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US media reorders the top ten drafts in 22 years: 4 players play in the finals, Jay Wei is promoted to the second place, Smith Jr. falls 9th

4:11am, 11 June 2025Basketball

Looking back at the NBA draft in the past few years, we found that the quality of the players in the 22 years was very high, and the players in the early stages of the draft were very strong. Several role players in the subsequent echelons have now become the main rotation of the team. Three years have passed, and the overall performance of this class is quite outstanding. Frank Urbina of HoopsHype website also reordered the top ten in the 22 years. Now there are 4 people competing in the finals. Let's take a look.

No. 1: Paul Bankairo

Actual pick: No. 1:2} As the No. 1 pick for 22 years, Bankairo is still firmly ranked No. 1, and has now fulfilled his expectations. As a tall forward, he has the skills of defenders, excellent rebounding ability and offensive organization. He has now become one of the best ball-holding cores in the league. He led the Magic back to the playoffs and became a strong team in the Eastern Conference. He has averaged 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, shooting percentage of 45.2%, and three-point shooting percentage of 32%.

No. 1: Jaylen Williams

Actual ranking: 12

Jewe was actually selected in the 12th pick, but he has become the second leader of the team, and his performance far exceeds the expectations in the draft. Jayne, who has not reached the age of 24, has been selected as the All-Star, and has also been selected for the All-Star team this season. He has grown into an all-round wing with an offense and defense. He is one of the key factors in the rise of the Thunder. He averages 18.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in his career, shooting percentage of 51.3%, and three-point shooting percentage of 38.2%.

Tanhua: Chet Holmegren

Actual ranking: No.

In 22, the Thunder chose Holmegren, who wanted to rely on this inside player who has a thin bamboo pole but has good shooting ability. Holmegren does have both outside shooting and top-level blocking ability. It is one of the best templates for modern centers, but compared to Jewish, it is reasonable for him to drop one. He averaged .1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his career, shooting 51.9% from the field and 37.2% from the three-point shooting percentage.

4th pick: Keegan Murray

Actual pick: 4

Murray still has the opportunity to improve the pick a little at the beginning of his career, but his performance in the past two years is a bit sluggish, but it still meets expectations for the fourth pick. The outside shooting is very stable and the ball-holding creativity is also excellent, but it is still in a continuous decline and may be overtaken by the next player. He averaged 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in his career, shooting 45.1% from the field and 37.2% from the three-point shooting percentage.

No. 5: Dyson Daniels

Actual Pick: 8

Daniels has also ushered in a year of blowout growth this season, becoming the fastest-progress player, and fell behind Mobley by only 10 first votes in the selection of the best defensive player, winning the steal king this season, breaking Iverson's single-season steal record in the 21st century, and his three-pointers have also increased to 34% this season. He averaged 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in his career, shooting 47.2% from the field and 32.7% from three-point shooting percentage.

6th pick: Benedit Matherin

Actual pick: 6

Matherin has followed the Pacers to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for two consecutive years and is now in the finals. Although he struggled in the playoffs this year, as a swingman, Matherin has also become an important flat for the team with his scoring, rebounding and defense, but he still has to improve efficiency and stability. He averaged 15.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in his career, shooting 44.6% from the field and 34.2% from the three-point shooting percentage.

7th pick: Jaylen Durham

Actual pick: 13

Durham was selected by the Pistons in the 13th pick, which is a bargain. Durham is an elite-level basket finisher, and also has good rebounding and rim protection ability. Last season, the Pistons experienced the longest losing streak in history, but this season returned to the playoffs. Durham made great contributions and will be the team's starting center in the future. He averaged 11.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his career, and his shooting percentage was 65.3%.

8th pick: Christian Braun

Actual pick: 21

Braun is also one of the biggest dark horses in this class. He won the championship in 23 years with the Nuggets. Although the team's lineup was dispersed after winning the championship, Braun has gradually become a top player with his breakthrough and fixed-point shooting ability. This season has also been selected for the Fastest Progressive Player Award. He averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in his career, with a shooting percentage of 52.8%, and a three-point shooting percentage of 38.4%.

9th pick: Jabarry Smith Jr.

Actual pick: Tanhua

Smith Jr. is the player with the largest decline so far. This college player who was once highly anticipated has the potential of a modern inside line, has three-point shooting and mobile frame protection, but has not realized its potential in the Rockets, and the outside line has not been very stable. Although it has made contributions, it is far from the level that Tanhua should have. He averaged 13 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in his career, shooting 43.2% from the field and 34% from three-point shooting percentage.

10th pick: Andrew Nemhard

Actual pick: 31

Carlisle is still a keen eye. In 22 years, he believed that Nemhard could enter the top ten in the re-arrangement of the draft. The double-powered guard who came from the second round had a tough defensive attitude and ability to switch with and without balls, and also played a value far beyond his pick in the Pacers.. The stability of three-pointers still needs to be improved, and this year is also the key surprise for the Pacers to enter the finals. He averaged 9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game in his career, shooting 46.4% from the field and 33.5% from the three-point shooting percentage.

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