mollyfamwatThe NBA draft is one of the most anticipated events in sports. It’s where young players are given their first chance to play professionally and millions tune in to watch it on television. But what happens when the college basketball season ends?
The number 1 draft picks nba 2021 is a list of college stars that are expected to be drafted in the NBA Draft. Chet Holmgren, Caleb Houstan, and other college stars will be discussed at next year’s NBA Draft.
RIGA, LETTERMANN REPUBLIC OF LATVIA — Since 2007, the FIBA Under-19 World Cup has generated 55 first-round draft selections in seven tournaments, making it one of the most significant events on the NBA scouting calendar. Among others who have taken part are Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and RJ Barrett, to mention a few.
Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Jalen Suggs, and Scottie Barnes, the top five players projected to be selected in our latest NBA mock draft for 2021, all played for the United States in 2019, and the team will add more illustrious alumni to this event’s impressive list of lottery picks in two weeks.
Due to a scheduling conflict with the Nike EYBL and other grassroots circuits, the United States was unable to field a group as strong as in previous years in terms of long-term talent, instead opting for proven college players who met the age requirements, as well as some of the best rising incoming college freshmen.
This resulted in several tense medal-round matches, notably those against Canada in the semifinals and France in the finals, with the Americans coming dangerously near to losing to Victor Wembanyama and France despite trailing for the most of the game.
Here’s a look at the best NBA prospects from the tournament, including a few who will be playing college basketball in 2021-22:
Chet Holmgren | Gonzaga | USA | Age: 19.1 | 7-0 | PF
Amazing fluidity from a possible No. 1 selection in 2022. At the 2021 @FIBA U19 #WorldCup in #Latvia, Chet Holmgren on defense was followed by an equally amazing transition push, behind-the-back bounce pass, and ultimately a two-handed slam in front of @DraftExpress pic.twitter.com/w0NrrP364m
10 July 2021 — DraftExpressContent (@DXContent)
Holmgren had a great tournament, earning MVP after ranking third in PER and coming up big for the US in the fourth quarter of the final game to assist the team win gold. Holmgren, who mainly played power forward, showed off his perimeter skills by making 7 of 13 3-pointers in seven games and averaging 6.2 assists per 40 minutes while playing cerebral, selfless, and efficient basketball.
For the United States, he wasn’t expected to generate much offense, instead focusing on running the floor in transition, finishing plays expertly near the basket, and showing off his skills with silky-smooth jump shots. Regardless, Holmgren’s flexibility as a ball handler, passer, and shooter, in addition to the fantastic footwork and fluidity he displays within the paint, is one of his greatest qualities, as he seems to move at a different pace than everyone else at the tournament save Victor Wembanyama.
Holmgren was a defensive force throughout the tournament, averaging 5.1 blocks per 40 minutes while displaying exceptional timing, mobility, and instincts by turning his hips with agility on the perimeter and recovering quickly to get back into plays to put a lid on the basket whenever he was in the game. The next stages in Holmgren’s development are to become stronger, become a bit more aggressive offensively, and play with a more consistent level of toughness, but he’s well on his way to cementing his status as the No. 1 player in the 2022 draft class.
17 years old In #France’s 84-79 @FIBA U19 #WorldCup quarterfinal victory over #Lithuania, Victor Wembanyama demonstrated why he’s the No. 1 choice in the 2023 draft with 20 points (10/16 FG), eight rebounds, and six assists. Wembanyama “may be the most gifted prospect I’ve ever scouted,” according to @DraftExpress. pic.twitter.com/DIAjUyjaPi
July 9, 2021 — DraftExpressContent (@DXContent)
Wembanyama was the most influential player in Latvia as well as the clear-cut greatest long-term potential saw here, despite being two years older (and still eligible for the 2023 edition of this tournament). Despite being more than 18 months younger, he outplayed Holmgren in a dramatic head-to-head battle and seemed to be on his way to leading France to a historic gold medal until some dubious whistles caused him to sit out the last three minutes of what would become a defeat to Team USA.
Despite this, Wembanyama made his point throughout his 27 minutes on the court, recording an amazing stat line of 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 blocks, as well as numerous highlights on both ends of the court that went viral and showed his extremely unique skill. He had a strong case for being voted tournament MVP.
