NBA Draft 2021 Top-65 Big Board

The NBA Draft is stocked up on talent. Here are the top 65 guys coming into the draft.

1. Cade Cunningham

This is obvious. Cunningham will be the best player of this draft. What more can be said about him that already hasn’t been saying. Cade is a 5-tool prospect. A jack of all trades if there ever was one. Enough said.

2. Evan Mobley

Mobley is one of the best talents in this draft. He can score close to the basket, but also stretch the floor. Mobley is one of the most athletic bigs seen in recent years. He’ll be the centerpiece for a team’s frontcourt for years to come.

3. Jalen Green

I wasn’t sold on Green going into the Disney G-League bubble. However, he showed his scoring ability during the G-League season. Without question, Green has the upside to be one of the best scorers in the draft. He’s got a well-rounded game. Green is an explosive athlete.

4. Jalen Suggs

We know he can hit the big shot. Suggs is also super athletic. I do not think he’s going to be a consistent scorer. Suggs has a shot to be the best playmaker in the draft. And I’m in the big minority that thinks he’s not going to develop as a scorer. I see Ben Simmons in his game.

5. Josh Giddey

I saved this player profile for last. Giddey is my guy this draft. I love international mysteries. Like LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton, Giddey is an NBL standout.

I’d like to provide a quote from Giddey given to Mike Schmitz of ESPN

“With my size, being able to be versatile, playing 1 through 3, guarding 1 through 3,” he said. “I’m unselfish, and guys will like to play with me because I can get them the ball where they want it, when they want it. I love to pass the ball”

I did not provide any quotes about or from any player in any of these profiles. Giddey is the only one. When I looked at this, I couldn’t believe a potential draft pick would mention defense and pass as strengths. A lot want to be the scorers, Giddey has a pretty good head on his shoulders. He’s Luka Doncic in the sense he can get a triple-double as a PG every night. He might not have the scoring, yet, I don’t think it matters. He’s a stud.

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6. Johnathan Kuminga

Athletically gifted?Yes. Freak of Nature? Also yes. Kuminga is a monster. He just lacks a jump shot. All the intangibles are there. I feel he’s going to be an excellent defender. But, his signature trait is he’s a high-flyer and plays above the rim. You’ll need to convince me greatly he still belongs in the top-5.

7.Keon Johnson

I’ll do this a few times in these draft rankings. Two guys who I feel have very similar NBA upsides. Like Patrick Williams and Devin Vassell last year, Keon and Jaden Springer are teammates who I believe teams will see great potential. In a vacuum, I’ll take Johnson because he’s a more athletically gifted prospect.

8. Jaden Springer

( see Keon Johnson)

9. James Bouknight

The Sophomore guard from Connecticut can outscore anyone in this draft. He’s excellent at getting the ball to the basket. A very crafty and quick scorer, who can use his speed to get past his defender. The 3-point shot needs work. Bouknight shoots over 5 per game and eventually, that will become a big part of his offensive skill set. Bouknight lit up the NCAA pre-injury. And he will do the same once he carves out a role in the NBA.

10. Scottie Barnes

Based on pure overall basketball IQ, Barnes is the top pick. He’s probably a more all-around player than Cade Cunningham. However, that doesn’t apply to his shooting. You see, perhaps the only thing really holding Barnes back is his scoring ability. I’d have him top-3 if I was convinced he’d be even just a 15 ppg scorer in the NBA. I just don’t see that.

11. Day’Ron Sharpe

A lot of novice college basketball fans might not be aware of Sharpe. He’s an ultra-talented freshman big that has been used mostly as a bench option for the Tar Heels. Sharpe contributes heavily in his 19 minutes per game, and given a full-time role in the NBA, he’ll be one of the most effective scorers and rebounders of this class. I believe he’s going to excel in the pick-and-roll and might be an above-average passer out of the post.

12. Usman Garuba

Garuba can run the floor, play the paint, playback to the basket, and do a lot of the things NBA GM’s want. Maybe not the most effective scorer, however, that might not matter for a guy of his size and athleticism. The best is truly yet to come. In an elimination game for Real Madrid, Garuba scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. That might have been his final European game. Do you think he’s ready for the NBA?

13. Davion Mitchell

Perhaps no player made a bigger statement in March than Mitchell. He’s a PG that can defend, score, and do all the things you want a star PG to do. What’s the catch? Why is he not higher? Mitchell will be 23 at the beginning of the NBA season. How much projection is left in his game?

