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2021 NBA Draft: Jared Butler, UCLA’s Chris Smith/Cody Riley entering draft

By Daniel Benjamin

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Guard Jared Butler of the Baylor Bears handles the ball before the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena on January 16, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Guard Jared Butler of the Baylor Bears handles the ball before the college basketball game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena on January 16, 2021 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft Jared Butler Davion Mitchell Baylor Bears (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NBA Draft Jared Butler Davion Mitchell Baylor Bears (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The number of 2021 NBA Draft entrants keeps growing as Baylor’s Jared Butler along with a pair of UCLA Bruins, Chris Smith and Cody Riley, enter the fray.

Baylor Bears star guard Jared Butler announced, via Instagram, that he will forego his final two years of eligibility and enter the 2021 NBA draft.  He recently graduated from school.

“After much thought, playing in the NBA has been a lifelong goal, and it would only be right to go out as a graduate of Baylor University and a National Champion,” Butler said. “With everything I have learned from my time at Baylor, I know I am 100% prepared for and committed to the next step – the NBA!”

Butler has shown improvement throughout his tenure with the Bears. The 6-3 combo guard is fantastic on the offensive end and a terrific defender, both individually and team-wise. He is an excellent shooter who can create his own shot and has great range. Butler, who finishes well at the rim, is also a good ball-handler and a solid passer.

The 20-year-old Louisiana native was sensational in leading Baylor to its first-ever NCAA men’s basketball championship this past year, totaling 39 points on 12 of 23 shooting from the field and 8 of 14 from beyond the arc to go along with eight rebounds and 11 assists as well as just three turnovers to earn the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament. The 2020-21 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year compiled 16.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.3 assists while shooting 47.1%from the field, 41.6% from deep, as well as 78.2% from the free-throw line for the season.

Butler is not the only Bear to be in the NBA draft as MaCio Teague and Davion Mitchell have signed with agents, thus ending their amateur careers. It appears that Mark Vital will also remain in the draft while Matthew Mayer is still keeping his options open.

Prediction: Butler is considered a first-round pick by most draft pundits, and I agree. I could see him working his way into the late lottery (13 -16), but he will more likely go between picks 18-27. Strength, shooting, defense, and NBA readiness are his strong points. Meanwhile, quickness, athleticism, and size as a shooting guard are areas of concern.

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