More on Draft Early Entries
Jon Rothstein: Matthew Mayer is returning to Baylor next season, per @DraftExpress. Was an early entry candidate to the 2021 NBA Draft. Will be a massive breakout guy in 21-22.
Kofi Cockburn recently had a workout with the Boston Celtics, and is continuing to improve his stock ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft on July 29th. The former Illini center also told us at WCIA, he’s not coming back for his junior year. “I’m sorry I won’t be coming back,” says Cockburn. “I’m 100% in now.”
Georgia Tech’s roster for the 2021-22 season will include the reigning ACC Tournament MVP. After declaring his intent to test NBA draft waters in late March, Yellow Jackets guard Michael Devoe announced his decision to come back Tuesday.
Jon Rothstein: Liberty's Chris Parker tells me that he has signed with an agent and plans to stay in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Kofi Cockburn, a 7-foot, 285-pound center, has done everything but come right out and say that he's remaining in the 2021 NBA Draft and won't be returning to Champaign. The Jamaica native made a post on Instagram on Tuesday with a heartfelt caption, signaling that his time with the Illini is over. "Extremely happy to have been apart of and represented a program like this, I enjoyed every single day I spent in Champaign and I am proud of the growth I had while I was there, words can't express how much I love the Illini and I wouldn't trade that part of my journey for the world," Cockburn wrote.
Liz Mullen: Mississippi State G D.J. Stewart Jr. has signed with @ISEBasketball for representation in the NBA Draft on- and off-the-court. NBA agent David Bauman is repping on the court. ISE agents Parker Cain & Travis King are repping him for marketing & all other endeavors.
Marc J. Spears: The NBA says 353 players -- 296 players from colleges and other educational institutions and 57 international players -- have filed as early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2021. The NBA Draft, which is on July 29, still only has 60 total selections. pic.twitter.com/mWDJWJQudP
Nebraska's Dalano Banton wants to test the NBA waters. The fifth-year junior guard announced Monday that he plans to declare for the NBA Draft. He will not hire an agent, which makes him eligible to return to college.
The 2021 NBA Draft scheduled to take place in late July is getting closer and the early entries list is slowly getting completed with many European talents showing up on it. Some of the more notable names that most recently entered include Yoan Makoundou, Tarik Biberovic, Nikos Chougaz, Ariel Hukporti, and Uros Trifunovic.
Baylor basketball's Jared Butler announced Sunday that he is declaring for the NBA draft after recently graduating from the university. The announcement comes as he graduated as a junior and still had two years left of eligibility.
Real Madrid’s Carlos Alocen has declared for the 2021 NBA draft, reports ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
Serbian-Croatian forward Mario Nakic has declared for the 2021 NBA draft, agent Misko Raznatovic tells Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Another Raznatovic client is declaring for the draft, according to Givony, who tweets that 6’9″ Croatian wing Boris Tisma has entered the draft pool. Tisma, 19, played for Real Betis in the Spanish League this season, though he saw limited action.
From the time Georgia Tech forward Moses Wright declared his intent to enter the NBA draft, the possibility of him deciding to withdraw and come back for his second senior season was remote. It’s no longer merely a strong likelihood that he’ll stay in the draft, but a certainty, according to Tech coach Josh Pastner. “He’s all in,” Pastner told the AJC on Friday night. “Moses is going to stay in the draft.”
UCLA’s basketball roster remains in flux after redshirt junior forward Cody Riley and senior guard Chris Smith submitted their names for NBA draft consideration while preserving their ability to return next season.
Meanwhile, sophomore guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. has committed to returning to the team for at least one more college season, an athletic department spokesman said Friday.
Adam Zagoria: Isaiah Jackson of @KentuckyMBB will remain in the NBA Draft and forego his eligibility, per release
Michigan freshman center Hunter Dickinson has entered the NBA draft while giving himself the option of staying in school. Dickinson made the announcement on social media on Wednesday. Dickinson earned second-team All-America, Big Ten's Freshman of the Year and all-conference honors last season.
Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson is going to test the NBA waters but isn’t closing the door on a return to Ann Arbor. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year announced Wednesday that he is declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft. However, he is signing with an NCAA-certified agent that will allow him to maintain his college eligibility.
Adam Zagoria: Texas A&M transfer commit Jordan Hall will test the NBA Draft waters, per source.
Florida State senior guard M.J. Walker officially declared for the 2021 NBA Draft, announcing the decision on Thursday afternoon.
Dragan Jankovski: 01 born PG, member of German NT, Justus Hollatz declared for 2021 NBA Draft! #BeoBasket
Texas forward Greg Brown announced Thursday he is turning pro and won't return to the Longhorns for his sophomore season under new coach Chris Beard. Brown, who is ranked No. 29 in ESPN's top 100 draft prospects, was a top-10 recruit when he signed with Texas and former coach Shaka Smart.
Turkish power forward Alperen Sengun has submitted paperwork to make himself eligible for the 2021 NBA draft, as reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and later on confirmed by the player himself on his social media.
Khimki Moscow forward Vladislav Odinokov has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft as an early entrant, the player told Eurohoops. The 21-year-old Russian baller is looking to test the waters of the NBA draft and present his capabilities and potential to clubs.
Standout sophomore forward Justin Champagnie has signed with the Life Sports Agency and will enter the NBA draft, ending his college career, Champagnie confirmed Monday morning to the Post-Gazette.
Oral Roberts sophomore Max Abmas will enter the NBA Draft, sources told ESPN on Sunday. Abmas will maintain his college eligibility. "My plan is to enter the draft and get as much feedback as I can. I'm hoping to work my way into the first round or get some type of guaranteed contract to help me decide whether to stay in," said Abmas.
Misko Raznatovic: Dalibor Ilic, who was voted the 3rd top prospec of Champions league Fiba, declared for draft 2021! #BeoBeasket
Oral Roberts point guard Max Abmas led the country in scoring (24.2 points per game) and turned in a Stephen Curry circa 2008 NCAA tournament performance (26.6 ppg.) during a Sweet 16 run this season. His stock couldn't be higher. The 6'1" sophomore took a major step toward cashing in, declaring for the NBA Draft on Sunday. “I’m officially declaring, but I plan to retain my eligibility throughout the process,” Abmas told Sports Illustrated.
“I’m not sure whether I will enter the Draft. I want to play in the NBA, if not this year, then at least next year,” Princepal told Firstpost from Ohio, where he is training with Elevate X. “My contract with Ignite ended when the season was done. Maybe I’ll play for another G League team next year. Maybe I’ll play in the Summer League.”
After a high-performing junior season, UB forward Josh Mballa has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft. He made the announcement in an Instagram post on Thursday.
FIL-AM guard Remy Martin has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft. The 6-foot point guard announced the news on the Arizona State Sun Devils' social media accounts as he gets to pursue his long-awaited NBA dream.
Matt Haarms, the 7-foot-3 center, announced on Instagram Friday that he will not return to BYU, saying, “It is time for me to move into the next chapter of my life. After many conversations with those I trust, I have decided to forgo my final year of eligibility and enter the NBA draft.”
Malcolm Cazalon, Karlo Matkovic, and Kenan Kamenjas have declared for the 2021 NBA draft, their agent announced Friday.
John Rothstein: Former Arizona State forward Marcus Bagley tells me that his primary focus is on the 2021 NBA Draft. Bagley also recently entered the transfer portal. Averaged 10.8 PPG and 6.2 RPG last season.
Misko Raznatovic: Eurocup Rising star, Aleksander Balcerowski from Gran Canaria, declared for Nba draft 2021!
Misko Raznatovic: Danko Brankovic, 2000, center from Cibona, declared for Nba draft 2021!
University of Dayton point guard Jalen Crutcher announced on Twitter on Tuesday that he will declare for the NBA Draft. He said that he will forgo his extra year of eligibility and hire an agent ending his college career at UD.
