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ESPN- NBA draft analyst and writer
Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams
Champ Week is here as NBA scouts and executives will be at college basketball conference tournaments across the country between now and Selection Sunday, getting one last look at this year's top prospects against familiar foes.
Some prospects have played their last college game before declaring for June's NBA draft. Which players are on the rise or decline as we conclude the regular season?
ESPN draft experts Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz have updated their top-100 draft rankings prior to the start of next week's NCAA tournament as they provide fresh evaluations on a trio of SEC standouts.
Jalen Duren | 6-11 | C | Age: 18.2 | Memphis | No. 6 in Top 100
After starting 9-8, Memphis is now one of the hottest teams in the country, winners of 10 of their last 11 games, which likely cemented their credentials for an NCAA tournament bid. Duren has been playing some of his best basketball of the season in that stretch, an uptick that is perhaps not a surprise considering he turned 18 in November and is the youngest player projected to be drafted. Duren's scoring, rebounding and free throw attempts are all up, and he's generally played harder and been much more effective on the defensive end as the year has moved on.
Duren should have a ready-made role early in his NBA career, not all that different than the one he plays at Memphis. Ranking fourth in dunks among players projected to be drafted, Duren is one of the best finishers in this draft class, thanks to his reliable hands, terrific quickness getting off his feet and 7-foot-5 wingspan, which provides a huge radius to catch lobs.
He has some limitations, however, from a skill and feel standpoint. He's shooting 60% from the line, averaging more than twice as many turnovers as assists and showing little semblance of a post game, but has made progress in these departments and is recently beginning to knock down mid-range jumpers with more consistency, as well as dropping occasional flashes of vision and creativity as a passer.
Defensively, Duren is one of the best shot-blockers in this draft class, regularly meeting opponents at the summit, while also showing impressive flashes of switchability on the perimeter.
Duren is still a work in progress in a technical sense, as his awareness is average, the game can move a little fast for him at times and foul trouble has been an issue against some of the better teams Memphis has played.
In a draft class almost entirely devoid of true centers worthy of first-round consideration, Duren's physical tools, youth, defensive versatility, finishing prowess and budding offensive skill certainly stand out. Considering the fact that Duren should still be in high school, it's safe to say that this has been a very good developmental season for him and he's likely done what he needed to justify his standing as a top-10 prospect in this draft. -- Jonathan Givony
Complete scouting report from Jonathan Givony (No. 6 in Top 100)
Take a look at freshman Jalen Duren's best highlights so far this season at Memphis.
Tari Eason | 6-8 | PF | Age: 20.8 | LSU | No. 14 in Top 100
Despite coming off the bench nearly every game, Eason has established himself as an SEC Player of the Year candidate, even if his persistent foul trouble and averaging 24 minutes per game will likely work against him.
Perhaps most notable for Eason is his shooting, converting 18-of-41 attempts from beyond the arc (44%) in 18 games. Despite somewhat awkward shooting mechanics -- releasing the ball from his right shoulder -- Eason's confidence has never been higher, especially as of late (13-for-27 his last 10 games). He's shown some versatility with his shot-making, taking and making plenty of difficult pull-up jumpers, while converting 79% of his free throw attempts -- a place he gets to more often on a per-minute basis (9.3 per-40) than any player currently projected to be drafted besides Purdue's 7-3 Zach Edey.
Seeing most of his minutes at center, despite standing 6-8, Eason is a true mismatch at the college level, being simply too fast for slower big men to contain off the dribble and too aggressive for wings to handle in the paint. Eason's quickness, length and instincts also show in the way he gets in passing lanes -- he currently ranks first among projected draft picks in steals generated per minute, while also ranking top-10 in blocks.
Few players in this draft bring a higher degree of intensity to every possession than Eason, which is also reflected in his rebounding numbers and the fact that he is extremely effective switching onto guards and wings -- containing opponents off the dribble and contesting jumpers on the perimeter -- which is highly intriguing in today's switch-heavy NBA.
The considerable jump Eason has made as a 20-year-old sophomore transitioning to the most talented conference in college basketball hasn't been lost on NBA executives, and he's emerged as a real candidate for lottery consideration with his play. Background intel and a productive pre-draft process will be key for the late-bloomer, but he checks so many boxes with his productivity, physical tools, defensive versatility, intensity and budding shooting/shot-creation. -- Givony
Complete scouting report from Jonathan Givony (No. 14 in Top 100)
Tari Eason spins in and drains an and-1 bucket for LSU.
