NBA Draft G League & Overtime Elite Prospects: Rankings, Scouting Reports, Draft Range & Team Fits

With the NBA Draft only a month away (June 23rd), franchises are turning their attention towards the top prospects. There are 58 picks in this draft, as 2 were forfeited. The following is my ranking of the top G League and Overtime Elite prospects in the 2022 Draft, as well as a scouting report, draft range, and team fit for each. Montero, Yat, and Barlow are from Overtime Elite, which is an Atlanta-based league for young draft prospects who didn’t want to play college basketball. Daniels, Hardy, Beauchamp, Foster Jr, and Zeng, meanwhile, played for the G League Ignite this season.

On a side note, scouting reports for international players who didn’t play in the G League or Overtime Elite can be found here.

1. Dyson Daniels | G/F | 6’7”, 195 lbs | 19-years-old at draft

Strengths: Dyson Daniels is a 6’7” guard/forward hybrid who excels as an on-ball defender. His 6’10” wingspan allows him to contest without fouling, and his recovery time is fast when beaten. He will be able to guard 1-3 the moment he steps foot on the court as a rookie. When he adds some strength, Daniels will be able to reliably guard 1-4. On offense, he is a creative playmaker with  court vision and awareness. He is patient when running the offense, which usually results in a quality shot. When Daniels drives, he has a stop-and-start style that throws defenders off. His floater is a threat, and he can finish around the rim with an effective spin move. Overall, Daniels will be a versatile defender and potential primary playmaker on offense.   

Weaknesses: If he had a consistent, smooth shooting stroke, Daniels would be a top 4 pick. However, his form is funky, and he needs time to release. Daniels has missed many shots left and right, which is a sign of a sub par shooter. The best ones will miss short and long because it is far easier to adjust power than aim. As of now, he is not a concerning threat to opponents as a catch and shoot player. He showed some signs of life at the end of the season, though, so the potential is there for him to be an average perimeter shooter. 

Draft Range and Team Fits: Because of his defense and playmaking upside, Daniels should go in the 8-12 range. His floor is high compared to other prospects, so a team looking to contend would benefit from drafting Daniels. I like his fit with the Pelicans at the 8th pick. His defense paired with Herb Jones would form a lethal duo and compensate for McCollum, Ingram, Zion, and Valanciunas. Daniels can lead the bench unit while also being insurance for the starting lineup should anyone 1-4 get hurt. 

2. Jaden Hardy | G | 6’4”, 198 lbs | 19-years-old at draft

Strengths: Hardy is a 6’4” isolation scorer with a smooth jump shot. His tight handles allow him to create space quickly, and he can leverage this with a step-back jumper. Hardy can run the pick and roll, and opponents must go over the screen every time. He can hit three-pointers off the dribble, but he is also a catch and shoot threat off-ball. His passing is decent, so opponents must respect his playmaking. As a rookie, Hardy should come into the NBA as a microwave scorer and contribute immediately. 

Weaknesses: He is inconsistent at times and needs to improve his shot selection. His playmaking is not elite and likely never will be. Hardy doesn’t finish through contact well around the rim, and his size is a natural barrier to improvement. His biggest flaw is his defense though. Hardy doesn’t stick to opponents well in isolation. As a help defender he is often late on rotations or doesn’t closeout well. Because Hardy is more one-dimensional, his ceiling as an all-around player is lower than other prospects. 

Draft Range and Team Fits: Hardy has promising upside as a scorer, which is always welcome. His lacking defense will drop him a bit, so he probably lands in the 20-25 range. The Bucks at 24 makes sense for Hardy because they could use some isolation scoring at the guard position. They have a hole at shooting guard currently, and Hardy could eventually start after he acclimates to the NBA. Holiday, Middleton, Giannis, and Lopez would cover up his defensive deficiencies nicely. 

3. MarJon Beauchamp | G/F | 6’6”, 196 lbs | 21-years-old at draft 

Strengths: Beauchamp is a 6’6” athletic wing who can become an excellent defender. His 7’0” wingspan allows him to suffocate opponents, and he stays in front of defenders with his quick feet. Beauchamp’s on-ball defense is a huge selling point. On offense, he is a transition threat who can play above the rim. Beauchamp is able to finish around the rim because of his frame and leaping ability, so he can become a deadly cutter. He has shown flashes of isolation scoring, but he is limited to the mid-range as of now. 

Weaknesses: His three-point shooting is inconsistent; he misses left and right, which is worrisome. Beauchamp is not a good catch and shoot perimeter player, so he doesn’t add value in terms of spacing. When he does get his attempts, Beauchamp’s release needs to come out slightly faster. His shot is not hopeless, but it needs some work.  

Draft Range and Team Fits: Teams will love his defensive potential, and he has shown enough offensive flashes. Beauchamp likely goes in the 23-28 range, but I think the Thunder make the most sense at 30. They love athletic wings who play defense, and Beauchamp has room to grow on offense. 

4. Jean Montero | G | 6’2”, 171 lbs | 18-years-old at draft  

Strengths: Montero is a 6’2” lightning-quick point guard who excels with change-of-direction on his drives. Montero has perhaps the tightest handle in the draft. He uses it effectively to shake defenders and create space. He can pull up from three, and Montero has shown logo-deep range. He can play off-ball as well because his shooting makes him a catch and shoot threat. Montero is a solid playmaker who can run the pick and roll for an NBA offense. Defensively, he uses his speed to jump passing lanes and steal the ball. 

