2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: One week before the 2021 Lottery
11
Alperen Sengun 2002, C, Beşiktaş
19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.7 blocks, 65% fg, 19% 3pt, 81%, 28 mpg
After Mobley, the second-best center prospect in this class was largely up for debate between Kai Jones, Isaiah Jackson, and Alperen Sengun. However, of late, Sengun has seemed to begin to pull away as the likely second big to go. This is probably a large product of his recent MVP award in the Turkish Super League.
Though this is not EuroLeague or EuroCup basketball, Sengun put up dominant numbers playing in Turkey’s top league. He can do a bit of everything from the center spot, and though his three-point range is still very much a work in progress, his free throw numbers suggest promise in that area of his game.
Charlotte will more than certainly be in the market for a center this summer, whether it be in free agency or via the draft. By the eleventh pick, they will likely have multiple options at the five and will likely want to pair LaMelo Ball with a young big to develop chemistry with on the pick-and-roll going forward.
He is not the athlete that Isaiah Jackson is nor the floor spacer that Kai Jones is, but of the three Sengun likely has the highest ceiling. However, this is not to say that he is a safe pick, as players from smaller leagues are often a gamble.
12
James Bouknight Sophomore, G, Connecticut
18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.3 blocks, 45% ft, 29% 3pt, 78% ft, 32 mpg
With San Antonio seemingly set to lose DeMar DeRozan to free agency this summer, this team is going to need someone to score on the wing. Finding a scorer to pair with Keldon Johnson on the wing could help this team’s offensive shortcomings in the post-DeRozan era to come.
Bouknight had an injury-riddled sophomore year, and. though he played well in limited games, he didn’t even get the chance to play a consistent string of games, both health-wise and efficiency-wise. Standing at 6-foot-5, he does not possess above-average size on the wing and will be limited to guard play, but his athleticism allows him to compete inside as a slasher around the rim.
He was able to score at a volume rate in the NCAA, and he will look to do the same as a professional. However, unlike the likes of Green, Bouknight is far less safe of a bet. Though being a sophomore doesn’t necessarily hurt him, it doesn’t help either.
However, San Antonio has shown that age isn’t of too much importance, rather system fit. Perhaps the San Antonio culture would be good for Bouknight in developing more aspects to his game outside of scoring. However, at minimum, he has to become a more consistent shooter from deep to have NBA success.