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.
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.
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.
We took a look at the participant list for the NBA draft combine and G League Elite Camp to tell us who might return to their college team.
We took a look at the participant list for the NBA draft combine and G League Elite Camp to tell us who might return to their college team.
While there is nothing final about our projections, now that those lists are finalized we know the names of the most notable players who have declared for the draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility.
These prospects, who are all classified as “testing the waters” at this point, are the ones facing the toughest decision for their pro future but may have more clarity now than they did during the college basketball season.
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
LSU basketball could add another star to its recruiting class Wednesday.
LSU basketball could add another star to its recruiting class Wednesday.
Moussa Cisse, a 6-foot-10, 220-pound center from Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tenn., announced on Twitter he would be making his commitment decision this week.
🚨🚨 DECISION TIME. It’s been a long process 💪🏾 I’ll be deciding my college destination Wednesday at 3pm CT ‼️ Stay Tuned 👀 🙏🏾 #BigAfrica#AfricanDream 🇬🇳
Cisse, who is ranked as the No. 9 overall player for the class of 2020, per the 247Sports composite rankings, is the top-ranked player remaining in the class who has not committed.
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Memphis is considered the leader for Cisse as the Tigers rarely let elite talent leave the city, especially since Penny Hardaway returned and took over as head coach.
However, Cisse has maintained a good relationship with several schools, including LSU, throughout his recruiting process. LSU was at one time considered the leader for Cisse, who delayed his decision in the spring.
Cisse, who is from West Africa and reclassified to the 2020 class, has only played one season in the United States.
A commitment from Cisse would be an amazing victory for Wade and his staff who already have the No. 6 overall class in 2020.
Moussa Cisse will reclassify to the Class of 2020 and plans to commit to a school sometime in the next week.
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Five-star prospect Moussa Cisse will reclassify to the Class of 2020 and enroll in college this summer, the 6-foot-11 center told Jonathan Givony of ESPN on Wednesday.
Cisse, the No. 8 prospect by 247Sports, will graduate from high school next week after finishing up his final two core classes. He plans to commit to a college sometime next week and will make his decision once he receives his high school diploma.
Cisse told ESPN that he is considering six programs: Kentucky, Memphis, Florida State, LSU, Georgia and Georgetown. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cisse was only able to take one official visit to FSU but made unofficial stops at Kentucky and Memphis.
Cisse, a native of Guinea, moved to the United States in 2015 and played at St. Benedict’s Prep in New Jersey and Christ the King High School in New York. He played alongside Terence Clarke on the AAU Nike EYBL circuit last year, averaging 11.4 points, 11 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game.
By enrolling in college this summer, Cisse will be eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft.
Tennessee basketball in the hunt for 5-star center Moussa Cisse.
Tennessee basketball has a loaded roster going into the 2020-21 season, paired with the program’s highest rated recruiting class in history as Rick Barnes enters his sixth season as head coach. That has not stopped the Vols from pursuing high-end talent, however, as elite in-state center prospect Moussa Cisse included UT in his list of final 10 schools.
A 6-foot-10, 220-pound center out of Memphis, Cisse has been highly sought after throughout his recruitment. The top prospect in Tennessee according to 247Sports, Cisse also rates as the No. 8 overall prospect in his class. Not surprisingly, his hometown Memphis Tigers are in the run to land Cisse, along with Kentucky. Georgetown is also in the mix, led by legendary former Georgetown and NBA center Patrick Ewing.
Georgia and Alabama joined Tennessee as SEC schools on the list, with Florida State, Illinois and USC also included.
Cisse’s length and athleticism with his wingspan have made him a rebounding and defending prospect for college scouts to drool over. Tennessee has quite a long road to go down to land the 5-star, but if secured it would bring even more excitement to a Tennessee program that is poised for success in 2020.
KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team is in the running for a top post player in the nation.
Moussa Cisse, a 6-foot-10, 220-pound power forward and center, announced his top-10 schools and UT is one of five Southeastern Conference teams still in the running for the junior, who plays for Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis.
He is also considering offers from Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Georgetown, the University of Southern California, Illinois, Florida State and Memphis.
Cisse, who hails from Middle Village, New York, is a five-star recruit and a member of the 2019-20 Max Preps Junior All-American Team.
Many believe the NBA Draft will feature a stronger prospect pool in 2021 than what the 2020 class will offer. But it may get even deeper.
Many believe the NBA Draft will feature a stronger prospect pool in 2021 than what the 2020 class will offer. But it may get even deeper.
Our mock draft for 2021 featured blurbs on several high school juniors who have already reclassified to forego their senior seasons, including Terrence Clarke (Kentucky), Devin Askew (Kentucky) and JT Thor (uncommitted). Another high school junior who narrowly missed the cut was Cam Hayes, who committed to North Carolina State.
However, we believe that the topic of reclassification will become even more pressing in the coming few weeks and months. Perhaps one reason why high school juniors may want to join a class that is already loaded is the following year could become even more crowded.
It is fairly well known that the NBA may allow high school seniors to enter the draft in 2022 for the first time since Amir Johnson was selected in 2005. That means that the draft class will feature all of the usual college prospects as well as an influx of high school talent as well.
There would be an incentive, then, for top high school juniors to find a way to separate themselves by potentially showcasing what they are capable of when playing against NCAA talent. Scouts and executives are more familiar with evaluating college basketball players than high schoolers.
As such, here is what you need to know about the high school stars that are most rumored to join the ranks of the Class of 2020 and then potentially be eligible to be selected in the 2021 NBA Draft.
JONATHAN KUMINGA
Forward, 6-foot-8, The Patrick School (New Jersey)
Background: Jonathan Kuminga is considered, nearly unanimously, the best high school junior in the country. He averaged 20.8 points per game on the Nike EYBL Division B circuit in 2019, showing his prolific scoring ability. Kuminga also had the second-most points per game (27.4) among all players in the Peach Jam Tournament last year. As recently noted by SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell, the forward could be a top-five pick in the 2021 NBA Draft if he chooses to reclassify. He will participate at the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during All-Star Weekend in Chicago.
NCAA: Back in October, the top prospect announced that he was not going to reclassify. However, that has not quieted any of the speculations that he will forego his senior season and play college basketball next season. He narrowed his collegiate decision to ten schools in November 2019. Kuminga also had an official visit from Kentucky head coach John Calipari in January. Corey Evans of Rivals believes Duke could add Kuminga via reclassification to their Class of 2020. Evans has called his recruitment “fluid” so though the talk of him reclassifying was once silenced, it could easily change.