Weaknesses: His height is not ideal in the NBA, and he will struggle when switched onto bigger forwards. It also limits his play around the rim because he doesn’t finish through contact at a great clip. As a passer, his processing speed is not elite. Montero will struggle to be an elite shot creator who racks up assists. On defense, he gambles too much and often finds himself out of position because of it. 

Draft Range and Team Fits: His upside as a shooter who can play both on and off-ball is a huge plus. Defense and size will cause him to drop, but Montero will be a promising selection. He should land in the 30-40 range, and I like his fit with the Cavaliers at 39. They could use some scoring off the bench, and they have the defenders to compensate for Montero. 

5. Dominick Barlow | F | 6’9”, 221 lbs | 19-years-old at draft

Strengths: Barlow is a 6’9” power forward with a 7’3” wingspan. He has a solid perimeter shot, and he has shown flashes of shot creation. His handle is decent for his size, and he has touch around the rim. Barlow gets out in transition and uses his frame to play above the rim. Defensively, Barlow stays vertical on contests and moves his feet well. 

Weaknesses: Barlow is a raw prospect, and he needs to add strength. When he drives, he can lose his balance after getting bumped. Bigger forwards and centers can move him off the block as well. Barlow hustles and does run the floor, but he is not the quickest player for his size. Barlow’s back-to-the-basket game needs work; this problem is rooted in his footwork. 

Draft Range and Team Fits: He is still young, so Barlow has plenty of time to develop. He isn’t elite at any skill, which is generally not a promising sign. However, he has shown enough flashes where he deserves to be drafted. He will probably be in the 50-58 range, and Indiana is a decent fit at 58. They are rebuilding and could use some potential in the front-court. 

6. Fanbo Zeng | F | 6’11”, 199 lbs | 19-years-old at draft

Strengths: Zeng is a bouncy forward who is agile for his size. He is not elite at anything, but he can do a little of everything. Zeng has a solid shooting stroke, and he can be a decent perimeter shooter at the NBA level. Zeng has shown flashes of being able to run the pick and roll in a pinch. He can be a secondary playmaker; his length allows him to throw cross-court passes. Defensively, Zeng is a good shot-blocker who stays vertical. He is stronger as a help defender than isolation defender. 

Weaknesses: He needs to tighten his handle because it is too loose right now. NBA defenders would be able to pick his pocket if he dribbled frequently in the pick and roll. Zeng’s offensive bag needs to become deeper, as he doesn’t have a variety of moves and countermoves. Defensively, he can be backed down by bigger forwards and centers. Zeng must add some strength to alleviate this. 

Draft Range and Team Fits: Zeng’s floor means he could be selected late in the 2nd round, but his potential is lacking compared to other prospects. At best, he will go in the 55-58 range; however, it’s likely he will go undrafted. Portland could take him at 57 considering they are trying to compete right now. Zeng could be a decent addition for their forward depth. 

7. Michael Foster Jr. | F/C | 6’9”, 236 lbs | 19-years-old at draft

Strengths: Foster is a 6’9” forward/center with a 7’0” wingspan. He is a good finisher around the rim, and he crashes the offensive glass. He can provide easy points with put-backs. Foster is effective when he gets downhill on drives because of his decent mobility and length. 

Weaknesses: Foster has perhaps the funkiest shooting form in this draft. The ball is behind his head and then moves over his head on the shot. He has been mediocre from mid-range, but his range doesn’t extend to the three-point line. Foster’s shot selection is questionable, as he takes difficult attempts that an elite isolation scorer would. On defense, Foster gets off balance and is not a shot blocker. As an off-ball defender, he is often late on rotations. 

Draft Range and Team Fits: I am not high on Foster because he doesn’t fit as a forward or center. He cannot play power forward with his shooting, but he doesn’t have the defense to be an effective rim protector at center. I don’t think he will be drafted; however, he is worth signing as an undrafted free agent. Charlotte could try to develop him and hope he bolsters their front-court depth in a couple of years. He has youth on his side because he will be 19-years-old at the draft.  

8. Kok Yat | F | 6’8”, 186 lbs | 19-years-old at draft  

Strengths: Yat is a 6’8” wing who has a solid shooting stroke. He can be a decent catch and shoot player who relocates well off-ball. He has shown flashes of ball handling even though it is too loose at the moment. Defensively, Yat does a great job of staying vertical. His closeouts are done well and his length bothers opponents. 

Weaknesses: Yat is extremely raw and needs to improve his basketball IQ. Because he is skinny, Yat can be bullied by bigger forwards. His body control around the rim is sub par, and he is an out-of-control passer. He has value as an off-ball player, but Yat needs serious improvement as an on-ball player. 

Draft Range and Team Fits: Because he needs years to potentially develop, Yat likely will not be drafted. He didn’t impress at the G-League Elite Camp, which hurt his draft stock. He doesn’t really have a fit; any team could sign him and stash him in the G-League to develop. Yat would benefit the most from this move, as he needs to seriously refine his game.