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Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte rises in latest 2021 NBA Draft Big Board

By Jacob Stevenson

Mar 21, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) yells from the sidelines during the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament against the Oregon State Beavers at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Cade Cunningham (2) yells from the sidelines during the second half in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament against the Oregon State Beavers at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Draft Keon Johnson Tennessee Volunteers(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NBA Draft Keon Johnson Tennessee Volunteers(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

7. FR Scottie Barnes – Florida State Seminoles

Barnes is an interesting prospect at 6’8 with a 7’2 wingspan Barnes will be able to play some small-ball 5 in the NBA and can guard 1-5. He played some point guard for Florida State this year and showed the ability to handle the pass and pass effectively for someone his size. He’s a very smart and versatile player who should be a nice role player at the next level.

The biggest thing he needs to improve on is his jump shot shooting 27.5 percent from three and 62.1 percent from the line. The thing that makes Barnes go from a quality starter to a nice role player is the three-point shot. With the shot, you can play him at a lot of different spots on offense but without the shot, he’s more of a small-ball center.

8. FR Keon Johnson – Tennessee Volunteers

Keon Johnson is another great athlete at 6’5 and has shown the ability to be a very good defender and will be able to guard multiple positions. He played a lot better towards the end of the season but he needs to improve his three-point shot at the next level. He shot 27.1 percent on three’s while 100 percent of them were assisted according to Hoop-Math. Even though he’s a great athlete and should be able to defend right away. There is some concern about how he scores if the jumper doesn’t come. Johnson will come into the league and be ready to defend.

9. Josh Giddey – Australia

A guy that has shot up my big board lately is Josh Giddey the 6’8 guard/ wing from Australia. He currently plays in the NBL witch is the same league LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton played in last year before they made the NBA.

Let’s take a look at Hampton’s and Ball’s stats compared to Giddey’s.

Giddey, 10.9 points 6.9 rebounds 7.1 assist 2.9 turnovers 41.1 field goal% 30.8% from three 68.6% from the line.

Hampton, 8.8 points 3.9 rebounds 2.4 assist 1.5 turnovers 40.7 field goal % 29.5 from three and 67.9 from the line.

Ball, 17.0 points 7.6 rebounds 6.8 assist 2.5 turnovers 37.5 field goal% 25.0 % from three and 72.3 percent from the line.

This is a quick look at how their stats compare. It is hard to compare how they were as players talking to the fact the situations are different. But these are two guys that were first-round picks and a guy who might still be the rookie of the year with Ball even with his injury.

Giddey does a remarkable job passing the ball. At 6’8 he’s comfortable passing out of the pick and roll and can play with or without the ball. He needs to improve his jumper but he reminds me of Joe Ingles by just the way he handles the ball and uses ball screens. He has to get stronger, right now he’s a smart player and is in the right spot all the time but needs to get quicker footspeed.

Regardless, Giddey is one of the youngest players in the draft while not turning 19 until October. He’s been extremely productive for such a young player in a league like the NBL. Even though he needs to improve the shot and get quicker on defense. I am betting on the guy to go in there and become a starting quality player down the line.

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