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The NBA Draft for 2022 is just one day and the options for the best choice in this year’s event are still very pending.
Chem Holgren of Gonzaga, Jabbari Smith of Auburn and Paolo Banchero of Duke are among those who could take overall number 1 when the Orlando Magic kicks off on Thursday.
A former NBA scout believes that Purdue’s outstanding Jaden Ivy is the best player in the draft.
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“I think the person I would choose as number one is Jaden Ivy,” said Michael Vandegard, who worked as a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers for 18 years, he told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
Purdue Boilermakers’ Jaden Ivy №23 dribbled against Texas Longhorns during the second round of the NCAA 2022 Men’s Basketball Tournament, held at the Fiserv Forum on March 20, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photos of Ben Solomon / NCAA via Getty Images)
“Jaden Ivy is everything (Memphis Grizzlies guard) Ja Morant is and was the same age, except he’s bigger, longer and maybe even more athletic, and Ja Morant is a freak. I’m telling you, Jaden Ivy… and he shot him a lot better this year. He drastically improved every aspect of this game. He’s the closest thing I’ve ever seen to Russell Westbrook or Ja Morant I’ve seen. I absolutely love him.
“I would look at it as number one and I would be excited to take it, obviously in the top five, but if I stare at number 1, I would consider it 100%. And if I had to choose today, I’d say Jaden Ivy. If I stare at (№) 2 or 3, he can be chosen there. It won’t shock me if the Oklahoma City Thunder takes him in two. I just think that no matter where you take him, you get a chance to be the absolute best player on both ends of the floor, and he is the most dynamic athlete in this draft bar.
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Ja Morant №12 from Memphis Grizzlies watched against the Golden State Warriors in the second half of the Third Game of the NBA Western Conference playoff semifinals at the Chase Center on May 7, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
Ivy was the consensus All-American second team and first team at the All-Big Ten Conference in 2022 after his second season with the Boilermakers. He played in 36 games and averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists before deciding to become a pro.
Holmgren, Smith and Banchero also had solid careers for their respective schools.
The 7-foot Holmgren was the best defender of the year in the West Coast Conference and averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game. It is rated on top of some fake drafts.
Smith was named the winner of the Weyman Tisdale Award for Outstanding Freshman Male Basketball Player in 2022. He finished his only year in Auburn with an average of 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Purdue Boilermakers’ Jaden Ivy №23 celebrates with assistant coach Terry Johnson after beating Texas Longhorns 81-71 in the second round of the NCAA 2022 Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Fiserv Forum on March 20, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)
Banchero was the rookie of the year in the ACC for 2022. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game for Duke.
Vandegard added that he believes that Shedon Sharp can develop into a great player in the NBA. He was a five-star shooter when he graduated early to play for Kentucky. However, he did not play for the Wildcats and decided to become a professional.
“There are some really high-ranking guys,” he told Fox News Digital. “I would even go to Shaden Sharp. I’ve seen him for the last three years. It’s a little unusual. he was the best thing I saw of Kobe Bryant I saw as a junior in high school. I absolutely love him. (But) there are some basic question marks. We haven’t seen a game at the highest level, but I absolutely love this child. “
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As a potential outsider, Vandegard mentioned Caleb Houston as a potential solid choice later in the first round. He played in 34 games as a freshman in Michigan, averaging 10.1 points and 4 rebounds per game.
“He’s not an elite athlete,” Vandegard told Houston, “but he was an elite high school shooter for many years. There may not have been an elite season in Michigan, but sometimes some of these guys who were amazing in high school turned out to be much better players. “
Shaedon Sharpe # 21 from Kentucky Wildcats watched during the half against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena on February 12, 2022 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Dylan Buell / Getty Images)
The draft is set to begin at 20:00 ET at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, home of the Nets. The project will be broadcast on ESPN.
While Vandegard was out of basketball for a while, he joined a handful of former coaches who joined CoachTube. The digital platform provides online sports training and training by experts in the relevant fields.
Vandegard told Fox News Digital that he has received very good reviews from those who use him.
“It was great. I think the coaches really like to make a name for themselves there. Apparently the world has changed in the last eight to 10 years. You used to have to sell Walmart videos on the shelves, but now everything has moved into the digital age and the feedback is great, “he said.
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“I don’t think you have access to a gym or elite training for someone who lives in a part of the world or even a part of the United States. And CoachTube, I think, really fits that void. “
Ryan Gaidos is the sports editor of Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.
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