a different path to the pros, and subsequently, each player needs to be evaluated separately rather than put into a general classification.
&ldquo;Every team and every pick is different. The way I see it, it's like baseball. Every pitch presents a unique situation and requires a different strategy, and so does every pick in the draft. Which players are available? How do they fit within the team&rsquo;s current roster structure now and in the future? How does that team value each player &mdash; whether it&rsquo;s for their ability to contribute right away or their upside? Do they have potential depth issues that need to be addressed? Does an available player possess too much talent to overanalyze? I could keep going on and on, but my point is that I think it should come down to taking things case-by-case and weighing the pros and cons rather than just selecting a player who&rsquo;s most ready or who possesses the most upside.&rdquo;
<img src="https://cdn.basketballnews.com/images/story/body/usatsi_18148126_690w.png" alt="" width="740" height="370" />
Fraschilla echoed this sentiment.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I think the draft is always a case-by-case situation. Teams always have to weigh whether to go after production vs. potential,&rdquo; Fraschilla said. &ldquo;If they chase production, it&rsquo;s usually a guy who has been in college for three or four years, he&rsquo;s proven himself and he&rsquo;s played in big games. If they chase potential, it&rsquo;s probably a freshman or a kid from the G League Ignite, and you&rsquo;re looking at a 19-year-old and trying to project where he&rsquo;ll be at age-25. You have a little bit more comfort with an older player, but a little less upside allegedly.
"But a smart team always views it case-by-case. We&rsquo;ve seen four-year guys flame out and we&rsquo;ve one-and-done guys flame out. I think it&rsquo;s a matter of a team doing the necessary homework on a kid&rsquo;s character, work ethic, self awareness to be a role player &mdash; all of these things factor in.&rdquo;
The Eastern Conference GM pointed out that there&rsquo;s another reason teams may alter their approach and opt for more NBA-ready players.
"I would also say that some NBA teams are less inclined to focus on what a 19-year-old can develop into by age 26 or 27 because there is so much roster turnover and change in the league today," the GM said.
Fraschilla also mentioned that sometimes older prospects are more mature and come into the NBA knowing their role, whereas some one-and-done prospects may struggle taking a back seat.
&ldquo;Herb Jones is a perfect example of someone who knows who he is &mdash; his self awareness is evident," Fraschilla said. "Even at Alabama, he had talented guys around him, and he was a great defender. He fits exactly the role that the Pelicans needed him to play as a rookie. He played in a high-level college league where he guarded really good players, and he plays with great energy.
"You probably feel more comfortable with the older player who has more of a sense of who he is, as opposed to the one-and-done guy who automatically thinks he&rsquo;s going to be Penny Hardaway or LeBron James or Kobe Bryant. In the NBA, 95% of the league are role players. There are 25-30 great players and everyone else is a role player."

With older prospects outperforming their draft position in recent seasons, will teams shift their thinking when they're on the clock?

Experience or upside? Weighing pros, cons of older NBA Draft prospects

The Los Angeles Lakers have inquired about buying a second-round pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, according to <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-rumors-bradley-beal-bobby-portis-nicolas-batum-lakers-nets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HoopsHype's Michael Scotto</a>. The Athletic's John Hollinger is <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2022/5/24/23139927/lakers-nba-draft-rumors-second-round-pick-buy-cash-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hearing the same thing</a>.
The Lakers have worked out several projected second-round picks such as Purdue's Trevion Williams, Alabama's Keon Ellis and Spain's Khalifa Diop. It's unclear which prospect the Lakers are targeting, but adding a second-rounder is a smart way for Los Angeles to add some young talent on a bargain contract.
In the past, the Lakers have been willing to pay up when they like a certain player in the second round. For example, Los Angeles bought the No. 46 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft from the Orlando Magic so that they could select Talen Horton-Tucker.
As of now, the Lakers don't have a pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but we'll see if that changes over the next 48 hours.

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to buy a second-round pick in Thursday's NBA Draft.

Lakers looking to buy a second-round pick in 2022 NBA Draft

With the 2022 NBA Draft less than a week away, our Senior NBA Draft Analyst shares his updated his 2022 NBA Mock Draft.

2022 NBA Mock Draft: 6/17/22

The NBA Draft Combine provides many opportunities for prospects to shine, and the scrimmages are, at times, where selections are earned. With that in mind and the first scrimmage in the books, let's look into some notable prospect performances.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-nba-mock-draft/players/ryan-rollins" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryan Rollins</a>, Toledo&nbsp;
Ryan Rollins had a great showing in his scrimmage, posting 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. After measuring in at 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan and recording a 36.5-inch max vertical earlier in the week, the All-MAC guard put his scoring prowess on display. Rollins averaged 18.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his sophomore campaign at Toledo. There are improvements to be made as a shooter, but he excels off the dribble and can put pressure on the rim. With good size and playmaking potential, he is a viable option in this 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-nba-mock-draft/players/iverson-molinar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iverson Molinar</a>, Mississippi State
Iverson Molinar scored 12 points and added 5 assists in this one, using his twitchiness and speed to create good looks and get to the free-throw line. Molinar can be a bit turnover prone in spurts, but excels out of the pick-and-roll and as a spot-up shooter. He also has decent vision as a passer and is a functional on-ball defender. Considering his athleticism and scoring prowess, Molinar could be a strong option in the 2022 draft as a score-first guard.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-nba-mock-draft/players/jabari-walker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jabari Walker</a>, Colorado
Walker knocked down 2 of his 3 attempts from deep and ended with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Although he was inconsistent this season, he has shown promise as a floor-stretcher &mdash; both on the move and standstill. Walker is also a solid rebounder and adequate defender with a high basketball IQ. If he shoots the way he is capable of and makes the next steps in his development, he could be a highly coveted prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft. Also worth noting, Jabari is the son of former NBA player, Samaki Walker.
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Terquavion Smith, NC State
With 17 points, Terquavion Smith showed off his scoring ability and versatility as a creator. He averaged 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists, shot 36.9% from behind the arc as a freshman and is making a case for himself this week as a 2022 prospect. After measuring in at 6 foot, 2.25 inches without shoes, he then posted a 10.63 lane agility time and a 38.5-inch max vertical. He&rsquo;s twitchy and explosive, and has a chance to be a reliable guard in the NBA regardless of when he declares.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-nba-mock-draft/players/trevion-williams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trevion Williams</a>, Purdue
Trevion Williams posted 14 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists, making some nice passes along the way. He has incredible footwork and craftiness at the rim, and is always thinking a step ahead with the ball in his hands. He is also a decent athlete at 265 pounds, as he's quick off the ground, runs the floor well and posted a 30-inch max vertical at the Combine. Williams is old school in the way he provides points, but he does the little things well. He has good vision out of the post, plays with a great motor and is the kind of player you want in the locker room.
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Derek Murray highlights key observations from the first scrimmage of the 2022 NBA Draft Combine.

