2021 Draft thread. Woo! 15th pick here we come! Hoo. Ray.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Watching Mobley on FS 1 right now.

Not so impressive thus far

[NatP4]

Here are the highlights from Butler absolutely dominating Texas:

Watch on YouTube

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Watching Mobley on FS 1 right now.

Not so impressive thus far

23 & 11 USC win

[NatP4]

Watching Mobley on FS 1 right now.

Not so impressive thus far

23 & 11 USC win

Mobley got going. Pretty sure Stanford was missing some key players, but 23&11 on 13 shots, another impressive performance.

[Ruzious]

Watching Mobley on FS 1 right now.

Not so impressive thus far

23 & 11 USC win

Mobley got going. Pretty sure Stanford was missing some key players, but 23&11 on 13 shots, another impressive performance.

I was flipping between this game and the Wiz game. Mobley is so fundamentally sound - not explosive but so smooth and under control, even when he talked to the officials after they blew an obvious call, he's the same way - never getting excited. There's a calm maturity and smoothness about everything he does on the court. He just needs to get stronger, and it looks like he has the wide shoulders needed to do that. It was the same with Anthony Davis at the beginning of his freshman year - he was thin, but he had those wide shoulders. Now, Davis was and is a freak, so I don't expect Mobley to reach his level, but he'll be outstanding.

The one odd thing was that he was playing way out on the perimeter at some key points in the game and not attacking the offensive boards, but that's coaching - and I'm guessing the coach wanted him to stay back to prevent transition baskets.

[nate33]

23 & 11 USC win

Mobley got going. Pretty sure Stanford was missing some key players, but 23&11 on 13 shots, another impressive performance.

I was flipping between this game and the Wiz game. Mobley is so fundamentally sound - not explosive but so smooth and under control, even when he talked to the officials after they blew an obvious call, he's the same way - never getting excited. There's a calm maturity and smoothness about everything he does on the court. He just needs to get stronger, and it looks like he has the wide shoulders needed to do that. It was the same with Anthony Davis at the beginning of his freshman year - he was thin, but he had those wide shoulders. Now, Davis was and is a freak, so I don't expect Mobley to reach his level, but he'll be outstanding.

The one odd thing was that he was playing way out on the perimeter at some key points in the game and not attacking the offensive boards, but that's coaching - and I'm guessing the coach wanted him to stay back to prevent transition baskets.

I watched some of the highlights, which means I missed the possessions when Mobley played good defense or played bad offense.

Mobley looks a little inexperienced at guarding out on the perimeter. And he bit on some pump fakes by da Silva. But I liked that he was always aware defensively, one eye on his man and one eye on the ball. And he finds a body to box out whenever a shot goes up. His fundamentals are sound.

What strikes me the most is the incredible gracefulness of his movement. He has a soft stride, flexible hips, and innate balance that reminds me a bit of Scottie Pippen. He's not necessarily explosive, but he is very smooth. We're talking about Anthony Davis' frame with Scottie Pippen's mobility, plus basketball IQ and a shooting touch. And his mobility and strength will only improve when NBA trainers get a hold of him. Heck, I'm not even sure if he is done growing. He should absolutely be the #1 pick in this draft.

[Ruzious]

Nat and I mentioned Jared Butler from Baylor - who's a stud. His backcourt mate is also very underrated - Davion Mitchell. They're both combo guards. Mitchell's more of a PG and a little shorter - at 6'2 - but strongly built. Both are great at getting steals and have 3 point range. They're the biggest reasons Baylor is undefeated. Mitchell is more of a late bloomer. He gets comparisons to Patrick Beverly for his tenacious on-ball defense, but has surprised folks with his offense this season.

[Ruzious]

And not sure how I missed Justin Champagnie - a 19 year old sophomore guard (?) on Pittsburg. His stats are de phenom. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/justin-champagnie-1.html

[NatP4]

Nat and I mentioned Jared Butler from Baylor - who's a stud. His backcourt mate is also very underrated - Davion Mitchell. They're both combo guards. Mitchell's more of a PG and a little shorter - at 6'2 - but strongly built. Both are great at getting steals and have 3 point range. They're the biggest reasons Baylor is undefeated. Mitchell is more of a late bloomer. He gets comparisons to Patrick Beverly for his tenacious on-ball defense, but has surprised folks with his offense this season.

Good post. I’ve been watching a lot of Baylor lately. They have the look of a NCAA championship team with those two lead guards. Auburn was supposed to have the duo of NBA 1st round picks in Flanagin&Cooper, but Butler&Mitchell shut them down a couple games ago and are clearly the better players.

I have no idea how Davion Mitchell isn’t related to Donavan Mitchell. Same play style, same number, same body type. It’s bizarre, but you’re right, he’s outstanding. He’s the guy they look to late in the shot clock to get a bucket. He’s almost unguardable off the dribble. Both he and Butler just make smart plays and play hard. Also great leaders.

Baylor is fun to watch.

[NatP4]

And not sure how I missed Justin Champagnie - a 19 year old sophomore guard (?) on Pittsburg. His stats are de phenom. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/justin-champagnie-1.html

Yes! In the Duke game he put up 31&14 on 15 shots. Made 4 3s. His numbers are ridiculous.

I’ll be tuning in tonight when they play Virginia Tech.

