Tag: JT Thor

Auburn forward JT Thor: ‘I think I’m a first-round talent’

Rookie Wire recently caught up with Thor to discuss his season at Auburn, growing up in Alaska, what he wants to show NBA teams and more.

JT Thor produced a strong freshman campaign with the Auburn Tigers, and the 6-foot-9 forward has seemingly carried that momentum into the pre-draft process this year.

Thor averaged 9.4 points, five rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 27 games last season on 44% shooting from the field. He finished as one of five freshmen in the country to register at least 250 points, 100 rebounds and 30 blocked shots on the season.

He turned in his best game of the season on Feb. 13 after recording a career-high 24 points and nine rebounds against Kentucky. He was the only freshman in the last decade to have at least 24 points and nine rebounds at Rupp Arena.

Thor was among the dozens of prospects to participate in the NBA draft combine last month from Chicago, Illinois. He emerged as one of the top players from the event, and opted to keep his name in the draft after receiving strong feedback from teams and executives.

Given his size, and incredible 7-foot-3 wingspan, Thor figures to offer plenty of potential on defense. He proved to be a versatile defender last season and has the ability to stay in front of smaller players, while also providing weakside help.

Thor showcased an improved jump shot at the combine, and could develop into a strong 3-and-D prospect at the next level with further growth. He climbed up draft boards following the combine with many now projecting him to be a first-round pick.

While his range varies, Thor believes he should be a first-round pick.

“If you ask me, I think I’m a first-round talent,” Thor said.

With the draft rapidly approaching, Rookie Wire recently caught up with Thor to discuss his season at Auburn, growing up in Alaska, what he wants to show NBA teams and much more.

Please note this interview was minorly edited in its transcript for clarity

2021 NBA Draft Big Board 5.0: Final rankings of the Top 100 prospects

With just over a week left until the 2021 NBA draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, it’s officially the most wonderful time of the year! 

With just over a week left until the 2021 NBA draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, it’s officially the most wonderful time of the year!

That means that after a slew of surprising early entry withdrawals impacted the worlds of both college and international basketball, the next generation of NBA talent is getting closer to entering the league. As players finalize their place on big boards in front offices, I wanted to offer my opinion on how I think those rankings should look.

Note that our list is certainly going to look different from the lists at ESPN, The Athletic, Bleacher Report and other publications. Player evaluation is an inexact science. Part of the process is being willing to admit when you were wrong about a player.

But avoiding group-think and ending higher than consensus on a player is how an NBA team ends up selecting them in the draft. With that in mind, here is who I would target if I were running a front office.

2021 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Predicting all 60 picks after the combine

While most of the basketball world is focused on the NBA Finals, scouts and draftniks are in the midst of a very busy time of year as well.

While most of the basketball world is focused on the NBA Finals, scouts and draftniks are in the midst of a very busy time of year as well.

The most crucial dates leading up to the draft are the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the early entry application deadline, the lottery, the combine and the early entry withdrawal deadline. All have since come and gone, which means that we’re somehow already in the home stretch before the big night in Brooklyn on July 29.

Prospects are still frantically traveling around the country, visiting with teams for both individual and group workouts in front of key decision-makers. Still, others are currently playing for their national team on the FIBA circuit.

But as far as the public is concerned, the only new information that will be released between now and the draft will be filtered through whatever is reported by journalists. As such, until intel starts rolling in, this mock draft offers the most informed projections yet.

While these predictions are based on my conversations with NBA scouts and executives around the league, as well as my own scouting and information-gathering, they’re subject to change dramatically over the course of the next few weeks.

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Hornets worked out Sharife Cooper, JT Thor and others on Friday

The two former Auburn players were among the prospects to work out with the Hornets on Friday.

Auburn guard Sharife Cooper and forward JT Thor were among the prospects that worked out on Friday with the Charlotte Hornets, the team announced.

Cooper was named to the SEC All-Freshman team after averaging 20.2 points, 8.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds and one steal in 12 games. He was one of seven players to average at least 20 points and eight assists over the last 25 years.

Meanwhile, Thor averaged 9.4 points, five rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in 27 games played last season with the Tigers. He finished as one of five freshmen in the country to register at least 250 points, 100 rebounds and 30 blocks.

In addition to Cooper and Thor, the Hornets also worked out Iowa forward Luka Garza, Howard center Makur Maker, international prospect Roko Prkacin, Tennessee guard Jaden Springer and UConn guard James Bouknight.