2022 NBA Draft Combine: Takeaways from Scrimmage No. 1

The NBA announced the 76 players who are expected to attend the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, which is scheduled for May 18-20 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
The 2022 NBA Draft Combine is an important step in the draft process for NBA prospects, leading up to 2022 NBA Draft on June 23.&nbsp;
Players will have interviews with NBA teams and participate in five-on-five games, shooting drills and strength-and-agility drills from May 18-20. Coverage of the 2022 NBA Draft Combine begins Thursday, May 19 on ESPNews from 3-5 p.m. ET and transitions to ESPN2 from 5-7 p.m. ET. The coverage continues on Friday, May 20 from 1-2 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and 2-5 p.m. ET on ESPNews.
Additionally, a select number of standout players from the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-announces-field-of-44-draft-prospects-for-g-league-elite-camp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 NBA G League Elite Camp</a>, which takes place May 16-17 at Wintrust Arena, will be invited to participate in the 2022 NBA Draft Combine.
Here is the complete list of expected attendees for this year's NBA Draft Combine (and check out <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BasketballNews.com's 2022 NBA Mock Draft</a> to see where each player is projected to go):&nbsp;
<table style="font-weight: 400;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" width="832">
Player (College/Club)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Ochai Agbaji (Kansas)
</td>
<td width="442">
Jake LaRavia (Wake Forest)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee)
</td>
<td width="442">
Justin Lewis (Marquette)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Paolo Banchero (Duke)
</td>
<td width="442">
E.J. Liddell (Ohio State)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Dominick Barlow (Overtime Elite)
</td>
<td width="442">
Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Marjon Beauchamp (G League Ignite)
</td>
<td width="442">
Matthew Mayer (Baylor)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Hugo Besson (New Zealand Breakers)
</td>
<td width="442">
Bryce McGowens (Nebraska)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Malaki Branham (Ohio State)
</td>
<td width="442">
Leonard Miller (Fort Erie Intl. Academy [Canada] )
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Christian Braun (Kansas)
</td>
<td width="442">
Josh Minott (Memphis)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Kendall Brown (Baylor)
</td>
<td width="442">
Aminu Mohammed (Georgetown)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
John Butler Jr. (Florida State)
</td>
<td width="442">
Iverson Molinar (Mississippi State)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Julian Champagnie (St. John&rsquo;s)
</td>
<td width="442">
Jean Montero (Overtime Elite)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee)
</td>
<td width="442">
Wendell Moore Jr. (Duke)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Max Christie (Michigan State)
</td>
<td width="442">
Keegan Murray (Iowa)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Kofi Cockburn (Illinois)
</td>
<td width="442">
Andrew Nembhard (Gonzaga)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Dyson Daniels (G League Ignite)
</td>
<td width="442">
Scotty Pippen Jr. (Vanderbilt)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Johnny Davis (Wisconsin)
</td>
<td width="442">
Gabriele Procida (Fortitudo Bologna [Italy] )
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
JD Davison (Alabama)
</td>
<td width="442">
Orlando Robinson (Fresno State)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Moussa Diabate (Michigan)
</td>
<td width="442">
David Roddy (Colorado State)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers)
</td>
<td width="442">
Ryan Rollins (Toledo)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Khalifa Diop (Gran Canaria [Spain] )
</td>
<td width="442">
Dereon Seabron (North Carolina State)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Jalen Duren (Memphis)
</td>
<td width="442">
Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Tari Eason (LSU)
</td>
<td width="442">
Jabari Smith (Auburn)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Keon Ellis (Alabama)
</td>
<td width="442">
Terquavion Smith (North Carolina State)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Michael Foster Jr. (G League Ignite)
</td>
<td width="442">
Jeremy Sochan (Baylor)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Collin Gillespie (Villanova)
</td>
<td width="442">
Matteo Spagnolo (Cremona [Italy] )
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
AJ Griffin (Duke)
</td>
<td width="442">
Julian Strawther (Gonzaga)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Jaden Hardy (G League Ignite)
</td>
<td width="442">
Dalen Terry (Arizona)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Ron Harper Jr. (Rutgers)
</td>
<td width="442">
Drew Timme (Gonzaga)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga)
</td>
<td width="442">
Jabari Walker (Colorado)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Harrison Ingram (Stanford)
</td>
<td width="442">
TyTy Washington Jr. (Kentucky)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Jaden Ivey (Purdue)
</td>
<td width="442">
Peyton Watson (UCLA)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana)
</td>
<td width="442">
Blake Wesley (Notre Dame)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Nikola Jovic (Mega [Serbia] )
</td>
<td width="442">
Alondes Williams (Wake Forest)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Johnny Juzang (UCLA)
</td>
<td width="442">
Jalen Williams (Santa Clara)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Ismael Kamagate (Paris [France] )
</td>
<td width="442">
Jaylin Williams (Arkansas)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Trevor Keels (Duke)
</td>
<td width="442">
Mark Williams (Duke)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Walker Kessler (Auburn)
</td>
<td width="442">
Trevion Williams (Purdue)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="390">
Christian Koloko (Arizona)
</td>
<td width="442">
Fanbo Zeng (G League Ignite)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;

The NBA announced the 76 players who are expected to attend the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, which takes place May 18-20 in Chicago.

