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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
The first weekend of the NCAA men's tournament is in the books. Several prospects possibly played in their last college games while two of the projected top-three NBA draft picks advanced to the Sweet 16.
As the tournament advances, the matchups will continue to be more compelling as scouts will take notice of prospects playing against stiffer competition. Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren has already faced one test in a highly anticipated matchup against Memphis, getting the best of fellow freshman center Jalen Duren on Saturday night in a game where both projected lottery picks were in foul trouble.
Paolo Banchero and Duke advanced, with Banchero (19 points, seven rebounds, four assists) hitting several big shots as the Blue Devils avoided a scare against Michigan State.
Meanwhile, Auburn's Jabari Smith had his worst offensive game of the season as No. 2 seed Auburn was upset by No. 10 seed Miami.
ESPN's NBA draft experts Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz have been glued to the March Madness action all weekend. Givony's updated NBA mock draft is below and Givony and Schmitz provide the latest observations on Holmgren, Banchero, Smith, Duren, Baylor's Jeremy Sochan and more.
Note: The projected 2022 draft order is based on ESPN BPI draft projections as of Saturday. The full 1-58 order also reflects picks owed and owned.