JD Davison | 6-3 | PG | Age: 19.4 | Alabama | No. 25 in Top 100
Alabama has been one of the more confusing teams in college basketball this season, posting wins over several Final Four contenders such as Gonzaga, Baylor, Houston, Tennessee, LSU and Arkansas, while losing to the likes of Missouri, Georgia, Iona, Davidson and Texas A&M. Davison has been equally inconsistent, alternating between starting, coming off the bench and playing a limited role at different points in the season, posting scintillating performances at times and going scoreless in others.
Davison's 28% turnover percentage will be the highest of any player drafted in the past decade, as being thrown straight into the gauntlet of SEC defenses has been a learning experience. Offense has been somewhat of a challenge for Davison, whose 12.7 points per 40 is the second-lowest of any college player currently projected to be drafted.
Davison has had plenty of outstanding moments this season that hint at great things to come for a team willing to be patient with his development. There aren't many guards in the college game who show his flashes changing gears out of hesitation moves, absorbing contact in the lane and finishing explosively at the rim, something that can hopefully be developed further in time.
Defensively, Davison checks anyone from point guard to power forwards in Alabama's switch-heavy scheme, bringing a level of physicality the team has sorely lacked at times this season. He's also proving to be a real playmaker by getting in passing lanes, blocking jump-shots and crashing the glass effectively. He's far from perfect on this end of the floor, at times getting caught losing his focus or flat-footed off the ball, but has been able to stay on the floor through his offensive struggles in no small part due to his versatility and effectiveness.
Davison's standing has dropped somewhat relative to where he started the season as more productive college guards have eclipsed him. A strong finish to the season would certainly help. Taking the Jaden Ivey route, a player he's at times compared to by NBA executives, could have some merit. The Purdue guard was considered a potential late first-round pick at the end of his freshman season but is now likely to be picked in the top five after a breakout sophomore season. -- Mike Schmitz
Complete scouting report from Mike Schmitz (No. 25 in Top 100)
JD Davison drives to the basket and winds up to hammer down an epic one-handed dunk right in the face of a 7-foot defender.
Jake LaRavia | 6-8 | PF | Age: 20.3 | Wake Forest | No. 39
While ACC Player of the Year Alondes Williams has stolen the headlines this season with his powerful downhill drives and flashy one-handed passes, there's another Demon Deacons prospect gaining steam as Wake Forest's best NBA prospect.
LaRavia is an Indiana State transfer who could make a first-round push with a strong showing at the ACC tournament, and ultimately the NCAA tournament. With Wake Forest currently projected by ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi as a 10-seed, the Demon Deacons could use a big game or two to solidify their at-large bid to the big dance, giving LaRavia the platform to continue rising in NBA circles with signature performances against the ACC's elite. LaRavia ranks fifth in our Top-100 in true shooting percentage, only sitting behind 7-footers such as Mark Williams, Chet Holmgren, Jamarion Sharp and Zach Edey.
In Winston-Salem tonight for Wake Forest vs NC State. Getting an updated look at 6-8, 20-year-old Wake junior Jake LaRavia. The Indiana State transfer has been excellent this season averaging 15.1 PTS, 6.8 REBS, 3.7 AST, 1.7 STL and 0.9 BLK. Shoots it really easy in pregame. pic.twitter.com/L3QjpJySJ2
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 3, 2022
LaRavia is an easy fit at the highest level because of his versatility as a 6-8 modern 4. He can move all over the floor offensively, as he's capable of initiating offense in transition, functioning as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, playing out of the post to score or facilitate (one of his best skills), or picking and popping to space for spot 3s (40%), closeout attacks or quick reads (4.3 assists per 40 minutes).
LaRavia has a lot of the ingredients you generally see in draft risers given his intangibles, late-blooming status, skill level, feel and productivity. Younger than freshmen such as Kentucky's TyTy Washington, LaRavia was only 6-4 when former Indiana State head coach Greg Lansing first started watching him at Lawrence Central High School in Indiana.