NBA announces 76 prospects who will attend 2022 NBA Draft Combine

Several years ago, I attended the Charleston Classic in South Carolina. In doing so, I became familiar with Purdue head coach Matt Painter's coaching style and offensive system, which is predicated on ball movement, perimeter players moving without the ball and feeding low-post scorers on the block.
Carsen Edwards &mdash; a strong and explosive, assertive, scoring 5-foot-11 guard &mdash; was their star. Edwards routinely ran off screens, endlessly hunting his shot in Painter's system while using ball screens as his secondary option. He had the full green light, which he took advantage of as he averaged 24.3 points per game. Ryan Cline was their shooting specialist, making several three-pointers per game and shooting an impressive 41.7% from deep. And lastly, they had giant 7-foot-3 Matt Haarms on the block. It was a terrific team that won a share of the Big Ten regular season championship and nearly made it to the Final Four.
However, despite Edwards' iconic performance in the Elite Eight, in which he scored 42 points while knocking down 10 three-pointers, the Boilermakers fell short to the eventual NCAA champion, Virginia. I appreciated Painter as a coach during that season and I've always looked forward to watching his teams play ever since.
Fast forward a few years to this current season when I recently attended the Big Ten Tournament and watched Painter's Boilermakers play several days in a row. It felt a bit like deja vu, as their team was very reminiscent of the 2018-19 Purdue squad. Sophomore guard Jaden Ivey is their star, and he also routinely runs off screens that lead to pick-and-roll actions in identical sets, just as Edwards did. They have Sasha Stefanovic, a freshman on the 2018-19 team and now a senior, playing Cline's shooter role. Trevion Williams, who was also a freshman on that last team, is now their primary low-post scoring threat. They also have 7-foot-4 Zach Edey in the Haarms role.
As usual, I enjoyed watching Purdue play in the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Penn State and Michigan State before falling to a good Iowa team in the championship game, securing a No. 3 seed in the Big Dance.
This year, the Big Ten Conference was loaded with talent, so I chose to attend the entire conference tournament rather than attend multiple tournaments like I usually do. And despite the abundance of talent in Indianapolis, one player stood out from the crowd, and that player was Ivey.
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Through 35 games this season, Ivey has averaged 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He was named First Team All-Big Ten Conference and Second Team All-American. He has established himself as a college star and a top NBA prospect, as he's widely considered a probable top-four pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Although Ivey and Edwards are playing a similar role for Purdue, their games are not the same. On the one hand, Edwards is an undersized scoring guard whose effectiveness is centered around his outside shooting &mdash; seemingly a perfect fit in Painter's offense. On the other hand, you have Ivey, an elite athlete who is a nightmare for opponents to stop one-on-one. Painter calls isolation and high pick-and-roll plays here and there for Ivey, breaking away from his typical offense to utilize Ivey's talents properly. Still, while I love Painter's offense, it's not built for a player like Ivey, nor is the college game in general, for that matter.
But you know what is built for a player like Ivey? The modern, guard-driven NBA with emphasized spacing so players like Ivey can create with the ball in their hands.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Two great plays by Jaden Ivey, back to back. Once he gets downhill, it&rsquo;s over. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B1GTourney?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#B1GTourney</a> <a href="https://t.co/3gk5JKBCKm">pic.twitter.com/3gk5JKBCKm</a>
&mdash; Matt Babcock (@MattBabcock11) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattBabcock11/status/1502477366962135045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Sitting alongside me at the Big Ten Tournament were countless NBA scouts and executives, and I spoke to many of them.
"He has burst like [Ja] Morant, explosiveness like [Russell] Westbrook, and a playing style like D-Wade," said one scout. "He's a Ferrari."
"He will be a beast in the league," one general manager added.
He was compared to big stars, and bold statements were shared left and right. However, they are all valid, in my opinion. When the ball is in Ivey's hands, he is an overwhelming threat who is impossible to guard at times. He has a gear that not many players possess, providing him with elite talent and upside similar to those notable names above.
For the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 NBA Draft</a>, four players have separated themselves from the rest: Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jaden Ivey in some order, with Iowa's Keegan Murray seemingly knocking on the door to that group as well. Although in recent days there have been a couple of articles published suggesting that Ivey could make a play for the No. 1 spot (which I'm happy to see), I find it interesting that Ivey seems to be ranked fourth in that group more often than not by the media.
I've been one of Ivey's biggest supporters this season, ranking him No. 2 on the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BasketballNews.com 2022 NBA Draft Big Board</a>. But I'll admit, he isn't perfect. He has some things to work on, like improving his decision-making, ball control and overall court awareness. He's shot the ball pretty well this season, knocking down 63-of-173 three-point attempts (36.4%), but he's certainly not a pure shooter.
But here's how I see it: there are always questions for young players transitioning to the pros, and Ivey is no exception. However, I believe that the questions surrounding Ivey are manageable. Subsequently, it leads me to visualize what type of player Ivey could become if he did indeed maximize his potential.
Could we be witnessing a star in the making? Perhaps.
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Purdue's Jaden Ivey is a special talent who is turning heads this season. Matt Babcock breaks down his ascent to stardom.

Is Purdue's Jaden Ivey a star in the making?

