Four freshmen, outside '21 Top 25, who could hear their names in the Draft

NBA scouts and personnel can start player files on the elite prospects long before graduating from high school. There is a fluid nature to these big boards. Often it is two and three years, sometimes more, of research and viewings leading up to NBA Draft night. 

On3 Sports has followed many players eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft since early in their high school careers. Even so, some players fall through the cracks, especially with 18 months missed due to a pandemic. Fit can be so much in the college game, going to a program that can enhance your best qualities and build a team around those attributes. 

Four college freshmen ranked outside the 2021 On3 Consensus top 25 whose freshman seasons have landed them as one-and-done possibilities. At this point, none of these players are sure-fire entries into the NBA draft. Anyone, or all of them, could decide to return to school. However, through their play this season, they have put themselves in the conversation to hear their names called on draft night.

**the On3 Consensus is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services.

Blake Wesley (Notre Dame)

6-foot-5, 180-lbs., Shooting Guard
Stats: 15 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks
2021 On3 Consensus ranking – 92

Wesley has opened scout’s eyes with his comfort and confidence in creating offense. At 6-5 with a wingspan approaching 7-feet, Wesley has stepped up as an initiator for the 12 and 6 Notre Dame team. He will need to smooth out the jump shot, but for the draft, he projects as a plus defender in time. He averages 18.3 points through his six January games; the team is five and one in those games.

Jeremy Sochan (Baylor)

6-foot-9, 230-lbs., Power Forward
Stats: 7.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.7 blocks
2021 On3 Consensus ranking – 54

While no one attribute pops off the page for Sochan for the draft, the entirety of his game fits the modern NBA. He can score on the block or step out and knock down a jumper (35.3-percent from three). While he is not an elite athlete, Sochan brings a lot of energy and a high motor to both ends of the floor. The native of Milton Keynes, England is a good team defender understanding rotations, footwork, and angles.

Aminu Mohammed (Georgetown)

6-foot-5, 210-lbs., Small Forward
Stats: 13.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.5 blocks
2021 On3 Consensus ranking – 30

Mohammed is a strong and physical wing. It is his overall production that has landed him in this position for the draft. He has parlayed a high school reputation of bully-ball into a defensive stopper who gathers rebounds. The offensive game will need to expand past straight-line drives. His 33-percent shooting from three and 70-percent shooting from the free-throw line are positive developments he will need to continue building on. 

Harrison Ingram (Stanford)

6-foot-8, 230-lbs., Forward
Stats: 11.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.2 blocks
2021 On3 Consensus ranking – 27

Ingram’s court awareness is what has opened eyes this season. The 6-7 forward plays on the ball a good amount for Stanford. He takes care of the ball and delivers on target and on time. The question mark looking toward the draft is his lack of pop, but he is a good positional defender, and his pace and handle on the ball get him to his spots. The creation is a plus, and he has shot 35.6-percent from three this season.