14.Ayo Dosonmu

Ahhhhh, why all the hate for Ayo? He was arguably the best player in college basketball last season. A lot of scouts don’t know whether he projects as an SG or PG. Ayo is a PG in the NBA. He’s a playmaker. Is he the best in the class? No
Does he have a chance at being a top NBA guard? Yes. The team who drafts him gets a leader and someone who’s a proven winner. Will they use him right is the question

15.Sharife Cooper

Possibly my most underrated guy of this draft. Cooper is actually far from underrated. Nobody really talks about him though. His size is a factor (6’1 is stretching the truth), and he might not be the most effective scorer from a percentage standpoint. But, what he did when debuted after an NCAA suspension warrants a look as a lottery pick. Thereby be some development, however, may be more than anyone in this draft not named Josh Giddey, he’s got so much that could go right.

16. Alperen Sengun

Sengun is a project. He’s got an NBA frame. He’s got a good finish around the basket. Sengun is not the most agile of players. If he can develop some quickness and the lateral movement he’s going to be a special player. The reward far outweighs the risk. All of this sounds very similar to the early scouting reports on Nikola Jokic. Teams won’t make the same mistake twice.

17.Cam Thomas

Thomas has scored 20 or more points in 20 of his first 24 games. Oh, and 27 and 30 points in the NCAA Tournament. The freshman guard has been the catalyst for the LSU Tigers offensive attack. While not much else in the way of contributing stats, Thomas will make a name for himself in the NBA as an elite scoring threat. You need a player with a killer mentality when it comes to getting the ball in the basket.

18 Jared Butler

I love Jared Butler. He’s a defender, a consistent 16 ppg, a solid passer and rebounder, and is going to carve out a role as an effective 3 and D wing (maybe more). Now, why is he lower than Davion Mitchell? I know this is my big board and how I see these guys (Josh Giddey ranking being a prime example) however, I firmly believe NBA GM’s will overlook Butler for Mitchell because Mitchell is a true PG. Age should be a factor, but in this case, Butler is below his Baylor teammate.

19. Moses Moody

Moody has been said by many to be the best scorer in the draft. He does have a deadly 3-point shot and will use that in the NBA. I just feel he profiles as a 3-and-D guy who will be settled into a bench role. I don’t see a 20+ ppg scorer. But, as with any player that can score at his rate at the collegiate level, he needs to be mentioned. I am very intrigued by his offensive rebounding potential. He averaged 2 a game during his only season at Arkansas.

20. Corey Kispert

Jalen Suggs gets all the hype at Gonzaga. Kispert is the one who deserves the most credit for the Zags’ success. He shot the ball at a .529 rate,  taking only 12.3 shots per game. While no NBA team will use him in a feature scoring role (think Kyle Korver or J.J. Reddick), Kispert will make the most of his time on the court. He’s going to knock down big shots. Just to put his shooting in perspective, Kispert took 55 3-point shots over 6 NCAA Tournament games.

21. Charles Bassey

Bassey might be the most efficient inside scorer of all the C’s. He’s not going to score away from the paint, however, he won’t miss near it. A similar player to fellow Western Kentucky alum, Mitchell Robinson, and NBA vet, DeAndre Jordan, he’s a defensive force that won’t hurt your FG%. Is there enough outside of that to make him an NBA star? Or is he just a viable role player? I’m going somewhere in the middle.

22.Jalen Johnson

Not getting started on this. Johnson could be a top-5 player. I do have some bias as to his quitting on Duke. I believe scouts and GMs will look at that. IMO, the character far outweighs the talent. In this case, that’s a bad thing.

23.Ziaire Williams

There were a few guys who really fell off this season. Williams was one of the poster boys for that. He’s still a player with a really high upside. But, there’s so much growth that needs to occur. In any Stanford game I watched (I’m on the West Coast so it was enough) I don’t feel I ever felt Williams really wanted to take over a game. Does he truly have that killer instinct?

24.Kai Jones

A lot of analysts and scouts are high on Jones. He oozes potential and could have star power. I don’t see this at all. His freshman to sophomore jump at Texas hasn’t really been as great as projected. Jones is going to be a project. He’s at this spot because it could really pay off.  However, this could also be one of the biggest busts in the draft. I just don’t see it. Hence why I’m lower than most.

25. Daishen Nix

Consider me intrigued. I’ve got a thing for PGs. In high school, my coach told me you’re nothing without a great PG. How does that apply to Nix? Well, he’s a great PG. In a perfect world, he’s got a high basketball IQ with amazing passing skills and a developing shot. While the world isn’t perfect just yet, things look promising for that. I’m going to call it now. If any PG in this draft is to average over 10 assists a game, it’s Nix. Now, will a team be patient enough to let it happen? Who knows.

