Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs vaults up to the No. 2 spot on mock draft board

Had the 2020-21 NBA season not been pushed back due to COVID-19, the NBA draft would’ve been showcased this week. Instead, the Eastern Conference and Western Conference Finals are underway and we’re still a month out until this summer’s draft – held on July 29.  

Although the draft lottery on Tuesday will determine the order of lottery teams and the draft combine this week will allow prospects to bolster their stocks, USA TODAY Sports provides an early look at how everything can unfold in late July. 

Which players are out front to hear their name called early by Adam Silver? A look at the projected first round: 

Cade Cunningham • Oklahoma St • Freshman • Point Guard • 6-8 • 220

Rob Ferguson, USA TODAY Sports

Cunningham (right), is a lock at this point to be the top pick. The All-American guard used his freshman season with the Cowboys to show that he’s more than just a dynamic playmaker who’s built for the NBA physically. Cunningham (20.1 ppg in 2020-21) consistently showed a clutch gene, making several game-winning shots and exuding leadership well beyond his years. 

Jalen Suggs • Gonzaga • Freshman • Point Guard • 6-4 • 205

Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports

The Pistons have bigger needs than a point guard. But Suggs (1) is the best player on the board with immediate upside. His table-topping buzzer-beater in this year’s Final Four will live on in March Madness lore, but his freshman season under coach Mark Few saw him blossom into an NBA-ready point guard with poise and smart decision making. Gonzaga’s offense caters well to the pro level so Suggs should be ready to make a splash. 

Evan Mobley • Southern California • Freshman • Center • 7-0 • 215

Mobley’s shot blocking ability, length and size position him to make an impact right away. But his potential as a long-term All-Star at the big man position that’s most intriguing. Mobley (4) will need to bulk up to have better strength against NBA bigs. 

Jalen Green • USA • G-League • Guard • 6-5 • 172

Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

Green (left) would’ve been a star in the NCAA but instead opted to play in the G-League. He’s not a great decision maker but he’s a bucket-getter who can score at will and has the skillset to develop into a formidable combo guard. A no-brainer for the Thunder. 

Jonathan Kuminga • Congo • G-League • Small Forward • 6-8 • 205 pounds

Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

Another G-Leaguer, Kuminga (0) is an oversized wing with a tall ceiling. He won’t be an All-Star right away but has all the intangibles to develop into one. Kuminga averaged 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds in the G-League. 

Scottie Barnes • Florida State • Freshman • Small Forward • 6-9 • 227 pounds

Gerry Broome, AP

Barnes brings raw abilities as a playmaker and versatile defender, but his shooting (27.5% from three) and overall offensive production (10.3 ppg) are not there yet. Put him on the right team (ahem, Golden State) and all his growth can come in stride. 

Davion Mitchell • Baylor • Junior • Point Guard • 6-2 • 205 

The key catalyst of the national champion Baylor Bears squad, Mitchell (left) is a do-everything guard who can bolster any NBA team with his ballhawking defense. He’s also a capable passer who can stuff the stat sheet without needing to score. He can create and nail threes when he’s open or creates for himself.  

Moses Moody • Arkansas • Freshman • Shooting Guard • 6-6 • 205

Moody’s defense will make him hard to pass up in the top 10, as he proved to be an excellent perimeter defender for an Elite Eight-finishing Razorbacks team this past March. He’s also one of the best spot-up mid-range shooters in the whole draft. 

James Bouknight • Connecticut • Sophomore • Shooting Guard • 6-5 • 190 

David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports

Bouknight gave coach Dan Hurley a go-to scorer every night at the NCAA level. In the NBA, Bouknight has all the tools to be a potent scorer — possessing the ability to score both off the ball and with it in his hands.   

Corey Kispert • Gonzaga • Senior • Shooting Guard • 6-7 • 220

Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports

Kispert could develop into a Kyle Korver replica. His 44% three-point shooting for a nearly undefeated Gonzaga team was the highlight of his game, but he’s also got great instincts on defense and can do the little things to make just about any team in this draft better. 

Keon Johnson • Tennessee • Freshman • Shooting Guard • 6-5 • 186

Johnson can develop into an All-Star but he’s not ready to come into his own yet, as his offensive prowess still needs some work. He averaged 11.3 ppg for the Volunteers and showed flashes his true potential in his lone NCAA season. 

Josh Giddey  • Australia  • Forward  • 6-8  • 205 pounds

Giddey’s best asset is his court vision, passing and playmaking. His offense outweighs his mediocre defense — which needs help. But at 18 with pro experience already in Australia, he’s got time to hone his craft and adjust to the league’s style. 

Franz Wagner • Michigan • Sophomore • 6-9 • 220

Wagner has size and handle around the perimeter, can knock down threes accurately and play great team defense. His game will parlay much better at the pro level than at Michigan where he was only starting to blossom. 

