2021 NBA Draft: Positional Breakdown: Shooters

Shooting is at a premium in today’s NBA. Even role players that can space the floor and hit big shots are getting paid like stars. As far as the team building process goes, many GM’s look for a sharpshooter as soon as they have found two young building blocks.

This year’s crop has several forwards and shooting guards that can help teams win now and in the future.   

FIRST ROUND LOCKS: 

Corey Kispert-SG/SF-Gonzaga 
6'7.25''/224/6'7''      
Sr./22.4
18.6 PTS      5.0 REB        44.1%-3PT    87.8%-FT
Hometown: Edmonds, WA
NBA Comparison: Kyle Korver/ Wally Szczerbiak
ROLE: Starting Wing Sharpshooter
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Defense/Hustle
Kispert was arguably the best shooter in college basketball the past two seasons. He is pro ready both physically and mentally. He may not have the upside of many other projected lottery picks, but scouts know exactly what they are getting with him. Kispert would be an ideal fit on a team that has hopes of winning now like the Warriors, Pelicans or Pacers. 

Chris Duarte-SG-Oregon
6'6"/190/6'7''
Sr./24.1
17.1 PTS      4.6 REB        42.4%-3PT    81.0%-FT     
Hometown: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
NBA Comparison: Francisco Garcia/Courtney Lee
ROLE: Starting Shooting Guard
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Hustle/Basketball IQ
A lot is being made of Duarte’s age as he is already 24, but like Kispert he is ready to help a contender right now. He is a great catch and shoot prospect. He does have some Reggie Miller to his game with his ability to run off screens and hit big shots.

I am most proud of my player comparisons for Duarte. Garcia and Lee were both very productive shooters coming out of college and like Duarte they slid a little bit due to their older draft age. Both were picked in the range that Duarte is projected to be chosen. Lee was taken at #22 in 2008 and Garcia was taken at #23 in 2005. Garcia is also from the Dominican Republic. Both Garcia and Lee had long NBA careers and Duarte should too despite any age concerns.  

Trey Murphy-SF/PF-Virginia     
6'9.25''/206/7'0''      
Jr./21.1
11.3 PTS      92.7%-FT      43.3%-3PT   
Hometown: Durham, NC
NBA Comparison: Robert Covington/James Posey
ROLE: Starting Combo Forward
BEST TOOLS: Defense/Shooting
Murphy is a perfect fit in today’s NBA with his combination of defense and shooting skills. This year he posted shooting splits of 50/40/90 and for his college career his splits were 46/40/82. He transferred from Rice to Virginia and immediately fit on a veteran team. 

Cameron Thomas-SG-LSU       
6'4''/210                 
Fr./19.7
23.0 PTS      3.4 REB        88.2%-FT      33.5%-3PT
Hometown:  Chesapeake, VA
NBA Comparison: Eric Gordon/Rodney Stuckey
ROLE: High End 6^th/7^th Man/Low End Starting Shooting Guard
BEST TOOLS: High Level Scoring/Mid Range Shooting
Thomas has more upside than the other shooters on this list. He is simply a bucket getter that has an uncanny knack for getting to the free throw line. He is not a great athlete which is the reason why he will need to carve out a Gordon/Stuckey role as a secondary scorer.

 

FIRST ROUND BORDERLINE:

Nah'Shon “Bones” Hyland-CG-VCU   
6'3.5''/169/6'9.25''   
So./20.8
19.5 PTS      37.1%-3PT    86.2%-FT
Hometown:  Wilmington, DE
NBA Comparison: Dennis Schröder/Lou Williams
ROLE: Instant offense bench player, Great 6^th/7^th man
BEST TOOLS: Scoring/Shooting
Hyland is a lanky scoring guard that despite his frame is fearless at driving to the hoop. He has mastered the step back three and can also score in catch and shoot situations.  His downside is that he really doesn’t offer anything else other than scoring.  

