She previously covered the University of Connecticut basketball and the WNBA's Connecticut Sun for The Athletic and wrote for Sports Illustrated. Bouknight currently sits at No. After a season marred by injury, theres potential for this squad. Age: 20 College: Connecticut Huskies James Bouknight 2020-21 Stats Games Played: 15 Points: 18.7 Rebounds: 5.7 Assists: 1.8 Field Goal Percentage: 44.7% 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: 29.3% Free Throw Percentage: 77.8% But New York could still use another addition to its backcourt, particularly in the point guard department. I feel like my play-making ability is underrated and just getting to a team where I can showcase that part of my game, I feel like thats essential, and I feel like I can do that on the Knicks.. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Why it makes sense: Were starting at the very top with Bouknight going early in the lottery. He's tough for his size, is a strong dribbler and scorer, but ultimately must improve his facilitating. Compare the numbers of the three finalists for the leagues top defensive honor. Nick Smith is the next James Bouknight. View fantasy basketball projections for James Bouknight (Charlotte Hornets). If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Check out our Twitter, Facebookand YouTube for more great FlurrySports content. Set. James Ham provides his final 2021 NBA mock draft hours before the No. James Bouknight is expected to be first the NBA lottery pick from UConn since 2012, when Andre Drummond went No. Jalen Green - 6-5 - G League Ingite; Moses Moody - 6-6 - Arkansas; James Bouknight - 6-5 . Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. July 30, 2021 12:26 am CT. I will cherish every experience Ive had over the last two years and I truly believe every one of those experiences has prepared me for success as I move forward in my career.. Those numbers made a big jump from the year before, as he was previously not much of a threat from beyond the arc. 6 on Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo's latest Big Board. Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Baseball . So using that philosophy, Green is the biggest mover in our top five from No. Showing the ability to change speeds, get downhill, and finish creatively at the rim, Bouknight was exceptionally efficient around the rim last season. Bouknight's stats-only projection pegs him worse than replacement level in large part because of iffy outside shooting. As the No. 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. James Bouknightis an effortless scoring guard with the ball on a string who emerged as one of the most dynamic scoring guards in the country as a sophomore while leading Connecticut to an NCAA Tournament berth. With Bouknight being a score-first guard, he can be streaky and also force shots. Breaking a Combine vertical leap record helped Keon Johnson turn heads last month, but he's out of our top 10 and down to No. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages. It will mark a big breakthrough for UConn, which hasn't had an NBA Draft lottery pick since Andre. UConn's James Bouknight was one of the team's top players in 2021. The OKC Thunder own the sixth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The 2021 NBA draft will take place Thursday, July 29 with the Detroit Pistons holding the No. One of the big knocks against Bouknight ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft is his playmaking ability. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. "I feel like the pro game, with more open space on the floor, is ideal for my game.". 9 and Jeremy Lamb No. The Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic round out the top five selections. 1y. Cade Cunningham, PG, Oklahoma State. Competition for Bouknight feels needed. Recent first-rounders: C Goga Bitadze (2019), PG Aaron Holiday (2018), PF T.J. Athletic enough to avoid contact and strong enough to finish through contact at the rim Athleticism and ball-handling allowed him to get to the line over five times per game Decent defender with unlimited potential thanks to a reported 7 foot wingspan. Player/Athlete. It's not worth overthinking it with Cunningham, who. Void in ONT. This clearly plays a toll on him mentally, as hes often reluctant to take open threes. Its rare for New York to be considered a great landing spot for a draft prospect, but the roster lines up well Bouknights skills. . In his second season with the Huskies in 2020/21, Bouknight increased his averages to 18.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in 15 contests (31.7 MPG). He lived up to his expectations, averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. There is no question he's among the best athletes in the draft, and his tenacity as a defender suggests he could in time grow into a two-way terror. With the NBA Draft just 2 weeks away, we are excited to present an updated big board for the class of 2021. . 