Wembanyama, who stands 7-foot-2 barefoot with a wingspan of nearly 7-foot-9 and a standing reach of 9-foot-7-plus, is as fluid, graceful, and coordinated a big man as you’ll find, gliding up and down the floor, effortlessly getting off the ground for blocks and dunks, and displaying an uncommon skill set and feel for the game for a player his size and age.
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With a picture-perfect shooting stroke that will transform him into a deadly 3-point threat in no time, he also has the ball-handling skills, distributing, inside footwork, and touch required to create his own shot inside the arc and score with a variety of turnaround jumpers. Due to his reach, soft hands, and speed to get off his feet, he’s a formidable lob-catching danger, and he also made 78 percent of his free throws to take advantage of the many opportunities he always generates from the charity stripe.
Wembanyama, who is very gifted offensively, is even more effective defensively at this point, displaying great instincts as a rim protector, as well as excellent agility and length. He often shifts onto guards and has exceptional patience when containing on the perimeter, staying low on fakes, and finishing plays with a block or hard contest. His work ethic, attitude, and approach to the game are all in line with his exceptional skill, giving NBA talent evaluators reason to be optimistic about his ability to achieve his maximum potential.
Wembanyama will spend the next two years with Tony Parker’s Euroleague team ASVEL in France before being the first overall selection in the 2023 draft, barring any surprises. To prevent injuries and demonstrate that his lack of strength won’t be a problem playing in perhaps the most physically demanding league in the world, he’ll need to work on his lanky, 215-pound body carefully.
Caleb Houstan | 6-8 | SF | Michigan | Canada | Caleb Houstan | 6-8 | SF | Michigan | Canada | Caleb Houstan | 18.5 years old
Houstan had a great tournament, guiding Canada to a bronze medal and displaying an all-around style that should propel him to one of college basketball’s top two-way players as a freshman.
Houstan, who had previously been known as a spot-up shooter, struggled mightily with his jumper in Latvia (11-of-58 from 3-point range, 19 percent), but he displayed impressive versatility as a ball handler, passer, and finisher, relentlessly attacking the rim, playing through contact, extending gracefully for layups with both hands around the basket, and coming up big for Canada late in games on several occasions.
Houstan was also one of the tournament’s most effective defenders, displaying exceptional awareness off the ball as well as the ability to go up and protect smaller players thanks to his fast feet and strong demeanor.
Houstan’s shooting percentages will certainly improve in a more confined position at Michigan, and NBA clubs will undoubtedly be drawn to his flexibility and intellectual approach on the wing. He made a strong case for being a top-five selection next year.
Jaden Ivey | 6-4 | PG/SG | Purdue | USA | 19.4 years old Jaden Ivey | 6-4 | PG/SG | Purdue | USA
Ivey was one of the most effective players in the tournament on a per-minute basis, averaging 29.8 points per 40 minutes to go along with 7.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.8 steals while playing only 16.5 minutes per game due to Team USA’s excellent backcourt depth.
Ivey had perhaps the greatest physical tools of any guard in Latvia, standing 6-4 with a fantastic body, an explosive first step, and highlight-reel-caliber finishing ability, and he regularly put them to use on the defensive end, where he was an incredible force both on and off the ball.
Ivey still has some offensive kinks to work out in terms of shot selection, decision-making, and polish, but he seems to be on his way to a breakthrough sophomore season at Purdue that may very well cement him as a lottery pick next year.
Dyson Daniels | 6-6 | SG | G League Ignite | Australia | Age: 18.3 | Dyson Daniels | 6-6 | SG | G League Ignite | Australia
Ignite-bound in the G League Dyson Daniels gets ready for Australia’s 1/8 finals match against Spain. Yesterday, I had an outstanding performance against the United States. pic.twitter.com/6quvNNQiO6
July 7, 2021 — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress)
Despite not being able to lead a poor Australia team to the quarterfinals despite playing up a year in the competition, Daniels had a great campaign, showing his skill and flexibility.
Daniels did a little bit of everything for his side, particularly impressing with his fluidity, speed, and ability as a shot creator, as well as his touch and inventiveness as a finisher near the rim.
The 6-6 guard finished fourth in the competition with 4.6 assists per game, always playing with his head up. His alertness and reflexes were evident in the manner he guarded off the ball, as he finished second in thefts and was among the top rebounders among backcourt players in the tournament.