Kai Jones • Texas • Sophomore • Power Forward • 6-11 • 220

Jones’ stat line (8.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg) at Texas won’t raise eyebrows, but he’s a gamble-type pick based on huge upside. 

Alperen Sengun • Turkey • Center • 6-10 • 240

A standout in the Turkish pro league, Sengun is just 18 as the Basketball Super League’s MVP. While he’ll have a transition from the international game to NBA, particularly on defense, he’s got all the tools to excel. 

Jaden Springer • Tennessee • Freshman • Point Guard • 6-4 • 204

Springer (12.5 ppg, 44% three-point shooting) has the ability to progress into a starting point guard, illustrated by his strong outside shooting at the NCAA level. 

Ziaire Williams • Stanford • Freshman • 6-8 • 185

Williams was on the trajectory of a lottery pick but wasn’t very impressive in his lone NCAA season at Stanford. Teams like his ceiling once he gets some reps in the league.

Ayo Dosunmu • Illinois • Junior • 6-5 • 200 pounds 

Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar

The USA TODY Sports national college basketball player of the year 2021-22, Dosunmu was a triple-double machine who helped the Fighting Illini land a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He’s reminiscent of John Wall and Russell Westbrook with his do-everything ability.  

Cameron Thomas • LSU • Freshman • Guard • 6-4 • 210 pounds

An explosive scorer, Thomas averaged 23 points a game for the Tigers and erupted for a bundle of 30-plus scoring nights. He had the ball in his hands a lot at LSU but he’ll have to find a way to make an impact when he’s not scoring at will at the pro level. 

Isaiah Jackson • Kentucky • Freshman • 6-10 • 205

Jackson’s best attribute is his motor in the open court. His athleticism skills around the rim will make him a contributor to any team that selects him in this draft. Kentucky coach John Calipari helped fine-tune his craft in one season in Lexington but there’s still a long way to go to reach his full potential. 

Tre Mann • Florida • Sophomore • Point Guard • 6-5 • 190

Mann is the type of of point guard who can play on and off the ball, which could be a nice fit in New York. He shot 40% from beyond the arc at Florida and is used to a physical style. 

Jared Butler • Baylor • Junior • Guard • 6-3 • 195

Butler, the leading scorer of a national champion Baylor squad, improved his assists and playmaking this past season as a first-team All-American. But he’s still not a natural point guard and as a combo guard he’s undersized. 

Jalen Johnson • Duke • Freshman • Forward • 6-9 • 220 pounds 

Johnson didn’t overly impress at Duke but he still got a chance to develop under arguably the greatest coach of all-time and has the skillset to grow into an All-Star.

Usman Garuba • Spain • Power Forward • 6-8 • 229

Quality Sport Images, Getty Images

The big man has international experience playing for Real Madrid but he’ll need to develop more because his offense is too raw, while his defense will be of use right off the bat. Garuba was born in Madrid, Spain to Nigerian parents.

Johnny Juzang • UCLA • Sophomore • Shooting guard • 6-6 • 210

The crafty scorer for a surprise Final Four UCLA team this past March Madness, Juzang has length on defense and a hard-nosed knack for playmaking on offense. 

Miles McBride • West Virginia • Sophomore • Point Guard • 6-2 • 200 pounds 

McBride averaged 15.8 points and 4.9 assists for the Mountaineers in 2020-21, and has a high basketball IQ that would make him a great asset off the bench for a contender team. 

Charles Bassey • Western Kentucky • Junior • Power Forward • 6-11• 235

Bassey would likely be higher on this board (and he could vault up following the combine) because of playing for a mid-major in college basketball. He’s excellent on both sides of the ball and can be a menace on the glass. Expect him to become a key role player right away for a team in need of a paint presence.

Sharife Cooper • Auburn • Freshman • Point Guard • 6-1 • 180

Cooper’s numbers speak volumes, averaging 20.2 points and 8.1 assists per game with the Tigers. He’s a multidimensional passer and can create for himself, while making open shots. That’s a recipe to boost just about any playoff team. His sign will get knocked, but so did Fred VanVleet’s stature. 

Nah’shon Hyland • Virginia Commonwealth • Sophomore • Point guard • 6-3 • 175

Hyland could be the steal of this draft, as he possesses Steph Curry and Damian Lillard mid-major-to-NBA-star potential. He averaged 19.5 points for the Rams in a breakout season. 

Josh Christopher • Arizona State • Freshman • Guard • 6-5 • 215

Patrick Breen, Patrick Breen-Arizona Republic

Christopher didn’t have a major national spotlight last season as the Sun Devils underachieved, but he made great strides as a freshman and is a natural scorer who can slash to the rim with ease.