Jalen Duren

NBA DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT

POSITION: CFROM: Memphis
(Philadelphia, PA)
HT: 6-9 1/2WT: 228
BORN: 11/18/03YEAR: Fr.WING: 7-5REACH: NA

Draft Notes

Jalen Duren is a big, powerful center who was pretty much born with an NBA center’s frame.

Since he was born in 2003 Jalen is eligible for the 2022 NBA Draft and projects as a likely lottery pick with top 6 potential. He doesn’t have the expansive offensive game of a player like Chet but then again, he’s 1.5 years younger than Chet and has plenty of time to develop his skill-set.

Jalen is a physically imposing force who is too much to handle for most opposing bigs. He’s a man among boys. He dunks everything around the rim and is an intimidator on both ends of the floor. He’s got extremely long arms and big hands, which help him control lob passes and offensive rebounds with ease.

There might not be a better rebounder in college basketball and this is a skill that will translate to the highest level of play.

Protecting the rim is one of his biggest strengths, thanks again to his great length and powerful build. He’s a quick leaper and gets high above the rim with ease and also knows how to keep his feet and jump last on defense. Even when he doesn’t get the block he alters lots of shots in the lane and is a big presence around the basket, where his length is an X factor for him.

He’s not the most flashy player and is somewhat of a throwback, old-school big who scores in the post, on put-backs, alley-oops and on offensive rebounds. He’s got the makings of a mid range game and a shot that will stretch out towards the 3pt line in time but for now he’s mostly a mid range and in player. His shooting form is solid and there’s a lot of promise/upside in this part of his game.

His rebounding and interior defense give him a ton of value, even if they’re not the most sexy skills. With a massive 7-5 wingspan and a rock solid frame he’s got all the tools to be a big time NBA center.


Comparisons

  • Dwight Howard mixed with
  • Chris Webber

Draft Projection

top 9 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft

Videos


2022 Centers

  1. Chet Holmgren – 7-0 – Gonzaga
  2. Jalen Duren – 6-10 – Memphis
  3. Mark Williams – 7-0 – Duke
  4. Christian Koloko – 7-1 – Arizona (Cameroon)
  5. Walker Kessler – 6-11 – Auburn 
  6. Kenneth Lofton Jr. – 6-7 – LA Tech
  7. Ismael Kamagate – 6-11 – France
  8. Jaylin Williams – 6-10 – Arkansas
  9. Khalifa Diop – 6-11 – Senegal 
  10. Ibou Dianko Badji – 7-1 – Senegal
  11. Kofi Cockburn – 7-0 – Illinois (Jamaica)
  12. Orlando Robinson – 7-0 – Fresno State
  13. Trevion Williams – 6-10 – Purdue
  14. Yannick Nzosa – 6-11 – DR Congo
  15. Kai Sotto – 7-2 – Philippines
  16. David McCormack – 6-10 – Kansas