Chet Holmgren gave the basketball world a taste of what he could serve at the professional level with a eye-popping debut in summer league.

The No. 2 overall selection in the 2022 NBA draft didn’t disappoint in his debut at the Salt Lake City Summer League, scoring 23 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the field including four 3-pointers. The 7-foot-1 forward/center also grabbed seven rebounds, had four assists, and set a new SLC summer league record with six blocked shots.

After the game, ESPN’s Holly Rowe brought up the record for blocks with Chet and without hesitation he said he’ll break it again. The confident response showed the type of swagger the 20-year-old rookie possesses. And his supreme confidence definitely showed in his performance against the Utah Jazz summer league team, a game dominated by OKC 98-77. He struggled a bit in his second outing as the Salt City altitude sapped his energy on the back-to-back game. Despite being visibly fatigued, Holmgren still managed to post 11 points, 12 rebounds, and had two blocks against Memphis.

Holmgren scored his first basket on a dunk, then splashed three consecutive 3-pointers from the top of the circle that drew oohs and aahs from the Salt Lake City crowd in attendance. He flashed the otherworldly ball-handling skills for a 7-footer, putting the ball behind his back, crossing over defenders, and comfortably bringing up the ball up the court to trigger the offense. Holmgren also made a move that would have made Dirk Nowitzki proud. He drove the lane, spun to the middle of the paint and drained a one-legged fadeaway.

But the most impressive skillset Holmgren displayed was his shot blocking. The Jazz had a couple of massive big men in Kofi Cockburn (7-0, 290 pounds) and Tacko Fall (7-6, 311 pounds) to go up against Holmgren and he more than held his own. Holmgren, whose slight 195-pound frame was a major concern for some scouts during the draft process, wasn’t bothered or overwhelmed in the paint by the bigger Cockburn or Fall. In fact, Holmgren’s enormous wingspan bothered Cockburn and Fall. Holmgren was credited with six blocks, but it felt like he should have had more. He rejected Cockburn’s first shot and blocked Fall’s shot without much of a jump.

Kevin Durant was one of the many watching who was impressive with Holmgren. Durant definitely noticed the sneakers Holmgren wore for the game. KD tweeted: “I see u cookin 7. First day on the job was a success, love the kicks @ChetHolmgren.”

Durant might one of the few people who understands the amount of pressure some of these young guys face entering the league. Durant was the No. 2 overall pick by OKC in 2007 and he also had many detractors regarding his slight build. Safe to say, KD’s career turned out just fine.

There’s a certain superstar quality about Holmgren. He naturally stirs attention because of his game and his frame. Second-year guard Josh Giddey, who shared the court with Holmgren in his summer league debut, already seems to have great chemistry with Holmgren on and off the court.

“The hype that he came in with, and the way he played tonight was big for us,” Giddey told Rowe after the game about his new OKC teammate.

“Being a high pick like that, there’s a lot of pressure coming in, and he handled it as well as he could have,” Giddey continued. “Makes my job really easy playing with someone like him, who can stretch the floor, finish at the rim, protect me — he’s got my back on the defensive end. Love playing with him. It’s been one game, and the chemistry’s only getting stronger.”

Here’s how the other top draft picks from the 2022 class did in their first summer league games:

Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)

No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero went head-to-head with No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr. on Day 1 of the Las Vegas Summer League and walked away with not just the team victory (91-77) but also won the individual matchup against his draft classmate.

Despite being a little rusty for not playing 5-on-5 fullcourt basketball since Duke’s season ended in the NCAA Final Four in April, Banchero showcased his huge potential as he scored 17 points on 5-of-12 shooting including two 3-pointers. He also dished out six assists and displayed smooth ball-handling skills for a 6-10, 250-pound power forward. Banchero seemed to relish the challenge of playing against Smith, who looked a little tentative at the start before getting going in the second half. Banchero was far from tentative as he was decisive with the ball and threw a couple of terrific pin-point passes.

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley liked what he saw. Mosley told ESPN’s Mark Jones that he was impressed with Banchero’s feel for the game. “[He’s] willing to make the simple play. Not trying to do too much,” Mosley said. Many basketball observers were shocked that the Magic took Banchero over Smith in the draft, but after watching him in Vegas the Magic appears to have made the right choice.

Banchero backed up his superb debut with an even better performance in his second game, scoring 23 points in leading the Magic to a 94-92 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings.

Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets)

Jabari Smith Jr. had a shaky debut in summer league, getting outplayed by Banchero in their highly anticipated matchup in Las Vegas.

