NBA Draft 2021: 5 observations from the G-League Elite Camp
CHICAGO – After not taking place last season due to the pandemic, the G-League Elite Camp returned this week in Chicago. While it features players the NBA views as prospects outside the top 75, it’s a great opportunity for players to boost their NBA Draft stocks. NBA players like Terrance Mann, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Oshae Brissett all once played in this event.
Four players (Aaron Wiggins, A.J. Lawson, Duane Washington Jr., and Carlik Jones) earned enough votes from NBA teams to move onto the NBA Combine. Even for the players that didn’t move up, plenty still had good showing and showed they are capable players who have the chance to earn two-way contracts. I was fortunate enough to be in attendance for the event, so here are my major takeaways.
Wiggins finally puts it together
Having watched Aaron Wiggins live for two seasons, then following from a distance last season, he always clearly had the body of an NBA Player. A 6’6 wing, with a strong frame, and good athleticism, the Maryland shooting guard always left me wanting more from him.
In the two scrimmages at the combine, Wiggins was able to piece those unteachables into a very strong outing. The shot-making was a noticeable improvement. After a freshman season where he shot 41.3% from deep as a third/fourth option, Wiggins regressed the next two seasons as the defensive attention increased. While his shot mechanics are smooth, questions were raised about what level of a shot-maker he really is. But, he silenced those for a moment this week, averaging 13 points in the two scrimmages on 10-17 shooting.
Wiggins hit open shots, but also scored in a variety of ways. He attacked closeouts well and was able to create space off the bounce. He still prefers to settle for jumpers as opposed to attacking the rim, but when he does get downhill he’s shown he’s a capable finisher.
The perception around Wiggins was he would return to Maryland for his senior season, but an impressive pre-draft from him now has that in question. Scouts from a Western and Eastern conference team both told me he looked good in workouts. He appeared in ESPN’s mock draft for the first time this season on Tuesday night, slotting in at No. 57 to the New York Knicks.
Evaluating Wiggins comes down to how much of this two-day success is sustainable, given the three-year sample of how he actually played. I still think it behooves him to return to school, but if he has another impressive showing in the NBA Combine scrimmages later this week, and continues to look good in team workouts, his stock might not get any higher. If he can get a guaranteed two-way deal, that may be too much to pass up on.