There are also three players we project to go from the G League Select Team. James Bouknight: 20.9: UConn: Wing: 6'5" 190: 14: 13-1: . His free throw percentage offers hope for more consistent production. The 2021 NBA draft is Thursday (8 p.m. 1y. ET on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App) with the draft boards of all 30 teams nearing completion and the shape of the lottery crystallizing. Thanks to his professional goals within the sports betting industry, there has been a whole lot of steam on the odds for a move to Las Vegas in 2023! Why it makes sense: OK, so for this last option, I went outside of the lottery because this is just fun to imagine. with his physical profile potentially growing as a playmaker and showing more effort on defense than the potential projections of a lot of guys in this draft. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ld_aOlYlS-lFALmsxNBeEA',sig:'2lmF4vQL9UDrVoQXskTEQuLs5xWNaQxToC-EXZqXmMM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1306778984',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Dylan is a journalism graduate of Texas Christian University. But its not demolition time. Mitchell clearly put in a lot of hard work to develop that skill before leaving college. Follow us on all of our social channels! Its rare for New York to be considered a great landing spot for a draft prospect, but the roster lines up well Bouknights skills. So, at least for right now, he's No. NBA Draft Combine 2021: Connecticut James Bouknight 6-24-21 . He could be the highest-drafted Husky since 2009, when Hasheem Thabeet was picked No. So with the Draft Combine in our rearview and the NCAA's withdrawal deadline looming Wednesday, a more complete picture of this year's draft class is beginning to take shape. . The NBA Draft combine has come and gone, and we're a little bit closer to seeing where the best prospects will land professionally. - Byrum, Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Getting to the heart of that question is how and why LaMelo Ball last year was ranked No. His assist numbers werent great at UConn, but thats primarily because he was asked to score. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Bouknight's stats-only projection pegs him worse than replacement level in large part because of iffy outside shooting. Shooting is the premium skill in the NBA and Duarte should be able to provide plenty of itto his next team. 5 in this draft, but if Barnes goes fifth, I can't imagine Kuminga slips past the Thunder at six, either. Buy Bulls Tickets. "The opportunity to play at the highest level of basketball has always been a dream of mine, and it's an opportunity that I can't pass up right now," Bouknight told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. He doesn't fall far here -- just one spot to No. The best comparison for Bouknight is Jordan Clarkson, who just won Sixth Man of the Year. He's tough for his size, is a strong dribbler and scorer, but ultimately must improve his facilitating. In the final days before the 2021 NBA Draft, ESPN has dropped one of their final mock drafts. Forward Julian Champagnie, led the Big East in scoring during his sophomore season, and plans to maintain his eligibility. Bouknight also has the potential to be a long-time guy in the league, generating hype as a reliable sixth man. Why it makes sense: The Pelicans are still on the hunt for a head coach after Jacque Vaughn, one of the top candidates, reportedly pulled his name from contention. Please enter your email address. James Bouknight can provide notable depth behind Bradley Beal. 5 NBA Draft prospects rising the board originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington. 1 pick is called in. As well as he can manipulate defenders to create his own shot, he is still learning how to make plays for othersparticularly out ball screens. 12. Basketball News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumors. Then, when he came back, he really wasn't quite 100%. James Bouknight, Shooting Guard, Connecticut. Here is a look at the five players who have improved their stock the most during this year'spredraft process with analysis from NBC Sports Washington'sChase Hughes,Tyler Byrum and Mike DePrisco. Ranked 1st in the Big East in isolation scoring (1.9 points per game), Ranked 2nd in the Big East in hand off scoring (1.7 points per game), Ranked 5th in the Big East in transition scoring (3.7 points per game), Ranked 5th in the Big East in off screen scoring (1.5 points per game). Widely regarded as a top-60 prospect in the high school class of 2019after his senior year atThe MacDuffie School(MA),Bouknight emerged as a key contributor for Head Coach Dan Hurley as a true freshman averaging 13 points per game. The 19-year-old measured in at 6-foot-7 without shoes and posted a near 7-foot-3 wingspan. There are just over three weeks left until the 2021 NBA Draft. I just feel that the player I am, I feel like I can fit in any role with any system, with any coach, Bouknight told reporters last week at the combine. Draft Projection. Is GSW actually in trouble? For months there has been a near consensus that there are five players in the top tier of this draft -- rounded out by Kuminga -- who are locks to go top five in some order. "I feel like the pro game, with more open space on the floor, is ideal for my game.". Keon Johnson NBA draft scouting report and mock draft ranking. Bouknight missed games this past mid-season with an elbow injury, and his percentage from beyond the arc this season was down (29.3 percent) compared to his freshman season (34.7 percent). The Warriors really lacked offensive creation last season in the backcourt any time that Stephen Curry left the floor. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. With the draft a month away, . #2021NBADraft #JamesBouknightVideo breakdown of 2021 draft prospect and Connecticut Huskies CG James BouknightMake sure you follow us on Twitter @TheBoxAndOn. Recent first-rounders: C Goga Bitadze (2019), PG Aaron Holiday (2018), PF T.J. The big man averaged 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds off the bench during his freshman season. The 2021 NBA Draft is set for Thursday, July 29 at 8:00 p.m. You will receive mail with link to set new password. We're doing exactly that today with an expanded Big Board from a top 75 to top 100 ahead of the July 29 draft. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. He split time between the Hornets G-League team, the Greensboro Swarm, but only played 31 games with the big dogs. ESPN draft insider Jonathan Givony currently has Oklahoma City slated to select Connecticut's James . Thinking about Bouknight your archetypal New York guard playing for his hometown crowd at the Garden is entertaining. Bouknight uses his ball-handling to create space for his jumper, and he isnt afraid to take and make contested shots. Welcome to The Ringer's 2023 NBA Draft Guide. Bouknight has been red hot the last two games, but I'm not sure he is the answer. We offer daily, weekly, rest of season, and full season projections. 