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As he’s still growing into his frame, isn’t blessed with major explosiveness, and at times appears to be figuring out the proper balance between playing the right way and knowing when his team needs him to take over, Daniels still has work to do on his jump shot (13-of-43 from 3, 30 percent) and ability to absorb contact at the rim.
It’ll be fascinating to watch how Daniels’ team-first, cerebral style of play transfers to the G League Ignite environment, where he’ll most likely be pushed out of his comfort zone and expected to play a different type of basketball than he has in Australia.
Daniels fits the pattern of backcourt players sought by NBA clubs, as he looks the part physically and has a reasonably complete skill set to improve on. He also has a lot of room to develop in the long run, which more than justifies the attention he’s gotten thus far.
Kennedy Chandler | 6-1 | PG | Tennessee | United States of America | 18.8 years old
Chandler did a great job of playing his position as part of a strong US backcourt while still demonstrating his considerable skill to scouts. Every time he went on the floor, he brought a lot of energy to the defense, putting a lot of pressure on the ball, constantly getting in passing lanes, and then sparking the break with his incredible speed. Chandler is a speedster on the open floor who can also play above the rim with a burst of energy; the game comes easily to him, particularly when it comes to handling the ball and assisting teammates.
Chandler has excellent timing and speed in pick-and-roll situations, utilizing both sides of the floor, as well as remarkable vision threading the needle with well-timed bounce passes on the move. He can also shoot with his feet set or off the dribble (9-of-23, 39 percent) and has a delicate touch on his floater, which is a crucial shot for a player his stature to have in his repertoire. Chandler’s lack of height and bulk, according to NBA evaluators, are his main worries right now, as he failed to finish near the basket in traffic in the half court at times and can become a bit turnover-prone when confronted with length. Guards with Chandler’s quickness, who can create for themselves and others, shoot with range, and defend willingly, are still in great demand in today’s NBA, and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so on a strong Tennessee team in the crowded SEC.
Patrick Baldwin Jr. | 6-10 | PF | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America | Age: 18.6
Top-10 selection expected Patrick Baldwin has seemed to be shaking off the rust after missing the whole season due to injury while competing in the FIBA U19 World Cup. I’m interested to see how he does in today’s final. pic.twitter.com/xEOkNs3ubc
July 11, 2021 — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress)
Baldwin appeared to be shaking off the rust of the previous seven months in his first prolonged action since sustaining a severe ankle injury in December 2020, and he wasn’t expected to play an outsized role for this squad.
Baldwin showed flashes of what makes him intriguing as a fluid 6-10 power forward who can dish off the dribble, stride into open 3-pointers, and make defensive plays off the ball with his instincts and understanding. Despite this, scouts in attendance expressed surprise at the projected top-10 pick’s lack of explosiveness, as well as his lack of consistency as a shooter outside of wide-open 3-pointers (9-of-28 from 3, 32 percent), and the fact that he didn’t bring the type of physicality and aggressiveness they hoped for on both ends of the floor. Many people were unaware of Baldwin’s recent long absence, which undoubtedly contributed to his difficulties, as did his limited position on this squad.
This season, Baldwin will take over his father Pat’s Milwaukee club in the Horizon League, and he’ll have every chance to convince scouts that he’s not the same player they saw in Riga.
Bennedict Mathurin | 6-6 | SG | Arizona | Canada | Age: 19.0 Bennedict Mathurin | 6-6 | SG | Arizona | Canada
Ben Mathurin of Arizona warms up before Canada’s FIBA U19 World Cup third-place game against Serbia. pic.twitter.com/nD7oiNo9k2
July 11, 2021 — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress)
Mathurin was a one-man roller-coaster ride in terms of consistency and attitude from game to game, but he had a fantastic performance in the bronze-medal game (31 points) that showed how effective a two-way player he can be when he’s at his best.
Mathurin didn’t shoot as effectively from outside the arc in this tournament (10-of-29, 34.5 percent) as he did at Arizona last season (46 percent), but he was able to shoulder more offensive responsibilities. He showed flashes of his ability as a creator, shifting speeds on the perimeter and finishing with his left hand near the basket. Still, Mathurin has work to do in terms of playmaking, game understanding, and general decision-making, as he went through periods when he seemed to be overthinking things and struggling to make his presence known.
Mathurin was similarly inconsistent on defense, showing tremendous energy and intensity sliding his feet and containing on the perimeter at times, but also appearing detached from his team, failing to communicate with teammates and appearing a step slow in terms of his awareness off the ball at other times.