26. JT Thor

Thor is a top-5 pick…..in 2022
He’s freakishly athletic. Averaged 1.4 blocks in 23 minutes to go along with 9.4 points and 5 rebounds. But, he’s probably a 2nd round pick. I have him at 26 because I see the potential and think he’s a damn good NBA prospect. He’d be a lot higher next year.

27. Max Abmas

I so want to put Abmas higher. I’ve mentioned there are plenty of great scorers in this draft. Abmas on paper is the best. In the NBA, he might not be. He shows more all-around skill than Cam Thomas, however, guys like Thomas are battle-tested playing in the SEC. Despite Oral Roberts’ deep Tourney run, he might not have enough tape for scouts to really deep dive into his game.

28. Franz Wagner

Wagner can play every perimeter position on the court. He’s got great length and can develop into a solid 3-point shooter. Nothing excites me about him. He can carve out a role as a 6th man, but I really just see him as a longer version of Luke Kennard.

29. James Robinson-Earl

Do I think JRE is a superstar? No, I do not. I do think he’s a solid starter on a good NBA team. He’s gotten a great start to his career playing at Villanova, who’ve put out some solid NBA talent. Here’s a player comp. Richaun Holmes, although, Robinson-Earl has a bit more footwork.

30. Isaiah Jackson

Potential. That’s the key to Jackson. He’s going to be a dominant NBA big. Why do I see him as a star over other big men like Kai Jones? 2.6 blocks as a 6’10 freshman. I see the upside here. Does he need to score more? Yes. He did only attempt 5.5 shots per game. With an NBA workload, I’d be very excited to have him on my team.

31. Joel Ayayi

Ayayi was overshadowed by Suggs, Kispert, and Drew Timmie at Gonzaga. That’s not an indication of how he’s going to be in the NBA. Ayayi can score. He attempted 8 field goals a game. He made more than half. Kispert will go higher because he projects as a better 3 and D wing, and has a bigger sample size of taking on a scoring load. I’d not be surprised if Ayayi ended up the better player. There is a bit of uncertainty though.

32. Kofi Cockburn

Probably the most dominant big in college basketball, Cockburn just doesn’t have one great skill outside of being a physical force. He’s a banger that’ll get some notice from teams. His upside seems to be tapped, which doesn’t bode well for his NBA future. I’ll say this, he dominated at the end of the season. He might be an old-school NBA big, but he’s going to be hard to knock off.

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33  Cris Duarte

Duarte can score the ball. His stock rose highly during March. Like Davion Mitchell, he’s 23. Unlike Davion Mitchell, Duarte doesn’t really have the other skills that make him an all-around player. On skill, he’s getting drafted. I don’t think that’s going anywhere though.

34. Trey Mann

Mann is a sneaky good pick for any GM. He nearly tripled his production in every category from his freshman to sophomore seasons. While he’s going to be a good defender, solid shooter, he doesn’t have the passing ability of someone like Barnes, nor do I see any great upside.

35.Jay Huff

Huff is another stretch big. He’s an effective scorer from the 2-point range and can shoot the 3. Huff might be one of the best screen setters of anyone in this class. I’d like to think of him as a more athletic Channing Frye. Good value for a team that needs an effective pick and roll big man. He’s not a superstar. However, most teams will salivate at the thought of a productive stretch big in the 2nd round.

36.Kessler Edwards

Sleeper Alert! Edwards is 6’8 big from Pepperdine. He’s got a good ability to rebound and score. He shoots .868 from the FT line. His biggest issue for the NBA. At his height, where does he best fit in? If he finds that niche and can play a PF role at his height, he’s a top-20 talent. That’s going to be tough on him.

37. Isaiah Todd

Another G-League Ignite project. Todd flashed a lot of potentials. Nothing really stands out. He’s just going to be a player one NBA team definitely takes a chance on.

38. Nah’Son Hyland

As far as PGs go, Hyland is in the class of Davion Mitchell and Miles McBride as the best defender of the draft. Unlike Mitchell, Hyland doesn’t have the scoring, and not as much upside as you’d like to see. He’s kind of lumped together with the next player on the board.

39. Miles McBride

(See Nah’Son Hyland)

40. David Duke

Here’s the thing about David Duke. I don’t know if he’s going to be a pass-first or shoot-first point guard. Duke averaged 16.8 points during the 20-21 season at Providence. He also shot the ball at a .387 rate. Duke averaged 4.8 assists during the 20-21 season at Providence. He also turned the ball over 3.2 times a game. If he can improve the shooting and cut down the turnovers, he’s capable of carving out a significant role on a roster. I don’t think he’s going to really improve either for it to make that much of a difference for him.

