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The 2021 NBA draft is arguably the best draft class to date. It’s simply filled with talent from top to bottom. Aside from projected lottery picks such as Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley, there are also a plethora of NBA draft sleepers in this class.
NBA draft sleepers 2021
A lot of teams don’t have the luxury of having a lottery pick. However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t snag a talented player late in the draft board. Teams can still find some draft sleepers that are often overlooked.
Now, let’s take a look at the five underrated NBA draft prospects in 2021…
5. Isaiah Todd, G-League Ignite
2020-2021 stats: 12.3 ppg/4.9 rpg
Isaiah Todd is one of the best stretch bigs in the 2021 NBA Draft. At 6’10”, he is deadly at pick and pop situations, especially in the midrange.
He can shoot from beyond the arc as well as he shot 36%. As you can see, Todd’s shooting and offensive versatility allow him to fit into any system. The numbers may not blow teams away but his effectiveness as a face-up threat can’t be denied. If not overshadowed by his Ignite teammates, Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga, he is easily a first-round talent.
Projected to be a second-rounder, teams who need a true stretch big man can draft him without hesitation.
4. Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois
2020-2021 stats: 20.1 ppg/6.3 rpg/5.3 apg
At 6’5″, Ayo Dosunmu is one of the best NBA draft prospects. He can do everything and fill the stat sheet on any given night.
Ayo is a combo guard who can score in a variety of ways and guard multiple positions. His size allows him to be deadly in the transition with his hesitation moves and quick first step. Although it still needs improvement, he can also hit the three-ball as needed.
Ayo led Illinois as the second seed in the Big Ten and was named the Tournament MVP. Projected to be a late first-rounder, teams who need an NBA-ready versatile guard can draft him.
3. Neemias Queta, Utah State
2020-2021 stats: 14.9 ppg/10.1 rpg/3.3 bpg
Neemias Queta is a 7’0″ prospect out of Utah State. What makes him special is his defensive impact and mobility for someone his size.
His 3.3 blocks and 1.1 steals per game earned him two-time MWC DPOY award. Queta was highly impactful as a rim protector and rebounder.
Projected to be a second-rounder, teams who need rim protection with crazy upside can draft him. Queta can be one of the best second round draft picks of all-time.
2. JT Thor, Auburn
2020-2021 stats: 9.4 ppg/5.0 rpg/1.4 bpg
JT Thor is one of the unique talents in the 2021 NBA Draft. At 6’9″ with a 7’4″ wingspan, he can defend multiple positions and protect the rim.
In Auburn, he showed flashes of his offensive game. Although not yet polished, Thor can dribble and shoot from anywhere on the court given his size.
Projected to be a late first-rounder or an early second-rounder, Thor can be one of the best steals in this draft class. He’s still far from a finished product but teams can roll the dice and draft him to develop his game. After all, he’s still just 18 years old.
1. Miles McBride, West Virginia
2020-2021 stats: 15.9 ppg/3.9 rpg/4.8 apg
Miles “Deuce” McBride is one of the best two-way combo guards in the upcoming draft class.
At 6’2″, he is a good shot-creator who loves to pull up from the midrange. Over the years, he made significant improvements with his playmaking and shooting ability. But what makes him special is his Marcus Smart-like defense. His defensive impact and grittiness are well-documented as he likes to lock opposing guards.
McBride is projected to be a late-first rounder or early second-rounder. Teams who want his scoring potential and defense may want to take him. After all, NBA Teams love pesky defenders who are willing to throw their bodies on the line. He’s one of the best underrated NBA draft prospects in this class.
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