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.
The Celtics have only their second-round pick slated to come in at No. 45 overall, so this range makes sense if they plan on using it. But despite having traded away their first-round pick in this year’s draft, the team has been interviewing prospects projected to the first round, even including a few players in lottery range.
So, while we can’t tell you too much about what Boston might be planning based on who they’ve been interviewing and working out, we can tell you about the players they are reported to have interest in — let’s take a quick look.
Boston isn’t slacking off in pre-draft workouts despite the fact they currently have no first-round pick. https://t.co/xCV41zAcGy
Now that the early entry list is officially out and combine invitations have been sent out, the 2021 NBA draft class is starting to finalize.
Now that the early entry deadline has passed and combine invitations have been sent out, the 2021 NBA draft class is starting to finalize.
Last year, the NCAA tournament and the combine were both canceled due to the pandemic. That made evaluations much tougher for scouts and front offices around the league. This year, the pre-draft process feels somewhat normal again for top basketball prospects who are set to join the pros.
As a new class of players prepares to turn professional, here is how we would currently rank this class based on what we have seen from them so far, with some of my picks that are higher than other experts have them ranked.
As the NBA’s 2020-21 regular season nears its close, the league’s next wave of talent is preparing to take the great leap to become pros.
As the NBA’s 2020-21 regular season nears its close, the league’s next wave of talent is preparing to take the great leap to become pros.
Players have until the end of this month, May 30, to apply for entry into the 2021 NBA draft. They will then have until July 19 to determine whether or not they plan to stay in this class or (unless they hired an agent who does not have NCAA certification) return to school.
This is obviously an incredibly difficult decision and as the majority of early entry candidates have made their intentions public, those who are testing the waters are already weighing their options.
Fortunately, the NBA’s Undergraduate Advisory Committee (UAC) exists to help answer some of those questions.
Reminder as NBA prospects ask for feedback on their draft stock, they're given a projected range from Advisory Committee: Lottery, 15-30, 31-45, 46-60, Undrafted.
Prospects get updated written feedback from execs after NBA combine prior to withdrawal date.
The advisory committee, which began in 1997, offers feedback to prospects on their potential draft stock. As many prospects are facing pivotal decisions about their future, this kind of intel is incredibly important.
Players like Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert and Baylor’s Jared Butler both went through this process last season, likely were not satisfied with the results and opted to return. Now, after tremendous efforts last season, both are projected first-rounders.
These decisions have tremendous financial implications for these individuals as well. For example, even if Kispert or Butler went with the last pick in the first round in 2020, they would have likely earned a contract worth around $5 million over three years. This year, even if they went outside of the lottery at at No. 15 overall, that would be around $8.5 million.
With that in mind, for the latest version of For The Win’s 2021 NBA draft big board, I’ve provided my evaluation for the top prospects expected to be in the pre-draft process. Players excluded from this exercise were likely because the reporting suggests that they are going back to school.
Note that these decisions were fully based on where I would have each player ranked, not a projection, although various conversations with scouts as well as other talent evaluators around the league have factored into my evaluation.
Which future NBA players played the best during March Madness? Who has made the most significant improvements to their draft stock since our last update?
Which future NBA players played the best during March Madness? Which prospects made the most significant improvements to their draft stock?
Since our previous update last month, these are the players who have improved their stock and are trending up on mock drafts: Davion Mitchell (Baylor), Josh Giddey (Adelaide), Chris Duarte (Oregon), Miles McBride (West Virginia), Aaron Henry (Michigan State), Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona), Kessler Edwards (Pepperdine), Trey Murphy (Virginia) and Neemias Queta (Utah State).
Some of the names that did not make the list last time but now appear among the Top 60 include Isaiah Todd (G League Ignite), Johnny Juzang (UCLA), Max Abmas (Oral Roberts), RaiQuan Gray (Florida State), Santi Aldama (Loyola Maryland and Austin Reaves (Oklahoma).
Below are the full rankings based on the latest mock drafts from top analysts and experts.
HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report
This includes some names to watch in the men’s tourney.
March Madness is set to begin, which means for college basketball fans, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. But it’s also one of the busiest times for scouts and executives around the NBA.
Last season, the men’s NCAA Tournament was canceled due to COVID-19, which makes the stakes even higher for those involved in this year’s event. It will be a fascinating few weeks of basketball, all unfolding in Indiana, and the games are sure to further illuminate who may be most worth targeting in the 2021 NBA Draft.
But in addition to the spotlight of college basketball fully underway, we have now also seen the entirety of the 2021 G League season. That included the inaugural campaign for the Ignite, a pathway to the NBA for top talents who sought an alternative to the NCAA. Their exciting playoff run taught us more about prospects including Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga.
So with those results in mind, and with the college basketball postseason on the horizon, we have ranked the Top 100 prospects most likely set to make the jump to the NBA next season.
Our methodology for the rankings includes conversations with folks around the league, learning the general consensus surrounding a player, as well as a deep dive into stats and game film.