NBA scouts in Latvia were divided on Mathurin’s performance, mainly based on which game they saw him play in, and it seems he still has a lot to show as a sophomore to live up to his possible lottery billing.
Serbia | Nikola Jovic | 6-10 | SF | Nikola Jovic | 6-10 | SF | Nikola Jovic | 6-10 | SF 18.0 years old
Nikola Jovic, 6-10 and 18 years old, led #Serbia to an 89-83 @FIBA U19 #WorldCup victory against #Argentina in front of @DraftExpress in #Latvia with 26 PTS (7/11 2PT, 3/5 3PT + 3/3 FT), 13 REBS + 2 BLKS, and 2 BLKS, advancing to the semifinals vs. #France pic.twitter.com/0LOHxwejhr
10 July 2021 — DraftExpressContent (@DXContent)
After averaging 18.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game despite playing up a year in the competition, Jovic led Serbia to a fourth-place finish and a position on the all-tournament team. At 6-10, there aren’t many more offensively diverse players than him, as he showed a high degree of ability generating shots in the post, moving the ball in the open court, hitting down 3-pointers, and acting as a constant presence as a cutter and finisher off the ball.
With that said, as the battle heated up, Jovic’s shortcomings became more apparent. With his slender body and short arms, he looked like a complete liability when on an island attempting to control lesser players, and he frequently seemed to be hardly trying on that end of the floor. Jovic’s perimeter shot creation was mostly shut down by France and Canada’s long-armed, quick-footed defenders, and his body language around teammates and officials was extremely worrisome. He struggled to deal with the strain of major events, seeming quiet at times and allowing his emotions to get the better of him at other times.
It’s worth noting that Jovic is just 18 years old and is a relative newbie to this level of basketball, having seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the last year and never before facing this level of athleticism. He’ll play an important part in the Adriatic League next season, and he’ll have a strong opportunity to solidify his status as a first-round selection.
Senegal | Khalifa Diop | 7-0 | C | 19.4 years old
When 7-1 countryman Ibou Badji unexpectedly decided to depart Senegal mid-tournament to undertake private NBA workouts in the United States, Diop sprang to life. As a result, Diop was able to return to his natural center position and put up some impressive performances against the United States, Spain, and Argentina. Diop, who stands 7 feet tall with a sculpted 250-pound body and a lengthy wingspan, wouldn’t look out of place in an NBA game tomorrow, and he also has a pretty high talent level to go along with a good feel for the game.
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Diop benefited from the increased opportunities he had with Senegal, showing the ability to handle the ball in the open floor, find open teammates on the move, and make shots from the perimeter in small doses, elements that complement his brute strength burying weaker defenders in the post. Diop also displayed outstanding defensive versatility, finishing as the only player in the tournament to average more than two steals and two blocks per 40 minutes, as well as demonstrating the ability to switch onto smaller perimeter players, slide his feet, and elevate off the ground quickly to protect the rim with excellent timing.
Diop may very well build on his excellent performance in Latvia by carving out a larger role in the ACB next season, which would help him make a push for the late first round if he continues to improve, as he has for the better part of two and a half years since we first assessed him.
Jun Seok Yeo | 6-9 | SF/PF | Korea | 19.3 years old Jun Seok Yeo | 6-9 | SF/PF | Korea
Junseok Yeo, a 6-foot-9 and 19-year-old #Korean winger, put up a solid 21-point performance against a tough @usabasketball team in front of @DraftExpress in the Round of 16 of the @FIBA U19 World Cup in front of @DraftExpress. twitter.com/81FIoyMuq0
July 8, 2021 — DraftExpressContent (@DXContent)
Yeo had an excellent performance in Latvia, scoring 25.6 points per game (seven points more than the next-best player) and firmly cementing himself as a talent NBA scouts will need to keep an eye on in the future years.
Despite being only a hair under 6-foot-9 while at the NBA Global Academy, Yeo emerged as one of the tournament’s most dynamic shooters, consistently hitting 3-pointers off step-backs, running off screens, pulling up off hang dribbles, and scoring with his feet set whenever he was given even a glimmer of daylight. While he only converted 29% of his shots, this was mainly owing to the high number of attempts — Yeo was expected to carry the most scoring burden of any player at the tournament, a result of the poor squad that surrounded him.
