In his freshman . The Rockets were . This mock draft includes 16 freshmen, 15 sophomores, eight juniors, nine seniors and nine international prospects. The Draft Lottery will be held on June 22; The Draft Combine will be June 21-27. It coincides with Scottie Barnes' recent rise and Bouknight's own flail to the finish line of the G League season. There was a time when the top 5 was written in stone, but that no longer seems to be the case. I feel like me on the Knicks, I think that fit would be great, Bouknight told reporters at the combine. However, there is significant movement in our top 10 with Jalen Green trading places with Jalen Suggs and UConn bucket-getter James Bouknight supplanting Jonathan Kuminga at No. It's not worth overthinking it with Cunningham, who. Bouknight currently sits at No. 2021 Draft Results. Anthony had an up-and-down rookie season. Charlotte Carroll covers the New York Giants for The Athletic. NAME POS AGE SCHOOL/CLUB HEIGHT WEIGHT . "Hes not very big for his position but compensates with explosiveness, and as a stellar athlete with tons of natural ability, needs to be taken seriously as a mid-lottery prospect due in part to a lack of great options. He showed this past season he can not only make threes off catch-and-shoot plays, but also off the dribble, sometimes with defenders right on him. Getting to the heart of that question is how and why LaMelo Ball last year was ranked No. 5 in this draft, but if Barnes goes fifth, I can't imagine Kuminga slips past the Thunder at six, either. . He can get hot at times, but struggles to consistently make perimeter shots. Whats up with Dan Orlovskys eating habits? 13. 6 as he narrowly edges out fast-rising forward Scottie Barnes as well as Davion Mitchell, Josh Giddey and Franz Wagner. 6 on our board with a draft range that's between 5 and 6. In the first round of the 2021 NBA draft, the Charlotte Hornets selected UConn guard James Bouknight with the No. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages. Looking more confident from beyond the arc as the year wore on, he had some ups and downs in terms of consistency but ranked among the most dynamic guards in the college game last season. He also needs to build up his skinny frame, as opposing twos will likely try to take him on the block. Once you get past five for me, I think you have to really seriously think about taking him because of the nature of the NBA, Hurley said. Sports have been his passion since he was young, whether it be playing them, watching them, or writing about them. Draft night always marks an evening of newfound hope for the future. Under the watch of Warriors Wire, the Golden State Warriors landed UConn's James Bouknight with the No. The Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic round out the top five selections. . The first 14 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft will be finalized after the NBA Draft Lottery on May 16. He could be the highest-drafted Husky since 2009, when Hasheem Thabeet was picked No. NBA 2021 Draft Prospects | James Bouknight | NBA.com 2021 NBA Draft Draft Board Teams Trade Tracker News Video Full Draft Board 1 Round 1 DET Cade Cunningham G 2 Round 1 HOU. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & resort (KS). Recent first-rounders: PG Cole Anthony (2020), PF Chuma Okeke (2019), C Mo Bamba (2018) Leaf (2017) It's hard to imagine he goes higher than No. 13 overall. Although he averaged nearly three turnovers a game, he also averaged a steal per game. UConn guard James Bouknight announced his decision to enter the 2021 NBA draft on Wednesday. 4 to No. Nick Smith is the next James Bouknight. T 2021 NBA Draft Prospect Preview: Cam Thomas School/team: LSU Position: Shooting guard Age: 19 Bouknight missed games this past mid-season with an elbow injury, and his percentage from beyond the arc this season was down (29.3 percent) compared to his freshman season (34.7 percent). Chris Duarte, G, OregonAge:24Height:6-6Weight:190Wingspan:6-7, 2020/21 stats:26G,34.1mpg, 17.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.9spg, 0.8bpg, 53.2FG% (6.2/11.6), 42.43PT% (2.3/5.5), 81.0 FT%, Projections:NBC Sports Washington 23rd,Sports Illustrated 17th, Ringer 22nd, NBADraft.net 15th, Bleacher Report 29th, Analysis:Duarte is one of the best shooters in this draft and he's comfortable getting his shot off in a multitude of ways. 19. NBA Draft Combine 2021: Connecticut James Bouknight 6-24-21 . He doesn't fall far here -- just one spot to No. Keon Johnson NBA draft scouting report and mock draft ranking. I don't want to be too overreactive, but it's worth accounting for, so he slides down to the middle of our second round projections after an uninspiring Combine, making him one of the more fascinating prospects with a decision to make as the underclassmen withdrawal deadline approaches. For Bouknight, that means coming to a spot he can potentially offer immediate assistance. Its rare for New York to be considered a great landing spot for a draft prospect, but the roster lines up well Bouknights skills. 9 and Jeremy Lamb No. Bethany Balcer Reacts. 