Auburn basketball: 3 Tiger takeaways from B/R’s 2022 NBA mock draft

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman’s way-too-early mock 2022 NBA Draft is sure to make Auburn basketball fans everywhere happy.

Three different Tigers were projected to land in the first round of next year’s draft. This year is expected to see Sharife Cooper get selected in round one after Isaac Okoro went #5 in 2020 and Chuma Okeke went #16 in 2019. Cooper is expected to be selected somewhere in the post-lottery/20-30 range this July.

Let’s take a look at each projected Auburn basketball 2022 NBA Draft first-rounders:

Jabari Smith could be Auburn basketball’s highest draft pick ever

Wasserman has very high hopes for incoming freshman big man Jabari Smith. According to the B/R writer, Smith’s skills will easily translate to the professional level.

Offensively, Smith has the polish and shooting touch to seamlessly slide into a lineup and be called upon to produce points in dedicated sets. Defensively, he can run the floor and use his great length to keep opposing drives at bay.

Charles Barkley and Isaac Okoro were both selected with the #5 pick. Wasserman has Smith going at #4, which would make him the highest selection in Auburn’s history.

JT Thor expected to return to school and declare next year

One of the more interesting nuggets in Wasserman’s mock is the insinuation that Tiger fans haven’t seen the last of JT Thor.

With Smith and UNC transfer Walker Kessler on board, starting on the block may not be an option. What is more likely is Thor playing on the wing, looking to expand on his 30% 3-point conversion rate.

If he can do that and excel in a supersized Auburn frontcourt, the Tigers can be an NCAA threat, and Thor could become a first-round draft prospect.

Allen Flanigan’s Auburn basketball return could pay dividends

Projected three selections later than Thor was, Allen Flanigan could sneak into the late first round if he can also add some consistency to his jumper.

Flanigan proved to be a threat in transition both at the rim and in pull-up situations, and his versatility most certainly figures to catch the eyes of NBA scouts.

If the aforementioned trio could all live up to Wasserman’s expectations, perhaps another trip to the Final Four–now that the Tigers are finally eligible again–could be in store.