That reality revealed some of Yeo’s flaws, since he isn’t the most skilled shot creator and can still improve his finishing and passing skills in the half court, as well as his shot selection.
Yeo is a mixed bag on defense, as he isn’t fast enough laterally to keep up with perimeter players and doesn’t have the ideal length for a power forward. Despite this, his big build, tough-guy demeanor, and sound instincts enabled him to have a positive impact on this end of the court, as he ended as the tournament’s second-leading rebounder and ranked in the top-10 in both blocks and thefts.
At the beginning of the epidemic, Yeo chose to quit the NBA Global Academy, where he had made considerable progress, and is apparently a contender to play professionally in the Korean Basketball League next season. He was the youngest player to participate for the Korean senior national team in the FIBA Olympic qualification tournament in Kaunas last month.
7-4 | C | Purdue | Canada | Zach Edey 19.1 years old
Zach Edey steps out to influence a Chet Holmgren mid-range jumper, then sprints down the court for a slam to help @CanBball narrow the distance on @USABasketball in the @fiba U19 #WorldCup semis, which air live on ESPN+.
The 19-year-old rising #Purdue C has been outstanding throughout the tourney. twitter.com/7ae4btiZ3Y
10 July 2021 — DraftExpressContent (@DXContent)
With a per-40 stat line of 25.6 points, 23.9 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks, Edey topped the tournament in PER. At 7-4, 280 pounds, there wasn’t a single player in this tournament who was physically capable of slowing him down in the paint, and there won’t be one in the Big Ten next season either.
More than simply a behemoth, Edey wowed with his skill level near the basket, his excellent hands and reflexes as a rebounder, and his never-ending competitive fire. He ran out of steam after playing seven games in nine days and suffering a continuous hammering as a result of his style of play, yet he continued to give all he had his all in everything he did. Players in Edey’s mold aren’t precisely what the NBA is seeking for these days, but if he keeps improving his defensive technique and awareness while filling out his offensive skill set, he may find himself in a position similar to Boban Marjanovic’s. Meanwhile, he’ll undoubtedly become one of the most prolific players in college basketball in the future years.
Ruben Dominguez | 6-6 | SG | Spain | Ruben Dominguez | 6-6 | SG | Spain | Ruben Dominguez | 18.4 years old
Dominguez, the tournament’s second-leading scorer and most prolific 3-point shooter, led Spain to a surprising fifth-place finish despite playing a year ahead of schedule. Dominguez, who was named MVP of the 2019 U16 European Championship after leading Spain to a gold medal victory over Victor Wembanyama and France in Udine, has developed into a capable pick-and-roll option who can find the open man creatively and score efficiently inside the arc, in addition to being an elite shooter.
Dominguez, who is 6-6 and has average length, will most likely need to demonstrate his physical abilities at the top levels of basketball in the Spanish ACB in order to improve his draft status. Due to his mediocre first step, he struggles to get all the way to the hoop at times, seldom gets to the free throw line, and has some defensive questions to answer in terms of slowing down more athletic wing-types.
Still, 6-6 18-year-olds with this kind of shooting technique and range, who can score from any spot on the floor, play with unbridled confidence, and have the vision and intuition to create opportunities for teammates, don’t come around every day. Once he begins carving out playing time with Estudiantes, who was demoted to the Spanish second tier this season and could offer a major chance for him to stand out, Dominguez seems to be a guy scouts will be keeping an eye on.
Mike Miles | 6-1 | PG | TCU | USA | 18.8 years old Mike Miles | 6-1 | PG | TCU | USA
Miles, who came into the tournament as a relative unknown, had a breakthrough campaign while playing for his TCU head coach, Jamie Dixon, and emerged as Team USA’s primary backcourt engine as a scorer and facilitator.
Miles showed out for his daring attitude, ability to play at various speeds, and improved scoring skills, finishing inside the arc from challenging viewpoint positions despite his lack of physical proportions. When things got tight in the half court, he was the go-to American option, and his ability to make something happen off a ball screen saved the team many times.
Miles’ next step as a point guard will be to improve his shot selection and decision-making efficiency, particularly as the competition heats up. He’ll also need to work on his defense, which he may always be at a disadvantage due to his stature.
Miles, on the other hand, has done an excellent job of placing himself on NBA clubs’ radars and seems to be a strong bet to emerge as one of the Big 12’s best players in the coming years.