After an eventful start to the 2022 NCAA Tournament, the Sweet 16 tips off on Thursday. While some top 2022 NBA Draft prospects have already been eliminated &mdash; such as Auburn's Jabari Smith, Iowa's Keegan Murray and Memphis' Jalen Duren &mdash; there are still quite a few upcoming draft picks worth watching.
Our Sr. NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock has been scouting these players for years, so he helped put together this guide of 2022 NBA Draft prospects to watch in the Sweet 16. This list only includes prospects who are expected to enter this year&rsquo;s draft and who are currently included on <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BasketballNews.com's 2022 NBA Draft Big Board</a>.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/jaden-ivey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaden Ivey, Purdue &mdash; No. 2 ranked prospect</a>
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This season, Ivey shot career-highs across the board and propelled himself into top-3 consideration. Ivey is a phenomenal athlete and a promising on-ball defender who has flashed great potential on the defensive end of the floor. His offense has taken a huge leap, as he's shown the ability to create space for himself, score on multiple levels and attack the rim at an elite level. Purdue is one of the best teams in America, and Ivey is a huge component of their success. He's one to keep an eye on near the top of the 2022 class.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/chet-holmgren" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga &mdash; No. 3 ranked prospect</a>
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At 7-foot tall with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Chet Holmgren is a playmaker on both ends of the floor. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands, is a reliable shooter, and he can score on all levels. On the defensive end, Holmgren greatly affects the game as a rim protector. He will need to add weight to maximize his potential, as he is rail-thin, but he is one of the most unique prospects we've ever seen nonetheless. Holmgren is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/paolo-banchero" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paolo Banchero, Duke &mdash; No. 4 ranked prospect</a>
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At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, Paolo Banchero is incredibly versatile. He excels in the post, can create off the dribble and continues to improve as a face-up shooter from deep. He lacks elite athleticism on the defensive end, but has flashed a great feel and discipline to counter that. Players with his build and skill set don't come around very often. Banchero is widely considered as a top-four pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/aj-griffin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AJ Griffin, Duke &mdash; No. 7 ranked prospect</a>
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AJ Griffin is 6-foot-6 and possesses a 7-foot wingspan. He is <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2022-nba-draft-prencaa-tourney-look-at-dukes-aj-griffin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a powerful and versatile wing</a> with a tremendous physical profile and promising skill set. Griffin has also shown the ability to create for both himself and others. After missing the early part of this season due to injury, he has solidified himself as one of the best shooters in the country. AJ is the son of former NBA player and current Toronto Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin, and he has made a case for himself to become a top-10 pick.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/bennedict-mathurin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona &mdash; No. 9 ranked prospect</a>
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After a strong freshman campaign for the Arizona Wildcats, Bennedict Mathurin has made a jump in his second year in Tucson. Mathurin's size, athleticism, defense and shot-making ability make him an intriguing NBA prospect. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, he is an explosive athlete and a capable slasher and finisher. Mathurin has solidified himself as one of the best wings in the 2022 NBA Draft and continues to make his case as a top-10 selection.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/ochai-agbaji" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ochai Agbaji, Kansas &mdash; No. 14 ranked prospect</a>
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Ochai Agbaji is a versatile wing who has shown promise as a defender, slasher and shooter. Early in his career, he was known for his athleticism and defense. However, this season, he has emerged as one of the best shooters in America, making giant leaps as a scorer in both volume and efficiency. Agbaji has solidified himself as a viable 3-and-D option at the NBA level and is a candidate for National Player of the Year.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/mark-williams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mark Williams, Duke &mdash; No. 18 ranked prospect</a>
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Mark Williams is one of the best shot-blockers and inside scorers in the country. Utilizing his size, length and interior presence, Williams shows flashes of dominance on both ends. This season, he has been solid for Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils, which could lead to him being a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/wendell-moore-jr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wendell Moore Jr., Duke &mdash; No. 31 ranked prospect</a>
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Moore is having a breakout season, finally coming into his own during his junior year. At 6-foot-5, he has good positional size, strength and athleticism at guard. While Moore remains streaky as a three-point shooter, he has proven to be a reliable three-level scorer this year for the Blue Devils. He will still be 20 years old on draft night with more room to develop, making him a solid option this June.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/trevor-keels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trevor Keels, Duke &mdash; No. 33 ranked prospect</a>
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A physical and slashing guard capable of shooting the ball from outside, Trevor Keels came to Duke after being a consensus five-star high school recruit. His physicality and natural ability to score the ball should generate interest from NBA teams. Although he can be streaky as a shooter, he has a beautiful release and has proven to be a tough shot-maker. With positional size and a knack for scoring, Keels is one to follow.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/christian-braun" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christian Braun, Kansas &mdash; No. 35 ranked prospect</a>
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At 6-foot-6, Braun has positional size and has shown the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. He has a smooth release from three and can pick his spots off the dribble. He is reliable on and off the ball on offense, while providing intelligent defense on the other end. Braun is a well-rounded player and makes a strong case for the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/christian-koloko" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christian Koloko, Arizona &mdash; No. 36 ranked prospect</a>
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One of the best rim-protectors in the country, Christian Koloko can anchor a defense in the half-court. As much as his 7-foot-4 wingspan helps on defense, it also allows him to be effective on the other end. His hands, post moves and awareness continue to improve, and he is an efficient finisher in the dunker spot. While his role won't ever be to carry a large load on offense, he can still make a significant impact as a rebounder, shot blocker and rim runner.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/trevion-williams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trevion Williams, Purdue &mdash; No. 42 ranked prospect</a>
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Trevion Williams may be the best low-post scorer in the country. He has incredible footwork and craftiness at the rim, and he is always thinking a step ahead with the ball in his hands. He is also an impressive athlete at 255 pounds, as he's quick off the ground and runs the floor well. Williams is old-school in the way he provides points, but he does the little things well. He has good vision out of the post, plays with a great motor and is the kind of player you want in your locker room. Williams has a great chance of earning a shot at the NBA level.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/johnny-juzang" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Johnny Juzang, UCLA &mdash; No. 47 ranked prospect</a>
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After a stellar NCAA Tournament run last season, Johnny Juzang tested the NBA Draft waters, but ultimately returned to UCLA for his junior season. At 6-foot-7, Juzang is an exceptional outside shooter, especially off the dribble in the half-court. He has continued his efficient scoring as a shot creator and cutter this season. He projects as a wing shooter and capable facilitator at the next level, and will be considered a solid option for teams picking in the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/jaime-jaquez-jr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA &mdash; No. 49 ranked prospect</a>
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Jaime Jaquez Jr. is intelligent and crafty, using defensive manipulation and footwork to create for himself and others. He excels in the post against smaller defenders, and can stretch the floor as a reliable shooter from three-point range. In addition, Jaquez is a hard-nosed competitor, and also provides adequate defense and rebounding. He continues to build on the momentum he established last March during UCLA's impressive tournament run, and he's proving to be a consistent three-level scorer and a viable option in the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/drew-timme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drew Timme, Gonzaga &mdash; No. 53 ranked prospect</a>
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If there's anyone who can give Trevion Williams a run for his money as the best-low post scorer in the nation, it's probably Drew Timme. With tremendous footwork, touch and an ability to manipulate defenders, Timme was dominant last season and has been highly effective again as a junior. He needs to improve his lateral quickness and pick-and-roll defense, as he can often get taken out of the play with ease on the perimeter. If he is able to address some of those concerns, he could solidify himself a solid draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/collin-gillespie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Collin Gillespie, Villanova &mdash; No. 58 ranked prospect</a>
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Collin Gillespie will enter the 2022 NBA Draft as one of the more accomplished college players in the class. He already has three Big East Championships and a national championship on his resume, and he'll look to duplicate that success at the NBA level. At 6-foot-3, he is intelligent on and off the ball, and is a reliable scorer at multiple levels. He's also disciplined and instinctual on defense, providing real value on both ends of the floor. Gillespie has the tools to be a backup point guard at the next level, so it will be interesting to track if an organiziation gives him that opportunity.
Be sure to <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check our complete 2022 NBA Draft Big Board and click each prospect's name for more info</a> (including their highlights, measurements, projected role and more).
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Who are the notable 2022 NBA Draft prospects to watch during the Sweet 16? Here is a guide, with a scouting report for each player.

