2022 NBA mock draft: A breakdown of where Auburn's NBA draft hopefuls could land

On3 imageby:James Fletcher III05/19/22

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Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler were two key pieces of Auburn’s success in this past season. The duo led the Tigers to contender status all season and established themselves as one of the best frontcourts in college basketball during the NCAA Tournament.

The 2022 NBA Draft order is set after Tuesday’s draft lottery, which saw the Orlando Magic come away with the No. 1 overall selection. While Jabari Smith could hear his name first, Walker Kessler could also hear his name in these first-round mock drafts from ESPN, CBS Sports and USA Today. The frontcourt duo is looking to become the first pair of Auburn teammates drafted in the first round in school history, also becoming the first drafted since Isaac Okoro in 2020 and Chuma Okeke in 2019.

Here is where NBA Draft analysts have the duo going in the first round of mock drafts with a little more than a month until the NBA Draft.

Where 2022 NBA Draft analysts project Auburn players to land

Jabari Smith

ESPN: No. 1 overall to the Orlando Magic

CBS Sports: No. 3 overall to the Houston Rockets

USA Today: No. 1 overall to the Orlando Magic

Smith came to Auburn as a highly touted five-star recruit with high hopes of landing in the top 10 of the 2022 NBA Draft. He has only improved on the expectations with his sharpshooting and versatile playstyle throughout the past year. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds with 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks.

Walker Kessler

ESPN: No. 23 overall to the Brooklyn Nets

CBS Sports: No. 18 overall to the Chicago Bulls

USA Today: No. 24 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks

After not finding the success he hoped for in one season at North Carolina, Kessler joined forces with Smith under Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl. He turned into a defensive force in the paint and showed off good rebounding as well. In 2021, he averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks.