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First 2022 NBA Draft Big Board, from Cavs’ perspective

By Justin Brownlow

Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona Wildcats. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona Wildcats. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) /
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Jaden Ivey, Purdue Boilermakers. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Tier Two of this first Cavs-specific Big Board

#4: Jaden Ivey, Guard, Purdue (6-foot-4, 195 pounds) (16.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.4 APG)

Ivey has shot up draft boards over the last two months. Surprisingly over the summer, Ivey was selected to play for the United States in the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. During the tournament he averaged 12.3 points per game, and was named to the All-Tournament team. Coming into his 2021 season, NBA scouts looked at him as an explosive athlete who needed to work on his shooting. Well, he did just that, and now he has very few weaknesses in his game.

He’s shooting over 39 percent from three this season, and has been the clear leader for one of the top-ranked teams in college basketball, Purdue. His athleticism shows that the defense will be there if he puts in the effort, and while his game will translate to the NBA, his body might take some hits early as he’s young and needs to add muscle.

#5: Bennedict Mathurin, Wing, Arizona (6-foot-6, 210 pounds) (17.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.8 APG)

This may come as a shocker to some, but the Cavaliers’ need for wing play is apparent, and right now Mathurin is the best true wing out there. He averaged 10.8 points per game last season as a freshman and was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. However, he’s another player who’s star shone brightest at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup this past summer.

Playing for Canada, he averaged 16.1 points per game and added four rebounds per game. He did this while leading the Canadians to a bronze medal. Overall, Mathurin seems like a player whose stock will go up and down as the season goes along. But if the Cavs keep winning, maybe Mathurin’s stock falling isn’t such a bad thing.