Hoops Hype has Sharife Cooper as late first-round pick in 2021 NBA Draft

Auburn freshman point guard Sharife Cooper is slated as a late first-round pick in the latest Hoops Hype NBA mock draft.

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Sharife Cooper has a difficult decision facing him as the Auburn point guard decides whether to enter the NBA draft or return to the Plains for his sophomore season.

While signs point toward him going the pro route, the idea of having him back along with all the talent returning for the Tigers next season is fun to think about.

The NBA experts at Hoops Hype currently have Cooper down a bit in draft status compare to other analysts as they have the 6-foot-1 guard going in the 23rd spot.

Cooper’s freshman season was interrupted twice as he missed the first 11 games due to eligibility issues and then the final four games of the season due to an ankle injury. In between, he was the leader of the Tigers’ offense by averaging 20.2 points and 8.1 assists per game.

Sharife Cooper up to No. 9 in ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft

Auburn freshman point guard Sharife Cooper continues to rise in ESPN’s NBA mock draft.

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Auburn fans that want to see Sharife Cooper stay around for another season on the Plains should look away now.

The star freshman point guard has risen up ESPN’s NBA draft stock in the last week or two and is at No. 9 in their latest mock draft.

Through nine games with the Tigers, Cooper is averaging 20.3 points, 8.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, the first two categories leading the Tigers in that time span.

Thought to be the next one-and-done for Bruce Pearl, Cooper had to sit out the first 11 games of the season due to eligibility issues. He made his debut on Jan. 9 against Alabama. Cooper has recorded three double-doubles including this past Saturday against Ole Miss when he scored 15 points and had 14 assists in the Tigers’ overtime loss.