Five biggest surprises from NBA Draft deadline
Plus, more good news for Gonzaga, what's going on with Isiaih Mosley and a little Friday fun
The NBA Draft deadline day proved to be one that changed the fortunes of dozens of programs, for both good and bad. We saw All-Americans, conference players of the year, and guys that have 1000+ point-scoring careers and legit NBA potential.
A lot of talent returned to college basketball, but some teams are still scrambling to find some of the high-major talent remaining in the portal. Gonzaga isn’t one of them, after a Thursday that was just as good as Wednesday’s results. Here’s a look at what they did, as well as a look at some of the most surprising NBA Draft decisions from this week. And as always, make sure to subscribe to the Field of 68 Daily.
THREE POINTS
1. From the SoCon to No. 1?
Gonzaga had a great day on the NBA Draft deadline, getting both Julian Strawther and Drew Timme back. Well, the already rich got richer, with the team landing Southern Conference Player of the Year Malachi Smith. The 6-4 guard averaged 19.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, and led Chattanooga to the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Smith joins an already crowded backcourt that includes Rasir Bolton (11.2 ppg on 47 percent beyond the arc), former 5-star prospects Hunter Sallis and Nolan Hickman, as well as former top-60 recruit Dominick Harris, who missed this past season with a foot injury.
There’s so much depth that Strawther likely will play most of his minutes at the four-spot in some undersized lineups. That would be similar to 2021 when Corey Kispert did that for the Bulldogs, the same year the team almost went undefeated and won a national title.
Can Smith play the Suggs/Ayayi role and play a big role for Gonzaga? There’s now so much talent there that he may not have to. The SoCon POY is going from the best team in the SoCon to the best team in the WCC for next season… and potentially in the country.
2. Was Pete Nance almost a Gonzaga Bulldog?
Gonzaga dominated Thursday’s news thanks to Timme, Strawther and Smith. Yet coach Mark Few seemed to have a backup plan in place in case the All-American center remained in the NBA Draft. For those looking at the boards for what the analysts were saying, Travis Branham of 247sports put in a mysterious crystal ball for one of the biggest transfer remaining names in the portal.
Branham switched his pick to “undecided” less than an hour away but there must have been a connection to even make the original pick. It also probably depended on what Timme did, who we now know is back at Gonzaga.
So where will Pete Nance end up? A 6-10 forward who averaged 14.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg on 45 percent 3-point shooting will have more suitors than a new home listing in Phoenix. Teams that have been looking for frontcourt additions such as Illinois, North Carolina, Arizona, and others can now be relieved that he’s still available after being linked to Gonzaga for an hour.
3. Mississippi State lands a guard but it’s not Isiaih Mosley
It’s been a quiet couple of weeks for new coach Chris Jans and the Bulldogs, but they did land another guard in Jamel Horton, a 6-5 guard Albany transfer who was the America East Defensive Player of the Year. Horton averaged 12.8 ppg (36 percent from deep), 3.9 apg and is a solid addition for a team that needs a new backcourt.
Yet Mississippi State fans might have been hoping for a different guard. It’s a name that’s been linked to the program for a while in Isiaih Mosley, a 6-5 guard from Missouri State, coming off averaging 20.4 ppg and is part of the rare 50/40/90 percentage club.
That was a couple of weeks ago and since then, nothing. That’s typically a bad sign. Mosley could start for pretty much any team and can play three different positions.
Mississippi State could still land Mosley. But it’ll be a disappointing outcome if they can’t seal the deal with the former MVC star. And this is the type of outcome that could set Jans back in his first year in the SEC, a league where everyone else is loading up on talent.
2022 NBA DRAFT
Five biggest surprises from the draft deadline
1. John Butler - Florida State Seminoles (Leaving)
The 7-1 guard/forward averaged just 5.9 ppg and 3.2 rpg as a freshman, but has incredible potential due to his size and ability to play just about everywhere. Butler was always going to land in the NBA, but one year in college seemed too short.
2. Tyler Burton - Richmond Spiders (Staying)
The Spiders lost three starters (Grant Golden, Nathan Cayo, Jacob Gilyard) from a 24-win team, and after a breakout sophomore campaign (16.1 ppg and 7.7 rpg), Burton was potentially out as well. But the 6-7 wing is coming back, giving Richmond a star to build around and keep them competitive in the Atlantic 10.
3. AJ Green - Northern Iowa Panthers (Leaving)
The MVC Player of the Year was in the portal, but also in the NBA Draft process. It was no secret that Duke and Iowa State (Green’s father is an assistant coach there) hoped Green stayed in school. Green elected to stay in the draft and now Iowa State’s on the hunt for another option (Duke seemingly found an answer late Thursday with Tyrese Proctor).
4. Lester Quinones - Memphis Tigers (Leaving)
The 6-5 guard averaged 10.0 ppg as a starter for the Tigers, but that glut of guards and wings never cleared in an up-and-down season. Most of them, including Earl Timberlake, Joshua Minott, and Emoni Bates are gone, which could’ve opened up playing time for Quinones. Now Memphis has to find another guard.
5. Jalen Wilson - Kansas Jayhawks (Staying)
After a DUI and a suspension to start the 2021-22 season, Wilson was in the “doghouse” until January. He played his way back into the starting lineup, snagged third-team A—Big 12 honors and the forward is now a national champion. He could’ve easily gone pro. Instead, he, and Kevin McCullar are back for a title defense.
FRIDAY FUN
Time for trivia
Duke is expected to have five men’s players drafted during the June 23 NBA draft. Which schools had the most players drafted in 2021?
Hint: We’re not counting the Terrence Clarke ceremonial pick
Answer at the bottom.
THE RECRUITMENT OF D.J. WAGNER
Will it be Kentucky? Or will it be Louisville?
D.J. Wagner is the definition of a Blue Chip recruit. His dad, Dajaun, played for John Calipari at Memphis and was the sixth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. His grandad, Milt, played for Louisville where he won the 1986 NCAA title and reached two more Final Fours.
So when people talk about D.J. as a can’t-miss prospect, his family history plays a big part. It’s also why a recent move by Louisville made things so interesting for where D.J. plays in 2023-24.
Rob Dauster explains.
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THE FAST BREAK
Links as you check the job boards for lifeguards in Southern California.
Kelvin Sampson says teams don’t want to play Houston. Shocker.
From Law360: The NCAA urged the Third Circuit to reverse a Pennsylvania federal judge's finding that college athletes could be considered employees entitled to seek wages for their work. There was a rebuttal.
Big 12 officials still thinking Texas, Oklahoma exits will be 2025.
Rutgers lands four-star class of 2023 forward Gavin Griffiths. The 247sportsComposite has him in the top-40 overall and if that stands a year from now would be the highest-rated in program history per that recruiting service.
Coveted 2023 recruit Matas Buzelis is eyeing these teams.
Braelon Green, a 4-star guard in the class of 2023, is down to four schools.
Five-star prospect and Duke commit Tyrese Proctor reclassifies to the 2022 class to be eligible for next season. He gives the Blue Devils another ball-handler on the roster and a quality shooter from deep.
Thanks for reading the Field of 68 Daily! Have a great weekend and we’ll see you on Monday.
Trivia answer: Florida State (Scottie Barnes, RaiQuan Gray and Balsa Koprivica) and ( Texas (Greg Brown, Kai Jones, Jericho Sims)