Adrian Wojnarowski: University of Michigan sophomore forward Franz Wagner – the ninth-rated draft prospect in ESPN’s Top 100 – is entering the 2021 NBA Draft, he told ESPN. Wagner was the highest-rated player on ESPN’s board still unannounced for the July draft.
Kentucky guard Davion Mintz will test the draft waters and go through the NBA’s evaluation process, but is leaving the door open for a potential return to UK, the school announced this afternoon.
Shamiel Stevenson is on the move again, this time to the next level of his basketball career. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound guard will leave the Nebraska men's basketball team after two seasons to pursue a professional career, he announced in a tweet Thursday night. He said he will enter the 2021 NBA Draft, with the intent of hiring an agent.
Arkansas senior Justin Smith will forego his extra year of eligibility, hire an agent and enter the 2021 NBA Draft he announced Sunday evening.
Syracuse small forward Alan Griffin is entering the NBA draft. Griffin made the announcemnt Friday in a video post on Instagram that featured his father, Adrian, who spent a decade in the NBA as a player and now is an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors.
Vincent Goodwill: National Champion, MaCio Teague, from the Baylor Bears, has signed with Bernie Lee and Kirsten Simmons from Quartexx Management for the 2021 NBA Draft, sources tell Yahoo Sports
Fresno State’s big man Orlando Robinson has declared for the NBA Draft. However, the sophomore forward will not hire an agent, which means he keeps his eligibility if he does decide to return for his junior campaign.
Cincinnati senior guard Keith Williams, the Bearcats' leading scorer last season, declared for 2021 NBA Draft. Williams said he will sign with an agent.
Texas Longhorns guard Matt Coleman has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft, as the school announced that he’ll hire an agent and turn professional instead of returning for a fifth season and playing for new head coach Chris Beard.
Brian Davis: Texas G Courtney Ramey announces he’ll go through the NBA Draft process while keeping his eligibility. Remains “fully committed” to the Horns. “Always have been.”
Sophomore guard D.J. Carton of the Marquette University men's basketball team is leaving the program to pursue a career in professional basketball. "I would like to thank Marquette University, Coach Smart and my teammates for their support throughout my decision process," Carton said. "I will be putting my name in for consideration in the 2021 NBA Draft and hiring an agent. I am thankful for the opportunity and looking forward to the next step in my career."
Junior forward Derek Culver became the first West Virginia player to enter the NBA draft and sign with an agent, thus officially ending his time as a Mountaineer.
UMass Lowell senior guard Obadiah Noel has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-4 native of Frederick, Md., announced his decision on social media on Sunday night.
Oregon State forward Warith Alatishe plans to submit his name as an early entry for the 2021 NBA Draft, but he is expected to return to school and play for the Beavers next season.
Georgia basketball point guard Sahvir Wheeler is declaring himself eligible for the NBA Draft and entering the NCAA transfer portal.
The reigning Big West Player of the Year has entered his name in the NBA Draft. UC Santa Barbara's star guard JaQuori McLaughlin announced his plans to enter the draft Wednesday on social media.
Oregon State has its second player in as many days with college eligibility remaining enter the 2021 NBA Draft. Senior center Roman Silva announced on social media Friday that “I will be testing the waters in the NBA draft with my full intention on keeping my eligibility and returning to school.”
An Oregon starter will test the NBA Draft waters. Eric Williams Jr., who averaged 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds over 24 games season for the Ducks, announced he’ll go through the draft process but maintain his collegiate eligibility.
Jahvon Blair announced Wednesday evening that he will forgo his additional year of eligibility at Georgetown and enter the NBA draft. The senior guard was an all-Big East honorable mention selection after surpassing 1,000 career points and helping lead the Hoyas to the conference tournament title and the program’s first NCAA tournament berth since 2015.
Loyola senior center Cameron Krutwig will leave the Ramblers and enter the NBA Draft. He made the announcement in a video posted on Twitter and YouTube.