Smith looked nervous early in the game, scoring just one point in the first half. He couldn’t get any type of rhythm on offense partly because the Rockets guards were hijacking the offense. Smith had a better performance in the second half and finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. But there’s no panic on the Rockets as they understand one game won’t define the 19-year-old Auburn standout and he’s got a bright future ahead of him.

“There’s a poise about him that’s well beyond his years,” Rockets head coach Stephen Silas said of his prized rookie forward.

Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons)

Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Niele Ivey, Jaden’s mom, gave her son a B+ on his first outing in summer league. The grade could have been higher if not for Ivey’s unsteady first half when he had four turnovers and played out of control. Once the fifth overall pick found his footing and eased up on the gas pedal, he thrived as he finished the game with 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

The Purdue All-American guard flashed his blazing speed in the second half, including one play where he split a trap and turned on the afterburners on his way to the basket for a layup. He also threw down an alley-oop dunk on a fastbreak that wowed the Thomas & Mack Center crowd.

The knock on Ivey entering the draft was his inconsistent 3-point shot. He drained two shots from behind the arc to show that he’s capable of making them. They were more like set shots than true jumpers, but as long as they go down the Pistons won’t mind.

Ivey’s time at the Vegas summer league was cut short after he suffered an ankle injury in his second game. The injury was a setback, but it won’t change how the Pistons view Ivey as being an integral part of their rebuilding process.

Bennedict Mathurin (Indiana Pacers)

Bennedict Mathurin, the No. 6 selection in the draft, made a lot of noise off the court when he made a bold statement in a pre-draft interview with the Washington Post. Mathurin told the Post he wanted to see how great LeBron is. “I don’t think anybody is better than me,” Mathurin said. “He’s going to have to show me he’s better than me.”

Mathurin brings a boatload of confidence, which is exactly what the Indiana Pacers need to give their struggling franchise a boost. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was in attendance in Vegas and had to like what Mathurin displayed on the court against the Charlotte Hornets. The 6-foot-6 Arizona product backed up his bravado with an efficient debut in summer league, scoring 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field. He knocked down the first of his three 3-pointers on the Pacers’ first possession and never looked back.

Mathurin showed he’s a three-level scorer with above-average 3-point range. He wasn’t rushed on any of his moves and also competed on the defensive end.

He followed up his impressive debut with a solid performance in a 101-87 victory over Detroit. In that game, Mathurin scored 20 points, had five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. He went 5-for-9 from the field and converted 9-of-10 free throw attempts. Carlisle told NBA TV that Mathurin is an NBA scorer right now. “He has tremendous upside because there are parts of his game that are still very raw and that’s exciting,” Carlisle said. “We view that as an exciting thing, not a negative by any stretch.”

Shaedon Sharpe (Portland Trail Blazers)

The biggest mystery of the draft was the biggest disappointment on opening night of the Vegas summer league. Shaedon Sharpe, the seventh overall pick in the draft, played just six minutes against the Detroit Pistons before shutting it down for the rest of the Vegas summer league. An MRI showed Sharpe suffered a small labral tear in his left shoulder.

Despite Sharpe’s short stint, Portland Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups remains optimistic about the 6-6 wing and is excited to see his development.

“He plays with a veteran’s pace. You can’t really speed him up. For a 19-year-old kid, [he’s got] pretty good feel for the game. He’s got this quiet competitiveness that I really like. I think he’s got a chance to be a special talent.”

Billups also pointed out that Sharpe — who hasn’t played in an organized basketball game in almost a year — will be learning from one of the best leaders in the game in Damian Lillard. Lillard, who was in attendance in Vegas, won’t allow Sharpe to settle for being average.

Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings)

Keegan Murray showed the Sacramento Kings that he’s ready to roll if the regular season started today. Sacramento’s No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft was easily the best player in the California Classic at San Francisco’s Chase Center. In three games against the Miami Heat, L.A. Lakers and Golden State Warriors summer league squads, Murray averaged a tournament-best 19.7 points. He also averaged 8.0 rebounds and had a solid plus-minus (+13) while averaging 30.1 minutes per game.

The 6-8 forward made his first basket the first time he touched the ball in his pro debut — a corner 3-pointer. He finished with 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting from the field and 4-for-5 from 3-point range with eight rebounds in the Kings’ 86-68 win over the Warriors.

The former Iowa standout looked extremely comfortable on the court on both ends and played with veteran-like poise. Aside from the offensive efficiency (50% from the field), Murray has rebounded (7.3 boards) and defended well for (1.3 steals).

