SEC Basketball 2022 NBA Draft Preview: LSU PF Tari Eason

The 2021-22 SEC Basketball Sixth Man of the Year, you will be hard to find a player within the conference whose NBA Draft stock has increased more over the past year than LSU’s Tari Eason.

Having emerged as a potential lottery pick, Eason is potentially set to become LSU’s first player selected in the lottery since Ben Simmons went No. 1 overall back in 2016, as well as only the Tigers fifth since the year 2000. After an impressive 2021-22 season in Baton Rouge, could Eason be selected as a lottery pick, and if so, where could the versatile forward land?

SEC Basketball 2022 NBA Draft Preview: LSU PF Tari Eason

A former three-star prospect out of high school in the Class of 2020, Eason originally began his collegiate career at Cincinnati during the 2020-21 season, averaging 7.3 PPG and 5.9 RPG. Transferring to LSU last offseason, Eason would enjoy a massive 2021-22 sophomore season with the Tigers, one in which he was a focal point for one of the SEC’s top defensive teams.

Starting in only 4-of-33 games, Eason would average 16.9 PPG off the bench for LSU this past season, along with 6.6 RPG and an impressive 1.9 SPG. Shooting 52.1% from the field, Eason would also receive notable honors at seasons end that included a First Team All-SEC selection, as well as the previously mentioned 2021-22 SEC Sixth Man of the Year.

A player who took a massive jump from his freshman to sophomore season in a completely different conference, it’s easy to see why Eason is one of the SEC’s biggest draft risers. So, what part of the former three-star’s game this past season made Eason rise, and how might those same traits help him adjust to the NBA?

Strengths

Beginning on the offensive side of the ball, Eason obviously saw an uptick in every statistical shooting category last season, but arguably none more-notable than his 35.9% three-point percentage. While he only took 78 total three-pointers in 2021-22 compared to 29 as a freshman at Cincinnati, Eason showed development in that one particular area of his game that could be vital to his potential in the NBA, as well as an ability to get to the free throw line and make shots count where he shot 80.3% from the charity stripe.

As for the defense, this could potentially end up being the biggest strength for the LSU forward at the next level. Eason is a versatile defender at 6-foot-8 who can guard almost anywhere on the floor, and ranked Top 10 in SEC Basketball this past season in both SPG and BPG.

How He Projects in NBA

If there is one part of Eason’s game in particular that will translate to the NBA, it’s the defense. The LSU forward has the potential to be an impact defender from day one in the NBA, while also a solid contributor offensively at the minimum, with more possible should his three-point shot continue to develop.

Potential Draft Fits 

If Eason is a lottery pick this year, it will likely happen anywhere from picks 10-14. If he does fall out of the lottery however, it certainly won’t be very-far as Eason will then likely land anywhere from picks 15-18, with the Atlanta Hawks at No. 16 as an intriguing option.

Draft Prediction

Eason will be one of SEC Basketball’s multiple first round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft, and will be selected in the 15-18 pick range.