Top 5 2nd Round Selections (2022 Draft Edition)
NBA Manu Ginobili was selected in the second round. NBA Isaiah Thomas was selected in the second round. NBA Nikola Jokic was selected in the second round. There may not be real franchise-altering players selected in the second round here in CSL but there sure are players who grew to play an important role for the franchise that selected them or traded for them. Just take a look at what Cheick Diallo is doing for the LA Lakers.With the players selected this year yet to have an impact on their teams, let’s take a look at some of the best players drafted in the second round a year ago and what kind of roles they have in their respective teams.
1. Alex Caruso
2022 Big Board often had Caruso selected in the lottery but he ended up dropping all the way to the second round which turned out great for the Nuggets. Denver traded for the 31st overall pick and selected Caruso who immediately turned into an important contributor for them. He featured in all 82 games last season and has the similar role this season. Last year, he led the entire class in assists even though he averaged 17.7 minutes per game. His playmaking abilities and a nice three-point shot got him at the very top of this list.
2. Jalen Jones
With the 36th pick in 2022 CSL draft, Utah Jazz have selected Jalen Jones from the Texas A&M University. He ended being the second round selection who got to start the most for the team that drafted them. Up until this point, Jones started 88 times for the Jazz who are having a really weird season with all the Kyrie Irving controversy going on. With the team’s performance dropping, Jalen’s contribution dropped as well. Last year, his shooting numbers looked all right and but this year, he’s been struggling to find a consistent shot and some players seem not to have much trouble scoring over him. Hopefully, we get to see the situation in Utah improve and Jones playing the way he did last year.
3. Frank Jackson
If you have a second rounder in this year’s draft and there’s a guy called Frank, be sure to take a good look at him as both Franks selected in the second round we’re talking about here have been performing very well. A do-it-all point guard Frank Jackson was selected with the 38th pick and has averaged about 15 minutes per game in his first CSL season. Although his playmaking abilities and his defense are to be admired, it’s his shooting numbers that have prevented him from jumping higher on this list. Lately, he’s been starting for the Nets and it looks like it’s working out quite well for them.
4. Bronson Koenig
Koenig didn’t get to play a lot in his rookie season and averaged only 9.1 minutes per game. This year, however, his role has increased and he’s proving to be the deadly 3-point shooter he was advertised before the draft. Another player in from the struggling Jazz side, Koenig is actually averaging 11.8 points per game and has already hit over 100 threes this year. His defense, on the other hand, doesn’t look that good but Koenig has perfected his role as a three point specialist which will probably allow him to stick around in the CSL for a while.
5. Frank Mason
Another Frank that has managed to find his way into this list is Frank Mason of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks really needed a point guard for some time and while they only solved the issue this year, they managed to get a decent backup point guard in the 2022 CSL draft. Mason was originally selected by the Charlotte Hornets and was later traded to the Bucks where he got to play bench minutes all year long. He has proven to be a good scorer off the bench but his shot looks a bit inconsistent, especially from beyond the ark.
Honorable mentions:
Kobi Simmons - Didn't get to play a lot last season but has been on fire lately. If he keeps it up, he may easily move up in the list.
Mitchell Robinson - Got to play more minutes this year and is looking decent.
Tim Kempton - One of the best rebounders of the class but defense seems to be an issue. Seems to be developing quite nicely.
Vlatko Cancar - I liked him last year on the Rockets but is currently playing more in the G-League.