To put everything in perspective, we have also included everyone’s previous ranks from our last update, published on Jan. 22. This helps show whether a player is trending up or trending down and also helps illuminate how much can change in just two months of action.
As the madness begins during the men’s NCAA Tournament, follow along to see how these players are performing, as many will make a case to move up or down once the nets are cut on Apr. 5, 2021.
Recapping UT’s win over Florida in the SEC Tournament Friday.
Yves Pons etched his name in the Southeastern Conference Tournament record book Friday afternoon.
Pons, Tennessee’s senior forward, blocked nine shots in the fourth-seeded Volunteers’ 78-66 victory over Florida in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Pons’ defensive presence in the post spearheaded Tennessee’s effort, and his nine blocks tied a single-game record in the tournament. He also broke UT’s single-game record for blocks.
Pons also posted a solid offensive effort for the Vols (18-7) as he scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds and dished out one assist.
The fifth-seeded Gators (14-9) never led in the contest and Tennessee stepped up its game after John Fulkerson was injured in the second half. He left the game and entered concussion protocol.
Florida’s Omar Payne was called for a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game after he elbowed Fulkerson in the head.
The Vols, who will now take on top-seeded Alabama Saturday at 1 p.m. EST. in the semifinals, boated a balanced scoring attack.
Santiago Vescovi led the way with 14 points as he knocked down four 3-pointers. Keon Johnson added 13, while Josiah-Jordan James had 12. Pons and Jaiden Springer had 11 points each for the Vols, who opened a 28-12 lead midway through the first half and held a 31-22 advantage at halftime.
James had nine rebounds in the contest and Vescovi dished out five assists.
Florida’s Tre Mann led all scorers with 30 points. He scored 28 of the Gators’ 44 second-half points.
A regular season of ups and downs ended on a high note for Tennessee.
The Volunteers won its 2020-21 regular-season finale Sunday against Florida.
The Vols overcame a 14-point deficit and used a big second half to notch a 65-54 victory over Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Late in the first half, Tennessee (17-7, 10-7 SEC) was behind Florida (13-8, 9-7), 31-17. Tennessee closed the gap to 33-28 by halftime.
The Vols slowly turned things into its favor as it outscored the Gators, 37-21, after the break.
Tennessee’s victory claims a No. 4 seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
The Vols will have a double-bye and return to the court Friday at 2 p.m. EST against an opponent to be determined.
With the win, UT avenged a 75-49 loss to the Gators in Gainesville earlier this season.
Mar 7, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteers forward John Fulkerson (10) and guard Yves Pons (35) are recognized on senior day before the game against the Florida Gators at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Seniors John Fulkerson and Yves Pons came up big to close things out.
Fulkerson posted one of his best efforts of the campaign as he scored 14 points, pulled down seven rebounds, dished out four assists and recorded a steal.
The Kingsport, Tennessee native slapped the floor as he left the court. The contest was in all likelihood his final game at Thompson-Boling Arena. He choked back tears as he was saluted by fans and teammates while departing.
Pons, meanwhile, scored five points and grabbed eight boards for Tennessee.
Victor Bailey Jr. and Keon Johnson also poured in 14 points for the Big Orange. Josiah-Jordan James finished the contest with eight points for the Vols.
Tyree Appleby led the Gators with 19 points and Colin Castleton had 11.
Which future NBA players will be playing during March Madness? Who have been the best players on the inaugural G League Ignite squad?
Which future NBA players will be playing during March Madness? Who have been the best players on the inaugural G League Ignite squad?
These are the kind of questions that many basketball fans are asking right now, especially if their favorite team is projected to have a lottery pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
Now that the NCAA tournament is on the horizon, and as the G League Ignite’s first year nears the end of the regular season, players have started separating themselves as potential top picks.
Since our last update back in December, these are the players who have improved the most: Kai Jones (Texas), Sharife Cooper (Auburn), Taevion Kinsey (Marshall), Moses Moody (Arkansas), Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga), Davion Mitchell (Baylor), Nah’shon Hyland (VCU) and Corey Kispert (Gonzaga).
Below are the full rankings based on the latest mock drafts from top analysts and experts.
HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report
On what playing Kansas does to bring out the best in him:
“Kansas is a special team for me and I think for Fulky too. This is our third time playing against them. They kicked our butt the first two times, so it’s a great challenge to play them and they’re a great team. I was really excited about getting my revenge and that’s what we did tonight.”
On how he’s feeling physically:
“I feel great. It’s a game, so you’re going to get hit. I just need to get in the training room tomorrow and work on my body and I’ll be ready for our next game.”
On why the talk coach Barnes had with everyone regarding their roles was so effective:
“We needed a big change. We haven’t been the Tennessee team we’ve been from the beginning. Tonight, we got back to our standard. The talk we had yesterday was really effective and efficient. We freed our minds and focused on what we have to do personally and what our jobs our on the team and today I think everyone showed what they have to do.”
