Three Potential Sleepers Of The 2021 NBA Draft Class

We’ve got months before the 2021 NBA Draft. The collegiate season has yet to even finish. Plenty can change with time. There are a growing number of players who have stepped onto the National scene as potential sleepers. Guys who haven’t gotten the notoriety of names such as Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, or Jalen Suggs, have been popping up left and right.

It’s time to give a few of them their due.

Much like Obi Toppin of 2020, sometimes players emerge onto the draft scene quicker than the speed of light. While there isn’t a Toppin-esque jump for any player this year, there are a select number of players, stateside and international, that have a good shot a being a lottery or first-round selection. While there are a lot of potential names to discuss, these are three players who seem to have made the biggest jump.

MORE NBA: Sleepers of the 2020 NBA Draft

Josh Giddey

An Australian basketball prodigy, Giddey is one of the biggest unknowns in NBA Draft history. Playing in the NBL (the same Australian league that showcased LaMelo Ball and R.J. Hampton), Giddey has the misfortune of not being able to be viewed by NBA scouts due to Covid restrictions. At 6-8, Giddey is a PG with amazing size. He excels at getting to the basket. Not a prolific scorer, almost similar to that of last year’s mystery man, Detroit Pistons rookie, Killian Hayes.

We don’t know much about Giddey. What is known is that scouts are salivating at the thought of his potential. Teams will be hesitant to draft, however, there will be enough interest to shoot him into the bottom half of the first round.

Jason Preston

Very few casual fans take notice of the MAC Conference. That’s not uncommon for a Conference that has only 2 current active NBA players. Jason Preston will be the next MAC alum to enter the NBA. Considering his story to get to where he is now, that’s a remarkable accomplishment. While that’s an important part of the Preston saga, his game is what needs to be noted.

Playing for Ohio University, Preston is one of the premier PG’s in the country. He’s got a real good sense of the game, evident by his all-around play. He averages just over 8 assists per game. Combine that with his 17 points and 6 rebounds per game average, you’ve got a potential superstar. He blossomed during an early-season matchup against Illinois, where Preston went toe to toe with fellow NBA Draft PG prospect, Ayo Dosonmu. It’s the high basketball IQ that will have Preston soaring up draft boards.

Cameron Thomas

There has been one big riser amongst the freshman class. Thomas, the 6’4 PG out of LSU, a former 5-Star recruit, wasn’t one who many thought of as a top-5 or even top-10 pick. And while he did play at a high level in High School (Oak Hill Academy) the success he’s had as a Tiger has catapulted him into early lottery discussions.

Thomas will find his way in the NBA as an effective scorer. His 21 point average in the ultra-competitive SEC isn’t anything to laugh at. He’s shown a knack for scoring the basketball from all sports, taking 8 two-point shots and 7 there’s per game. While his 3-point percentage will need to increase (.286), he does have all the skills needed to be a high volume scorer in the NBA. The main reason Thomas makes this list is because he’s going to be the catalyst for an LSU run in the NCAA Tournament. If that happens, his stock will be sky-high.

Many other players will see big boosts in draft stock over the coming months. No question, unlike last year, an NCAA Tourney will help scouts evaluate more under the radar talent. These three players are just the tip of the iceberg in unheralded talent in such a loaded draft class.

Image Source: Holly Hart / Associated Press

Daniel Gentile

Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288