These are my final NBA Big Board rankings, after months of film study and travel across the U.S. and the world to evaluate the most talented players in the 2022 NBA Draft.
My rankings are based primarily on my scouting and film work in addition to such factors as stats, age and makeup — and my own gut instincts.
I learned my lesson with Max Strus, who had averaged better than 20 points per game and shot above 40% from deep, when I left him off my 2019 Big Board. I assumed that my evaluation must be wrong because no one else rated him as a top-60 prospect.
Fast forward to 2022, and Strus became a starter for a Miami Heat team that won 53 games and made it to Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals.
Thanks to Max, I learned a valuable lesson: Do not be afraid to go against the consensus.
Here, then, is my top 60 for 2022: