Scouting Report of Duke Targets
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report wrote at length about something that feels way into the future, the 2022 NBA Draft. The sneak peak looks at 9 players, including several Duke recruiting prospects, beginning with the lone commit for the Blue Devils, AJ Griffin. Here is a breakdown of Duke recruits profiled by Wasserman.
AJ Griffin
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For Duke commit AJ Griffin, there is a path toward the No. 1 overall spot on the 2022 NBA draft board.
At Archbishop Stepinac, the ball belongs to R.J. Davis, who'll give North Carolina microwave offense next season. But under the NBA scouting lens, eyes immediately shift toward the powerful 6'6" forward with toned arms, wide shoulders, a 7-foot wingspan and plus athletic abilities.
He supports eye-popping physical tools with a unique perimeter skill level to create mismatches and scoring upside.
In four games with USA basketball at the U16 Americas Championship, Griffin registered per-40 minute numbers of 29.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 7.1 steals and 6.0 assists on 4-of-11 shooting from three.
With an NBA combo-forward body at 16 years old, he's also already flashed high-level ball-handling moves for shot creation away from the basket—whether it's east-west as a dribble jump-shooter or north-south while attacking the rim.
The ease with which he can get shots off leads to some low-percentage attempts, but he's capable from all over the floor with predetermined pull-ups and fallaways and improvised one-handers off counter footwork.
Though his high-arching three-ball needs fine-tuning, he made 13 threes in the 12 high school games he played this season (per MaxPreps.com) while demonstrating enough shot-making skill and confidence for scouts to project him as a regular threat during his 20s.
Defensively, it's tough to top his combination of mobility, strength and length for a non-center. His steals and blocks appear effortless against teenagers. If Griffin's effort and IQ develop in the right direction, they could unlock major defensive upside in terms of contesting shots and versatility.
He's our way-too-early No. 1 for a draft that's two years away.
Kennedy Chandler
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Kennedy Chandler moved the needle last summer when he helped pace Mokan Elite to a Peach Jam title after going for 21 points and nine assists in the championship game over Team WhyNot, led by projected top-three pick in the 2021 draft Jalen Green, Kentucky commit Devin Askew and Texas Tech commit Nimari Burnett.
Chandler had just finished his sophomore year at Briarcrest Christian. He's headed to Sunrise Christian for his senior season, when he'll have the chance to establish himself as the No. 1 point guard from his class.
Limited size (6'1", 160 lbs) may lead scouts to initially look past his pro potential, but Chandler figures to eventually win them over with results and impact at both ends.
Mixing speed with well-rounded skills and IQ, he's a full-package lead guard—minus the measurements. Kennedy puts pressure on defenses in transition and with penetration, scoring with crafty finishing below the rim and showing enough bounce to elevate above it in space. He's a threat using the runner and pull-up and is seemingly on track to continue extending his range and entering/leaving college with NBA teams feeling good about his shooting.
Though his scoring numbers have outshined his assists, Kennedy can play setup man, creating for teammates off the dribble. His elusiveness and feel for the game bode well for his playmaking and development as a facilitator.
We'll see how much his lack of height, strength and standout athleticism hold him back when he eventually gets to college. Because questions about his physical tools may be the only concerns scouts have by draft night.
Patrick Baldwin, Jr.
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Patrick Baldwin Jr. had already registered on NBA scouts' radars during his sophomore season in high school. Since age 15, his size (now 6'9") and perimeter skill level have screamed "pro," and he's close to getting there.
We've seen Baldwin operate as both a No. 1 option for Hamilton (24.2 points, 4.2 assists per game) and a supporting scorer with Phenom University while playing off projected 2021 lottery pick Jalen Johnson (Duke), another incoming freshman at Duke in Jaemyn Brakefield and Reece Beekman, who'll play point guard next season at Virginia.
Suited for either role, Baldwin can create his own shot into drives and jumpers, demonstrating comfortable ball-handling and plenty of shot-making ability on runners, pull-ups and fallaways from the post. It's also easy to buy his three-ball for spot-up shooting because of his convincing form and range.
He figures to draw Jayson Tatum comparisons (especially if he picks Duke), stemming from similar tools, sharp footwork for creation, three-level scoring and a smoothness to his delivery.
Baldwin lacks a degree of explosiveness, but he's too polished for it to raise alarms. The son of Milwaukee Panthers coach Patrick Baldwin Sr., Jr. comes off as mature and intelligent—more reasons to buy his development.
Paolo Banchero
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Playing in AAU, competing at USA minicamps, attending the Nike Skills Academy and putting up dominant numbers at O'Dea High School, Paolo Banchero has spent the last few years building a complete scouting profile while developing the versatility the NBA covets.
The 6'9", 230-pound power forward is as well-rounded as they come for 17-year-old bigs—physically, fundamentally and mentally.
His strength, quickness and agility immediately stand out under the NBA scouting scope. But it's his expanding skill set that hints at a player who's capable of flying toward the top of draft boards.
Banchero has developed into a threat to go coast to coast off defensive rebounds, thanks to his ball-handling and body control while scoring on the move. In the half court, he demonstrates advanced footwork on face-up rip-through moves, spins in traffic and post-ups. Though not a flashy one-on-one shot-creator, he still manages to get himself high-percentage, balanced looks.
And his touch away from the basket is easy to buy. His three-ball is still a work in progress, but he's capable and has encouraging form. He also shows impressive ability to stop and pop with balance on pull-ups inside the arc.
A high-IQ passer as well, Banchero can check the valued stretch-4 playmaker box if he continues to make strides with his shooting and off-the-dribble game.
A terrific defensive outlook is another compelling selling point for Washington's 2019-20 Gatorade Player of the Year, who guards every frontcourt position.
He just averaged 22.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 blocks per game, leading O'Dea to the Class 3A state championship game. Banchero just may be the safest bet among juniors to pencil into the top five for the 2022 NBA draft.