March Madness: 16 NBA Draft prospects to watch in the Sweet 16

The Sweet 16 field is official!
The final eight tickets to the Sweet 16 were punched yesterday, wrapping up the round of 32. Here's a recap of Sunday's action.
Iowa State defeats Wisconsin 54-49, will face Miami The 11th-seeded Cyclones pulled off another upset, defeating Johnny Davis and Wisconsin. Iowa State took the lead with 16:16 to play and were in control the rest of the way. Gabe Kalscheur had an incredible game, scoring 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting. After a couple years of real struggles, head coach TJ Otzelberger, Tyrese Hunter and Co. continue their phenomenal season and advance to the Sweet 16.
Duke defeats Michigan State 85-76, will face Texas Tech The final score here does not reflect the course of the game. Potential No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero led all players with 19 points in a strong outing, as Gabe Brown led the Spartans with 18. Sparty led by two with 2:50 to play, but Trevor Keels and Jeremy Roach hit some massive shots down the stretch. Coach K and the Blue Devils advance to the Sweet 16, where they have a date with the Red Raiders.&nbsp;
Miami defeats Auburn 79-61, will face Iowa State Miami led wire to wire in a game that, quite frankly, wasn&rsquo;t close. The starters carried the load in this one as they scored 75 of the team's 79 points. Isaiah Wong scored 21 points and Kam McGusty had 20 for the Canes as they outscored Auburn 46-29 in the second half. This was an incredible statement win for the Canes; they will meet Iowa State in the Sweet 16 for a shot at the Elite Eight.&nbsp;
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Purdue defeats Texas 81-71, will face Saint Peter&rsquo;s Purdue held a 14-point lead in the first half, but the Longhorns battled back and took a 44-42 lead of their own in the second. The Boilermakers would slam the door shut late in the contest, led by Trevion Williams' 22 points. Jaden Ivey also posted 18 points in the win. They move on to the Sweet 16 where they'll take on the red-hot Peacocks.&nbsp;
Houston defeats Illinois 68-53, will face Arizona This one was tied at 40-40 with 11:26 to play, but Houston would put on a clinic for the remainder of the game. Taze Moore scored 21 points to lead the charge as the Cougars played tremendous team basketball, especially in the second half. Head coach Kelvin Sampson mentioned &ldquo;Culture Play&rdquo; while alluding to the nature of the win, a method they&rsquo;ll no doubt need to win again in the Sweet 16.
Villanova defeats Ohio State 71-61, will face Michigan Villanova appeared in total control early in the second half, but the Buckeyes stormed back. After Ohio State had cut the lead to two points, the Wildcats hit some big threes and clutch free-throws, and they were able to hold on. Collin Gillespie led the way with 20 points, while Caleb Daniels provided 11 big points off the bench. Villanova now has a big matchup with the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet 16.
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Texas Tech defeats Notre Dame 59-53, will face Duke This one went down to the wire as the teams traded leads for much of the second half. Kevin McCullar knocked down a pair of free throws with 40 seconds to play, extending his team's lead to 57-52, and they would hold on from there. The Red Raiders added a transition dunk just moments later and the celebration began. Kevin Obanor led all with scorers 15 points to go with 15 rebounds. Duke awaits, in a highly anticipated matchup.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
WOWOWOWOWOW This end to regulation was WILD 🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/4gihUvpVCq">pic.twitter.com/4gihUvpVCq</a>
&mdash; NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1505760901063852032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Arizona defeats TCU 85-80 in OT, will face Houston This one was wild. After a huge Bennedict Mathurin three, they headed to overtime where Mike Miles Jr. and Mathurin traded buckets. The Cats would hang on to win 85-80, thanks to 30 points from Mathurin and 28 from Christian Koloko. They will look to continue their potential championship journey in a huge matchup with Houston. This will be must-see action.
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Derek Murray takes us through the final games of the round of 32, and looks ahead to the matchups that await in the Sweet 16.

March Madness Recap: Sweet 16 is set

Who are the notable prospects to keep an eye on during the 2022 NCAA Tournament? Here's a complete guide with scouting reports.

NBA Draft guide to March Madness: Notable prospects to watch

With the 2022 NCAA Tournament right around the corner, it's time for conference tournaments to begin so teams can begin punching their ticket to The Big Dance in March.
Mid-major tournaments have already gotten underway, on Wednesday, five Power Five tournaments will have begun theirs to join the club.
(Editor's note: Check out our breakdowns of the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/top-2022-nba-draft-prospects-acc-tournament" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ACC</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/top-2022-nba-draft-prospects-big-12-tournament" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Big 12</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/top-2022-nba-draft-prospects-pac12-tournament" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pac-12</a> and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/top-2022-nba-draft-prospects-sec-tournament" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SEC</a>.)
Since everyone will have their eyes on the best players in these conferences over the next few weeks, BasketballNews.com has highlighted each Power Five and its top 2022 NBA Draft prospects.
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Here are the names to look out for in the Big Ten.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/jaden-ivey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jaden Ivey</a>
Guard | Purdue
Height: 6-4 Weight: 195 Wingspan: 6-9
Class: Sophomore Draft Day Age: 20.4 Nationality: USA
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For the Boilermakers this season, Jaden Ivey is shooting career highs across the board and has propelled himself into top-three consideration. Ivey is a phenomenal athlete and a promising on-ball defender who has flashed great potential on the defensive end of the floor. His offense has taken a huge leap, as he's shown the ability to create space for himself, score on multiple levels and attack the rim at an elite level. Purdue is one of the best teams in America, and Ivey is a huge component of the team's success. He's one to keep an eye on near the top of the 2022 NBA Draft class.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/keegan-murray" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keegan Murray</a>
Forward | Iowa
Height: 6-8 Weight: 225 Wingspan: 6-11
Class: Sophomore Draft Day Age: 21.8 Nationality: USA
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At 6-foot-8 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, Keegan Murray has a high motor and does a lot of the &ldquo;little things'' that contribute to winning, and he is a terrific defender. Despite shooting an inefficient 29.6% from deep last season, Murray has shot and scored the ball at a much higher rate this season. In addition, his ability to attack closeouts and score from multiple levels has allowed him to carry a greater offensive load. Murray is a candidate for National Player of the Year and has played himself into top-10 consideration in the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/johnny-davis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Johnny Davis</a>
Guard | Wisconsin
Height: 6-5 Weight: 194 Wingspan: N/A
Class: Sophomore Draft Day Age: 20.3 Nationality: USA
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​​At 6-foot-5, Johnny Davis carries positional size and has become one of the most reliable scorers in the country. He can take his defender to the rim, is comfortable operating in the mid-range and has shown consistency from deep. He isn&rsquo;t flashy, but is incredibly effective and decisive, which has resulted in a large jump in his free-throw rate. His combination of physicality and quick decision-making brings good versatility to his game. Davis has established himself as one of the best shooting guards in the country, and is a candidate for National Player of the Year. (Unfortunately, Davis was injured on a flagrant foul in Wisconsin's loss to Nebraska, but he <a href="https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/wisconsin-s-johnny-davis-updates-his-status-following-ankle-injury?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLw&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGfnOvaHXMefZwK-Y1qixNRNWpcHZ58_iJZsW9xE-84bC3sW0LEE36tg26SbjL96eCm0KsX0lm9lVA0Wg2JKsB8aFO9nKAyIi0GHqnnPEOwxHkdSBjPGq9PFpcrVpqwN748XKy993U5BRQWbprUoYY04QXy4SDQ5_rCUw95XWaAg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">believes he'll be ready to play</a> in the conference tournament.)
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/max-christie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Max Christie</a>
Guard | Michigan State
Height: 6-6 Weight: 190 Wingspan: 6-9
Class: Freshman Draft Day Age: 19.4 Nationality: USA
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A former five-star recruit, Max Christie came to Michigan State as one of the top-ranked freshmen in the country. At 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds, Christie possesses the ability to shoot and score the ball at a high level. It&rsquo;s also worth noting that he has some experience playing on the ball as a point guard. And although plays mostly off the ball for Michigan State, it is a good example of his versatility. Christie is a strong candidate to be a one-and-done prospect.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/ej-liddell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E.J. Liddell</a>
Forward | Ohio State
Height: 6-7 Weight: 240 Wingspan: 7-0
Class: Junior Draft Day Age: 21.5 Nationality: USA
Although he is a bit undersized for the position, the Buckeyes often use E.J. Liddell as a 4/5 in their lineups. He is physical and versatile on both ends of the floor, scoring both inside and out. He appears more comfortable in the mid-range and paint, which works well for his college system, but raises questions in regards to his translatability to the NBA. Liddell continues to fill up the box score and play with great effort and toughness. He has certainly carved out a spot for himself in the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/malaki-branham" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Malaki Branham</a>
Guard | Ohio State
Height: 6-5 Weight: 180 Wingspan: 6-10
Class: Freshman Draft Day Age: 19.1 Nationality: USA
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Malaki Branham was ranked 35th in the 2021 RSCI recruiting class and, after a slow start, burst onto the scene in conference play. At 6-foot-5, he plays with patience, and is a smooth three-level scorer. He is comfortable operating in the pick-and-roll and mid-range, and has shown promise as a spot-up shooter. Branham is full of potential, and is hitting his stride as a scoring threat. He's certainly one to watch down the stretch.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/bryce-mcgowens" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bryce McGowens</a>
Guard | Nebraska
Height: 6-7 Weight: 179 Wingspan: 6-9
Class: Freshman Draft Day Age: 19.6 Nationality: USA
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​​Possessing positional size and length, Bryce McGowens has flashed space creation as a shooter with pull-up craft, ball-handling and the ability to elevate over defenders. Although he can be a bit streaky, the fluidity with his shooting mechanics are special. He is also a solid defender due to his length, athleticism and instinctual play. With his combination of great athleticism, shot-making and finishing craft at the rim, McGowens has been the go-to scorer for the Huskers this season.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/moussa-diabate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moussa Diabat&eacute;</a>
Forward-Center | Michigan
Height: 6-11 Weight: 210 Wingspan: 7-3
Class: Freshman Draft Day Age: 20.4 Nationality: France
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Standing 6-foot-11, 210 pounds and possessing an impressive 7-3 wingspan &mdash; while also being capable of moving fluidly &mdash; Moussa Diabat&eacute;&rsquo;s physical tools jump off of the page. While he is still a work in progress on the offensive end, Diabat&eacute;&rsquo;s talent and versatility on the defensive end stand out. Since Diabat&eacute; has been able to <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/moussa-diabate-michigan-wolverines-on-the-rise-2022-nba-draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">properly showcase his talent and make the necessary steps in his development</a> throughout the season, he is a strong candidate to be a one-and-done prospect.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/caleb-houstan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caleb Houstan</a>
Forward | Michigan
Height: 6-8 Weight: 205 Wingspan: N/A
Class: Freshman Draft Day Age: 19.5 Nationality: Canada
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Caleb Houstan, a five-star recruit for head coach Juwan Howard and the Michigan Wolverines, is a high-level outside shooter and a marksman who possesses positional size at 6-foot-8. Houstan's size, mechanics, shot-making are special, but there are questions about his versatility and consistency. He is one to monitor as the season wraps up, and is a viable floor-stretching option in the 2022 NBA Draft.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/trevion-williams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trevion Williams</a>
Forward-Center | Purdue
Height: 6-10 Weight: 255 Wingspan: N/A
Class: Senior Draft Day Age: 21.8 Nationality: USA
Trevion Williams may be the best low-post scorer in the country. He has incredible footwork, craftiness at the rim and is always thinking a step ahead with the ball in his hand. He is also an impressive athlete at 255 pounds, as he's quick off the ground and runs the floor well. Williams is old school in the way he provides points, but he does the little things well. He has good vision out of the post, plays with a great motor and is the kind of player you want in the locker room. Williams has a great chance of earning a shot at the NBA level.&nbsp;
Others worth noting:
Kofi Cockburn | Illinois
Hunter Dickinson | Michigan
Zach Edey | Purdue
Ron Harper Jr. | Rutgers
Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana
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Matt Babcock highlights the top 2022 NBA Draft prospects in the Big Ten Tournament.