Peyton Watson | 6-8 | SF | UCLA | USA | Peyton Watson | 6-8 | SF | UCLA | USA | 18.8 years old
Before USA Basketball’s 1/8th finals game versus Korea in the FIBA U19 World Cup, UCLA-bound Peyton Watson gets some jumpers up. pic.twitter.com/Wqy0kqD7gj
July 7, 2021 — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress)
Watson only played 12.4 minutes a game for the US team, and he struggled to get anything going offensively. He made just two of his 12 3-point tries and seemed to have a lot of room for improvement in terms of his body, handling, and shot selection.
Watson, more than anybody else on this US squad, is clearly a long-term potential, although he did drop a few clues of good things to come. His defensive involvement was noteworthy, as demonstrated by his 3.7 blocks and 1.8 thefts per 40 minutes. Watson came into games trying to cause havoc in the passing lanes, and he had some excellent moments covering ground, crashing the boards, and making defensive plays with his length and agility.
Watson made several high-level passes inside the flow of Team USA’s attack, demonstrating unselfishness and court vision that will help in his growth as his lanky body and unrefined skill set mature.
Watson, a late bloomer who has just lately emerged as a top-shelf talent, is on a different path than most. He’ll be evaluated on how much he improves over the next year or two, since he possesses all of the long-term elements NBA clubs look for in players at his position, giving him lottery-type potential.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Louisiana Tech | USA | Age: 18.9 | 6-7 | C
Kenny Lofton of Louisiana Tech has been one of the most significant players for USA Basketball in the FIBA U19 World Cup, presently leading the team in scoring. With his 7’9 wingspan, he’ll see a lot of Wembanyama today. pic.twitter.com/5YEAxICqhb
July 11, 2021 — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress)
Lofton was the leading scorer for Team USA, averaging 13.1 points per game in only 18.4 minutes per game. He was particularly important in the gold rounds against Canada and France, when he scored 32 points in 47 minutes, much of which came down the stretch.
The all-Conference USA third-team member’s emergence as the savior of an American team dominated by McDonald’s All-Americans was one of the greatest stories of the tournament, despite being little recruited out of high school and being very effective in the Nike EYBL. Lofton, who was obviously the team’s greatest personality and the guy everyone went to for enthusiasm on the bench, was definitely the team’s biggest personality and the one everyone gravitated to for energy. International opponents were unable to stop him from totally overwhelming them on the offensive glass due to his massive size, deep post receptions, quick footwork, and smooth spin moves to either shoulder.
How does it transfer to the NBA, was the big question in Riga. In today’s game, there aren’t many 6-7, below-the-rim centers, particularly ones who don’t shoot from outside and have trouble moving their feet defensively outside of the paint. Lofton will undoubtedly need to change his physique over the next several years, extend his shooting range, and improve his defensive technique and reflexes. That will take time, but despite his excellent performance in Latvia — which some said was worthy of the MVP award over Holmgren — he doesn’t seem to be in a hurry. If he doesn’t improve dramatically, beginning with his body type, carving himself a high-level specialty abroad, a la former UC Santa Barbara standout Alan Williams, may be a more realistic option right now.
Jayson Tchicamboud | 6-5 | PG | France | 19.4 years old Jayson Tchicamboud | 6-5 | PG | France
Tchicamboud produced one of the most varied stat lines in the tournament, with 18 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per 40 minutes, and he did it with sparkling efficiency (68 percent true shooting), helping France reach the gold-medal game. He is a hard-nosed, versatile defender who is 6-5 and has good size for a point guard. He plays with great quickness, changes speeds when playing out of the pick-and-roll, whips the ball all over the floor utilizing both sides of the court, and has excellent size for a point guard.
The younger Tchicamboud is the son of Steed Tchicamboud, a former French national team point guard renowned for his tenacity and intelligence. His greatest question mark is his jumper, as he’s a career 23 percent 3-point shooter (60 percent on free throws) with quirky, unorthodox mechanics. In Riga, he made strides in this area, connecting on 7 of 12 tries from beyond the arc, including a few deep ones off the dribble. Tchicamboud, with his excellent size, feel for the game, and flexibility, has a potential to emerge as a legitimate NBA prospect if he can continue to improve his overall scoring ability while reducing turnovers.
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