NBA Draft 2021: The completion of the 2021 men’s NCAA tournament signals the start of the NBA predraft process.
The NBA announced that NBA Draft 2021 presented by State Farm will take place on Thursday, July 29, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The first round will be televised by ESPN and ABC, and the second round will air on ESPN.
Scouts got their money’s worth during March Madness, especially with a championship game that featured multiple lottery picks, first-rounders, and 2022 prospects to monitor.
Our top-50 board can still change as more information comes out after measurements, interviews, and workouts. But here’s where it stands following Baylor’s 86-70 defeat of Gonzaga in the championship game.
NBA Draft 2021: Nos. 50-41
50. Max Abmas (Oral Robert, SG, Sophomore)
49. David Duke (Providence, SG, Junior)
48. Johnny Juzang (UCLA, SF, Sophomore)
47. Isaiah Livers (Michigan, SF, Senior)
46. Nah’Shon Hyland (VCU, SG, Sophomore)
45. Austin Reaves (Oklahoma, SG, Senior)
44. Trey Murphy III (Virginia, PF, Junior)
43. Rokas Jokubaitis (Zalgiris, PG/SG, 2000)
42. Santi Aldama (Loyola, PF, Sophomore)
41. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova, PF, Sophomore)
NBA Draft 2021: Nos. 40-31
40. Kessler Edwards (Pepperdine, SF, Junior)
39. Charles Bassey (Western Kentucky, C, Junior)
38. Herbert Jones (Alabama, SF, Senior)
37. Terrence Shannon (Texas Tech, SG/SF, Sophomore)
36. Day’Ron Sharpe (North Carolina, C, Freshman)
35. Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois, PG/SG, Junior)
34. Isaiah Todd (G League Ignite, PF, 2001)
33. Joel Ayayi (Gonzaga, PG/SG, Junior)
32. Brandon Boston Jr. (Kentucky, SF, Freshman)
31. Roko Prkacin (Cibona, PF, 2002)
NBA Draft 2021: Nos. 30-21
30. Greg Brown (Texas, PF, Freshman)
29. Miles McBride (West Virginia, PG/SG, Sophomore)
28. Marcus Bagley (Arizona State, SF/PF, Freshman)
27. Aaron Henry (Michigan State, SG/SG, Junior)
26. Cameron Thomas (LSU, SG, Freshman)
25. Chris Duarte (Oregon, SG, Senior)
24. Jared Butler (Baylor, PG/SG, Junior)
23. James Bouknight (Connecticut, SG, Sophomore)
22. Isaiah Jackson (Kentucky, C, Freshman)
21. Usman Garuba (Real Madrid, C, 2002)
The NBA also announced additional key dates:
NBA Draft Combine: Subject to evolving public health conditions, Microsoft Surface Combine is scheduled to take place Monday, June 21 through Sunday, June 27.
ESPN networks plan to televise the NBA Draft Combine, with coverage featuring five-on-five games and strength and agility testing.
NBA Draft Lottery: Draft Lottery will take place on Tuesday, June 22, airing on ESPN at 8:30 p.m. ET.
NBA Early Entry Application and Withdrawal Deadlines: The deadline for an early entry player to apply for this year’s NBA Draft is Sunday, May 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The deadline for an early entry player to withdraw from the NBA Draft is Monday, July 19 at 5 p.m. ET.
NBA Draft 2021: Nos. 20-11
20. Josh Christopher (Arizona State, SG/SF, Freshman)
19. Corey Kispert (Gonzaga, SF, Senior)
18. Tre Mann (Florida, PG/SG, Sophomore)
17. Jaden Springer (Tennessee, PG/SG, Freshman)
16. Sharife Cooper (Auburn, PG, Freshman)
15. Ziaire Williams (Stanford, SF, Freshman)
14. Kai Jones (Texas, PF/C, Sophomore)
13. Alperen Sengun (Besiktas, C, 2002)
12. Moses Moody (Arkansas, SG, Freshman)
11. Davion Mitchell (Baylor, PG/SG, Junior)
NBA Draft 2021: Nos. 10-6
10. Franz Wagner (Michigan, SF/PF, Sophomore)
9. Josh Giddey (Australia, PG/SG, 2002)
8. Scottie Barnes (Florida State, PF, Freshman)
7. Jalen Johnson (Duke, PF, Freshman)
6. Keon Johnson (Tennessee, SG/SF, Freshman)
NBA Draft 2021: Top-five debate
Nothing about the top five changed during the NCAA tournament. Cunningham has been No. 1 since the preseason.
Suggs was the talk of March Madness after his clutch play and buzzer-beater against UCLA, which highlighted the “it factor”. He influences winning and holds the type of maturity, administration, and professionalism NBA teams want in a lead guard.
But the disparity between Suggs, Mobley, and Green on my board is insignificant. If there is a matter with Suggs as the surefire No. 2 prospect, Baylor’s defense presented it a few times in the championship game. His handles are not the tightest, which can affect his capability to perform.
Suggs, Mobley, and Green are all in the same range, and depending on which team is on the clock, Mobley or Green may be the more suitable alternative.
Mobley’s huge defensive upside is an undeniable draw, as is his encouraging shooting touch and the flashes of face-up play. And though Green’s decision-making could use work, it’s hard to distinguish a reason his volume scoring won’t elucidate given his unbeatable strong experience, acute production skills, and convalescent shooting.
NBA Draft 2021: Nos. 5-1
5. Jonathan Kuminga (G League Ignite, SF/PF, 2002)
4. Jalen Green (G League Ignite, SG, 2002)
3. Evan Mobley (USC, C, Freshman)
2. Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga, PG, Freshman)
1. Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State, PG/SG, Freshman)