Joshua Primo-SG-Alabama      
6'5''/189/6'9.25''      
Fr./18.5
8.1 PTS        3.4 REB        38.1%-3PT   
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
NBA Comparison: Jeremy Lamb/Roger Mason
ROLE: Low End Starting Shooting Guard that may need 2-4 years to develop.
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Hustle
Primo is the youngest player in the draft and has used the draft process to raise his draft stock. He has ideal length as a shooting guard and the team that drafts him will hope that he can put on a little more size.

Miles McBride-PG-West Virginia        
6'2.5''/195/6'8.75''   
So./20.8
15.9 PTS      4.8 AST        41.4 %-3PT  81.3%-FT     
Hometown: Cincinnati
NBA Comparison: Willie Green (New Coach of the Pelicans)
ROLE: Backup 3 and D guard
BEST TOOLS: Basketball IQ/Defense/Scoring
McBride is a coach’s dream with his versatile skill set and willingness as an on-ball defender. He should carve out a role as a 3 and D guard like Willie Green. Given his draft range, he could end up playing for Green as the Pelicans have several early second round picks.

Quentin Grimes-SG/SF-Houston        
6'5.25''/210/6'8''      
Jr./21.2
17.8 PTS      5.7 REB        40.3%-3PT   
Hometown: Houston
NBA Comparison: Reggie Bullock
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Toughness/Strength
Grimes was a highly ranked recruit in 2018 that struggled to fit at Kansas before becoming a star for two years at Houston. He shot over 40% from three last year which is even more impressive given that he took 8 per game. He would be a first round lock if he were a little more athletic.

Joe Wieskamp-SG/SF-Iowa      
6'7.25''/205/6'11''    
Jr./21.9
14.8 PTS      6.6 REB        46.2%-3PT   
Hometown: Muscatine, IA
NBA Comparison: Chase Budinger
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Elite Leaping Skills
Wieskamp posted a 42-inch max vertical at the combine. He is a great athlete and proven shooter. Some compare his shooting and athletic ability to Pat Connaughton but Wieskamp is not as as physical as Connaughton. He has a body and skill set more similar to Budinger. He should be able to carve out a nice bench role in the league.

BJ Boston-SG-Kentucky
6'7''/188/6'10.75''    
Fr./19.6
11.5 PTS      4.5 REB        78.5%-FT
Hometown: Norcross, GA
NBA Comparison: Dorell Wright
BEST TOOLS: Length/Playmaking/Mid Range Shooting
Boston was the 4^th rated player in the 2020 class and a projected lottery pick. Many compared him to Brandon Ingram coming into the year. He was inconsistent at Kentucky but still has a chance to carve out a long NBA career given his elite length, body control and sweet looking jumper. It may be better for Boston to be drafted as a second round pick as he will not face the expectations he had at Kentucky.

 

GETTING DRAFTED BORDERLINE:

Isaiah Livers-CF-Michigan        
6'7.25''/232/6'9.25'' 
Sr./23.0
13.1 PTS      6.0 REB        43.1%-3PT    87.0%-FT
Hometown: Kalamazoo, MI
NBA Comparison: Doug McDermott
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Leadership/ Basketball IQ
Livers is another low ceiling, high floor three point shooter. At 232 pounds, he has enough size to play as a small ball power forward. He will turn 23 the night before that draft which makes him among the oldest players in the class. His older age combined with a foot injury suffered in March are the reasons that Livers is not a first round lock.

Austin Reaves-SG-Oklahoma   
6'5.75''/197/6'6.25'' 
Sr./23.1
18.3 PTS      5.5 REB        4.6 AST        86.5%-FT
Hometown: Newark, AR
NBA Comparison: Jon Barry
BEST TOOLS: Playmaking/Mid Range Shooting/ Basketball IQ
Reaves filled up the stat sheet in his two years at Oklahoma after playing two years at Wichita St. He is a fearless player that can score in a variety of ways. He has good size for a wing and has proven he is more than just a knock down shooter.

