Two Wildcats selected in early 2022 NBA Mock Draft

We’re not even one day removed from the 2021 NBA Draft and we already have our first official mock draft for the upcoming 2022 class.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony published his first mock draft of the 2022 cycle early Friday morning, one that included two Kentucky Wildcats in the first round. Five-star guard signee TyTy Washington came off the board first at No. 17 overall, followed by five-star forward signee Daimion Collins at No. 18.

Washington and Collins were the only two Wildcats on the list, leaving Davion Mintz, Kellan Grady, Oscar Tshiebwe, Keion Brooks Jr., Jacob Toppin, Sahvir Wheeler, Dontaie Allen, CJ Fredrick, Lance Ware and Bryce Hopkins off the board.

Check out Givony’s projected lottery selections:

1. Houston Rockets – Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga)
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – Paolo Banchero (Duke)
3. Detroit Pistons – Jaden Hardy (G League Ignite)
4. Orlando Magic – Jalen Duren (TBA)
5. Cleveland Cavaliers – Caleb Houstan (Michigan)
6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Yannick Nzosa (Unicaja Malaga)
7. Sacramento Kings – Jabari Smith (Auburn)
8. San Antonio Spurs – A.J. Griffin (Duke)
9. Chicago Bulls – Peyton Watson (UCLA)
10. Charlotte Hornets – Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee)
11. Washington Wizards – J.D. Davison (Alabama)
12. Memphis Grizzlies – Jaden Ivey (Purdue)
13. Memphis Grizzlies – Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee)
14. Toronto Raptors – Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers)

As an added bonus, Givony dropped a note on Jalen Duren’s recruitment, one that isn’t positive news for Kentucky fans hoping for a last-second upset with the five-star center.

“Sources said Duren’s academic coursework is largely in order and that he should have little issue receiving his high school diploma in time (for a reclassification),” Givony reported. “We’ve tentatively projected him at No. 4 in this mock draft, as it appears inevitable that he’ll either be playing in college or professionally this upcoming season, with Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers considered the team to beat for Duren’s services right now.”

For Givony’s full mock draft and other player scoop, click here.