5 selection to better fill up the frontcourt need, so a scorer like Bouknight seems like a plausible way to add some points. Tennessee scoring leader announces decision in social media post thanking Vol Nation. UConn fans will be tuned in to see where standout James Bouknight ends up. Barnes' combination of natural instincts and elite physical tools should give him a high floor as a defender with the potential to become a perennial All-Defense type of player. . He has great size and length at 6-9 with a 7-2 wingspan, and he certainly knows how to use it. Gambling Problem? Draft Projection. Bouknight is a very inconsistent shooter. . Bouknightis acapabledefensive playerwhose length and quickness helped him hold his own on the perimeter for stretches last season. Follow Charlotte on Twitter @charlottecrrll. Odds and lines subject to change. The Athletics Tim Kawakami also listed Bouknight as his early guess for the Warriors selection at No. He earned All-Big East honors after tallying seven 20-plus point games, including a 40-point effort against Creighton. 19. Whether Washington trades up, down or stays firm at No. If the Pelicans keep the pick, now is the time to keep building around the duo with a player who can contribute soon. James Bouknight NBA Draft Profile, Stats, Highlights and Projection, Keeanu Benton Draft Profile: Stats, Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Nick Herbig Draft Profile: Stats, Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Anton Harrison Draft Profile: College Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Dawand Jones Draft Profile: College Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Cody Mauch Draft Profile: College Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection, Broderick Jones Draft Profile: College Highlights and 2023 NFL Draft Projection. Charlotte goes after another shooting guard for depth with Terry Rozier's recent injuries. Anyone who is capable of that type of explosive scoring. They will then have until July 19 to determine whether or not they plan to stay in this class or. His free throw percentage offers hope for more consistent production. Scottie Barnes is Florida State's highest-profile prospect, but NBA teams like Gray and the idea that drafting Seminoles has recently worked out. We're doing exactly that today with an expanded Big Board from a top 75 to top 100 ahead of the July 29 draft. Draft Projection. A Closer Look At Bronny James as a NBA Draft Prospect. James Bouknight's rookie season was underwhelming to say the least. Here is a look at the five players who . Charlotte drafted James Bouknight in the first round. Some of that can be traced to his ability to finish designed lobs and instincts hunting put back dunks, but he did a nice job picking and choose his spots attacking the rim as well. James Bouknight. Whether Washington trades up, down or stays firm at No. Age:19Height:6-9Weight:225Wingspan:7-2, 2020/21stats: 24G,10.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.1apg, 1.5spg, 0.5bpg, 50.3FG% (4.1/8.1), 27.53PT% (0.5/1.7), 62.1FT%, Projections:NBC Sports Washington 5th,Sports Illustrated 6th, Ringer 6th, NBADraft.net 6th, Bleacher Report 7th, Analysis:Barnes is already agood, versatile defender and should be able to contribute at that end of the floor right away. 2021 Draft Prospects. Golden State needs to add scoring for moments when Stephen Curry is not on the floor and James Bouknight, who dropped 40 points in a college game last season, can provide exactly that. 2 overall. "Hes not very big for his position but compensates with explosiveness, and as a stellar athlete with tons of natural ability, needs to be taken seriously as a mid-lottery prospect due in part to a lack of great options. But its not demolition time. Bouknight was asked about the prospect of going home. At 6-foot-5, hes a finisher and crafty scorer who can create his own shot. He projects as a plus defender with solid court vision and playmaking skills. The Washington Wizards hold the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. UCONN's James Bouknight averaged 18.7 points per game as a sophomore. This post was last modified on July 4, 2021 4:20 PM. 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. He was known to miss opportunities in college and also tends to kill his dribble in costly spots. Photo by Porter Binks/Getty Images The 2021 NBA draft will take place Thursday, July 29 with the Detroit Pistons holding the No. He stood out as a freshman, averaging 13 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. A quick first step and attacking mentality makes the versatile combo guard a menace on the court. Getting to the heart of that question is how and why LaMelo Ball last year was ranked No. Last year he posted nearly 19 points per game with a per-40 minutes average of 23.7 ppg. 19? 12. And its not just us thinking about it. Heres a breakdown for UConn guard James Bouknight. Near Mint or Better. Eligibility restrictions apply. With draft week underway, the crew from across USA TODAY's NBA wire sites connected for a roundtable mock draft.. Card Condition. I feel like me on the Knicks, I think that fit would be great, Bouknight told reporters at the combine. Chris Duarte, G, OregonAge:24Height:6-6Weight:190Wingspan:6-7, 2020/21 stats:26G,34.1mpg, 17.