Murray continued his stellar summer with an outstanding performance in Las Vegas. He went over the 20-point mark in each of his games in Vegas, including against high-profile matchups against Banchero and Holmgren. Murray is the first rookie top-10 draft pick to average 21 points per game in the Vegas summer league since Damian Lillard did it in 2012.

The consistency Murray, who averaged 23 points per game during his sophomore season at Iowa, has shown throughout the summer could be a precursor of what his rookie season for the Kings could look like. The Vegas Summer League MVP should make an immediate impact for first-year coach Mike Brown.

NBA teams looking for a big man are in luck. This year’s draft is loaded with big men who could change the fortunes of several franchises.

Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero are two of the three best prospects in the 2022 NBA draft. The two went head-to-head last November and the 20,000 fans at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas were treated to an entertaining show that’ll soon be part of the NBA calendar.

“I’m sure you’ll be watching these two battle each other on and off for the next 15 years,” Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said. “They’re both incredible basketball players with a bright future.”

The third player at the top of every non-playoff team’s wish list is Auburn’s Jabari Smith. Smith is a gifted forward with a sweet shooting stroke. Smith, Holmgren, and Banchero each offer something different. But all three have the potential to be outstanding pros.

Here are OMFB’s top prospects for the 2022 NBA draft on June 23.

1-Chet Holmgren, forward/center, Gonzaga
NBA comparison: Kevin Durant
Scouting report: Holmgren is a unique prospect, probably the rarest pro prospect we’ve seen in quite a while. He’s a 7-foot wing player with a massive 7-foot-5 wingspan that allows him to cover a lot of ground and alter shots (3.7 blocks per game). He’s also an above-average ball-handler, which allows him to create his own shot. That freakish combination is rare even in today’s positionless basketball. He’s been compared to Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, and Marcus Camby. He’s got a little bit of all three in his game, but there’s no real accurate comparison because Holmgren is an absolute unicorn. “Chet’s a game-changer on defense and there were a couple of layups that I would usually make with no problem but with him at the rim, that wasn’t happening tonight,” Paolo Banchero said after facing Holmgren in a non-conference meeting in Las Vegas. Holmgren shot 41% from 3-point range and 61% from the field. Against UCLA, he flashed his ball-handling skills in the open court when he went coast-to-coast for one of the best plays of the season. Holmgren may not have Durant’s scoring ability but he has a nice pick-and-pop game and his ability to put the ball on the deck allows him to get his own shot from anywhere on the court. Similar to Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley, Holmgren has a slight frame but great footwork in the paint. Mobley’s early success in the NBA is helping Holmgren’s case for No. 1, despite his lack of frame (195 pounds). Holmgren’s natural position in the NBA could eventually be at the 4, but he can certainly play small-ball 5.

2-Paolo Banchero, forward, Duke
NBA comparison: Chris Webber
Scouting report: At 6-10 and 240 pounds, Banchero fits the part of an old-school NBA power forward. He has guard-like skills and moves extremely well for his size. As a high school prospect, Banchero’s lateral movement on defense was one of his weakest traits, but he worked on his explosiveness and footwork this summer. In his matchup against highly touted prospect Chet Holmgren, Banchero outplayed Holmgren in the first half but suffered leg cramps in the second half, which limited his impact on the game. When Banchero was fresh, he was able to bully Holmgren. But as the game progressed, Banchero’s conditioning became a factor and that’s when Holmgren closed the gap. Banchero looks and plays a lot like former Duke big man Carlos Boozer, who had a long career in the NBA. Banchero has the potential to surpass Boozer and be more like Chris Webber. Either way, any team that drafts Banchero is getting a pro-ready player who can play traditional power forward or small-ball center.

3-Jabari Smith, forward, Auburn
NBA comparison: Rashard Lewis
Scouting report: Smith is a 6-foot-10 forward who led the SEC in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 43% from behind the arc. He knocked down seven 3-pointers in a win over Vanderbilt during the regular season. Jabari’s dad, Jabari Smith Sr., played in the NBA for a few years and his distant cousin is Kwame Brown, so basketball is a big part of his family tree. Jabari Jr. combines textbook shooting mechanics with good size, above-average athletic ability, and balanced competitive intensity. He’ll be 19 when the NBA draft rolls in, so he has yet to hit his ceiling. He doesn’t force things on the offensive end and his high basketball IQ allows him to play any style. He’s also a capable defender, who can switch on guards and keep them out of the paint. But there were times during his freshman season at Auburn when Smith disappeared in games. He tends to defer to his teammates too much when he should be taking over. His Auburn teammate Walker Kessler occasionally looked like the better player on the court. If Smith can improve his handle, he’ll be more difficult to guard.

