NBA Draft 2021: Is Corey Kispert worthy of a lottery selection?

The Gonzaga Bulldogs have been one of the top teams in college basketball over the last four seasons, posting an overall win-loss record of 127-12 over that duration. While many players have come and gone from those Bulldogs teams, one player was a key contributor from day one of that four-year stretch – 2021 NBA Draft prospect Corey Kispert.

As a true freshman Kispert played in all 35 games, starting seven of them. Over 19.4 minutes per game, the Bulldogs forward averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists while shooting 35% (1.1/3.3) from beyond the arc. While those numbers are impressive for a true freshman on a winning team, bigger things were expected for Kispert in his sophomore year.

While Kispert improved his play in his second season, it wasn’t by much, leading some to question his potential going forward. Over 26.1 minutes per game, the forward averaged 8.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 37% (1.6/4.4) from three-point land. An increase, but not the increase the Bulldogs and Kispert were looking for.

However, it all changed for Kispert during his junior season, as he was the lone returning starter from the previous season, providing him with a lot of opportunities to take more shots and really work on his game. Kispert was also named to the Julius Irving Award watchlist before the season started, which is the award given to the nation’s top small forward. While he didn’t end up winning the award, Kispert burst onto the scene, averaging 13.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 33.0 minutes per game, all while shooting 44% (2.4/5.4) from three.

In a league that covets three-point shooting, Kispert entered his name into the 2020 NBA Draft, albeit without signing an agent, just to feel out his draft stock. While Kispert surely would have been drafted, the slot wasn’t high enough for his liking, so he elected to bet on himself and return for his senior season.

What a decision that was for Kispert. The Bulldogs had a historic run as a team, going undefeated before losing in the National Championship game to the Baylor Bears. While Kispert surely would have loved to have retired collegiately with a championship, he did what he came back to do – improve his draft stock. Over 31.8 minutes per game, Kispert averaged 18.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 44% (2.8/6.5) from beyond the arc. On top of all of that, Kispert also won the Julius Irving Award.

We’re now within two weeks of the draft, and the verdict is still unknown on Kispert. Some scouts have him going in the top 10, while others have him going somewhere in the late first round. So, where will Kispert end up being drafted?