Stetson guard Christiaan Jones has opted to withdraw his name from consideration in the upcoming 2021 draft and will return to school, tweets Jeff Goodman of Stadium. During the 2020/21 season, the 6’5″ Jones averaged 13 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 1.6 APG, while shooting .458/.350/842.
Here’s more on the upcoming draft:
- 6’11” Seton Hall star big man Sandro Mamukelashvili may stay local at the next level. He has workouts scheduled for both New York clubs next month, with a Nets session scheduled for July 1 and a Knicks workout penciled in for July 8, writes Adam Zagoria for NJ.com. “It would be great,” Mamukelashvili told reporters during a Zoom call on Friday. “I was born in New York. My first game was in New York. I watched the Knicks when I came here first, so it would be great.” Mamukelashvili averaged 17.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.2 APG and 1.1 SPG in 27 games for Seton Hall during his senior year, all starts.
- Hawks swingman Kevin Huerter has helped advise Aaron Wiggins, a guard at Huerter’s alma matter Maryland, as the latter player goes through workouts for several teams ahead of the 2021 draft, per Kevin Brown of NBC Sports Washington. Wiggins is hoping to be a first-round draft selection, and is weighing whether or not to remain in the draft. He has worked out for the Warriors, Celtics, Knicks and Cavaliers thus far. “Obviously, a guarantee of a first-round election would be something no one would pass up on,” Wiggins said. “For me, it’s just based on how I feel with what the teams are telling me and if the teams that like me want to draft me and I’m confident I’d be in a good situation and comfortable there, the teams that I’ve worked out with, the teams that I’ve interviewed with, just depending on how it would benefit me if I were to keep my name in there in the future.” Wiggins is currently the No. 58 prospect on ESPN’s big board. Wiggins averaged 14.5 PPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.1 SPG in 31 games for Maryland, including 30 starts.
- Pepperdine forward Kessler Edwards intends to sign with an agent and stay in the 2021 draft, tweets Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports. Edwards is projected as the No. 48 prospect on the ESPN 2021 draft board. During his 2020/21 junior year at Pepperdine, Edwards averaged 17.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.2 BPG, and 1.0 SPG across 27 games, including 26 starts.
I would love to see Mamu with the Knicks. He’d be a good choice with their second 2nd rounder. He was a 4 year player at the Hall, but is really still ascending. He has a star’s skill set, but he’s just not quite there. No team should draft him unless they’re willing to use their G-league affiliate in conjunction with his development.
There are a few good bigs we can look at. Garza is also someone we should look at. He’s lost weight and working on his speed. Imo 32 is too high for him. Knicks could be maneuvering and trade down. I believe he’s got a future in NBA. Knicks in past have not used the G-league well. I don’t get why teams don’t do more developing here. Whats the point of a rookie sitting. When he can play mins. Even a half yr or yr. Even a high pick. Better to play and learn. Sandro had a solid yr at SH.
He’s a great 3-point shooter, but he might not even be drafted. ESPN has him at #53 and CBS has Garza ranked at #71. He’s too big a reach at #32.
There’s just such a tremendous drop-off at center after Mobley.
That’s one reason I think he’s a smart pick at #2 for Houston because there will be other decent guards or wings available at picks #23 and #24.
Garza is a 2nd rd pick. As is Sandro. I was thinking more our late 2nd rd. Garza will get drafted. He will show in the workouts. His shooting is for real. He’s a smart player. So losing weight and getting in better shape. Will work wonders for him. Works for me as a backup for Mitch. Thibs can help him with his D. Jones from Texas is a solid C talent. But is raw and yrs away. Bassey from W Kentucky is solid. He’s more like Cousins old school big. Wouldn’t mind him with our 32 pick. You’re the guy who talked Bigs were not valued anymore. Yet now you’re all over Mobley. Just look at top 4 teams in NBA. Sixers (Embiid), Suns (Ayton), Hawks (Capela), Bucks (Lopez). None of them are as good without their Big. Sport of basketball will always be about size. It’s why we marvel at KD, Giannis, Harden, All big for their position. Ayton to me is next great big. Would of loved to see him go against Embiid.