4-Jaden Ivey, guard, Purdue
NBA comparison: Ja Morant
Scouting report: Ivey is an explosive playmaker cut from the same cloth as Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook. Ivey is considered the best pro prospect to come out of Purdue since Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson, who went No. 1 overall in the 1994 NBA draft. Ivey has electric quickness, but he doesn’t have his foot on the gas pedal all the time. He plays at his own pace. He can slow it down if he doesn’t have a clear runway. Purdue coach Matt Painter said Ivey has greatly improved as a pick-and-roll guard since the start of the season and has learned to go through his progressions like an NFL quarterback. Ivey’s 3.5 assists per game don’t tell the whole story about his ability to run the show. The La Lumiere Prep product enjoyed a breakout season in his second year at Purdue. He has the right combination of size, speed, explosiveness to be an NBA star.

5-Keegan Murray, forward, Iowa
NBA comparison: Kyle Kuzma
Scouting report: Keegan Murray is one of the most unexpected stars of this season. After playing in the shadow of All-American Luka Garza, Murray improved exponentially in his sophomore season. Murray averaged 7.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman. In his second season in Iowa, Murray averaged 23.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His 3-point percentage also increased from 29.6% to an impressive 40.6%. At 6-foot-8, 225 pounds with a 7-foot wingspan, Murray has the size and length to do it all on both ends of the floor. Most scouts see Murray as a plug-and-play prospect who fits the mold of what almost every NBA team covets: a versatile 3-and-D wing. Murray can have an immediate impact as a 3 or 4.

6-Bennedict Mathurin, guard, Arizona
NBA comparison: Jaylen Brown
Scouting report: Ben Mathurin benefitted greatly from staying another year at Arizona. He improved his scoring average from 10 points to 17 points per game and was named Pac-12 player of the year. He added more shots to his arsenal. He looks like an NBA player. When he’s aggressive and locked in, he looks like a star. Mathurin put on a show during the second round of the NCAA tournament when he scored 30 points in an overtime thriller against TCU and authored one of the best dunks you’ll see at the collegiate level. At 6-6 and 195 pounds, Mathurin has the ideal size to play 2-guard in the NBA. He can defend his position and showed great leadership skills as the No. 1 option for the Pac-12 champion Wildcats. Mathurin is the latest in the growing line of basketball standouts to come out of Canada, following in the footsteps of other Canadian ballers RJ Barrett, Jamal Murray, Andrew Wiggins, Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander, and Kelly Olynyk. Mathurin is a plug-and-play athlete who can play any style and will be an immediate rotational player.

7-Jalen Duren, center, Memphis
NBA comparison: Deandre Ayton
Scouting report: Even though Duren is only 18 he’s already a physically imposing figure. He’s a man among boys. Since he was born in 2003 Jalen is eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft and projects as a likely lottery pick. At 6-foot-11 and 250 pounds, Duren moves fluidly off the ball and has excellent timing on blocked shots. The matchup with Holmgren in the second round of the NCAA tournament was a scout’s dream. Duren has extremely long arms and big hands, which help him catch lobs, grab rebounds, block shots. Duren’s stats won’t blow you away, but opposing coaches are fully aware of his presence and impact. Houston coach Kelvin Sampson called Duren “the best player on the court” when the Cougars took on Memphis in the AAC tournament final. Duren isn’t flashy, which is a big plus. He’s a lunch-pail, hard-hat guy who doesn’t mind doing the dirty work, such as setting screens and helping on defense. Even though he didn’t shoot the ball well from the free-throw line, he’s got a decent stroke and can improve on his free throws given enough coaching and practice. Because of his frame, Duren has been compared to Dwight Howard. A more realistic NBA comparison is Deandre Ayton. Either way, Duren has a boatload of potential and could turn out to be an absolute stud.

8-Shaedon Sharpe, guard, Kentucky
NBA comparison: Anthony Edwards
Scouting report: Sharpe is a complete mystery. He didn’t play a single minute of college ball after enrolling at Kentucky. But some basketball experts believe the 6-5 wing could turn out to be the best player in the draft. Sharpe only practiced with John Calipari’s Wildcats but never played in a game, so the only film we have of him is from AAU and high school invitational showcases. And from what we’ve seen on the Tube, Sharpe is an explosive athlete who can score at all three levels. He plays with great control for a teenager and he doesn’t seem to get rattled. Jeff Goodman, a former ESPN basketball insider, thinks Sharpe is exactly what the NBA loves right now. “He’s a long, tough, athletic scoring wing who can make players for himself and others. He’s not a point guard, but he can play the point and initiate offense.” Sharpe is the latest in the growing line of talented Canadian hoopers. The one knock Goodman has on Sharpe is his work ethic. Is Sharpe willing to compete every single minute of every single game? That’s a question teams will have to ask when evaluating him. It’s the classic high risk, high reward gamble.