2022 NBA Draft: Top prospects in the Big Ten Tournament

Nearing the end of the NCAA regular season, Derek Murray takes a dive into the state of the Big Ten.

State of the Conference: Evaluating the Big Ten

West Lafayette, IN&nbsp; -&nbsp; In a game that came down to the final shot of regulation, No. 6 Purdue beat No. 16 Ohio State by a score of 81-78. Jaden Ivey led all players with 21 points, including the game winning triple with six seconds left on the clock. E.J. Liddell and Malaki Branham both scored 20 points for the Buckeyes.
The Boilermakers (18-3, 7-3 B1G) have cemented themselves as real contenders this season. Led by potential top-five pick Ivey, as well as a frontcourt of Zach Edey and Trevion Williams, they often have the best player on the floor at multiple positions. Ivey leads the team in points at 16.6 per game on 43.8% shooting from deep.
Ohio State (13-5, 6-3 B1G) have a key win against Duke, but haven&rsquo;t been able to close out the top competition with consistency &mdash; losing to Xavier, Florida, as well as twice to Wisconsin. They are led by junior Liddell, as he continues to make his case for the 2022 NBA draft. He is averaging 19.6 points and 7.8 rebounds, leading his team in both categories.&nbsp;
The first half started with the teams trading buckets and leads until the 11:20 mark, then Ivey and Edey started cooking. The Boilermakers would go on a 10-2 run late in the period and connect on 8 of their last 13 attempts from the field. Purdue senior Sasha Stefanovich led all players in scoring at the break with 11, as the home team took a 39-30 lead into the break.
Purdue started the second on a tear with eight unanswered points, extending the lead to 47-30. At 52-32 it looked out of hand, but Cedric Russell, Eugene Brown III and Liddell kept the fight going for Ohio State, cutting the deficit back to 63-54.
At 1:45, the Buckeyes cut the lead to 76-70 and had momentum. Ivey travelled on the ensuing possession and Liddell capitalized by capping a 7-0 run &mdash; making it 76-72 which forced a timeout.&nbsp;
Ivey would miss a three pointer the next trip down, but Mason Gillis came down with a huge offensive rebound. Two free throws followed. Liddell answered with another triple at 0:33 to make it 78-75. The visitors stole the inbounds pass, then Liddell connected once again to tie the game, 78-78.
Ivey would hit an incredible, off-balance triple to win the game with under a second remaining. A truly wild finish that saw Purdue win 81-78.
Edey posted 20 points and 3 rebounds. Williams ended with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Brown III and Russell both scored 9 points for the Buckeyes.
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UPCOMING
Ohio State hosts Iowa on Thursday
Purdue travels to Minnesota on Tuesday
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In a game that came down to the final shot of regulation, No. 6 Purdue beat No. 16 Ohio State by a score of 81-78.

