2021 NBA Draft

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#1      

Epsilon

M tipping over
Pdx
I know it’s way too early to get this thread started but I was kind of curious about a question I had and thought this would be the best place to start this conversation. The question I had was: who are the closest ‘stat buddies’ to Ayo over their college careers? He seems to be one of the most well-rounded players this year in the entire league. That research brought up some interesting names, and they are all NBA stars. So I started to wonder (again) when Ayo (and Kofi) would be picked this year. Want to know who I uncovered? Drum roll please...

Brandon Roy (Washington)

John Starks (OK State)

Tony Allen (OK State)

And here are Ayo’s stats...


Curious to hear your thoughts. We’re you surprised by any of these names? Also, where do you think Ayo and Kofi will get drafted this year?

p.s. other interesting comps kinda sorta in the ballpark...
Ray Allen

Reggie Miller

Dwyane Wade

P.p.s. Yes - I am picking comps that best help “market” our player :)

Edit: okay the last one especially may be over the top. Don’t care. Take the last ones for entertainment value only.
 
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#3      

Epsilon

M tipping over
Pdx
NBA draft has Ayo going 22nd to Milwaukee in this mock draft. I wonder how much these last few games will have boosted his stock.


NBC has Ayo going 30th to Utah.
 
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#4      
Did you guys catch that Bardo stat of Ayo with his 20pt ave/6rb/5as/40%3pt is the only player in the history of college basketball. Is that actually true? is that what he said?
 
#5      
NBA draft has Ayo going 22nd to Milwaukee in this mock draft.
I would love to see him end up on a Milwaukee or even a Celtics (even though I'm not a fan). Obviously we all want him to go as high as possible to get more money and recognition. But both of those teams are high-level, well managed teams with talent but that have backcourt needs. I could see him thriving in an environment with mature players/organization that need him -- at least at first -- to fill a role and not be the "do everything guy" for the team.
 
#6      

Epsilon

M tipping over
Pdx
Did you guys catch that Bardo stat of Ayo with his 20pt ave/6rb/5as/40%3pt is the only player in the history of college basketball. Is that actually true? is that what he said?
I do recall that stat coming up in their discussion and he did make some comments about the context of it but I can’t recall exactly what he said. But if that’s true then the ‘stat buddies’ comps I posted start to make a bit more sense. His stats put him in some good company historically speaking.

edit: None of the well-rounded NBA stars I listed above had career averages or last years in college meeting all of that criteria. And the closest stat buddy for last year in college is James Harden.

I don’t know when Ayo will get drafted but unless his stock has gone up significantly that team is going to get the steal of the century.
 
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#10      
I have a suspicion that Kofi will end up playing in Europe.
He is not on any NBA draft radars. That lumbering back to the basket big man period is over for the time being. Big men has to be able to hit free throws and shoot in this NBA. Garza is "player of the year" and he is barely in the top 50 mock drafts. Kofi does play good defense, especially help defense. His second foul yesterday had me sick to my stomach. In the NBA they would draw him away from the rim on most possessions against most teams.
 
#11      
Kofi is going to be 22 in September. He's not sticking around. Finke, Alstork, Rice, Kipper and others are all making a decent living in Europe or for that matter, South America.
 
#12      
Kofi is going to be 22 in September. He's not sticking around. Finke, Alstork, Rice, Kipper and others are all making a decent living in Europe or for that matter, South America.
there's a chance
 
#13      

Calillini

Now appearing in Tampa
Is there a path that goes from Europe to the NBA for Kofi?

He is 22 chronologically, but much younger in terms of basketball experience. He has the ability to keep improving as we have see the last 20 months.
 
#14      

altgeld88

Arlington, Virginia
Wow never seen a coach advocate for this so strongly. Gives off the impression that he cares more about the kids than how good his team is
I believe he cares foremost about the young men and their futures. Yet another reason why I'm grateful he's our coach, and why the best should choose to play their college ball in Champaign.

On the flip side, it's also canny. He knows Ayo is going and it's a low-cost signal to prospective recruits about his priorities. He loses nothing by saying it. And it's a reminder to Ayo to focus on the few games remaining and amp it up even more to bring home some hardware.

Take your pick. Would have been nice for him to say it Monday afternoon instead of Wednesday. ;)
 
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#17      
The only Illini I am seeing on draft boards is Lieb in the lottery. They are both coming back and will complete back to back championships. This is the way.

(I have Ayo 100% - Kofi 80% gone)
 
#18      
It only takes one team to fall in love with Kofi, and it wasn't that long ago that Caleb Swanigan was a first round pick (or was it honestly my sense of time is almost as bad as my sense of smell and taste right now).

I could see a team talking themselves into buying sledge hammer. Sure they may not use it all the time, but nobody else has one which makes it nice to have.
 
#19      
Is there a path that goes from Europe to the NBA for Kofi?

He is 22 chronologically, but much younger in terms of basketball experience. He has the ability to keep improving as we have see the last 20 months.
I don't see why not. Just look at Brandon Paul. Tore it up in Europe, made it to NBA with Spurs, then back to Europe. Played for some major European teams too. To some degree, Europe can act as a minor league system for undrafted guys. NBA teams sometimes look to guys that are doing well over there to fill out their roster as needs arise. Its typically a path to becoming a role player, and probably not a long NBA career, but who knows?
 
#20      
It only takes one team to fall in love with Kofi, and it wasn't that long ago that Caleb Swanigan was a first round pick (or was it honestly my sense of time is almost as bad as my sense of smell and taste right now).

I could see a team talking themselves into buying sledge hammer. Sure they may not use it all the time, but nobody else has one which makes it nice to have.
So the beefy Tacko Fall?
 
#21      

BlindLoyalty

FartNoiseMotivation
SI Updated NBA Draft Board Top 60

40. Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois | Junior

Height: 6' 5" | Weight: 200 | Age: 21 | Previous rank: 56

In taking an individual step forward and helping turn Illinois into one of the best teams in the country, Dosunmu has firmly played himself into the draft. Pinning down his exact fit in the NBA is still a bit tricky. He has great size for his position and has taken a step forward as a playmaker, but relies more on strength and athleticism than skills, and his three-point stroke still comes and goes at times. Dosunmu projects better as a wing long-term than at the point, which will require him to step up defensively and continue knocking down jumpers. But he continues to prove he’s up to task, and a strong finish to the season will help inch him closer to the first round.


NR. Kofi Cockburn, C, Illinois | Sophomore
 
#22      
Kofi is going to be 22 in September. He's not sticking around. Finke, Alstork, Rice, Kipper and others are all making a decent living in Europe or for that matter, South America.
And I wouldn't blame him. He is getting hacked every play almost every game now. Cannot be that fun.
 
#23      
I agree Ayo is gone and should go, as he has maximized his worth this year. Kofi could stay another year, as he has some upside left (maybe develop a 12-15 foot jumper and some ball handling). The thing that makes me happy for both is that they both got to play this year with real National Championship hopes. The team seems to be a family, and that is something they both will be able to look back on with a smile.
 
#24      
No shame in playing in Europe. He can potentially make 7 figures a season, playing half as many games. (When you are his size, the grind of the NBA season could become an issue) They play a much more traditional, team style of basketball. (Rather than Iso-heavy NBA) The defensive rules in Europe would also help him greatly, since they allow big guys to camp out in the lane.

I still think he is too talented and physically imposing to not get a NBA roster spot for at least a year or two.
 
#25      
I encourage you all to hop onto Bardo's broadcast. Some good nuggets. He doesn't think Kofi will declare. He thinks Kofi will see the benefit Ayo got from staying another year and Kofi will follow that path.
 
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