Even though it took a while for us to see the G League Ignite in action, the bubble season is underway in Florida, giving us a more confident assessment of the full class. Meanwhile, in the NCAA, enough of the regular season has eclipsed to extract meaning from a larger sample size of scouting.
Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the collegiate season due to the ongoing pandemic, this class has multiple players that project as potential stars. Remember, though, this class is incredibly fluid.
This mock should provide an update, if the season ended today, on the talent that could be available when your favorite team is on the clock.
For more information on many of the second-rounders, as well as some sleepers that were not included in this mock draft, I expanded in my big board published late last month.
The main difference from the big board is that this mock factors intel, team fit, front office philosophy and roster construction. For example, there are more international players included here because I’m projecting teams with surplus picks will select draft-and-stash players rather than roster four or five rookies next season.
This draft order, which factors in trades and pick protections, was pulled from the latest Tankathon update following the games on Feb. 11.
While the college basketball season has been strange, we have a more clear idea of which top prospects are expected in the 2021 NBA draft.
While the college basketball season has been strange, we have a more clear idea of which top prospects are expected in the 2021 NBA draft.
Unfortunately, putting together a big board at this point in the year is an incomplete task. The inaugural NBA G League Ignite team, a new developmental team that plays exhibitions and is meant to serve as an alternative to college for some players, has not yet begun their season.
That makes it impossible to track development for top prospects like Jonathan Kuminga and Jalen Green as well as potential risers like Isaiah Todd and Daishen Nix.
While there are some honorable mentions included for some fringe prospects, several names (e.g. Duke’s DJ Steward, UNC’s Caleb Love, Texas Tech’s Terrence Shannon, Miami’s Earl Timberlake) were omitted on account of projected returns to the NCAA. As of right now, however, it is still a great challenge to predict who will be in this class.
The key to this draft is fluidity and being willing to accept that things will change quickly. Players will have slumps and some may be slow to adapt to the new normal. Rankings now are hardly reflective of where they will be as we get closer to March Madness.
Note that any conversations with NBA scouts mentioned in the article were held under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on behalf of their teams.
Top college basketball prospects have an even tougher task standing out in front of NBA scouts than they usually do.
After one of the strangest offseasons in the history of college basketball, top prospects have an even tougher task standing out in front of NBA scouts than they usually do.
Considering that games are getting canceled or postponed left and right, as well as all of the other unusual circumstances surrounding this season, many teams are having trouble finding a rhythm. The challenges of playing through this season are greater than usual, making solid performances in a season like this one even more impressive.
Below are some of the standout players who were not ranked particularly highly on mock drafts and big boards before the season but are now firmly on the radars for front offices around the NBA.
Now that the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball season is underway, we are getting a more clear picture of the top prospects in the upcoming class.
Now that the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball season is underway, we are getting a more clear picture of the top prospects in the upcoming class.
Former top recruits like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs have made a great first impression and have confirmed why many already feel they are going to be solid future professionals in the NBA.
Of course, considering the unusual nature of the college basketball season, some players are struggling a bit more than others. The performance on the court will likely stray closer to the mean with a larger sample size as the year continues.
We highlighted the prospects who have been the biggest risers since we published our last edition of this exercise.
College basketball standouts who have most drastically improved their draft stock through the early parts of the season include Keon Johnson (Tennessee), James Bouknight (UCONN), Jared Butler (Baylor), Corey Kispert (Gonzaga), Day’Ron Sharpe (UNC), Aaron Henry (Michigan State), Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois), Marcus Bagley (Arizona State), Moussa Cisse (Memphis), Charles Bassey (Western Kentucky), Jason Preston (Ohio) and Luka Garza (Iowa).
Below are the rankings based on the latest mock drafts from top analysts and experts:
HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report
With a chaotic season ahead for the NBA and NCAA alike, it’s never too soon to study up on the next cohort of players joining the league.
While the ink on the contracts signed by prospects from the 2020 NBA draft may not yet be dry, for some at least it is never too early to start thinking about the next draft.
Among that set can be counted For The Win’s Bryan Kalbrosky, who put together a comprehensive mock for the 2021 draft with two selections in mind for the Boston Celtics included. While you might not like where the Celtics are slotted to draft (20th overall in the first round and 50th overall in the second), don’t blame Kalbrosky; that estimation was gleaned by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton based off of estimated wins.
For this 2021 NBA mock draft, I wrote about all 60 players. Also included: AAU stats and analysis from NBA scouts.