Kessler Edwards-SF-Pepperdine        
6'8”/203/6'11.25''    
Jr./21.9
14.8 PTS      6.6 REB        37.8 %-3PT  87.6%-FT
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
NBA Comparison: Tony Snell
BEST TOOLS: Defense/Shooting
Edwards has the length and shooting tools that scouts covet. He improved significantly from the free throw line in his three years at Pepperdine. His 3 and D projection is accurate, but he lacks any real versatility as a player. He isn’t a great passer, ball handler or rebounder as this point in his career and may have trouble developing those skills. 

Matthew Hurt-CF-Duke   
6'9.5''/232/6'9.5''     
So./21.2
18.3 PTS      6.2 REB        44.4%-3PT   
Hometown: Rochester, MN
NBA Comparison: Kyle Wiltjer
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Size 
Hurt is an excellent shooter that lacks elite athletic ability and length. There is a place for him in this league as a limited minutes big man and floor spacer.

Duane Washington Jr-CG-Ohio St      
6'3.75''/197/6'7.75'' 
Jr./21.4
16.4 PTS      3.4 REB        37.4 %-3PT  83.5%-FT
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
NBA Comparison: Jordan Crawford
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Toughness
Washington is a solid combo guard that can really shoot. However, he lacks the playmaking skills to currently run a team’s second unit at the point. He proved his competitiveness at the combine but will still need the right fit in the league.  

Sam Hauser-SF-Virginia
6'8''/217/6'9.25''      
Sr./23.7
16.0 PTS      6.8 REB        41.7 %-3PT  89.6%-FT
Hometown: Stevens Point, WI
NBA Comparison: Steve Novak
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/ Basketball IQ
Hauser was a productive player and sharpshooter at Virginia. He will need the right fit to become a Novak like floor spacer.

Eugene Omoruyi-CF-Oregon    
6'6.75"/235/7'1.25'' 
Sr./24.5
17.1 PTS      5.4 REB        37.6%-3PT   
Hometown: Orangeville, Ontario born in Nigeria
NBA Comparison: Jarvis Hayes
BEST TOOLS: Defense/Shooting
Omoruyi teamed up with Duarte to form arguably the best shooting duo in the nation. Omoruyi had a very productive two years at Oregon after transferring from Rutgers. Like his former teammate Duarte, Omoruyi will face the same questions about his draft age.

John Petty-SG-Alabama
6'5.75''/186/6'9.5''   
Sr./22.6
12.6 PTS      5.2 REB        38.2%-3PT             
Hometown: Huntsville, AL
NBA Comparison: RJ Hunter
BEST TOOLS: Hustle/Length/Defense
Petty was a consistent contributor as a four-year starter in college. He will know his role as a 3 and D backup wing. His consistency with his jump shot will determine how long he sticks in the league.

Marcus Zegarowski-PG-Creighton
6'2"/181/ 6' 2.75"
Jr./22.9
15.8 PTS      4.3 AST        42.1%-3PT             
Hometown: Hamilton, MA
NBA Comparison: Daniel Gibson
BEST TOOLS: Shooting/Playmaking
Zegarowski is small but has a chance to play in the league due to his three-point shooting acumen. He averaged over 40% from three in every year while he was at Creighton. His older brother is Michael Carter Williams but the two siblings games could not be further apart as Zegarowski is a great shooter and average passer while Carter Williams was the oppostite. 

Chaundee Brown-SF-Michigan
6'5.75''/217/6'8.25'' 
Sr./22.7
9.8 PTS        4.3 REB        35.2%-3PT    81.2%-FT (career stats)
Hometown: Orlando
NBA Comparison: David Lighty
BEST TOOLS: Long Range Shooting/Toughness/Hustle
Brown saw a big drop in minutes after transferring from Wake Forest to Michigan. He is a glue guy that does the dirty work. Some NBA team will give him a chance despite his lack of measurables and athletic ability. Like David Lighty, he could be better served to have a great pro career overseas.