[Ruzious]

And not sure how I missed Justin Champagnie - a 19 year old sophomore guard (?) on Pittsburg. His stats are de phenom. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/justin-champagnie-1.html

Yes! In the Duke game he put up 31&14 on 15 shots. Made 4 3s. His numbers are ridiculous.

I’ll be tuning in tonight when they play Virginia Tech.

And Justin has a twin brother Julian on St John's who's also doing very well. Some like him better than Justin. I think Julian's a little bigger.

[NatP4]

And not sure how I missed Justin Champagnie - a 19 year old sophomore guard (?) on Pittsburg. His stats are de phenom. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/justin-champagnie-1.html

Yes! In the Duke game he put up 31&14 on 15 shots. Made 4 3s. His numbers are ridiculous.

I’ll be tuning in tonight when they play Virginia Tech.

And Justin has a twin brother Julian on St John's who's also doing very well. Some like him better than Justin. I think Julian's a little bigger.

Another name to keep an eye on is a C from Utah State, Neemias Queta. Guy fills it up, assist, blocks, steals, and rebounds. 7’5 wingspan. The C position is super weak in this draft, after Mobley, there isn’t much out there (still haven’t researched international prospects)

He’ll be 21 years old on draft night, might just be the 2nd best rim protector in the draft.

Also, really like Mickinley Wright from Colorado, and John Petty from Alabama as 2nd round sleepers. The Illinois PG is also impressive.

[Ruzious]

Yes! In the Duke game he put up 31&14 on 15 shots. Made 4 3s. His numbers are ridiculous.

I’ll be tuning in tonight when they play Virginia Tech.

And Justin has a twin brother Julian on St John's who's also doing very well. Some like him better than Justin. I think Julian's a little bigger.

Another name to keep an eye on is a C from Utah State, Neemias Queta. Guy fills it up, assist, blocks, steals, and rebounds. 7’5 wingspan. The C position is super weak in this draft, after Mobley, there isn’t much out there (still haven’t researched international prospects)

He’ll be 21 years old on draft night, might just be the 2nd best rim protector in the draft.

Also, really like Mickinley Wright from Colorado, and John Petty from Alabama as 2nd round sleepers. The Illinois PG is also impressive.

Yeah, Queta seems to be playing much better than the scouting reports on him. Gets a lot of blocks and steals and also a good amount of assists.

[NatP4]

Probably going to research this Alperen Sengun guy in the Turkish League. Seems like a massive upside pick.

[lastemp3ror]

Probably going to research this Alperen Sengun guy in the Turkish League. Seems like a massive upside pick.

As a Turk, I felt the need to watch some highlights of his and report back to you. I am no talent scout but here is my take on what I saw. He's like a character I would make in a basketball ball video game and every time I leveled him up, I would put his talent points into "playing with his back against the basket" and nothing else. The dude has CRAZY skills when he is near the basket with his back against his opponent (not sure about double teams). But I did not see a single jump shot. Not even from outside of the paint.....or even within the paint. I also didn't see him beating many people off the dribble. In other words, at least on the offensive end, he seems like a one-trick pony. But that one trick is like level 100/100.

[pcbothwel]

Probably going to research this Alperen Sengun guy in the Turkish League. Seems like a massive upside pick.

Yeah... I need to look more, but I see some things I like.
Outside of the top 3 (I have Mobley at 1 right now), I have guys like Bouknight, Wagner, Springer, Kuminga, Butler, Shannon, Garuba, and Barnes.

Im not high on Jalen Johnson, Moody, Cooper, Z. Williams, Greg Brown, etc.
I really cant understand the praise of Johnson as a top 6 pick. He's not bad, but you can see his carelessness with the ball, awkward movement/uncoordinated, etc. He just seems 'meh' in a lot of areas. Wagner is clearly a better prospect for me.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

And not sure how I missed Justin Champagnie - a 19 year old sophomore guard (?) on Pittsburg. His stats are de phenom. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/justin-champagnie-1.html

He’s a 24-year old sophomore. Has a twin brother who plays for a different school, St John’s.

Unusual profile—there has to be a back story to this.

[Ruzious]

And not sure how I missed Justin Champagnie - a 19 year old sophomore guard (?) on Pittsburg. His stats are de phenom. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/justin-champagnie-1.html

He’s a 24-year old sophomore. Has a twin brother who plays for a different school, St John’s.

Unusual profile—there has to be a back story to this.

Both were born June 29, 2001. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Champagnie

Have you been time travelling again?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

And not sure how I missed Justin Champagnie - a 19 year old sophomore guard (?) on Pittsburg. His stats are de phenom. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/justin-champagnie-1.html

He’s a 24-year old sophomore. Has a twin brother who plays for a different school, St John’s.

Unusual profile—there has to be a back story to this.

Both were born June 29, 2001. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Champagnie

Have you been time travelling again?

My bad—I saw that after I posted. Some website had a 1997 bd

[Ruzious]

He’s a 24-year old sophomore. Has a twin brother who plays for a different school, St John’s.

Unusual profile—there has to be a back story to this.

Both were born June 29, 2001. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Champagnie

Have you been time travelling again?

My bad—I saw that after I posted. Some website had a 1997 bd

No apologies permitted on your birthday. It'll be interesting to see which of the twins goes first. I have them tentatatively as late 1sts. Crazy how the smaller one is averaging something like 12 rebounds a game. I gotta see them.