With the Sweet 16 set to begin later this week in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, here are 10 former high school basketball stars to watch for during this week’s games, each of whom was rated as a five-star recruit out of high school.
Chet Holmgren – Gonzaga Bulldogs
The nation’s top recruit a year ago out of Minnehaha Academy (MN), as well as a likely Top 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Chet Holmgren has enjoyed a phenomenal freshman season at Gonzaga that has included 14.2 points per game (PPG), 8.8 rebounds per game (RPG), and 3.7 blocks per game (BPG). Holmgren has also received multiple honors this season such as WCC Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, as well as First Team All-WCC and WCC All-Freshman.
Paolo Banchero – Duke Blue Devils
One of the nation’s top players a year ago at O’Dea High School (WA), Paolo Banchero is cemented in the conversation for the top overall picks in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft alongside Holmgren and Smith previously. Averaging 17 PPG and 7.9 RPG for the Blue Devils this season, Banchero has also been named the ACC Rookie of the Year, First Team All-ACC, and ACC All-Freshman this season.
Armando Bacot – North Carolina Tar Heels
A First Team All-ACC selection, former IMG Academy (FL) forward Armando Bacot is averaging a phenomenal 16.4 PPG and 12.5 RPG for the Tar Heels, while also shooting an impressive 58.8% from the field.
Caleb Love – North Carolina Tar Heels
Caleb Love is enjoying a phenomenal sophomore season at North Carolina, averaging 15.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, and 3.7 APG. A former guard at Christian Brothers (MO), Love is also one of the ACC’s top free throw shooters at 86.8%.
Andrew Nembhard – Gonzaga Bulldogs
A former guard at Montverde Academy, Andrew Nembhard is in the middle of a 2021-22 season in which the senior has averaged 12 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 5.8 assists per game (APG) for the one-seed Bulldogs, earning First Team All-WCC honors.
Mark Williams – Duke Blue Devils
Having played his high school basketball at IMG Academy (FL), Mark Williams has so far averaged 11.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 2.8 BPG for the Blue Devils on their road to the Sweet 16. The 2021-22 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Williams is also a Third Team All-SEC selection and ACC All-Defense selection this season.
Trevor Keels – Duke Blue Devils
A standout guard from Paul VI High School (MD), Trevor Keels has been one of the top scorers this season for two-seed Duke at 11.7 PPG, while also averaging 3.7 RPG and 3 APG to earn ACC All-Freshman honors.
Caleb Houstan – Michigan Wolverines
A standout forward a year ago at Montverde Academy (FL), Caleb Houstan has started in every game he has played this season with the Wolverines, averaging an impressive 10.2 PPG and 4 RPG.
Moussa Diabate – Michigan Wolverines
Playing at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, a year ago, Moussa Diabate is in the middle of a Big Ten All-Freshman season in which the 6-foot-11 forward has averaged 9.1 PPG and 6 RPG.
AJ Griffin – Duke Blue Devils
A standout at Archbishop Stepinac (NY) a year ago, AJ Griffin has averaged 10.4 PPG and 3.9 RPG this season at Duke while shooting a phenomenal 45.8% from three-point range, earning ACC All-Freshman Team honors.
