NBA Rookie Report Cards: Picks Eleven Through Fourteen
So far in this series, I have given the top ten picks of the 2022 NBA Draft a letter grade based on their rookie seasons. Picks one through three can be found here, picks four through six can be found here, and picks seven through ten can be found here. Today, we finish off the lottery..
The grades I assign to these rookies will not solely revolve around their first-year performance but rather will focus on the level of optimism they’ve earned regarding their future outcome relative to draft position.
Ousmane Dieng, Oklahoma City Thunder: B-
Eleventh Overall Pick
Dieng struggled to find consistent playing time as a rookie on a competitive Thunder squad. He ended up spending a lot of time in the G League, which is perfectly normal for a 19-year-old.
The Frenchman was drafted out of the NBL last June for what he brings as a jumbo creator. He has a rare mix of handle, fluidity, passing, and pull-up prowess at his 6-foot-10 frame.
However, Dieng is still pretty far off from materializing these skills into tangible impact. He averaged 4.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in spotty minutes throughout 39 appearances this season, and shot 26.5% from deep. There wasn’t necessarily a whole lot to love from Dieng’s rookie campaign, but he did showcase his potential in the last game of the regular season, finishing with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and cementing his B- grade.
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder: A+
Twelfth Overall Pick
If you paid any attention to the NBA this season, you’ve probably heard of the Thunder’s rookie sensation. Williams was this year’s runner-up for Rookie Of The Year, and for good reason. The Santa Clara product averaged 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 57.9% inside the arc, 35.6% beyond the arc, and 81.2% from the free throw line. The 6-foot-6 guard’s silky smooth handle, shrewd driving craft, keen passing chops, and solid pull-up shooting make him a budding star creator. His frame and style of play are eerily reminiscent of first team All-NBA teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Williams notched 17 games with at least 20 points this season, and a pair of games with at least 10 assists as well. He truly looked like a star as the go-to guy when Gilgeous-Alexander was out. He rounds out Oklahoma City’s trio of star jumbo creators, and easily takes home an A+ grade.
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons: A+
Thirteenth Overall Pick
By giving our back-to-back A+ grades, you may think I’m being too nice. However, it’s really tough to give Duren anything lower than this.
Prior to draft night, many had the 6-foot-10 big man as a fringe-top-5 prospect, and these evaluators likely feel vindicated by his rookies season. He came into the season at 18 years old, and immediately made a notable impact. This season, the former Memphis Tiger averaged 9.1 points and 8.9 rebounds. He nearly averaged a double-double in under 25 minutes per game! En route to recording some monster statlines, Duren displayed star potential on both ends of the floor via his rim protection, mobility, rebounding, play finishing, and passing, undoubtedly earning this A+.
Ochai Agbaji, Utah Jazz: B+
Fourteenth Overall Pick
After being a piece in Cleveland’s off-season haul for Donovan Mitchell, Agbaji began to find his footing in the league later this season. The 6-foot-5 wing averaged 7.9 points while shooting 35.5% from deep. In his last 23 games, he started 21 and averaged 13.7 points and 2.6 assists. He’s a shooter with a sturdy frame and some solid off-the-dribble chops as well. The former National Champion never exhibited the makings of a star, but he’s already making an impact in the league, earning Agbaji a B+ grade.
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