Tennessee freshman Kennedy Chandler will participate in the 2022 NBA draft and waive his remaining college eligibility by hiring an agent, he told Malika Andrews Tuesday on ESPN’s NBA Today.
“I’m staying in the NBA draft and signing with Agent Ryan Davis from Rep 1 Sports,” Chandler told ESPN.
Chandler, ranked No. 17 on the ESPN 100, was named the second-team All-SEC and All-Rookie team after averaging 13.9 points, 4.7 assists and 2.2 steals in 31 minutes per game this season .
Tennessee won its first SEC tournament championship since 1979, with Chandler earning MVP honors. Chandler led a Vols defense ranked No. 3 in the nation by Ken Pomeroy’s ratings and helped the team finish 27-8.
A top-10 recruit at Sunrise Christian Academy, Chandler came to college battle-hardened after leading his high school team to the finals of the Geico National Championship and then winning a gold medal with USA Basketball at the FIBA U19 World Championship. He had some ups and downs in the early months of the season, with Tennessee playing a challenging schedule and Chandler struggling at times against some of the best defenses he faced early on.
“I’ve learned a lot this season, from start to finish,” said Chandler. “I knew it was going to be difficult and this coach [Rick] Barnes would put together a tough schedule. I learned a lot, especially from the loss to Texas at the end of January, especially because I was out of the game at the end. I feel like I really started to grow after that and that changed the type of player I am after a heart-to-heart with TJ Ford.”
Chandler emerged as arguably college basketball’s best point guard during the months of February and March, helping Tennessee win 13 of their last 15 games while becoming a vocal leader, shooting 47% from 3-pointers. Shooting range and improving his midrange game and playing lockdown defense thanks to his speed and 6ft 5 wingspan.
“Adapting to the pace of the college game was the most important thing early on. Coach Barnes let me see a lot of Chris Paul and Tony Parker films. I learned how to do different readings and understood that each team will have a different game “I’m fortunate to have a close relationship with Ja Morant, which helped me. Being able to use his brain about it hack what he sees in game and how he sees it. Trae Young too, as we’re both part of the MoKan.” [Nike EYBL team] Family. These two gave me valuable advice.”
Chandler is attractive to NBA teams thanks to his ball handling skills, ability to play at different speeds, and quick first step that allows him to get virtually anywhere he wants on the floor. The improvements he’s shown as a shooter and defender throughout the season lift his ground as an NBA prospect, as does the success he’s found at the collegiate level.
“I want to show the NBA teams how much stronger I’m coming through the pre-draft process,” Chandler said. “Because I’m ready to play physically in the NBA, a 6-foot guard like me can play with anyone in the league. Easily trainable, intellectually, so I can stand out in this process.”
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analysis service used by NBA, NCAA, and international teams.