The Hornets have picks 11, 56 and 57 entering the draft, and each player they met with on Friday is projected to be in their range in the first round. Of course, workouts are hardly an indication of how a team will draft as organizations look to do their homework on as many prospects as possible.

The NBA draft is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 29.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=33158,33798,34184]

[mm-video type=video id=01f9j0r8b9s2tv696ezj playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f9j0r8b9s2tv696ezj/01f9j0r8b9s2tv696ezj-356ee8d50f3e45c365cabd455886e784.jpg]

[listicle id=33538]

Tre Mann, JT Thor among prospects to work out with Pacers

Florida guard Tre Mann and Auburn forward JT Thor are among the prospects set to work out with the Pacers on Wednesday.

Florida guard Tre Mann and Auburn forward JT Thor are among the prospects set to work out with the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, the team announced.

Mann was named to the All-SEC first team after averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals in 24 games with the Gators. He has been most commonly projected to be a mid-to-late first-round pick and has been one of the biggest risers in most mock drafts as of late.

Thor averaged 9.4 points, five rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in 27 games played last season with the Tigers. He finished the season as one of five freshmen in the country to register at least 250 points, 100 rebounds and 30 blocks.

In addition to Mann and Thor, the Pacers will also be bringing in Eugene Omoruyi, Joshua Primo, DJ Steward and Marcus Zegarowski during the workout.

The Pacers will enter the draft with the 13th overall pick following the lottery last week. They also have the 54th and 60th picks in the draft and will begin to ramp up draft preparations now that the lottery and combine have concluded.

The NBA draft is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 29.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=33798,33823,33745]

[listicle id=33538]

2021 NBA draft prospects who have interviewed or worked out with Rockets

This list, which is being continuously updated, includes all reports to date of 2021 NBA draft prospects who have been linked to Houston.

With three selections in the first round at No. 2, No. 23, and No. 24, the Rockets are likely to be one of the most active NBA teams in preparation for the July 29 draft. It’s an opportunity for Houston general manager Rafael Stone to rapidly improve the depth and talent of a roster that finished with the league’s worst record in the 2020-21 season.

As part of that search, Stone and the Rockets are casting a wide net on potential candidates to join the team. Based on various interviews, social media posts, and media reports, here’s a look at who has interviewed or worked out with Houston during the 2021 pre-draft process.

(Last updated: Thursday, June 24)

  • Florida guard Tre Mann: workout (source)
  • Tennessee guard/wing Keon Johnson: interview (source)
  • Baylor guard Jared Butler: interview (source)
  • Nebraska guard/wing Dalano Banton: workout (source)
  • Auburn forward JT Thor: workout (source)
  • Duke forward Jalen Johnson: interview (source)

Additional information on many of these players can be found in the latest mock draft by For The Win’s draft guru Bryan Kalbrosky.

[lawrence-related id=50494,50173]

[listicle id=50393]

Report: JT Thor among prospects pulling out of combine scrimmages

The Auburn forward was reportedly among four prospects to pull out of scrimmages at the NBA draft combine on Thursday.

[mm-video type=video id=01f8zb63hmgse93wfz27 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f8zb63hmgse93wfz27/01f8zb63hmgse93wfz27-d0eb8ba306b8ef3c4b38b33cd64a0c7b.jpg]

Auburn forward JT Thor on Thursday was reportedly among the prospects to pull out of scrimmages at the NBA draft combine, according to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report.

Thor has been among the standouts so far at the combine after shooting the ball well in 3-point drills. He shot 29.7% from 3-point range last season with the Tigers, but showed off an improved shot after converting on 15-of-25 shots in one drill.

The 6-foot-9 forward also turned heads after recording a 7-foot-3 wingspan.

In addition to Thor, Michigan State forward Aaron Henry, Western Kentucky center Charles Bassey and Alabama guard John Petty Jr. also opted out of the scrimmages and media obligations.

The 5-on-5 scrimmaging portion of the combine is set to begin on Thursday at 3 p.m. EST and continue on Friday. The competition will give prospects the opportunity to showcase their skills against other top players in front of teams, scouts and executives.

With the exception of Petty, the group of prospects is considered borderline first-round picks. The decision to pull out of scrimmages could mean they have secured first-round draft promises from a team and no longer need to participate in the event.

The NBA draft is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 29.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=33793,33773,33726]

[listicle id=33538]