1 on the CBS Sports Big Board for months leading up to the draft. The Timberwolves are drafting first overallagain. His ability to create off the bounce in between Curry and Klay Thompson would be a blast to watch.. With Bouknight being a score-first guard, he can be streaky and also force shots. Compare the numbers of the three finalists for the leagues top defensive honor. Bouknight isnt a great shooter from deep, which is a very sought-after skill in todays league. The Hornets traded a future first-round pick to the New York Knicks to acquire the No. Listed at 65 with a wiry 190-pound frame to go along with good length and tremendous explosiveness, Bouknight has terrific physical tools for a shooting guard. The 2021 NBA Draft will take place on July 29, and the Indiana Pacers are projected to select shooting guard James Bouknight from UConn in Bleacher Report's NBA Mock Draft. She previously covered the University of Connecticut basketball and the WNBA's Connecticut Sun for The Athletic and wrote for Sports Illustrated. 2. NBAE via Getty Images Bouknight originally was a youth baseball star before transitioning to basketball as. Draft Info. Henry graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2021 with a Communication Studies degree and a Psychology minor. And if his best trait as a prospect is scoring, why are we buying someone who was so inefficient? He showed this past season he can not only make threes off catch-and-shoot plays, but also off the dribble, sometimes with defenders right on him. [Thread] Beware using 3pt% for NBA prospects as the sole indicator for shooting projection one week of outlier performance on a small . He also has. He made just four of 15 shots, scoring 14 points, in UConns loss to Creighton in the Big East Tournament, then went 6 for 16 with 15 points in the Huskies loss to Maryland in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Hes a strong finisher at the basket. Kuminga is next up to help round out our top 10, coming in at No. James Bouknight | Thunder UConn | Position: G | Height: 6-5 Status: Sophomore Most Common: 6 (8) Scoring guard who can simply figure out ways to get buckets when needed; streaky shooter who can. One of the bigger Pelicans needs is someone who can play both sides of the floor as the team struggled defensively this season. Henry currently specializes in betting analysis and picks for college football, college basketball and NASCAR. Will Bouknight last until No. The sophomore averaged 18.7 ppg, but struggled late in the season. Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Baseball . Lastly, hes both a strong defender and rebounder for a guard. lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. I feel like me on the Knicks, I think that fit would be great, Bouknight told reporters at the combine. Teams with late first-round picks are checking in. Yet as the draft has approached, Kuminga has fallen away from that bunch of Cunningham, Green, Mobley and Suggs in the eyes of teams. 19? Name. So while the search for a leader continues, the draft will offer more talent for a roster that hasnt been to the playoffs since 2018. There was a time when the top 5 was written in stone, but that no longer seems to be the case. Clarkson improved as a shooter during his career and theres no reason Bouknight cant do the same. Check out our Twitter, Facebookand YouTube for more great FlurrySports content. He has excellent ball-handling skills and projects as a player who is firmly capable of creating his own shot at the NBA level. Leaf (2017) Whether Washington trades up, down or stays firm at No. Not a speed burner Regressed as a three-point shooter from his freshman year to his sophomore year from 35% to 29%, albeit with double the amount of attempts per game At times over-confidence gets the better of him, whether it be shot selection or passing Shooting from distance suffered as he seemed to force shots too often and settle for low percentage looks Good slasher but lacks great playmaking ability for others and is an average passer at best He only averaged 1.8 assists per game compared to nearly 3 turnovers Despite a reported 7 wingspan, Bouknight rarely made much of an impact defensively and has plenty of room for improvement Bulking up would allow Bouknight to potentially defend guards and wings Shot selection will need improvement, which should not be too difficult as his role shifts to an spark-plug scorer off the bench If he cannot improve as a passer, it will be difficult to allow him to run the offense as a primary ball-handler and his impact will mostly have to come from off the ball Plays at his best as a primary ball-handler who can attack the basket, but turnovers were a major issue in his college career. His ability to attack opens up the offense for others and Bouknight is a capable passer. Hecan hit triples spotting up, off pick-and-rolls and coming around screens. Bouknight impressed at the combine with a video of his shooting from the pro day workout, garnering thousands of views. James Bouknight. A native of the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, he and his pup, Harold, have since relocated to Laramie, Wyoming. The Knicks will be looking for a guard to run their second unit right away. The NBA for guards is guys that can create their own shot, guards that can score at all three levels potentially with the athleticism and guards that can make difficult shots.. Mitchell made 44.7% of his threes and with volume, at 4.7 attempts per game. Coach Dan Hurley said last week he did not anticipate Bouknight returning for his junior season. Bouknight looks to be a hybrid mix of Derrick White and Alec Burks. UConn lost to Maryland in the first round of the 2021 NCAA men's tournament. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. That will be beneficial in New Orleans, where he can provide additional points and guard depth. He may be able to crawl into the end of the lottery, but it's most likely Bouknight gets drafted in the 15-20 range. 2021: Rd 1, Pk 11 (CHA) . Draft Home|Draft Board|Teams|Prospects. Most importantly, we have to keep in mind that those numbers aren't totally representative of his impact on UConn overall. James Bouknight brings an ideal combination of athletic ability and basketball talent to the table. Hornets pull away in 4th quarter to win last game of season, James Bouknight nails the trey vs. Toronto Raptors. James Bouknight is expected to be first the NBA lottery pick from UConn since 2012, when Andre Drummond went No. He has an explosive first step, incredible hops and excellent body control. NBA Quick Links. 1 pick. The Oregon wing isn't just a shooter, however. 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