247 Sports

● By Travis Branham
Rejoice! The 2021-2022 college basketball season is officially upon us, kicking off with an action-packed Tuesday that will see four of the best teams in the country duke it out at the Champion's Classic in New York City. The return of the college basketball season is a great time to set the table for the eventual 2022 NBA Draft, which is just a little over seven months away — not that we're wishing away this season. The 2021 Draft was one of the most talented and deep drafts in the last decade but this 2022 draft class is looking to be much different. There are several prospects who enter the season expected to be lottery picks, with three vying for the early No. 1 overall spot. This class lacks depth, which provides ample opportunity for prospects to emerge and earn a guaranteed paycheck in the first round. The perimeter is very thin entering the season and the point guard position is exceptionally thin with no point guards currently projected in the top 10.

Top Players Not Included

These players appear in the top 14 of our

Consensus Big Board

, but do not show up on this big board.