Many college stars went undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft. In the Summer League, they can prove their doubters wrong.
Undrafted rookies earn two-way contracts every season, eventually attaining standard NBA deals. Last year, Jose Alvarado and Duane Washington Jr. went undrafted and were rewarded with contracts after great rookie seasons.
Ten undrafted rookies could turn heads in the 2022 Summer League.
1. Jamaree Bouyea – Miami Heat
San Francisco earned its first March Madness berth since 1998. Guard Jamaree Bouyea was the star of the show, averaging 17.3 points, five rebounds and four assists while shooting 47% from the field. In the NBA, Bouyea has the potential to become a good scoring guard off the bench.
The California native is great off the dribble and can hit contested shots. In college, Bouyea delivered memorable performances. In the NCAA Tournament, he dominated with a 36-point outing against Murray State.
JAMAREE BOUYEA FROM DEEP 😳
That was nasty. pic.twitter.com/gNnCpdD9so
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 18, 2022
At 23, there’s concern about Bouyea’s ceiling. Can he further develop? The Summer League will show how Bouyea’s game translates to the next level.
2. Johnny Juzang – Utah Jazz
After a mind-boggling 2021 March Madness showing, Johnny Juzang was generating NBA talk. He decided to return to UCLA, looking to improve his draft stock. Overall, he had a disappointing season and went undrafted.
Juzang joined the Utah Jazz for the Summer League. During the Vegas tournament, the 6-foot-6 wing’s jumper could earn a role. Juzang can be a good spot-up shooter and can create his own shot. With his size and scoring ability, the former Bruin can become a good role player.
3. Collin Gillespie – Denver Nuggets
Two-time Big East Player of the Year Collin Gillespie had an illustrious career at Villanova. After a five-season college career, Gillespie went undrafted. His athleticism could hold him back at the next level. However, earning a bench role is a real possibility.
Gillespie could become a backup point guard. He is crafty and reliable, rarely turning the ball over. Plus, the 6-foot-3 guard can shoot the lights out, proven by his 41.5% 3-point shooting in the 2021-22 season. Gillespie will play for the Nuggets; his playmaking and shooting could separate him from the crowd.
4. Brady Manek – Charlotte Hornets
Like most undrafted players, there’s concern about Brady Manek’s athleticism. But, there’s little doubt about his ability to shoot the ball. Manek is an excellent stretch four; he shot 40.3% from “3” last season. In North Carolina’s March Madness run, Manek was a vital piece averaging 18.8 points.
In the NBA, 6-foot-9 Manek could be a good catch and shoot big. However, he lacks the ability to create his own shot. Most undrafted players capitalize on one area they are elite in. For Manek, that is shooting. Nearly every NBA team is always searching for another stretch big off the bench. Manek fits the modern NBA with knockdown shooting.
5. Ron Harper Jr. – Toronto Raptors
The son of five-time NBA champion, Ron Harper, will play for the Toronto Raptors in Vegas. Ron Harper Jr. was an instrumental piece in turning Rutgers’ program around. He averaged 15.8 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 39.8% on 3-pointers.
Harper is not a fluid athlete. On defense, he has potential at 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, but he struggles to stay in front of quick opponents. His 3-point shooting dramatically improved, going from 31% to 39.8% in one year. Harper could be a long-term project as a solid 3-and-D player. His journey begins in the Summer League.
6. Trevion Williams – Boston Celtics
Purdue’s Trevion Williams goes against the grain with an old-school style. The 6-foot-10 big man was two-time All-Big Ten. Last season, he averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 54.7% and 35.7% on 3-pointers. Williams’ biggest flaw is his lack of athleticism. He needs work on the defensive end and struggles against length.
The Purdue alum excels on offense. Williams has great strength with a stout 265-pound frame. The Chicago native has unbelievable footwork, finessing into the paint with crafty finishes. In addition, he’s an outstanding passer, consistently finding open teammates from the post. Williams has potential as a stretch big but needs work on his faceup game.
Williams is a unique player in this age of basketball. He could find a home in Boston with a good Summer League.
7. Scotty Pippen Jr. – Los Angeles Lakers
At Vanderbilt, Scotty Pippen Jr. was a high-level scorer, averaging over 20 points in back-to-back seasons. The son of the Bulls legend, Scottie Pippen, can score at all three levels.
Pippen creates off the dribble and has the knack for drawing fouls. The 6-foot-1 guard is best as a shooter. In the 2021-22 season, Pippen had a 32-point game vs. Kentucky, shooting 6-11 on 3-pointers.
However, the former Commodore is a streaky shooter. To earn an NBA role, he needs consistency. Furthermore, Pippen struggles with turnovers; he averaged 3.5 turnovers in his final two seasons.
Pippen has the potential to be a good scorer off the bench. However, he needs to find consistency and be less turnover prone. The Summer League is his first opportunity to show growth.
8. Alondes Williams – Brooklyn Nets
After transferring from Oklahoma, Alondes Williams broke out with Wake Forest. In one year, he went from 6.7 points per game to averaging 18.5 points. At 6-foot-5, Williams is an intriguing combo guardl.
The 2021-22 ACC Player of the Year has good court vision but turns over the ball too much. Last season, Williams averaged 5.2 assists while totaling 3.6 turnovers per game. In addition, the 23-year-old guard is a mediocre defender that lacks consistency. His shooting is a big concern at the next level. Williams’ career-high from “3” was 28.3% shooting.
Williams is elite in several categories. He is an excellent rebounding guard at 6.4 rebounds per game in the 2021-22 season. The former Demon Deacon is a high-level slasher with a quick first step. Plus, Williams is crafty at the rim, finishing through contact.
Brooklyn needs young pieces after a dramatic offseason. Will Williams earn a roster spot?
9. Justin Lewis – Chicago Bulls
In his freshman season, Justin Lewis started one game at Marquette and averaged 7.8 points. Lewis took a massive jump in his sophomore season, averaging 16.8 points. In one year, his 3-point shooting went from 21.9% to 34.9%. It’s surprising the blooming 20-year-old forward went undrafted.
Lewis has enough athleticism for the NBA and can score in multiple ways. The former 4-star recruit has a solid mid-range jumper with a good post-game. Going forward, Lewis needs more consistent 3-point shooting and improved playmaking.
As a 6-foot-7 wing with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Lewis’ game should fit well in the NBA.
10. Kofi Cockburn – Utah Jazz
If this were the 1990s, Kofi Cockburn could have been a coveted prospect. The 7-foot, 285-pound center has tremendous strength that constantly demands double teams. Last season, Cockburn averaged 20.9 points and 10.6 rebounds while shooting 59.3% from the field. He is a good finisher in the paint with a solid postgame. In addition, Cockburn is an extremely talented rebounder.
As Cockburn rose to stardom, opposing teams elected to use the “Hack-A-Shaq” approach. The Jamaican center generated plenty of free throws and shot 62.3% from the line. This could be worse, but better free-throw shooting could make opponents pay. Furthermore, Cockburn is heavy on his feet, meaning he struggles to defend quick guards.
Utah is looking for a center after trading Rudy Gobert. Cockburn has a golden opportunity in the Summer League.
Undrafted players are easy to overlook, but many are former stars that can sway games. Keep this in mind when betting on the Summer League with BetUS Sportsbook.
