Ranking the top 5 second-round picks from the 2022 NBA Draft

NEW YORK, NY, USA - JUNE 23: (L-R) Blake Wesley, Walker Kessler, Jaden Hardy, Tari Eason, Jalen Williams, Jalen Duren, AJ Griffen, Dyson Daniels, Johnny Davis, Jabari Smith, Bennedict Mathurin, Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivy, Paulo Banchero, Shaedon Sharpe, Jeremy Sochan, TyTy Washington, Keegan Murray, Ochai Agbaji, Ousmane Dieng, Malaki Branham, Mark Williams, Marjon Beauchamp, Nikola Jovic pose for a group onstage during the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 10: Kendall Brown #2 of the Baylor Bears is seen during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at T-Mobile Center on March 10, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Ranking the top 5 second-round picks from the 2022 NBA Draft: Kendall Brown, Indiana Pacers

Kendall Brown is a boom-or-bust product. If he busts, the Indiana Pacers lost a late second-round pick in the process. If he booms, the Pacers could have a star on their hands.

Brown is one of the top athletes in the draft class. The 6’8 forward can fly with the best of them, capable of pushing a fast break with his speed in the open court. His athleticism also proves worthwhile on defense, where Brown can battle with the big guys while using his quickness to keep up with the smaller ones.

He wasn’t quite given the opportunity to dominate at the college level, averaging 9.7 points per game. If Baylor ran an offense that was less guard-oriented, however, Brown may have very well shined with his cutting and lobbing abilities.

Like all NBA players, Brown’s success will be predicated on his jump shot, which left much to be desired in Waco. He struggles to get the ball out of his hands quickly and shoot over defenders. He hit 34.1 percent of his threes but didn’t have much confidence in his shot, barely attempting one per game.

Brown is young, though, and there’s time to develop that shot. When combined with his physical tools, Brown has all the makings of a possible star in the NBA. There are other second-round picks from the draft who may hit, but Kendall Brown carries the most promise of them all.

Next. 3 best draft picks in the 2022 NBA Draft. dark