12. I will cherish every experience Ive had over the last two years and I truly believe every one of those experiences has prepared me for success as I move forward in my career.. The following is a complete James Bouknight NBA Draft profile, including stats, highlights and a mock projection. (NBA) Autographed. The 10 Top Freshmen In High School Basketball - Class of 2026 Recruits . Prospects are moving up and down the board, including some changes in the top 5. . He is also a competitive powerlifter and aspires to qualify for the USAPL Nationals meet within the next 2-3 years. STORRS, Conn. (AP) UConn sophomore James Bouknight has announced his intention to enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-5 Alabama guard measured with a 6-foot-9 wingspan at the Combine and showed real pizazz at the event with the ball in his hands. He can create his own shot with ease and can shoot the ball fairly well at times. 11. Bouknight also has the potential to be a long-time guy in the league, generating hype as a reliable sixth man. Heres what The Athletics John Hollinger had to say about Bouknights defensive effort in evaluating prospects. (Photo: David Butler II / USA Today Sports). Bouknight averaged 18.7 points per game this season, but played in just 15 contests, missing eight games after undergoing elbow surgery in early January. After leading UCLA on a Final Four run as an 11 seed with incredible shot-making, Juzang looked to be prepared to assert himself into the first-round discussion at the Combine. Please enter your email address. The Washington Wizards hold the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Athletic enough to avoid contact and strong enough to finish through contact at the rim Athleticism and ball-handling allowed him to get to the line over five times per game Decent defender with unlimited potential thanks to a reported 7 foot wingspan. Bouknight has been red hot the last two games, but I'm not sure he is the answer. Videos. As that date continues to draw closer, the hype surrounding the incoming rookie class will only intensify. 5 on my board. James Bouknight of the Connecticut Huskies reacts during a semifinal game against the Creighton Bluejays during the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2021 in New York City. Bouknight is expected to go in the first round, but after the lottery. With Primo officially bypassing his remaining college eligibility -- which up until the Combine was not a certainty -- he now lands comfortably in our first-round projections. James Bouknight averaged 18.7 points per game for UConn as a sophomore last season. Score-first guards like him dont always tend to be, but Bouknight breaks that mold. All Rights Reserved. I remain high on both, as evidenced by their continued stay within the top five of our Big Board. video for Whats up with Dan Orlovskys eating habits? Lets break down some of his most likely landing spots in the wake of last weeks lottery: Pick: 7 (from Minnesota) follow. Copyright: ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. The NBA for guards is guys that can create their own shot, guards that can score at all three levels potentially with the athleticism and guards that can make difficult shots.. Bouknight was asked about the prospect of going home. He'll be a sparkplug offensive weapon in the NBA and a really, really good one for a long time. Most likely not, but whos to say there wont be trades? Kawakami noted how Bouknights age (21 in September) is in the middle of options. Bouknight's jump shot is another high impact development aspect of his game. Why it makes sense: Orlando has two lottery picks with the No. He declared for the NBA Draft at the end of March and is poised to be one of the first guards selected. 2 overall. Ive grown so much as a player here but more importantly as a person. There is one question I hearken back to when evaluating top prospects that serves as a guiding philosophy for me and can help differentiate between preference in talents like at the top of this year's draft: Which player has the highest long-term ceiling? The former G League standout talks family, injuries and his path to the BAL in lieu of Nile Conference play on April 26. We take a look at some of the prospects available in this draft, gauge their strengths, weaknesses, NBA comparisons and best landing spot within the players projected draft range. UConn lost to Maryland in the first round of the 2021 NCAA men's tournament. Those numbers made a big jump from the year before, as he was previously not much of a threat from beyond the arc. Clarkson improved as a shooter during his career and theres no reason Bouknight cant do the same. He's tough for his size, is a strong dribbler and scorer, but ultimately must improve his facilitating. . James Bouknight NBA Draft Profile, Stats, Highlights and Projection, Keeanu Benton Draft Profile: Stats, Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Nick Herbig Draft Profile: Stats, Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Anton Harrison Draft Profile: College Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Dawand Jones Draft Profile: College Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Cody Mauch Draft Profile: College Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Broderick Jones Draft Profile: College Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection. . Listen, if youre a lottery pick, and youre able to accomplish that in two years, thats a pretty hard thing to turn down, Hurley said. Mitchell made 44.7% of his threes and with volume, at 4.7 attempts per game. 5 and No. 1. 