9-Dyson Daniels, guard, G League Ignite
NBA comparison: Alex Caruso
Scouting report: Daniels is a highly touted international prospect from Australia. ESPN draft guru Mike Schmitz thinks the versatile combo guard is going to be a top-10 pick. Schmitz said Daniels is “one of the most complete prospects” with an ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Daniels is listed at 6-6 but he’s got a 6-11 wingspan, which makes him very intriguing for any team looking for a two-way wing player. Daniels has very good instincts on defense and is disruptive on the defensive end. He could turn into an elite-level defender. His quick hands, quick feet, and strong build allow him to guard multiple positions. Daniels is combination of Matisse Thybulle and Alex Caruso. He has Thybulle’s defensive instincts and Caruso’s versatility. In fact, Daniels models his game after Caruso. “Alex Caruso is one of the best defenders in the league, no doubt. The way he moves his feet, his instincts. Playing on that Lakers team, that was what kept him on the floor,” Daniels told ESPN. Daniels trained at NBA Global Academy in Australia before joining the G League Ignite. Daniels averaged 11.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.9 steals in 14 games for the Ignite, while playing 31 minutes per game.

10-Johnny Davis, guard, Wisconsin
NBA comparison: Devin Booker
Scouting report: Davis gutted it out during the NCAA tournament while dealing with a sprained ankle. Davis wasn’t the same player after the injury, but he gets kudos for playing through pain. Davis was one of four major conference players who led his team in points, rebounds, and assists. The 6-5 sophomore guard scored 25 or more points in nine regular-season games for the Wisconsin Badgers and put on a show in a game against Jaden Ivey’s Purdue Boilermakers on Jan. 3 when he scored 37 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out three assists, had two steals, and blocked two shots. Davis’ other eye-popping performance came in the Maui Invitational where he averaged 23.7 points en route to being named tournament MVP. Davis is not an elite athlete but he has a Devin Booker-type ability to get to his spots and score from the midrange. He does need to improve on his 3-point shot, but that’ll come with reps. He’s a late bloomer, so he may not have hit his ceiling yet. He’s a decent playmaker and above-average rebounder for a guard. He’s a superb on-ball defender, capable of guarding 1s, 2s, and 3s. His football background from his days as a high school quarterback at La Crosse (Wisconsin) Central High School helps him with his physicality and mental toughness.

11-Mark Williams, center, Duke
NBA comparison: Hassan Whiteside
Scouting report: Duke center Mark Williams played in the shadow of teammate Paolo Banchero during the 2021-22 season, but Williams’ name is rising fast on NBA draft boards after posting some impressive measurements at the combine in Chicago. The ACC defensive player of the year was measured at 7 feet 2, with a 7-foot-6 wingspan. He also had a standing reach of 9-9 standing reach, which compares favorably with NBA centers Rudy Gobert, JaVale McGee, and Deandre Ayton, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The 242-pound Williams has the length and strength to be a defensive anchor at the pro level. He has all the physical tools teams covet, and it will be hard for teams looking for a big man to pass up on him.

12-Ochai Agbaji, guard, Kansas
NBA comparison: Desmond Bane
Scouting report: Agbaji, 22, is one of the older players in the draft. The 6-5 guard is a versatile wing who has shown promise as a defender, slasher, and shooter. Early in his career, he was known for his athleticism and defense. During his senior year at Kansas, Ochai emerged as one of the best shooters in college basketball, making giant leaps as a scorer in both volume and efficiency. Bill Self said Agbaji — who has solidified himself as a viable 3-and-D option at the NBA level — has become an assassin. Agbaji wowed fans during the Big 12 tournament, throwing down a dunk that became a viral hit. He caught a lob pass and in one motion threw down an emphatic dunk that sent folks inside and outside the arena into a frenzy. It’s the type of superb athleticism Agbaji could bring to an NBA team looking for an exciting different-maker.

Joel Huerto is the editor and publisher of OneManFastBreak.net. Follow him on Twitter @onemanfastbreak.