NBA Draft 2021: Final Big Board of top 60 prospects before draft night
26. Joel Ayayi – Gonzaga
Junior – 6’5, 180 lbs – March 2000
Ayayi isn’t a flashy prospect at all, but his unique skill set is easily one of the most functional. He thrived in Gonzaga’s modern offense, especially as a cutter (82nd percentile). He’s got incredible recognition of where the weak side defense is and how they’ll react and finds gaps in the defense.
He’s better off the ball and his skills on the ball lag a bit, but he’s got potential to be a secondary or tertiary creator. Ayayi was a passable shooter and that will be key to enhancing his other skills. While he won’t ever be a primary, Ayayi is a low-maintenance role player, who makes winning plays and should help a team right away. He’d be a great fit for teams picking in the late first round.
27. Miles McBride – West Virginia
Sophomore – 6’2, 200 lbs – September 2000
McBride slowly won me over as the season progressed, utilizing his two-way skillset. McBride is a dangerous pull-up shooter, with good elevation to offset his lack of size. He doesn’t have the best handle, but he’s quick and understands how to get to his spots. McBride needs to become a more willing passer when he gets downhill (not settling for contested twos). He improved at getting into the paint, but his lack of size will make that a challenge in the NBA.
McBride is one of the best defensive guards in this class, both on and off the ball. He’s got great anticipation, jumping passing lanes for steals and deflections. He uses his plus wingspan and lateral quickness well. Even without a ton of size and lagging playmaking skills, McBride can succeed as a defender. If those ancillary skills do come along, McBride will be worth every bit of a first-round pick.
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28. Day’Ron Sharpe – North Carolina
Freshman – 6’11, 265 lbs – November 2001
Sharpe is a mix of a throwback and modern big man. He’s got legit size, and strength to bang inside. He’s not much of a scorer or lob threat, but Sharpe did shoot 60% at the rim on high volume. Sharpe is a good passer, which should allow him to play in short role situations. He isn’t an offensive hub but can make plays as a complementary player.
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Sharpe has enough size and width to guard fives. He lacks the foot speed to switch onto the perimeter, but if he loses weight that could help. Sharpe doesn’t have high-end outcomes, but there are easy pathways to being a starting five. In a class that lacks big depth, Sharpe is one of the safer options.
29. Cam Thomas – LSU
Freshman – 6’4, 210 lbs – October 2001
Thomas is another tricky evaluation. At every level, Thomas has been a bucket getter. He led the Nike EYBL in scoring, and then led all freshmen in the NCAA with 23.1 points per game. Thomas can drive both ways, and hit some incredibly tough shots with ridiculous range.
But, Thomas was a high-volume, low-efficiency scorer. He shot just 40% from the field, 32% from three, and was an involuntary passer. He can hit difficult shots, but I ponder at what level he can hit open ones. Thomas has always been “the guy” on whatever team he’s played for, so can he adjust to a smaller role?
If Thomas buys in, he can play for years as a microwave scorer. There’s always a place for gifted scorers, but Thomas will have to learn to play within a team system.
30. Isaiah Jackson – Kentucky
Freshman – 6’10, 205 lbs – January 2002
Another Jekyll and Hyde prospect, Jackson has some incredible flashes on defense. He’s a gifted athlete who covers ground incredibly easily. He’s maybe an inch or two shorter compared to the average NBA center, but he posted an absurd 12.8% block rate.
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Jackson’s ground coverage is minimized by his lagging feel for the game. He lacks awareness of where offensive players may be and misses simple rotations. That lack of feel translates to the offensive end, where, at times, Jackson has little idea what he should be doing. He had 18 assists to 38 turnovers. He did have some flashes of elite athleticism as a lob threat and that projects to be his role. The physical gifts are there, but estimating how much better Jackson processes the game is the big question.