Whether it's an undrafted 6-10 forward such as Dean Wade or a top-10 pick in Deni Avdija, there are players LaRavia resembles who have found success in the NBA, and another big performance surely gives LaRavia more of a runway to convince scouts and evaluators that he's worthy of true first-round consideration like his productivity and versatility suggest. -- Schmitz
Complete scouting report from Jonathan Givony (No. 39 in Top 100)
Jake Laravia cuts to the basket and slams it home
Jalen Williams | 6-6 | SF | Age: 20.8 | Santa Clara | No. 46 on ESPN 100
Williams made a strong impression on the 40-plus scouts and handful of NBA execs gathered in Las Vegas for the West Coast Conference tournament on Monday night as the junior capped off his breakout season with 15 points and six assists in a narrow loss to Saint Mary's, making several NBA reads in the process.
At 6-6 with a 7-0 wingspan, an NBA frame, ball skills, passing feel, a projectable shooting stroke and defensive potential, Williams is the type of prospect who could improve his stock throughout the pre-draft process, should he opt to enter.
Joined the ESPN broadcast last night to talk Santa Clara's Jalen Williams. The late-blooming wing has blossomed from unheralded high school combo guard into one of the most efficient pick-and-roll creators in the NCAA now with NBA wing tools standing 6-6 with a 7-0 wingspan. pic.twitter.com/IdsiqYSVgl
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 8, 2022
Williams just put a bow on one of the most complete seasons in college basketball, finishing the year averaging 18.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 56% from 2 and 41% from 3. For reference, no other player in the country reached those marks with at least that level of efficiency.
Defensively, he's regularly taken on the challenge of slowing opposing WCC guards, using his length and smarts to keep the ball in front, contest jumpers and blow up handoffs. He's very ball-oriented in those situations, however, and isn't nearly the rebounder or off-ball playmaker he could be. Sitting next to Santa Clara's bench in Vegas, you could overhear coach Herb Sendek shout, "Hey Jalen, you've gotta guard. No excuses."
With most NBA execs just now familiarizing themselves with Williams, he's far from a lock in 2022, and there's certainly another jump for him to make should he return for his senior season. Yet, a strong pre-draft process and a stellar combine performance against the type of high-major defenders he doesn't face in the WCC could help vault him into the first-round conversation. -- Schmitz
Complete scouting report from Mike Schmitz (No. 46 in Top 100)
Jalen Williams gets the tough and-1 for Santa Clara
Jaylin Williams | 6-10 | PF/C | Age: 19.6 | Arkansas | No. 13 NCAA Sophomores
With droves of NBA scouts and executives flocking to Tampa to see Jabari Smith, Walker Kessler, Washington, Eason and the rest of the prospect-laden SEC, one beneficiary who could emerge as a conference tournament winner is Arkansas' Williams.
Despite not turning 20 years old until late June, the sophomore is in the midst of a breakout Year 2 under coach Eric Musselman, showing the type of skill and mobility NBA teams look for in a modern big.
Williams has emerged as arguably the Razorbacks' most consistent contributor, averaging 14.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks over his last 10 games, while recording seven consecutive double-doubles during that stretch.
Scouts will surely be lined up courtside during pregame warmups to evaluate Williams' jumper -- career 26.3% 3-point shooter on 80 attempts -- as to whether or not he can space the floor at the NBA level will go a long way in determining just how effectively he'll be able to score at the next level given some of his physical limitations (7-1.5 wingspan). How he fares in a potential matchup with an elite shot-blocker in Kessler and Auburn's Smith, a rangy perimeter defender, will also give scouts better insight into how Williams' offense figures to translate.
Teams will be studying Williams closest defensively, as he's caught between positions on that end of the floor. He does have solid instincts and has turned himself into a valuable rebounder, but doesn't quite offer the type of rim protection or physical interior defense you'd like from a 5 at the NBA level.
Whether against Eason and LSU, Kessler and Auburn or Kentucky and Oscar Tshiebwe, we'll learn a lot more about just how tough Williams is with how he plays against the SEC's elite, giving us a better idea of whether or not the 19-year-old is a 2022 draft prospect or more of a potential 2023 first-rounder if he takes another step as a junior. -- Schmitz
Jaylin Williams makes a sweet pass
Jonathan Givony is an NBA Draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams.
Mike Schmitz is an NBA Draft expert and a contributor to DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and International teams.