41. Jason Preston

Playing for Ohio University, Preston is one of the premier PGs in the country you haven’t heard of (of course after Ohio U’s NCAA Tournament run you very well might have )He’s got a real good sense of the game, evident by his all-around play. He averaged just over 7 assists per game. Combine that with his 15.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game average this season you’ve got a real sleeper  He blossomed during an early-season matchup against Illinois, where Preston went toe to toe with fellow NBA Draft PG prospect, and Wooden Award runner-up, Ayo Dosonmu. It’s the high basketball IQ that will have Preston soaring up draft boards. I’d have him so much higher if he didn’t come from the MAC Conference.

42.Roko Prkacin

As far as raw talent goes, Roko has a lot. He’s 18-years-old with a very solid understanding of the game. Scouts have him pegged as a point forward, and he could very well be a playmaker in the NBA. His main downfall, Roko is a very poor jump shooter. He’s going to attack the basket, and is as agile as some guards, giving him a big advantage with his size. However, with no jumper, I don’t see a bright future. With that being said, he’s 18. A lot can change.

43. Filip Petrusev

Petrusev was a potential first-round pick in 2020. He was an over 17 ppg scorer at Gonzaga. Petrusev decided to play his final amateur year overseas. His hype has died down considerably. To be honest, this could be a steal. He’s going first round. I’d have him higher if he continued his play at the collegiate level for another season.

44. Neemias Queta

Queta is a big, powerful center. He’s going to bully players around in the post. He’s had a slight FG percentage regression and doesn’t really spread the floor. Teams are going to struggle to find a consistent role for him in their offense. Think of him as a less athletic Montrezl Harrell

45.Mojave King

I don’t know much about King. I do feel he’s neatly suited for the 2022 Draft. I know he’s got a high basketball IQ. The New Zeland product can be a steal for a team. But, he’s nothing more than a draft-and-stash 2nd rounder at this point.

46. BJ Boston Jr.

At the beginning of the college season, Boston was a top-3 pick. But, his poor shooting has dropped him way below the first-round range. I fully believe and anticipate a team will take him in the first round because he’s a talent (and did improve a bit at the end of Kentucky’s season.). In my eyes, he’s a project. And as of now, nowhere near the best, the draft has to offer. I do have a feeling I’ll eat my words on this one.

47.Josh Christopher

I don’t know. I like Christopher, I don’t see anything that really makes me love him. Not much of a passer or rebounder, not a guy I see as a high-volume scorer.

48. Marcus Bagley

I’ll keep this short and sweet. Bagley has a shot at being a very effective player. Like his brother Marvin, he comes across as a bit of an injury risk. And I’m not fully convinced his father will keep out of team politics if Marcus doesn’t get minutes. Nothing against his game, he’s just got a lot going against him.

49. Quentin Grimes

Grimes can score with anyone in the draft. Perhaps the best scorer in the class outside of Bouknight, Thomas, and Abrams. He’s not as explosive, nor has the upside of those three, which is why I have him lower. He could carve out a role on a team in a scoring capacity. Although, even that will be at the 10-12 points per game range.

50.Ron Harper Jr

I love Ron Harper Jr. I will go on record and say that. He’s a solid scorer who has an aggressive knack for getting the dirty work done. His production fell off after an injury last season, and he never really regained form. He’s a much better scorer than his father was. And at the very least, can be just as solid of a role player. However, I see bigger things.
Assuming, it all goes right.

51.David Johnson

I won’t say Johnson is my favorite point guard prospect in the draft. I don’t think he’s an effective scorer at the NBA level. He was the only player in the ACC to rank in the top-25 passing and rebounding. That says something considering how deep the ACC is. You’d be dumb not to take a flier and let him refine himself in the G-League. Perhaps if the scoring improves we will really have elite talent.

52. Ikou Dianko Badji

Dianko Badji is one of many international wild cards. He’s going to be a very effective shot-blocker in the NBA. He’s still got a lot to learn around the basket on offense. We could be looking at one of the best offensive rebounders in the draft class. He just needs a bit more polish.

53. Yves Pons

This is all about defense. A team that takes Pons will be very happy he’s going to give them a solid, perhaps elite, defender to the rotation. I have no idea what else he’ll bring to the table. Pons will have plenty of time to figure it out. No coach is going to take him off the court given his defensive ability.

54.Greg Brown

Again, like Texas teammate, Kai Jones, it’s all about potential. Brown might be one of the most inefficient passers in all of college basketball. In fact, the assist numbers are so poor I’m embarrassed to type them. I don’t think he’ll stand a chance in the NBA with such a low ability to pass the ball.

