On July 29, the 2021 NBA draft will take place, setting in motion roster moves for the upcoming season. Many of the players taken will head to developmental rosters in the G League, but others will be expected to contribute right away, as the 2021-22 season gets underway just a few months later. Let’s take a look at some of the key college players who have withdrawn from the draft and returned to the NCAA for another year, along with the top players still in the draft.
We’ll also talk about NBA betting implications for these players as they head to the pros.
NBA News: What to Expect in the 2021 Draft
Isaiah Wong will go back to the Miami Hurricanes for his junior year. He made third-team All-ACC last year after putting up 17.1 points, 4.8 boards and 2.4 assists per game, playing 35 minutes per contest. He is just one of three players named All-ACC who will come back for another season. The Hurricanes also bring back Kameron McGusty, the team’s second-leading scorer, so Miami could make some noise in the ACC this fall.
Ochai Agbaji, projected for the second round of the draft, will instead go back to Kansas to play his senior season. He is a 6’6” wing who has made honorable mention All-Big 12 for two straight seasons. In last year’s games, he put up 14.1 points, 3.6 boards, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in the 34 minutes he played. He also shot 37 percent from behind the arc, and he is a plus defender, so returning will give Kansas a stellar two-way player. The Jayhawks also saw Jalen Wilson come back from the draft, and they retain starters Christian Braun and David McCormack. Remy Martin, a two-time All Pac-12 first-teamer from Arizona State, also comes to town via the transfer portal.
Julian Champagnie, a 6’8” power forward from St. John’s, will go back for his junior season. He was named to the All-Big East team as well as the Most Improved Player in the conference. He scored 19.9 points per game and also added 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks, averaging 33 minutes. He shot 38 percent from behind the arc. Champagnie had scored 22 points in 52 minutes at te NBA combine, but scouts told him that they would like to see his perimeter defense and general versatility increase during another year in college. The Red Storm finished 16-11 a year ago, so Champagnie’s return will make their rise in the Big East more likely.
Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State) remains the top-ranked player on the draft board. He is 6’8” which gives him terrific size for a point guard, and his wingspan goes beyond seven feet. He can handle the ball with both hands, and he can play at multiple speeds. He can back down smaller guards in the post, but if you switch a bigger player onto him, he can create shots and leverage that mismatch. On defense, he can gover big men, wings and guards. He also will crash the boards on defense and then push the fast break. His shooting has improved, and he has confidence in mid-range, from three-point land and from the free throw line. He does have a hard time beating defenders from a standstill, using strength and size more than quickness. In traffic, he can have a hard time getting points over length.
Jalen Green (USA) is a 6’5” guard who can explode off the ball, and he can also hit the turbo in the open court. He finishes well, with elite body control and long strides. He also shows creativity finishing with touch around the rim. His perimeter shooting has improved, and he can pull up off the dribble and make shots from deep range. He does not have length to compensate with being 6’5”, and his style relies heavily on iso, which can drain efficiency. His pull-up shooting can be on and off, and his left hand isn’t the best when it comes to handling at passing. He will take risks for steals and does not always hustle to beat screens or shut down opponents defensively.
NBA Betting Odds
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