Learn about the best prospects in college basketball, in the G League and those who are playing internationally! See who your team landed:https://t.co/7DRTyHPzQ5
With a chaotic season ahead for the NBA and NCAA alike, it’s never too soon to study up on the next cohort of players joining the league.
While the ink on the contracts signed by prospects from the 2020 NBA draft may not yet be dry, for some at least it is never too early to start thinking about the next draft.
Among that set can be counted For The Win’s Bryan Kalbrosky, who put together a comprehensive mock for the 2021 draft with two selections in mind for the Boston Celtics included. While you might not like where the Celtics are slotted to draft (20th overall in the first round and 50th overall in the second), don’t blame Kalbrosky; that estimation was gleaned by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton based off of estimated wins.
For this 2021 NBA mock draft, I wrote about all 60 players. Also included: AAU stats and analysis from NBA scouts.
Learn about the best prospects in college basketball, in the G League and those who are playing internationally! See who your team landed:https://t.co/7DRTyHPzQ5
Now that the 2020-21 NCAA Men’s Basketball season is in full swing, we examined what the 2021 NBA draft class is shaping up to look like.
Now that the 2020-21 NCAA Men’s Basketball season is in full swing, we examined what the 2021 NBA draft class is shaping up to look like.
Consider this an introduction to the top players in college, as well as those on the inaugural NBA G League Ignite team, a new developmental team that plays exhibitions and is meant to serve as an alternative to college for some players. We’ll also look at international prospects who are playing abroad.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, this is going to be an unusual season for all hopeful pros. The bizarre offseason made it hard to get in the swing of things and some may struggle early as they adjust accordingly. As they already have been, games will inevitably be postponed or outright canceled.
Even in a normal season, a mock draft this early is a bold move. With these circumstances in mind, our mock draft is obviously going to look very different from how the actual night will shake out next offseason.
But it does offer a general starting range to encapsulate where the top prospects may be selected if they draft were held now. It also gives some insight on the kinds of players who may be available when your favorite team is on the clock.
The draft order was determined by projected wins from ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, whose projected real plus-minus has “outperformed” the over-under figures from Las Vegas since 2015. Pick swaps and trades were pulled from the future draft picks section on RealGM.
Note that all conversations with NBA scouts mentioned in the article were held under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on behalf of their teams.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching, there may be some swaps of picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, which is considered to be a strong class.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching, there may be some swaps of picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, which is considered to be a strong class.
Now that the rosters for the McDonald’s All-American Game have been announced and the Hoophall Classic is complete, top prospects are emerging as future stars in the league.
This list does not include any of the top international prospects who will likely be selected in 2020 like Killian Hayes and Theo Maledon. It also does not mention any of the top returning players in the nation as it will be unclear who will opt to play in the NBA and it is still tough to predict at this point.
Instead, it offers an introduction to the current high school seniors and the international
All statistics are updated through February 3, 2020 and are pulled from D1Circuit.com, MaxPreps and RealGM unless stated otherwise.
1. Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State (Committed)
Catalina Fragoso-USA TODAY Sports
Guard, 6-foot-7, 18 years old, Montverde Academy (Florida)
Cade Cunningham is currently the anchor for Montverde Academy, which is being called the best high school team of all-time. They are currently ranked as the top school in the nation. The point forward is so good that an NBA scout recently told Yahoo’s Krysten Peek he would likely be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft if he were eligible. That indicates he might already be the best player who is not currently in the league. For proof: Cunningham averaged 18.0 points and 8.5 assists per 36 minutes at the U19 World Cup, trailing just one player for total assists (40) during the tournament. With his size and his playmaking ability, he is already showing flashes of becoming a future franchise cornerstone.
2. Jalen Green, Uncommitted
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Guard, 6-foot-5, 17 years old, Prolific Prep (California)
Jalen Green is an incredibly explosive athlete who has improved as a shooter over the past few years as well. The scorer has become a more consistent and reliable option on the floor, offering an attacking mentality that will continue to develop as his competition continues. One of his crowning achievements thus far: He took home tournament MVP during the U17 World Cup in 2018, leading the United States to the gold medal behind 15.7 points per game. He averaged 7.7 three-pointers per 40 minutes during this competition, showing he is a fearless shooter. His natural stroke from the free-throw line shows that his three-point percentage will likely increase within time, too.
