2021 NBA Draft Big Board — 34. Jason Preston, Ohio
Former FanSided writer and potential first-round sleeper Jason Preston rocketed up draft boards after a strong showing in the NCAA tournament. He’s one of the smartest players on the board, and that alone is reason to believe he can figure out the NBA. Preston posted impressive shooting splits as a junior, and he was one of college basketball’s most creative passers.
Preston has the playmaking juice to run the show at the next level. He’s not a great athlete at 6-foot-4, and defense is a major drawback, but his I.Q. and court vision are too tantalizing to rank him lower than this. He should get looks in the first round.
2021 NBA Draft Big Board — 33. Day’Ron Sharpe, North Carolina
With throwback size and physicality at 6-foot-11, Day’Ron Sharpe will no doubt earn looks in the first round. He has the size to battle the Joel Embiids of the world on the block, but is agile enough to defend high up against the pick-and-roll. His motor runs white-hot, he’s a vacuum on the glass, and his shot-blocking upside is worth getting excited about.
On offense, Sharpe will serve almost exclusively as a rim-runner. He can finish with power at the rim, but bigs who are not switchable and who can’t space the floor have natural limitations. Sharpe should be a good defender, but to proclaim elite upside is overstating it. That said, his decision-making on offense is pretty advanced for a 7-footer. He won’t muck up possessions, and can do some facilitating out of DHOs or from the elbow.