55. Ariel Hukporti

Right now, Hukporti isn’t a top NBA prospect.  In 2 or 3 years this is a different story. He’s going to find his offensive game. Already a very effective shot-blocker and defender, Hukporti is a freak of nature. The raw talent is there. If he puts it all together, there’s something here.

56. Marcus Zegarowski

I was a big fan of Grant Riller last season. He was one of my sleepers and I did think he could have cracked the first round. Zegarowski is one of those guys for me this year. I do not think he’s the scorer of Riller, but he’s a defender, passer, and leader. And unlike Riller, he played on a top-25 team. If I were to compare him to anyone in the NBA now, and how I view him as a player, I’ll go with Matthew Dellevadova. And before you laugh, realize the career he’s had. Not an All-Star, a solid NBA vet. And before you make jokes, he was a key piece to the Cleveland Cavs’ success. Zegarowski could have that same effect.

57.Isaiah Livers

I’m not a huge fan of Livers. A senior guard with not a lot of upside doesn’t appeal to me. With that being said, I believe if he had played for Michigan in the NCAA Tournament, we might have a different National Champion. That doesn’t really apply well to his NBA Draft stock in terms of potential, I just think he’s worth something as a glue guy off the bench and in the locker room.

58.Malcolm Cazalon

Nobody really knows much from Cazalon. I don’t know if he projects as more of a point guard or shooting guard. He’s great in transition (some of his highlights are extremely impressive). Does he have a good enough shot to make it in the league? One area of real concern is injury history. Cazalon has had numerous injuries to his leg. Based on potential, he’s athletic enough for a team to stash. I just don’t think he’s anything more than a poor man’s Dante Exum.

59.Luka Garza

Yes, the Wooden Award favorite is last on the Center list. Why? There isn’t one thing Garza does extremely well except shoot. That one skill isn’t going to give him many NBA minutes. He’s got little upside and a very one-dimensional game. I doubt he gets drafted. On the other hand, he’s the Wooden Award winner. Someone will do it and pray it works out.

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60.Isiah Mobley

He’s not anywhere near his brother’s skill. However, Isiah could carve out a Robin Lopez-type role as his brother plays the Brook Lopez part. He won’t be more than a backup big. At the end of the draft, however, sign me up!

61.Aaron Henry

Michigan State has a history of finding and developing defensive prospects. Henry, and I truly believe this, might be the most versatile defensive wing in the draft. He’s also a jack of all trades. Henry is a solid shooter, rebounder, and passer. He doesn’t have a killer 3-point shot, and that does hurt him a bit when compared to others such as Moses Moody. To be honest, I don’t see the killer instinct in him that’s going to take over games in the clutch. But, we should know better than to doubt a second-round talent from Michigan State.

62. Sandro Mamukelashvili

Mamukelashvili did improve every year at Seton Hall. He played over 35 minutes per game during his senior season. I’m most intrigued by his passing ability. He’s not on a Day’Ron Sharpe or Evan Mobley level, but 3 or 4 assists per game aren’t out of the question. He’s not a shot-blocker and not much of a defender at 6’11. Sandro doesn’t have those defensive chops to be a truly dominant center, and he doesn’t profile as a stretch 4. He’s somewhere in between. If he can find his groove in the NBA, he’s a role player with a bright future.

63.Rokas Jokubaitis

Jok almost came out during the 2020 NBA Draft. He opted to stay in Lithuania for another year. I’m not sure how much that really helped him. He’s not going to be a first-round pick. He didn’t really improve his draft stock. He’s a point guard that has good passing skills, however, his shot is not as efficient as some other point guards in the draft. Rokas isn’t a very athletic player. He doesn’t have that same flashy play as Killian Hayes ( who was taken by Detroit in the 1st rnd last year) did like last year’s point guard man of mystery. At 20 years of age, he’s going to be a draft and stash. But, it’s unlikely he sniffs the NBA for 2 or 3 more years at best.

64. Oliver Saar

Two years ago, Saar is a first-round pick. He left Wake Forest last season to join Kentucky. While this should have been a boost for him, Saar has regressed so much that he might not even be signed as an undrafted free agent. He’s got a ton of red flags. If by some chance he can tap into that potential once again, there’s hope.
I’m not counting on it.

65. Derrick Alston Jr.

The Boise State product returned to school for the 2021 season after flirting with the NBA. He best profiles as a 3-and-D wing. Alston is very lanky and could look to add some muscle to his 6’9 frame. His main drawback is going to be his age. Unlike the top 3-and-D guys in this draft, Alston is 24-years-old. There is very little upside or potential in his game.

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