2 NBA Draft prospects on Baylor for Pistons to monitor in NCAA Tourney

The Detroit Pistons are hoping to land a top-3 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, but could drop as far as the 7th pick in the worst-case scenario.

After the top three, the 2022 NBA Draft turns into a crapshoot, as there is no consensus outside of the top guys and the Pistons could go in a lot of directions, especially if they fall as far as the 7th pick.

There is also a chance that Detroit will trade Jerami Grant for another first-round pick in the lottery (Portland would be the most likely destination), in which case they could have two picks in the top-10 of the Draft.

Two players from the defending champion Baylor Bulldogs fall into that range (depending on who you ask) and are guys the Pistons will have an eye on today as the NCAA Tournament kicks off.

The Baylor Bulldogs will take on the Norfolk State Spartans today at 2:00 PM ET and there will be couple of NBA Draft prospects trying to make their cases.

Detroit Pistons: NBA Draft prospects from Baylor

Kendall Brown, small forward

Kendall Brown’s numbers won’t jump off the page at you, as he averages just 10 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, but he is a long defender who is very efficient.

Brown is 6-foot-8, so has great size for the small forward position and projects as a guy who will be a plus defender at the next level.

He’s not much of a shooter from long range, but he has elite athleticism, runs the floor well and is very good at cutting to the rim and finishing, which is why he shoots nearly 60 percent from 2-point range.

He has some similarities with Herbert Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans, who also entered the NBA without much of a shot but has made an impact with his defense and ability to get to the rim and finish.

He’d give the Detroit Pistons some more size and athleticism on the wing and could be a guy who works his way into the top-10 with a strong tournament.

Jeremy Sochan, forward

Sochan is another freshman forward who is known more for his defense. He is 6-foot-9, 230 lbs. so has the size to defend multiple spots and he can.

He is good in the post and has no problem stepping out on wings as well, so this is a guy who can make an impact with his defense. He’s also a pretty good finisher around the rim, so his ceiling will come down to whether he can develop a league average 3-point shot.

He has first-round 3-and-D potential and is another guy who would help his case with a big tournament run.

If the Detroit Pistons get a second 1st-round pick, I can see them taking a flyer on one of these forwards, as both are tough, Troy Weaver type players who could make an impact defensively right away.