The 2021 Champions Classic will help kick off the college basketball season with some of the best teams squaring off. It also features some of the best NBA Draft prospects. Here are the NBA Draft prospects in the 2021 Champions Classic.
Max Christie, G/F- Christie is one of the best recruits that the Spartans have had in recent memory. The wing has a knack for scoring and will have to show up on the defensive end for the Spartans. There is potential for him to be a one-and-done player, but it would take a great season. The freshman will get a chance to prove himself on the opening night of the season.
Pierre Brooks II, G/F- The Spartans have another talented wing who can put the ball in the basket. Brooks averaged 33.1 points per game in high shool and will be looking to make an instant impact. He likely isn’t a candidate to be a one-and-done, but could really improve while playing under Tom Izzo.
Marcus Bingham Jr., F/C- Bingham averaged 4.9 blocks per 40 minutes. While he likely won’t be drafted, Bingham will get looks if he can continue to protect the rim.
Ochai Agbaji, G/F- Agbaji could’ve gone pro after last season, but elected to return to Kansas. He can shoot well from deep at 37.7 percent. His athleticism could help him turn into a solid NBA defender. There is a chance Agbaji could go in the late first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.
Jalen Wilson, F- Not many expected Wilson to have such a great freshman season. He proved to be able to score and stretch the floor and many expected him to go pro. Wilson can play a stretch-four in the NBA and actually rebounded the ball well. There is also potential for him to be a late first-round pick.
Remy Martin, PG- After spending the first few years of his college career at Arizona State. He entered his name in the 2021 NBA Draft, but elected to go back to school and transfer to Kansas. Martin scored nearly 20 points per game the last few years and will have the ball in his hands a lot for the Jayhawks. Martin may be a second-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
David McCormack, F/C- If it was 20 years ago, McCormack would be a candidate to be a first-round pick. The old-school center has improved a lot over his Kansas career and he will get a chance to make an NBA roster, even if he isn’t drafted.
Paolo Banchero, F- Banchero could be in the running to be the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. His athleticism and ability to score from all three levels make him a versatile player. At 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, Banchero has all the measurements desired by the NBA.
A.J. Griffin, G/F- Griffin has the potential to be a solid 3 and D player in the NBA. He will be fighting for minutes at Duke, but with a good season, could end up being a lottery pick.
Trevor Keels, G- With so many good interior players and wings, Keels will have to stretch the floor. If he shoots well all season long, the sky is the limit for Duke. He is likely going to be a second-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Mark Williams, C- Williams can score from the interior, but needs to take a step forward this season. If he can rebound and block shots again this season, he can be a solid role player in the NBA. He could find his way into the first round, even though he is more of a traditional center.
Jeremy Roach, PG- Roach returns at point guard and will be tasked with distributing the ball to all the talented players on the roster. Roach will need to make improvements across the board, but he has a great opportunity this year.
Daimion Collins, F- Collins is one of the most athletic freshmen in college basketball. He performed well in the Kentucky pro day and will at least be a factor protecting the rim and running the floor. Other areas of his game need to be developed, but the athleticism will be too much to pass up at some point. He is a projected first-round pick.
TyTy Washington, PG- Washington is going to have a lot of experience playing off-ball, but he can also run the point. The system has worked out for other Kentucky guards, including Jamal Murray, who mostly played off-ball for the Wildcats. Washington can finish and shoot from deep. Already at Kentucky, he has proven to bring some energy on the offensive end. Washington is another potential first-round pick.
Oscar Tshiebwe, C- After transferring in from West Virginia, Tschiebw will help protect the rim for Kentucky. He is also a solid rebounder and can score in the post. What limits his draft value is that he doesn’t stretch the floor really well. Tshiebwe could be a second-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Keion Brooks Jr., F- Brooks has the ability to play either forward spot and has shown some improvements from 3-point range in Kentucky’s first exhibition game. His defense and rebounding are his calling cards, but if he can improve his scoring, there is a chance he ends up drafted.
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