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2022 NBA Draft: Top prospects in the SEC Tournament

2022 NBA Draft: Top prospects in the SEC Tournament

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 ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12.)

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.

Here are the names to look out for in the Southeastern Conference.

Jabari Smith

Forward | Auburn

Height: 6-10
Weight: 220
Wingspan: 7-1

Class: Freshman
Draft Day Age: 19.1
Nationality: USA

At 6-foot-10, Jabari Smith has the size and shooting stroke to be an impactful stretch-4 at the NBA level. Added physical strength will certainly propel his development, but his athleticism, shooting and defensive abilities make him a high-level prospect. In addition, considering the value of floor spacing in today's game, Smith will likely generate significant interest from NBA teams. As a result, Smith is in the mix to be the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

TyTy Washington

Guard | Kentucky

Height: 6-3
Weight: 197
Wingspan: 6-9

Class: Freshman
Draft Day Age: 20.6
Nationality: USA

Although he has played primarily off the ball this season, TyTy Washington still sets the tone for his team and provides value as both a facilitator and scorer. Even when pushing the pace, Washington plays under control and seldom makes poor decisions leading to turnovers. He is only 6-foot-3 and lacks elite athleticism, but he routinely gets his shot off from deep with smooth mechanics and a quick release. As a result, Washington will likely be the first point guard selected in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Tari Eason

Forward | LSU

Height: 6-8
Weight: 216
Wingspan: 6-9

Class: Sophomore
Draft Day Age: 21.1
Nationality: USA

After transferring from Cincinnati, Tari Eason has had a breakout season in Baton Rouge for LSU. He has positional size and length, and plays with a great motor on both ends of the floor. While Eason is still improving as a shooter, he excels at putting the ball on the deck and attacking the rim. In addition, Eason is a switchable defender and an all-around playmaker. If he keeps performing at a high level, he will have an excellent chance to be a first-round pick this summer.

Kennedy Chandler

Guard | Tennessee

Height: 6-0
Weight: 171
Wingspan: 6-5

Class: Freshman
Draft Day Age: 19.8
Nationality: USA

Although undersized, Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler has incredible speed. He might be the fastest player in the country with the ball in his hands this season. In addition, Chandler is an excellent game manager, a skilled passer and a developing outside shooter. Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has had success with smaller, speedier guards in the past, as T.J. Ford won the Naismith Player of the Year in 2003 while the two were both at Texas. Chandler will likely be one of the first point guards selected in the 2022 NBA Draft.

JD Davison

Guard | Alabama

Height: 6-3
Weight: 195
Wingspan: 6-9

Class: Freshman
Draft Day Age: 19.7
Nationality: USA

An uber-athletic and explosive leaper, Alabama’s JD Davison elevates seamlessly off one or two feet. He is also a tremendous playmaker and facilitator off the dribble, and he continues to improve as an outside shooter. Davison possesses a ton of upside and, although coming off the bench for the Tide, is making a solid case for the 2022 NBA Draft.

Walker Kessler

Center | Auburn

Height: 7-1
Weight: 245
Wingspan: 7-5

Class: Sophomore
Draft Day Age: 20.9
Nationality: USA

After transferring from North Carolina, Walker Kessler is arguably the best shot-blocker in the country, continues to develop as a short-roll passer, and has shown shooting flashes during this season. He's still not a reliable floor-stretcher, but is incredibly efficient around the rim on offense with a soft touch on the block. Kessler's length, mobility and rim-protection give him a unique skill set that makes him a viable option in the 2022 NBA Draft. 

Keon Ellis

Guard-Forward | Alabama

Height: 6-6
Weight: 175
Wingspan: N/A

Class: Senior
Draft Day Age: 22.5
Nationality: USA

After two seasons at Florida Southwestern State College, Keon Ellis transferred to Alabama as one of the most coveted JUCO prospects in the nation. He has displayed legitimate athleticism, playmaking and shot-making that will likely translate well to the next level. Ellis also can guard multiple positions thanks to his length, mobility and motor. He has been terrific for the Crimson Tide, and has played himself to be worthy of being drafted in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Iverson Molinar

Guard | Mississippi State

Height: 6-3
Weight: 190
Wingspan: N/A

Class: Junior
Draft Day Age: 22.6
Nationality: Panama, USA

Iverson Molinar is a quick-twitch guard who can fill up a box score at will. As a sophomore, he burst onto the scene and has continued to be a reliable scorer this season. Molinar can be a bit turnover-prone in spurts, but he 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 NBA Draft as a score-first guard.

Oscar Tshiebwe

Center | Kentucky

Height: 6-9
Weight: 255
Wingspan: 7-4

Class: Junior
Draft Day Age: 22.6
Nationality: DR Congo

After transferring from West Virginia, Oscar Tshiebwe has brought a significant physical presence and energy to Kentucky's roster. Standing 6-foot-9 and 255 pounds, Tshiebwe's strength and motor are the two elements of his game that stand out the most. In addition, he is probably the best rebounder in the country. Although there are questions about how well his game translates to the modern-day NBA that values floor-spacing, he must be taken seriously as an NBA prospect.

Others worth noting:

Colin Castleton | Florida

Kellan Grady | Kentucky

Scotty Pippen Jr. | Vanderbilt

Santiago Vescovi | Tennessee

Jaylin Williams | Arkansas

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