Tari Eason: NBA Draft Odds, Pick Projection, Stats & Highlights

In one sequence, Tari Eason proved he could challenge even the best prospects.

The LSU forward, who has +50000 NBA odds to be drafted first overall, sought to make an impact on defense when Auburn took an 18-1 advantage during a game last season. Eason had seen enough.

He bounced the ball away from Auburn’s Jabari Smith, who appeared on his way to expand that lead. Eason then used a spin move to keep the ball away from Smith and commenced a fast break.

Eason crossed over as two defenders waited for him in the paint. Instead of giving the ball up, he took it to the hoop himself.

With a pair of long strides, Eason turned and launched a reverse layup over those opponents. As an official signaled a foul on the shot, the ball rolled around the rim and fell in.

Eason was capable of competing with some of the best players at the collegiate level and may continue to be in the NBA.

TARI EASON. ON HIS HEAD 🔥 @LSUBasketball #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/WKvmmy3CPP

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 9, 2022

Tari Eason Draft Odds

Eason is tied for the 12th-best NBA Draft odds to be selected first overall at +50000. Smith is first at -300, Duke’s Paolo Banchero is second at +275 and Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren is third at +400.

The Orlando Magic have the first overall pick after going 22-60 a year ago. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets pick second and third, respectively.

Tari Eason Draft Pick Projection

The Charlotte Hornets could benefit from picking Eason at No. 13 overall.

The Hornets have plenty of promise, though they didn’t get past the NBA’s play-in tournament. They were eighth in offensive rating last season but 22nd in defensive rating and 16th in net rating. They were also 27th in rebounding percentage.

Miles Bridges, a forward, led Charlotte with 20.2 points per game and was second on the team with seven rebounds per outing. LaMelo Ball continued his ascendance and averaged 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

The Hornets can depend on plenty of other impact players as well. Eason could provide assistance in a plethora of ways, even while coming off the bench as he did in college, to give the Hornets a more well-rounded roster as they seek a playoff appearance.

Tari Eason Stats

After transferring from Cincinnati, Eason earned All-American accolades as a sophomore last season.

This is despite Eason playing in 33 games but only starting four. He was the SEC Sixth Man of the Year and a first-team all-conference honoree. 

He was also a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2021-22, he averaged 16.9 points (sixth in the SEC), 6.6 rebounds (ninth), one assist, 1.1 blocks (ninth) and 1.9 steals per game (tied for fourth). He made 52% of his shots, which was fourth in the conference, and 80% of his free throws, which was seventh.

He reached double-figure points in 29 appearances and totaled 20 or more on 11 occasions with a high of 26 at Alabama. In addition, he totaled seven double-doubles and four 20-10 games.

At Cincinnati, he played 23 games and averaged 7.3 points, 5.9 rebounds (ninth in the AAC), 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks (fourth) and 1.2 steals. He was an all-conference freshman team member.

no surprises here for Tari Eason 🤷‍♂️

𝐒𝐄𝐂 𝐒𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐄𝐂 pic.twitter.com/y7EYoPZCQ8

— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) March 8, 2022

Tari Eason Draft Profile

Eason made most of his impact by driving to the hoop and rebounding.

He’s instinctive when trying to corral boards. And in the paint, he’s an impressive shot blocker, especially in transition.

Defense is one way Eason can more easily acclimate to the NBA. And as proven by him playing off the bench at LSU, he’s willing to accept whatever role is assigned to him.

With fantastic agility, he times up his steal attempts well and disrupts the flow of opposing offenses.

'tis the season for Tari Eason 💥 pic.twitter.com/80edZ3hDBb

— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) December 19, 2021