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

16. Chris Duarte – Oregon

Senior – 6’6, 190 lbs – June 1997

Duarte had a quietly monstrous two-way season in Eugene. He’s a three-level scorer, who shot an impressive 42% from deep on 5.5 attempts per game. Defensively, he’s got excellent hands and should be able to guard a few positions right away.

He needs to be more aggressive, only getting to the free throw line three times per game last season. There’s not much to knock with his game, but the age is an obvious negative. He just turned 24, older than a large chunk of NBA players already. But, Duarte will provide immediate help to some team on the wing and you would hope he can maintain his athleticism into his early 30’s given that’s just six seasons away. He certainly doesn’t have top 15 upside, but I also don’t think 15 players will be as productive in their role.

17. Jaden Springer – Tennessee

Freshman – 6’4, 205 lbs – September 2002

One of the youngest prospects in the draft, Springer is one of my tougher evals. He’s noticeably strong, dislodging defenders with ease at times. He’s a menacing point-of-attack defender. He graded out well analytically with a positive BPM, steal %, block % and he shot well at the rim.

But Springer didn’t make things look easy. He struggled to beat his man off the bounce when he couldn’t outmuscle him. When he would beat his man, his inability to jump off one foot allowed for his defender to catch up. He shot a good percentage from deep but didn’t take many tough shots. The 81% free throw percentage is an indication he’s a good shooter, but it’s unlikely he’s ever a serious threat off the dribble.

Springer did enough things well and is so young that he’s worth a gamble in this range. He needs G-League time and I’m unsure what his bankable NBA skill is right now, but if he can piece enough things together, he’ll be able to stick in an NBA rotation.

18. Trey Murphy – Virginia

Junior – 6’9, 205 lbs – June 2000

Murphy is one of the better success stories in this draft class. An unranked prospect, Murphy attended Rice University as a 6’4 shooting guard. I saw him live both his freshman and sophomore seasons and was blown away by his progress. He clearly looked too good for that level. He continued to sprout eventually becoming 6’9 and starring at Virginia.

Murphy’s skills are evident. He’s a large shooter and a plus leaper. He was one of just two players in the NCAA with 20 dunks and 50 made threes (and he hit threes at a 43.8% clip). Murphy is also an impressive team defender, using his length to disrupt actions.

His ancillary skills leave a bit to be desired and he’s still a bit frail. But he also just finished growing into his body and only spent one season in a power five weight room, so it’s not hard to envision him adding strength. I highly doubt Murphy ever becomes an off-the-dribble threat and I’m curious to see how he fares when teams run him off the line. But there’s certainly a spot in the league for a multi-positional shooter with size (a la Cam Johnson). He’s also an incredible kid who works hard.

19. Usman Garuba – Real Madrid

6’8, 230 lbs – March 2002

A name on the NBA radar for a while, Garuba impressed with his ability to compete in the Euroleague. Despite his youth, Garuba was a super impactful defender. He’s got quick feet for a big, showcasing the ability to switch. He’s strong, rebounds well, and has an understanding of defensive principles.

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Garuba is still pretty raw on offense. His jumper is wonky and his percentages were subpar. However, he showed improvement towards the end of the season and with his youth, there’s some hope that becomes a viable weapon. He’s a bit undersized to be a true lob threat and definitely looked small when competing against NBA players on Team USA.

Garuba’s defense should allow him to stick in the league. He’ll be at a disadvantage against true back-to-the-basket bigs, but he’s a competitor. If the jumper comes along, he could be a role player in the mold of a P.J. Tucker or Draymond Green. Even if it’s not fully developed, Garuba should continue to improve his game and will have a position as backup five.

20. Joshua Primo – Alabama

Freshman – 6’5, 190 lbs – December 2002

Primo is the youngest player in the class, and while he didn’t have a huge statistical season, he has impressive length to go along with a good shooting profile. I was hesitant to buy in initially, but he blew me away at the combine. He showed tenacity with his point of attack defense, and a good passing feel in pick-and-roll. Despite not scoring a ton, Primo found other ways to impact winning.

At Alabama, he was placed in a minuscule role. But he got better as the season progressed, which is understandable considering he was 17 at the time of Alabama’s opener. He had a good shooting profile, with a clean stroke. He didn’t get a ton of on-ball reps, but I buy that he’ll continue to develop in that regard. He’s going to need G-League time, but him coming out a year early is essentially a free year of development. He’s a long, angular guard with a good feel and can shoot, which is super desirable in a teenager.