Ivey hits walkoff, No. 6 Purdue survives No. 16 Ohio State 81-78

Bloomington, IN &ndash; The fourth-ranked Purdue Boilermakers (15-3, 4-3 Big Ten) rolled into Bloomington to take on the Hoosiers, a battle between two of college basketball&rsquo;s all-time winningest programs. Since 1950, the series had been tied 66-66 coming into tonight. That tie was broken on Thursday night, and you can give the advantage to upset-minded Indiana (14-4, 5-3 Big Ten), who was victorious by a final score of 68-65.
The first half was a rollercoaster, with the Hoosiers taking a 37-28 lead into the break. Purdue jumped out to a 16-8 lead and then Indiana went on a tear, closing out the half on a 29-12 run. Hoosiers junior Rob Phinisee led all players in scoring with 17 points while displaying big-time shot-making. He connected on 7 of 10 from the field, including 3 of 5 from deep. Xavier Johnson also started well for the Hoosiers by posting 8 points.
Purdue wasn&rsquo;t making things easy for itself early on. The Boilermakers committed 10 turnovers in the first period, which isn&rsquo;t how you like to start in a hostile, in-state road environment. Zach Edey was the bright spot at this juncture for the team, starting with 9 points, 5 rebounds, a steal and a block out of the gate.
Jaden Ivey, a potential top-10 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, got things going quickly in the second half. He scored 8 points in the first three minutes and had the Boilermakers within striking distance. Things then got chippy around the 14-minute mark, when Ivey took a nasty fall on a drive, and the intensity continued to pick up with stifling team defense both ways.&nbsp;
The game was tied 63-63 at the 1:30 mark when Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis beat Trevion Williams off the dribble to get to the free-throw line. He missed both attempts, giving the Boilermakers life. Purdue's Mason Gillis scored on a beautiful backdoor cut, and then Purdue created a tough shot on the other end and secured the defensive rebound.
Phinisee connected on a huge, off-movement three in the corner to put the Hoosiers up by one point with 16.9 seconds on the clock. After advancing the ball and calling a timeout with 12.5 seconds left, Purdue took a poor shot, resulting in a rebound and two clutch free-throws by Jackson-Davis. Ivey heaved a last second three-point attempt that hit every single possible part of the rim, but spun out, and Hoosiers held on for the victory.
Jackson-Davis came into the contest averaging 19.5 points per game, but played only 11 minutes and finished with 4 points. Much was due to his foul trouble, but Edey is a load and was highly impactful on both ends. Edey, the 7-foot-4 sophomore, finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Ivey led all scorers with 21 points. Phinisee ended with 20, and Johnson finished with 18 points and 4 rebounds.&nbsp;
UPCOMING
Purdue will host Northwestern on Sunday.
Indiana will host the Michigan Wolverines on Sunday.&nbsp;

In a closely-contested battle, Indiana held on at home to upset the fourth-ranked Boilermakers.

Hoosiers win nail-biter, defeat No. 4 Purdue

After a dismal 1-16 start followed by a 9-4 stretch&nbsp; &mdash; sandwiched with rumors of cutting loose head coach Stephen Silas midseason &mdash; the Rockets have gone awry yet again. They're sporting a 2-10 mark since then. Houston is young, they're certainly imperfect, and they're in store for significant change during the season if they maintain their current trajectory.
To stop and take stock of the youth movement during the first full rebuilding year post-James Harden, <a href="https://twitter.com/matissa15" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mat Issa</a> and I teamed up to gauge the development and future of the young players on the roster.&nbsp;
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Jae'Sean Tate
There are few players in the NBA I enjoy watching more than Tate. At 26, it's hard to necessarily consider him part of the young core and rebuild, but complementary role players are an absolute must in developing high usage players.&nbsp;
Tate possesses stellar defensive versatility and efficacy &mdash; many players can do a lot of things, but doing a lot of things well is where Tate manifests his value on both ends, whether it be:
Playing the passing lanes.
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Holding his own in isolation.
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Rotating in help.
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Or hounding ball-handlers at the point of attack.
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Tate is on the shortlist of players who are in a "when" not "if" category when looking to future All-Defensive team ballots. He can still clean up his off-ball defense, and he overshoots at times on switches, but many of these issues can be linked to communication &mdash; which this Houston team strongly lacks.
His offense requires more digging, as his box score doesn't leap off the page and understates his impact. He's one of only four Houston players that rates as a positive in Offensive Estimated Plus Minus, and the only Rocket who rates positive in both offensive and defensive EPM.&nbsp;
Tate is a solid finisher, but a poor shooter on low volume. He derives the majority of his positive play on offense through his decision-making and court vision. The Rockets at times take advantage of his frame and ability to bully smaller guards in the post, in order to create passing opportunities or easy scoring looks if he doesn't draw a double team.
He's excellent when grabbing and going, with timely kick-ahead passes and pacing to jumpstart the break. He's a really solid screener, which opens up intriguing small-small ball-screen actions that allow him to operate as a dribble-handoff facilitator and occasional roll man.
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Was going back through my notes and realized I forgot to clip this. One of my favorite little plays from the week Jae'Sean Tate's been awesome <a href="https://t.co/FIdwDa28US">pic.twitter.com/FIdwDa28US</a>
&mdash; Mark Schindler (@MSchindlerNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSchindlerNBA/status/1474041808363655171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2021</a></blockquote>