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.9spg, 0.8bpg, 53.2FG% (6.2/11.6), 42.43PT% (2.3/5.5), 81.0 FT%, Projections:NBC Sports Washington 23rd,Sports Illustrated 17th, Ringer 22nd, NBADraft.net 15th, Bleacher Report 29th, Analysis:Duarte is one of the best shooters in this draft and he's comfortable getting his shot off in a multitude of ways. Bouknight impressed at the combine with a video of his shooting from the pro day workout, garnering thousands of views. Hornets won't go 'big-game hunting,' GM says, James Bouknight drills the jump shot vs. Toronto Raptors, James Bouknight makes beautiful dish for a basket, Lowe's 10 things: Joel Embiid carrying the sludgy Sixers and serious issues in Golden State, James Bouknight makes a great defensive play, James Bouknight flies in for the coast-to-coast bucket, James Bouknight makes a great defensive play for the steal, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. James Bouknight brings an ideal combination of athletic ability and basketball talent to the table. Although his assist numbers arent high, Bouknight is very talented with the ball in his hands. Bowman Draft Picks and Prospects Baseball Sports Trading . Creating nearly a third of his possessions out of ball screens or isolations butfinding another quarter viahand offs and off screens, Bouknightnot onlyhad the freedom to create his own shotbutwasalsothe target of many of the Huskies designed actions on the perimeter last season. He'll be a sparkplug offensive weapon in the NBA and a really, really good one for a long time. He may be able to crawl into the end of the lottery, but its most likely Bouknight gets drafted in the 15-20 range. Using the threat of his first step to keep defenders off balance, he scored in bunches when he found his range on the perimeter but ran hot and cold from the perimeter for extended stretches as a sophomore. Bouknight is the kind of creative force who can put pressure on the rim. Bouknight isnt a great shooter from deep, which is a very sought-after skill in todays league. 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. 1 pick is called in. 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. One of the group of young prospects that skipped the college game and headed straight to the G League, Kuminga played very well in the G League Bubble. Orlando could use more shooting. The Memphis big man -- who led the league in blocks at 3.0 per game -- edges out Milwaukee's Brook Lopez and Cleveland's Evan Mobley for the honor. UConns James Bouknight was one of the teams top players in 2021. It's hard to imagine he goes higher than No. 5 NBA Draft prospects rising the board originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington. follow. 6 -- but it's a development worth monitoring with Bouknight, Barnes and others all making late pushes. lottery pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. UConn fans will be tuned in to see where standout James . Whether you buy the upside or not the outside scoring package and youth (he's the youngest player in the draft) is reason to believe in him as a role-player and why I'm buying the long-term upside, even if we didn't see it much in college. Jalen Green - 6-5 - G League Ingite; Moses Moody - 6-6 - Arkansas; James Bouknight - 6-5 . 11. You can put me in many different situations, and I can thrive in all of them.. The former G League standout talks family, injuries and his path to the BAL in lieu of Nile Conference play on April 26. 24 Huskies held off Xavier 72-61. Bouknight is an explosive ball-handler who is strong off the dribble. Bouknight began his freshman career in the 2019-20 season when the Huskies were still in the American Athletic Conference. His ability to create off the bounce in between Curry and Klay Thompson would be a blast to watch.. For Bouknight, that means coming to a spot he can potentially offer immediate assistance. 15, here is the latest in our series on draft prospects who the Wizards could consider selecting. Draymond Green is given a Flagrant 2 foul for stomping on the chest of Domantas Sabonis, who earns a technical foul for grabbing Green's leg. The knock here with him is that his efficiency isn't quite up to snuff: he hit 29.3% from 3 last season, 44.7% from the field and has, for two seasons, had a higher turnover rate than assist rate. Which team will take Bouknight isnt clear, but Bouknight isnt worried. He is also a competitive powerlifter and aspires to qualify for the USAPL Nationals meet within the next 2-3 years. 6 as he narrowly edges out fast-rising forward Scottie Barnes as well as Davion Mitchell, Josh Giddey and Franz Wagner. This will be the highest Pacers draft pick since 2015 when they chose Myles Turner at No. Off-ball players NEED to be good shooters or drivers in order to impact the game at a high level. 13. 