Alabama basketball guard Josh Primo announced Wednesday morning that he will explore his NBA Draft options while retaining an NCAA-certified agent, which would leave open the possibility of returning to UA for the 2021-22 season.
Through his Twitter and Instagram pages, center Kofi Cockburn announced his intention to enter the 2021 NBA Draft. In his statement, however, the center didn’t say that he was hiring an agent, leaving open the possibility of a return to the Illini for the 2021-2022 season.
Pepperdine junior Kessler Edwards declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on Friday but retained the option of returning to school.
Gui Santos has submitted paperwork to the league office to make himself eligible for the 2021 NBA draft, his agent Aylton Tesch of A11 Sports Management told ESPN.
San Diego State senior Matt Mitchell has hired an agent and officially declared for the 2021 NBA draft, USA TODAY SMG’s Rookie Wire has learned. Mitchell, a lengthy 6-foot-6 senior with a plus wingspan, won the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year behind 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in 2020-21. As a defender, he had the second-best steal percentage in the conference and he earned MWC First-Team All-Defense consideration. Mitchell was then honored as the MWC Tournament MVP and he helped his squad make an appearance in March Madness.
Kentucky senior Olivier Sarr declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on Tuesday. Sarr, who transferred from Wake Forest last season, averaged 10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
UCLA guard Johnny Juzang announced on Tuesday that he will declare for the 2021 NBA draft. Juzang will retain his college eligibility despite Tuesday's announcement. "I'm proud to announce that I'm declaring for the NBA draft, while retaining my collegiate eligibility," Juzang said on Twitter. "It's an honor to wear the blue and gold. My family and friends, those who have always been in my corner, you mean the world to me."
San Diego State senior Matt Mitchell has hired an agent and officially declared for the 2021 NBA draft, USA TODAY SMG’s Rookie Wire has learned. Mitchell, a lengthy 6-foot-6 senior with a plus wingspan, won the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year behind 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in 2020-21.
Gophers senior forward Brandon Johnson declared for the NBA draft on Thursday but said he will keep open the option to return to college.
On Thursday, the Michigan Wolverines got some big news as senior leader Isaiah Livers announced he would be declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft. He put together an outstanding career in Ann Arbor and will now take his talents to the next level. This was an anticipated decision, but was made official on Thursday.
Baylor senior Mark Vital declared for the NBA Draft. He posted on social media on Thursday night.
USC forward Isaiah Mobley announced on Saturday that he will be entering his name in the NBA Draft, but the sophomore will retain his ability to return to school for a third season.
On Friday, Mobley’s younger brother, Evan, declared for the NBA Draft. A likely top-five pick, Evan Mobley followed Isaiah to USC out of Rancho Christian High.
LSU freshman Cameron Thomas, whose 23 points per game led the Tigers in scoring, announced Thursday that he is declaring for the NBA draft and intends to sign with an agent. The 6-foot-4 guard from Chesapeake, Virginia, led all Division 1 freshmen in scoring last season.
Alex Morales, who was named the 2021 Northeast Conference player of the year as he helped Wagner College win the league’s regular-season title, announced Friday he will enter his name in the 2021 NBA Draft, but will not hire an agent, thereby keeping his option open to use the one year of college eligibility he has remaining.
The most acclaimed prospect in the history of USC hoops is officially on his way to the NBA. Evan Mobley declared for the NBA draft on Friday, closing the final chapter of a single storybook season in which the 7-footer helped propel a program revival, swept the Pac-12 awards and led USC to the Elite Eight.
Mobley’s decision to declare had been expected ever since he committed to USC in August 2019 as the highest rated recruit in the program’s history. But how he announced on Friday was unique. The top prospect will auction off his draft declaration as a one-of-a-kind nonfungible token (NFT) titled “League Bound.”
Alabama’s leading scorer guard Jaden Shackelford is testing the NBA draft waters. Shackelford announced on social media Thursday night that he was entering the draft but wouldn’t hire an agent, leaving the door open for a return to the university.