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He just does everything to an extent.
His lack of shooting does hold him back from becoming one of the truly elite role-players in the league, but make no mistake, finding Tate last season has proven a vital building block for the Rockets.&nbsp;
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Kenyon Martin Jr.
KJ Martin was another pleasant surprise for the Rockets last year, far outplaying his draft value and contributing at a relatively high level much earlier than expected as a professional. That's what made his start to the season all the more perplexing. He started the year mostly out of the rotation and accruing a DNP before being reinserted to the regular rotation, albeit in a smaller role than last season (non-coincidentally, that fact can be linked with Houston's first losing streak). Fortunately, his minutes have evened back out (23 minutes per game in January) and he's played productively.
KJ has shown the foundation to become an elite play-finisher, part of what makes him so tantalizing alongside the burgeoning high usage creators on the team. He's 6'6, but one of the best leapers in the NBA &mdash; his verticality has&nbsp;boosted his gravity as a roller and cutter.&nbsp;
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He has solid counters already around the rim, with some touch on his hook shots. He's a quality passer on the roll already and makes quality decisions, although I'd even like to see him attempt some more risky passes.
To make the most of himself as a margins-based prospect, he'll need to improve as a screener and get a little stronger, but that describes almost any young player.
He's still coming along as a shooter (34.9% on threes for his career) and that's perhaps the biggest area for his improvement. If he was more willing to take his open shots, and some contested ones as well, he'd be able to flex with more opportunities as a ball-handler from the perimeter. He's not yet comfortable coming off of screens or operating with much movement, and has room to improve his footwork and shot preparation overall.
Part of what's so difficult in evaluating KJ is trying to perceive the upside he has. He's had some bright flashes as a ball-handler, primarily off of cuts where he gets room to gather himself, or attacking close-outs, but the results have been fairly mixed. His handle is quite clunky right now, but if he's able to make some real improvement there &mdash; along with his shot &mdash; he'll be cooking with grease.
KJ has some creases to work out defensively, but offers legit weakside rim protection and makes quality vertical plays at the rim &mdash; he's already a solid rotational defender with room for improvement that would be bolstered by additional strength and reps. I love his game and can't wait to see what the future holds for him, he just does good things on court!
Alperen Sengun
I cannot say enough positive things about Alperen Sengun's rookie season. I saw it with him offensively during the draft cycle, but I have been quite impressed with how he's adapted to the NBA game defensively already &mdash; and in a way I wasn't sure he'd be able to.
He's shown himself capable of playing more aggressive coverages, utilizing his wingspan and solid lateral quickness in ICE coverages to prevent drives, and using quick hands to stifle them altogether and force steals. His hands around the rim are extremely active, and in spite of some of his back-foot leaping limitations, he has a knack for tips and deflections in the paint. I absolutely love his ability to use his hips to force defenders into his contests as well. He certainly has limitations, but his ability to toe the line and expand on the margins has been tremendous to see.
Playing straight-up drop pick-and-roll defense or more in centerfield has given him some issues, if he's not able to force the defender to gather or hesitate. Straight-line bursts can hurt him due to his hip fluidity. However, that just doesn't matter very much to me. He's already shown some coverage versatility and his offensive abilities make playing a more aggressive defense worth trying.
Where do I even begin with Sengun as an offensive player, man.
Quite frankly, I've felt that Sengun is underutilized by the Rockets. I need him to start expeditiously! He's currently out with an ankle injury, so just getting back to playing at all will be a win, but the point remains: start Alperen Sengun, I beg of you.
The Rockets lack a true primary ball-handler. Kevin Porter Jr., Starting Point Guard, has been rough. Jalen Green is ideally an off-ball creator who flows into actions with his movement skills (more on that later). Sengun is pretty easily the best passer on the Houston Rockets who isn't currently sidelined by the organization (I just want to see John Wall play somewhere please).
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Like I wrote about with <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/trevion-williams-thinking-outside-the-box" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trevion Williams recently</a>, playing five-out doesn't really mean that you are getting guarded five-out. So often, Sengun is spaced to the slot or above the break, and while he has shown flashes as a shooter and has indicators to hint at future growth there, he is not guarded like a floor-spacer the majority of the time he's tasked with being one in Houston's offense.
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I'm not saying those need to be cut out entirely, as he's intrigued me with his loping drives off the catch.
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Sengun is so fun man. He's had some really impressive moments this season <a href="https://t.co/WiCAG1KbAl">pic.twitter.com/WiCAG1KbAlf</a>
&mdash; Mark Schindler (@MSchindlerNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSchindlerNBA/status/1460384809964953612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2021</a></blockquote>

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What he could be if he opens up his game as a shooter and from the perimeter is part of his intrigue. However, he could be better optimized if used more often in the middle of the floor, or more regularly being tasked with running dribble-handoffs.&nbsp;
He's shown dynamic ability as a stout screener and as a roller. Affording him more opportunities where the offense flows through him could open up even easier scoring avenues for Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. Screening and handoffs are a form of creation, even if they're not often considered as such, due to the levels one has to hit as a screener and passer to actually make them viable forms of self-creation. Sengun surpasses the marks required to create in those areas, and making him a larger part of the offense is something I really hope to see once he returns from injury.
Sengun does have limitations as a finisher that currently hinder his upside as a scorer &mdash; and therefore his gravity &mdash; but his craft shown in the post and on touch shots in the paint but outside the restricted area are encouraging. I'm not sure what the ceiling is for him, but his improvements as a finisher and eventually a shooter are essential to maximizing his potential.
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Jalen Green
Jalen Green had a very rough start to his rookie season, understandable given his environment and the woes of the Rockets early on. However, his efficiency from the floor has greatly improved after a 14-game absence due to a hamstring injury: 49.8% True Shooting in his first 18 games, compared to 58.2% across his last 10, a remarkable uptick.
He's starting to get a better grasp on the finer aspects of becoming a higher usage offensive player, going through the growing pains of on-ball development. I particularly have enjoyed some of the subtleties he's started to develop in pick-and-roll.
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Green stares down the oncoming screen from Christian Wood and rejects it as soon as Russ shifts ever so slightly onto his right foot in anticipation. Jalen's downhill burst and first step were second to none in the 2021 draft class, and this play is a showcase.&nbsp;
He hasn't yet consistently unearthed some of the low hanging fruit, like using his handle in conjunction with the screen to lull his man into it, or to set up a dribble-drive that opens him an even wider lane. He uses slight screen set-up and devastating power to draw a quick foul here (4.9 FTA per game over his last 10, that's good folks!). Imagining what he'll be able to do to the rim and opposing defenses as he starts to develop more on-ball counters and craft is ridiculous to think about.
Finding easier buckets as he develops counters at the rim and on drives would be beneficial as well. Green has the essential tools that allow him to get there, but his frame and relative lack of craft around the rim has been an issue thus far. While he's shooting pretty well at the rim this season (60% per Cleaning the Glass), he's only shooting 34.8% on layups per InStat, and has really struggled when tasked with converting against good rim protectors &mdash; and against contact and length in general.
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That's partially why I want to see even more with Jalen flowing off the ball. His gravity largely comes from his athleticism and ability to leverage it. Optimizing him more in a Bradley Beal mold (think from prior years before the mid-30s usage you see today), coming off pindowns, floppy actions, staggered screens, Iversons, etc. to get the most out of his quickness, and then work his way into easier isolations or secondary pick-and-rolls, would do him wonders. Especially for younger ball-handlers, making things easier &mdash; to simplify reads and what's required of them to create offense &mdash; is ideal.
Working in tandem with Sengun's gravity from the middle of the floor could get the most out of Green as a cutter and allow the gravitational pull between the two to warp defenses. He still has a great deal to learn as a passer &mdash; honing his vision, his progressions through reads, as well as ball placement.&nbsp;
The Rockets aren't in a great place this season, but their outlook moving forward is full of intrigue due to the young talent on the roster. I'm not sure how it all fits together yet, or if it does at all. Nevertheless I'm greatly encouraged by the individual players who comprise their core and what their development has looked like even in a sub-optimal situation. I'm cautiously optimistic about the future in South Texas and what it could hold for Rockets fans moving forward.
Read <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/rocket-revival-evaluating-houston-rockets-young-core-part-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part 1</a> of Rocket Revival, where Mat Issa broke down the rest of Houston&rsquo;s young core.

Mark Schindler breaks down four of Houston's brightest talents in Part II of his Rocket Revival series with Mat Issa.