By JACOB POLACHECK
Chet Holmgren of Minnehaha (MN) Academy is projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the new mock 2022 NBA Draft released by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz.
The 7-foot Holmgren is down to Minnesota, Michigan, Gonzaga, Ohio State, Georgetown, Memphis and North Carolina.
“Chet’s work ethic, his passion for the game are what stand out. He has a real passion and always has,” Minnehaha head coach Lance Johnson said in June. “His defensive acumen is unparalleled from anybody I’ve seen in high school basketball.”
The top three is rounded out by Duke signee Paolo Banchero and Auburn signee Jabari Smith.
Banchero, the 6-foot-10, 235-pound power forward from O’Dea (WA), is one of three Duke prospects projected in the first round.
Duke 2021 signee Adrian Griffin Jr. and current Duke freshman point guard D.J. Steward are projected as top-18 picks in the 2021 draft.
Duke is also in contention for projected top-10 pick Patrick Baldwin Jr., who is also considering Georgetown, Kentucky, Michigan, Milwaukee, North Carolina, Northwestern, UCLA, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Smith, the 6-foot-10, 210-pound power forward from Sandy Creek (GA), is the highest-rated recruit in Auburn history and is projected at No. 3 overall.
The full 2021 NBA Mock Draft is available on ESPN.com for ESPN+ subscribers.
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