3. Evan Mobley, USC (Committed)
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Big, 7-foot-0, 18 years old, Rancho Christian (California)
Evan Mobley was 2019’s Gatorade Player of the Year in California and came into the summer as the highest-rated player on RSCI, which compiles all of the rankings on recruiting sites like 247 Sports and Rivals. The versatile big brags a 7-foot-5 wingspan with a 40-inch vertical leap, a rare measurement combination. He has recently been listed as a small forward, however, which Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo says “points to the dissonance” between his current identity and the best eventual fit in the NBA for someone his size. Still, there is arguably more to like about Mobley’s potential than that of 2020 projected lottery big man James Wiseman.
4. Scottie Barnes, Florida State (Committed)
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Forward, 6-foot-8, 18 years old, Montverde Academy (Florida)
Scottie Barnes currently plays alongside Cunningham at Montverde Academy and has a lot to offer as he continues to develop. He is a stat-sheet stuffer capable of putting up impressive lines for points and rebounds as well as assists. Like Cunningham, he has a point-forward mentality which is elevated by the fact that he is also measured with an incredible 9-foot-1 standing reach. Barnes can be a plug-and-play option for almost any team on both offense and defense in the NCAA and eventually in the NBA. That was an especially attractive trait for him for Team USA in the U19 World Cup, where he was a strong facilitator from the elbow. He assisted on 16.8 percent of scores for his team when he was on the floor despite never acting as his offense’s primary playmaker.
5. Ziaire Williams, Uncommitted
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Wing, 6-foot-8, 18 years old, Sierra Canyon (California)
Ziaire Williams is currently playing high school basketball at the high-profile Sierra Canyon. While he had to sit out the first few months of his senior year because of transfer rules, he has been a force to be reckoned with already. But that was no surprise for those who have followed the prospect. Williams led his AAU team (which also briefly included the aforementioned 2021 projected lottery pick Jalen Green) in points as well as rebounds and assists per game on the U17 circuit. The prospect has shown he is an above-average finisher near the rim, which will be important as he continues his growth. The Stepien’s Ross Homan also believes Williams can become the best shooter in this class. It will be fascinating to monitor his collegiate decision as he is the highest-rated recruit without an NCAA commitment yet.
Oak Hill Academy 5-star guard Cam Thomas puts his recruitment to bed, commits to LSU.
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Last week, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia) shooting guard Cam Thomas told USA TODAY Sports that it was “possible” that he could make his decision during the NCAA’s Early Signing Period, which runs from Nov. 13-20.
On Monday, the ALL-USA Preseason selection upgraded the possible to actual, picking LSU over UCLA.
Thomas is arguably the top scorer in the country, averaging 35 points a game on the No. 14 team in USA Today’s Super 25. This past summer he led the Nike EYBL in scoring, averaging 30 points a game.
“Scoring isn’t hard for me,” Thomas told USA Today Sports. “I feel like I was born to do it. I just look at it as me doing my job for my team to win. I don’t see it as anything special.”
Thomas is ranked No. 11 overall in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25.
Cam Thomas said he’s focused on LSU and UCLA and could decide at any time.
RALEIGH, N.C. – It’s not that Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia) shooting guard Cam Thomas is devoid of passion for the game or an excitement about his propensity to score loads of point night in and night out; it’s just that when you’ve been the leading scorer not just on your team, but in every league you’ve ever played from the age of 7, you tend to get used to the swish of the nets on your jump shots.
“Scoring isn’t hard for me,” said Thomas, who is ranked No. 11 overall in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25. “I feel like I was born to do it. I just look at it as me doing my job for my team to win. I don’t see it as anything special.”
Hard sell for a guy pumping in 35 points a game on the No. 14 team in USA Today’s Super 25.
On Friday, Thomas’ scoring barrage continued, dropping 22 points in Oak Hill’s 89-45 win over Crestwood Prep College (Toronto) at the Phenom Hoops National High School Showcase.
“I just try to do my job, but I’m most happy with the win,” Thomas said. “I know that people think we’re down this year, but I use it as motivation.”
As for his recruitment, Thomas said LSU and UCLA “are standing out,” but Auburn is still in the mix.
As for when he’ll decide, Thomas said he wasn’t sure but didn’t rule out the possibility of committing during the NCAA’s Early Signing Period which kicked off on Nov. 13 and runs through Nov. 20.
“I don’t really know when it’ll happen,” Thomas said. “I feel like I’ll know when I’m ready. I want to go to a school that’s gonna let me play my game, a school that will get me better and a school with a family-like atmosphere. I feel like all three of the schools will give me that so it will be a hard decision for sure.”
