NBA Draft 2021: Final Big Board of top 60 prospects before draft night

56. Sam Hauser – Virginia

Senior – 6’8, 215 lbs – December 1997

Hauser wrapped up his college career at Virginia, putting on a shooting clinic. He’s one of three players since 1992 to shoot 43% from three on 700 career attempts. There’s not much substance to his game beyond that: he’s older, a limited athlete, lacks a handle, and doesn’t move great laterally but someone that big that can shoot at that level (with real versatility too) can potentially find a spot in a rotation.

57. Yves Pons – Tennessee

Senior – 6’6, 215 lbs – May 1999

A basketball player built like a tight end, Pons terrorized the SEC the past two seasons defensively. He’s a freak athlete, with elite instincts as a shot blocker. Pons doesn’t add a ton offensively. His jumper is extremely rigid and unreliable and his handle needs development. Even being undersized, Pons is one of the best defenders in this draft and his best hope at carving a role out would be as a situational wing stopper.

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58. Sandro Mamukelashvili – Seton Hall

Senior – 6’11, 240 lbs – May 1999

Mamukelashvili took the reins of Seton Hall’s offense this season and got to show off his playmaking skill set. He’s got a creative handle and is a plus passer for his size. He’s also been a steady shooter over his career. The question becomes how much of Mamukelashvili’s playmaking is translatable in a low-usage role as a backup big.

Defensively, he’s a bit of a tweener but he does compete and is active on the glass. His underwhelming combine makes me think he’d be better suited for the Euroleague, but if a team can harness his offensive skills into a bench role, there could be something there.

59. Santi Aldama – Loyola Maryland

Sophomore – 6’11, 215 lbs – January 2001

A native of Spain, Aldama dominated the lowly Patriot league in just 17 games this season. While he won mostly with his size, Aldama is an excellent passer. He was utilized all over the floor. He needs to improve as a shooter and play more physical before he’s a serious NBA player, however, in this range of the draft he’s an intriguing long-term option. Particularly if he’s willing to be stashed.

60. McKinley Wright – Colorado

Senior – 6’0, 195 lbs – October 1998

A long-time favorite college player of mine, Wright won me over as a prospect at the combine. The warts are there: he’s older, small, not an electric shooter, and not an insane athlete. But Wright is an intelligent player, who can get to spots and make the right reads.

He plays hard and is known as a high-character person. He should be a very good floor leader in the G-League and could eventually work his way up to the NBA on a two-way contract.