1 pick. Measurables: 6-foot-4.75, 190 pounds Age: 20. In the final days before the 2021 NBA Draft, ESPN has dropped one of their final mock drafts. UConn coach Dan Hurley has said Bouknight, who spent two years in Storrs, Conn., is a hard prospect to pass up. This is the no-brainer . Looking more confident from beyond the arc as the year wore on, he had some ups and downs in terms of consistency but ranked among the most dynamic guards in the college game last season. Sports have been his passion since he was young, whether it be playing them, watching them, or writing about them. - DePrisco, Age:20Height:6-5Weight: 190Wingspan:6-8, 2020/21stats: 15G,18.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1spg, 0.3 bpg, 44.7FG% (6.5/14.6), 29.3 3PT% (1.5/4.0), 77.8 FT%, Player comparison:Derrick White, Jordan Clarkson, Projections:NBC Sports Washington 10th,Sports Illustrated 8th, Ringer 19th, NBADraft.net 7th, Bleacher Report 13th, Analysis:Of all the prospects not projected to go in the top ten, James Bouknight might providethe most explosive playmaking ability of the rest of the class. It's hard to envision a world in which he isn't one of the draft's top two players if he reaches his full potential. . Hes tough for his size, is a strong dribbler and scorer, but ultimately must improve his facilitating. The 10 Top Freshmen In High School Basketball - Class of 2026 Recruits . The Knicks will be looking for a guard to run their second unit right away. 2021 NBA Draft Projection. It is rare for a prospect to enter the NBA with the intangibles all that he has with his size, pull-up shooting, self-creation and playmaking. It was a relatively tame NFL Free Agency, but all 32 teams now have their. . He averages 19 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals. NBA.com is part of Warner . Duarte is one of the more polished offensive prospects in this class. 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. NBA Draft Combine 2021: Connecticut James Bouknight 6 . Pick: 10 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. Despite that, he did his best work around the rim averaging 1.37 points per shot around the rim in the half court [86th percentile]. (NBA) Set. Upon learning the reported list of top prospects invited to the NBA Draft Green . For starters, he has an obvious NBA role early because of his scoring ability. Coach Dan Hurley said last week he did not anticipate Bouknight returning for his junior season. Bouknights shooting mechanics could also stand to be fine-tuned at the next level. Click here for updated CBS Sports Top 100 NBA Draft prospect rankings. [Thread] Beware using 3pt% for NBA prospects as the sole indicator for shooting projection one week of outlier performance on a small . This mock draft includes 16 freshmen, 15 sophomores, eight juniors, nine seniors and nine international prospects. Shooting is the premium skill in the NBA and Duarte should be able to provide plenty of itto his next team. Buy Bulls Tickets. possible second round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. She interned at The Denver Post and Field & Stream magazine. "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. Lost your password? Hornets pull away in 4th quarter to win last game of season, James Bouknight nails the trey vs. Toronto Raptors. Instead, he went just 5-of-21 shooting in two games, and he didn't quite catch a rhythm. The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz welcomes the ESPN NFL analyst to discuss what his colleagues mock him for his palate. - Byrum, Age:22Height:6-1Weight:202Wingspan:6-4, 2020/21stats:30 G,11.2 ppg, 2.7rpg, 5.5apg, 1.9spg, 0.4bpg, 51.1FG% (5.3/10.3), 44.73PT% (2.1/4.7), 64.1FT%, Projections:NBC Sports Washington 7th,Sports Illustrated 7th, Ringer 7th, NBADraft.net 13th, Bleacher Report 9th, Analysis: In addition to being a lockdown defender, Mitchell shootsvery well from three-point range. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nba | pageType: stories | This is often the case with guards who are above and beyond the best player on their collegiate team, however. James Bouknight can provide notable depth behind Bradley Beal. His sophomore year he led the Owls with 13.7 points before making the jump to Virginia. Ultimately though, he needs to prove that he can knock down shots at a bit of a better clip, given that it needs to be a genuine plus skill with what his game will be.. A capable defender who was more aggressive sometimes than others as a sophomore, Bouknight is not the most physical stopper, but did a nice job using his quickness and length to contain the ball and get a hand up on shooters when he was dialed in last season. Scoring 0.83 points per pull-up jump shot in the half court [59th percentile], Bouknight showed the ability to get to his jump shot in a variety of ways covering a lot of ground with his step back in particular. The big man averaged 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds off the bench during his freshman season. Pick: 8 (from Chicago) 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). By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Welcome to The Ringer's 2023 NBA Draft Guide. The best comparison for Bouknight is Jordan Clarkson, who just won Sixth Man of the Year. (NBA) Autographed. Due to his impressive freshman season, Bouknight started his sophomore season on the John R. Wooden Award watch list. With superstars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, this seasons 31-41 record was disappointing. 