April 2021 Basketball Wiretap

Makur Maker Declares For 2021 NBA Draft

May 28, 2021 6:45 PM

Makur Maker is declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft but won't hire an agent.

Maker could return to Howard for his sophomore season. Maker played only two games for the Bison last season because of a groin injury. In those two games, Maker averaged 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Howard played in just five games before the university shut down the season in January due to COVID-19 issues.

Maker was the No. 16 recruit in the ESPN 100.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Makur Maker, Howard Bison, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations

Discuss
Isaiah Jackson Decides To Stay In Draft

May 28, 2021 12:59 PM

Isaiah Jackson has decided to stay in the 2021 NBA Draft and hire an agent.

Jackson is currently the No. 11 prospect in the ESPN 100 after his freshman season at Kentucky. Jackson averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 21 minutes while shooting 55 percent from the field. 

"This is going to be a big burden off my shoulders," he said. "That's all anyone wants to know. A lot of Kentucky fans are telling me to stay every day. I just want to be able to do what I want instead of being restricted. I want to do camps and autograph signings to get some money in my pocket. In order to set that up I need to be fully declared."

Jackson's 12.7 shot-block percentage rivaled the output of Anthony Davis and Nerlens Noel in their time at Kentucky

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky Wildcats, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations

Discuss
Usman Garuba Declares For 2021 NBA Draft

May 27, 2021 2:39 PM

Usman Garuba has submitted paperwork to make himself eligible for the 2021 NBA draft.

Garuba is the No. 15 prospect in the ESPN Top 100.

Garuba is averaging 5.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 19 minutes per game in the ACB for Real Madrid, who just completed the regular season at 34-2 to claim the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, starting next week.

Garuba is arguably the most versatile defensive prospect in the 2021 NBA draft. Garuba is 6'8, 230 pounds with a 7'3 wingspan. Garuba has drawn comparisons from NBA scouts to the likes of OG Anunoby and P.J. Washington with his style of play.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Usman Garuba, Real Madrid, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations, International Teams

Discuss
NBA Holds Tiebreakers For 2021 Draft

May 25, 2021 2:01 PM

The NBA held their tiebreakers for the 2021 NBA Draft.

4: Oklahoma City over Cleveland
8: Chicago, then Sacramento, then New Orleans
11. Charlotte over San Antonio
19. New York over Atlanta
21. Dallas
22. Lakers
25. Clippers
26. Denver

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

Discuss
NBA To Hold Vegas Summer League August 8-17

May 19, 2021 5:11 PM

The NBA plans on holding its Summer League in Las Vegas from August 8th until August 17th, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The NBA did not hold Summer League last year with the draft occurring shortly before the start of training camp. 

The 2021 draft will take place on July 29th.

Sam Gordon/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Tags: NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Summer League

Discuss
Mac McClung To Stay In 2021 NBA Draft

May 17, 2021 10:52 AM

Mac McClung has elected to forgo his remaining college eligibility and will keep his name in the 2021 NBA draft. 

"I just felt the timing was right for me to go all in," McClung said. "I looked at multiple factors and decided the best time for me to take this step was now. I feel the NBA game and spacing is suited for my play style and I can't wait to start this chapter of my life. I'm very blessed to be able to chase my dreams."

McClung spent his first two collegiate seasons at Georgetown, electing to transfer to Texas Tech.

"I decided to go all in now, rather than just testing the waters, so teams know that I'm fully committed to staying in draft and that I am not just one foot in, one foot out."

McClung has one of the largest followings of any player in the college game, with over 730,000 followers on Instagram alone.

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Mac McClung, Texas Tech Red Raiders, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations

Discuss
NBA Updates Health & Safety Guidelines For Pre-Draft Process

May 16, 2021 3:03 PM

The NBA sent its teams updated health and safety guidelines for the upcoming pre-draft process.

Some changes include teams not being allowed to attend Agency Pro Days, and prospects being limited to two visits per team.

The draft is scheduled this year for July 29. 

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

Discuss
Patrick Baldwin Jr. Commits To Milwaukee

May 12, 2021 5:54 PM

Patrick Baldwin Jr. has committed to play for his father at Milwaukee. Baldwin turned down offers from the likes of Duke, Georgetown and Virginia.

Baldwin is the No. 4 recruit in the incoming class of 2021 and the No. 8 ranked prospect in the 2022 NBA mock draft.

Baldwin recalled the moment he told his parents he was staying home and playing for Milwaukee.

"I walked in the room and said, 'I have something to share with you. I want to play for you.' He gave me a hug, started crying and left the room," Baldwin said. "My mom and dad left the decision up to me. They gave me insight during the process but left the decision up to me."

Jonathan Givony, Paul Biancardi/ESPN

Tags: Patrick Baldwin, Jr., Milwaukee Panthers, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NCAA Commitment

Discuss
Alperen Sengun Declares For 2021 NBA Draft

May 12, 2021 10:48 AM

Alperen Sengun has declared for the 2021 NBA draft. Sengun is currently ESPN's No. 14 prospect in the class.

"At the beginning of the season, I didn't think my performance would be this high, but with every passing game I felt I could do more and more," Sengun said via email. "I believe that there are no limits for me to get better as a basketball player."

Sengun is averaging 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals in 28 minutes per game for Turkish league team Besiktas, shooting 65% from the field and 81% from the free throw line.

Sengun has drawn comparison from scouts to Kevin Love and Domantas Sabonis. 

Jonathan Givony/ESPN

Tags: Alperen Sengun, Besiktas Icrypex, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations, International Teams

Discuss
Franz Wagner Leaves Michigan For 2021 NBA Draft

May 5, 2021 9:28 AM

Franz Wagner has left Michigan for the 2021 NBA draft.

Wagner plans to hire an agent and was the highest rated player on ESPN's board still unannounced on his draft intentions. Wagner is currently No. 9 on ESPN's board.

Wagner is the younger brother of another former Michigan first-round pick, the Orlando Magic's Moe Wagner.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Franz Wagner, Michigan Wolverines, NCAA, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Declarations

Discuss