Six former Florida high school basketball players heard their names called in the 2022 NBA Draft. Here’s a look at where they landed and what their rookie seasons might look like in 2022-23.
Keegan Murray – Sacramento Kings
Florida saw two former prep players taken within the lottery last Thursday night, the first of whom was Murray. The former Iowa and DME Academy standout was taken with the No. 4 overall pick by the Sacramento Kings, and could be a potential sleeper candidate to win the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Jalen Duren – Detroit Pistons
The former Montverde Academy and Memphis star forward was the state’s other player selected within the lottery. He was taken with the No. 13 overall pick by Charlotte, but he’s now with Detroit after being involved in a three-team, draft-night trade between the Pistons, Hornets and New York Knicks.
Mark Williams – Charlotte Hornets
Speaking of the Hornets, Charlotte selected another former Florida prep player with the No. 15 overall pick in Williams, the first player taken outside of the lottery. The former IMG Academy product and Duke center could be a key role player off the Hornets bench as a rookie, likely coming as an interior defender.
Andrew Nembhard – Indiana Pacers
After Williams was selected as pick No. 15, Florida did not see a former player taken until the first pick of the second round when Nembhard, a former Montverde Academy guard, was taken at No. 31 overall by the Indiana Pacers. Nembhard will likely see time at point guard off the bench in his rookie season – the former Gonzaga standout was one of the top passers at the position in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Caleb Houstan – Orlando Magic
With the very next pick, another former Montverde Academy star came off the board when Houstan went No. 32 overall to the Orlando Magic. Houstan, combined with No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, will add to what is an exciting Magic frontcourt entering the 2022-23 season.
Moussa Diabate – IMG Academy
A teammate of Houstan at Michigan, the IMG Academy product was the last of former Florida high school players selected in the 2022 NBA Draft. Diabate was chosen as the No. 43 overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers, where he could see time in a reserve role in 2022-23.