2021 Panini Prizm Draft Picks. "The opportunity to play at the highest level of basketball has always been a dream of mine, and. Scores. 5 NBA Draft prospects rising the board originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington. Players have until the end of this month, May 30, to apply for entry into the 2021 NBA draft. Is GSW actually in trouble? . STORRS, Conn. (AP) UConn sophomore James Bouknight has announced his intention to enter the NBA draft. He declared for the NBA Draft at the end of March and is poised to be one of the first guards selected. 2021 Draft Profile - James Bouknight Kyle Boone CBS Sports - June 21st: "An elbow injury and subsequent surgery midseason disrupted James Bouknight's breakout sophomore season, but scouts are well aware of what he can do on the court. Even if I'm debating his potential long-term ceiling, I think the risk he eventually doesn't pan out as a prospect is worrisome enough that I'd stay away in the top two. Rotating with a more of a sense of urgency sometimes than others, Bouknight had some encouraging defensive efforts late in the year as the Huskies clawed their way off the NCAA Tournament bubble. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. (Photo: David Butler II / USA Today Sports). He could be the highest-drafted Husky since 2009, when Hasheem Thabeet was picked No. Mitchell clearly put in a lot of hard work to develop that skill before leaving college. The Knicks could be entering a new era after making the playoffs for the first time since 2013 despite a five-game first-round exit. Bouknight looks to be a hybrid mix ofDerrick WhiteandAlec Burks. Jalen Green - 6-5 - G League Ingite; Moses Moody - 6-6 - Arkansas; James Bouknight - 6-5 . James BouknightPosition: WingHeight: 65Weight: 190 lbs.Age: 20College: Connecticut Huskies. 7, if the team passes on a Jonathan Kuminga scenario. UConn guard James Bouknight announced his decision to enter the 2021 NBA draft on Wednesday. James Bouknight, Shooting Guard, Connecticut. In a draft class projected a little all over the place with its later lottery picks, Bouknight offers an exciting opportunity because of his upside. After leading UCLA on a Final Four run as an 11 seed with incredible shot-making, Juzang looked to be prepared to assert himself into the first-round discussion at the Combine. Below, are my Top 10 rookies based on skillset, opportunity, and team fit. Hart rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter of Game 1 and was limited in Monday's practice before the Knicks later listed him as doubtful. In his first post-lottery mock draft, The Athletics Sam Vecenie has Bouknight going No. His ability to attack opens up the offense for others and Bouknight is a capable passer. The NBA Draft combine has come and gone, and were a little bit closer to seeing where the best prospects will land professionally. Although he averaged nearly three turnovers a game, he also averaged a steal per game. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). But Orlando is a young squad primed for a rebuild, so the draft offers another opportunity to build for the future. Bouknight uses his ball-handling to create space for his jumper, and he isnt afraid to take and make contested shots. 14 pick in the first round. Clarkson improved as a shooter during his career and theres no reason Bouknight cant do the same. Lets break down some of his most likely landing spots in the wake of last weeks lottery: Pick: 7 (from Minnesota) Videos. Averaging 0.62 points per catch and shoot jump shot in the half court [11th percentile], Bouknight has room to grow as a floor spacer as he found very mixed results in limited attempts operating off the ball. Leaf (2017) With the draft a month away, . Heres Vecenie on the fit: The Warriors will be looking for immediate help, either in the form of a draft pick who can help now or a trade. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. With the NBA Draft right around the corner, the OKC Thunder have an important selection to make at 6. James Bouknight averaged 18.7 points per game for UConn as a sophomore last season. In his freshman . Bouknight's feel and finesse as a pure bucket-getter also helps separate him as one of the best scorers in this draft. at Near Mint or Better. 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). James Bouknight, UConn (SG, 6-4, 190) The deal for Memphis to move up in the draft isn't official, but it will be, and the Grizzlies use the pick to land Ja Morant's future longtime backcourt . OKC Thunder lands James Bouknight in latest 2021 NBA Mock Draft OKC Thunder lands James Bouknight in latest 2021 NBA Mock Draft The OKC Thunder are a team building for the future, which. The Oregon wing isn't just a shooter, however. All Rights Reserved. The NBA Draft combine has come and gone, and we're a little bit closer to seeing where the best prospects will land professionally. Henry currently specializes in betting analysis and picks for college football, college basketball and NASCAR.