Arizona State forward Marcus Bagley has decided to declare for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, he tells ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
Bagley, the younger brother of Kings big man Marvin Bagley III, currently ranks 27th overall on ESPN’s big board of 2021 prospects. He missed a portion of his freshman season due to COVID-related interruptions and ankle and calf injuries, but showed enough in 12 games to make him a potential first-round pick.
The 19-year-old averaged 10.8 PPG and 6.2 RPG while shooting 34.7% from beyond the arc in 29.2 minutes per contest during his first – and possibly only – college season.
Bagley is one of many early entrants who has declared for the draft in recent days. Here are some others:
Expected to go pro:
- RaiQuan Gray, F, Florida State (junior) (link via Twitter)
- Scottie Lewis, G, Florida (sophomore) (link via Instagram)
- RJ Nembhard, G, TCU (junior) (link via Twitter)
- DJ Steward, G, Duke (freshman) (link via Duke)
Testing the draft waters:
- Jermaine Couisnard, G, South Carolina (sophomore) (link via Instagram)
- Antonio Reeves, G, Illinois State (sophomore) (link via Twitter)
- Malachi Smith, G, Chattanooga (sophomore) (link via The Chattanooga Times Free Press)
- D.J. Stewart, G, Mississippi State (sophomore) (link via Twitter)
“10.8 PPG and 6.2 RPG while shooting 34.7% from beyond the arc.” Oh, definitely a 1st round pick. Is it any wonder that the NBA is as hard to watch as it is when this kid is considered 1st round talent? He should stay in school and develop his game. The NBA needs a 2-year rule.
If he’s like his older brother, will probably be injured the whole time no matter what he does anyway
Hopefully coach bags can run his mouth on Twitter about his new team before he’s even selected
Stats in college are not necessarily indicative of draft stock, we’ve seen for like, so many years guys with not great college stats go early in the draft. Jaylen Brown for instance. You should know, you have Boston in your name. 14 5 and 2 on 48/29/65 in his only year at Cal. Went 3rd overall.
Devin Booker only averaged 10ppg in college. 2 year rule is stupid. Just stops guys from getting a check sooner.
Exactly
Should just let guys come out of highschool again. I don’t think GMs are as dumb anymore as they were in the early 200s so we won’t see any Kwame Brown type stuff
I can already see sportswriters and researchers having nightmares if both DJ Steward and D.J. Stewart are both successful. About like the two Justin Jacksons or Bojan and Bogdan Bogdanovic. I am not a fan of really weird names, but we do need a little variety here. Maybe sports should do what actors do and force name changes if someone else already has it. Although I think even acting has relaxed that rule recently.
Suggs considered a top talent. Even #1 pick worthy by some. Butler and Mitchell looked real good against him. I see all three as PGs. Suggs is only 19, and I think it showed. But he fought back and never gave up. Still see him as top 5 pick. Baylor guards helped themselves in the draft. Mitchell definitely going in lottery now. Butler, most boards have in top of 2nd rd. He looked like 1st rd to me. Both are solid 2way players. Mitchell would sure look good in a Knicks uniform. Can only hope he drops to us.