2021 SG Rankings. Draft Info. The other concern is his injury history. Jalen Green - 6-5 - G League Ingite; Moses Moody - 6-6 - Arkansas; James Bouknight - 6-5 . Despite that, he did his best work around the rim averaging 1.37 points per shot around the rim in the half court [86th percentile]. Henry graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2021 with a Communication Studies degree and a Psychology minor. James Bouknight 2021 NBA Draft prospect profile. As discussed above, Bouknights best attribute is his creative scoring and ability to make a bucket. James Bouknight, Shooting Guard, Connecticut. Hornets pull away in 4th quarter to win last game of season, James Bouknight nails the trey vs. Toronto Raptors. Being high on Jalen Green means, by default, I am high on James Bouknight. There's layers to that onion. Bouknight's elbow injury and end-of-season struggles never truly suppressed his draft stock, as he's had plenty of believers around the NBA all season, and has affirmed that confidence over. July 30, 2021 12:26 am CT. Tennessee scoring leader announces decision in social media post thanking Vol Nation. She previously covered the University of Connecticut basketball and the WNBA's Connecticut Sun for The Athletic and wrote for Sports Illustrated. Why it makes sense: Were starting at the very top with Bouknight going early in the lottery. The 2021 NBA draft will take place Thursday, July 29 with the Detroit Pistons holding the No. The Washington Wizards hold the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Johnson is a unique talent with great strength and athleticism and lots of upside potential. ET at the Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets. 2021 Draft Profile - James Bouknight Kyle Boone CBS Sports - June 21st: "An elbow injury and subsequent surgery midseason disrupted James Bouknight's breakout sophomore season, but scouts are well aware of what he can do on the court. James Bouknight is going to hear his name called early at NBA Draft day Thursday night. James Bouknight is the right choice. James Bouknight, UConn (SG, 6-4, 190) The deal for Memphis to move up in the draft isn't official, but it will be, and the Grizzlies use the pick to land Ja Morant's future longtime backcourt . "The opportunity to play at the highest level of basketball has always been a dream of mine, and. He was creating for others and attacking off the bounce, which we rarely saw in his brief stint with the Tide. Anyone who is capable of that type of explosive scoring. Bouknight isnt afraid of contact, finishing through it while making artful and athletic drives to the basket. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Strengths: Athletic slasher who is one of the best pure scorers in the upcoming draft Can score at all three levels but he is significantly more efficient pulling up in the mid-range and going all the way to the basket High-rising guard who uses his vertical to attack the rim and finish with contact in the lane, but also elevates as a great rebounder who averaged nearly six rebounds per game as a 65 guard Advanced floor game, with excellent ISO ability and pull up scoring acumen Uses great ball handling and a lot of fakes to create space for his shot Crafty playmaker Thrives in isolation due to elite athleticism and high level ball-handling. The sophomore averaged 18.7 ppg, but struggled late in the season. Bouknightis acapabledefensive playerwhose length and quickness helped him hold his own on the perimeter for stretches last season. The 2021 NBA draft is Thursday (8 p.m. High turnover rate at the next level will take away his greatest offensive strength and force him to improve his spot-up shooting Boom or bust prospect with lots of potential but needs to improve three-point shooting , Notes: Measured: 63.5 barefoot, 64.75 in shoes, 85.5 standing reach, 190.0 lbs, 68.25 wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine 2021 All-Big East First Team 2020 All-AAC Third Team 18.7 PTS, 5.7 REB, 1.8 AST, 2.8 TO in final season at UConn Born in Brooklyn, NY. There's a lot of untapped potential here that scouts were hoping to see and indeed did witness. Minnesota Timberwolves. His sophomore year he led the Owls with 13.7 points before making the jump to Virginia. A capable defender who was more aggressive sometimes than others as a sophomore, Bouknight is not the most physical stopper, but did a nice job using his quickness and length to contain the ball and get a hand up on shooters when he was dialed in last season. 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