2021 NBA Mock Draft Version 1.0: At the quarter mark of NBA season
9
Brandon Boston Jr. Freshman, Guard/Forward, Duke (NCAA)
11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.2 blocks, 35% fg, 18% 3pt, 31 mpg
Brandon Boston reminds me so much of Cam Reddish two years ago. Cam came into his freshman year at Duke with sky-high expectations and ended up falling out of the top-prospect conversation come draft time.
Reddish still has loads of potential, but falling to ninth overall certainly wasn’t ideal for him. Ironically, Boston is selected ninth to Orlando. Similarly to Reddish, Boston was a big-name recruit with high expectations who has been very inefficient and not as advertised.
Many people will give up on Boston, but the NCAA season is far from over. However, even if he doesn’t pull it together, he should still be a lottery pick.
My guess is Boston ends up being a value pick for someone before eighth overall, and Orlando could use his versatility and scoring abilities on the wing. Whatever direction Orlando goes this Summer, Boston could slide in at the two, three, or off of the bench. He is a high-ceiling player who at worst should be a solid floor spacer.
10
Corey Kispert Senior, Forward, Gonzaga (NCAA)
20.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.2 blocks, 59% fg, 49% 3pt, 31 mpg
Corey Kispert has been one of college basketball’s top players this year, catching fire from three point range. There were rumblings last year that Kispert could have declared for the Draft, but he wisely chose to stay in college for a senior year.
Kispert comes seemingly out of nowhere this year, as he was a fringe second round pick in my 2020 NBA Draft Rankings. However, he appears to be far and away the best shooter in this draft.
Kispert’s high volume scoring is unlikely at the NBA level, but he has shown that he is a top-notch off-ball option at the college level. Floor spacing is something that every team covets, and though he may not have the ceiling of many guys in the draft, he should be a lottery pick. Charlotte needs wing depth and kick-out options for LaMelo Ball, and Kispert is the best available.