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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 UCLA Bruins (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
NBA Draft UCLA Bruins (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Cody Riley and Chris Smith testing NBA waters

Cody Riley and Chris Smith have joined Johnny Juzang as members of the UCLA Bruins to put their names in the 2021 NBA draft.  Riley and Smith will seek feedback about where NBA teams might select them — or if they are more likely to go undrafted — before making their decision. The players have until July 7 to withdraw from draft consideration and preserve their college eligibility.

Riley is testing the NBA waters for the second time in his career. The 6-9, 225-pound forward is a very talented big man who has yet to realize his full potential. He is coming off the best season of his career this past season, averaging 10.0 points along with 5.4 rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the field. Riley posted six double-doubles and scored in double-figures on 19 occasions. His best game came against Arizona State (Jan. 7) when he registered 22 points, on 8 of 11 shooting, as well as 13 rebounds and recorded two blocks.

The Kansas City (KS) native is a strong defensive rebounder and adequate rebounder overall. Riley does his best work around the rim and is a good shot-blocker. Turnovers, free-throw shooting, and fouling are areas that he needs to improve.  It is in Riley’s best interest to return to UCLA.

Smith became an NBA prospect following his junior campaign, but he decided to return for his senior season and subsequently tore his ACL, which ended his season after eight games. The 6-9 guard averaged 12.6 points, grabbed 6.4 boards, and doled out 2.0 assists while shooting 43.8% from the field along with 50.0% from the 3-point line as well as 79.4% from the charity stripe.

The 2019-20 Pac-12 Most Improved player still has some work to do on both ends of the court. But he is a good defensive rebounder and possesses great size and shown improvement over his four collegiate seasons. Smith is not expected to return to the court until the fall, so it would behoove him to return to the Bruins.

Latest mock 2021 NBA Draft 1st Round. dark. Next

Some positive news for Bruins fans, Jaime Jaquez Jr. will return for at least one more college campaign.

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