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Celtics

MILWAUKEE (AP) &mdash; Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 42 points and made the go-ahead basket with 44.3 seconds left and the Milwaukee Bucks withstood a frantic flurry of shots in the final seconds to beat the Boston Celtics 103-101 on Saturday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal.
The defending champion Bucks lead the best-of-7 series 2-1, with Game 4 on Monday night in Milwaukee.
Boston trailed 103-100 when Marcus Smart was fouled by Jrue Holiday just before attempting a potential tying 3-pointer with 4.6 seconds remaining. Smart made the first free throw, then missed the second intentionally &mdash; flinging it at the rim.
That&rsquo;s when things got wild.
Smart got the rebound but missed his putback attempt. Boston&rsquo;s Robert Williams got that rebound but also missed. Boston&rsquo;s Al Horford was just to the right of the basket when he converted his putback opportunity, but the shot came just after the buzzer sounded. Replays confirmed Horford didn&rsquo;t beat the clock.
Antetokounmpo also had 12 rebounds and eight assists. His driving finger roll helped the Bucks pull back ahead after blowing a 14-point lead.
After trailing by 13 with less than 10 minutes left, the Celtics pulled ahead 100-99 and took their first lead since early in their third quarter on Jaylen Brown&rsquo;s two free throws with 1:49 remaining.
Both teams failed to score on their next possessions before Antetokounmpo put the Bucks back ahead. Antetokounmpo then blocked Brown&rsquo;s driving layup attempt, leading to Holiday's basket that made it 103-100 with 11.2 seconds remaining.
Holiday had 25 points.
Brown led the Celtics with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Horford had 22 points and 16 rebounds.
TIP-INS
Celtics: Robert Williams went to the locker room in the third quarter after taking an elbow to the face from Milwaukee's Bobby Portis as they tangled under the basket while pursuing the ball. Williams returned later in the third. ... Reserve forward Sam Hauser, who had played two minutes in each of the series&rsquo; first two games, was unavailable Saturday due to an injured right shoulder. Celtics coach Ime Udoka said Hauser took a fall in practice. &ldquo;He&rsquo;ll be OK long-term,&rdquo; Udoka said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just something where he could be out a few weeks based on that.&rdquo;
Bucks: Reserve guard George Hill played for the first time this postseason after recovering from a strained abdominal muscle. ... Grayson Allen made his first career playoff start Saturday as part of a lineup change after the Bucks posted their lowest point total of the season in a 109-86 Game 2 loss. Portis moved into a bench role.

The Bucks managed to steal a close Game 3 against the Boston Celtics.

Bucks edge Celtics 103-101 after frantic final second

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday each scored 29 points and the Milwaukee Bucks edged the short-handed Boston Celtics 127-121 on Thursday night to take over second place in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Bucks (50-30) scored the game&rsquo;s final nine points to move a half-game ahead of the Celtics (50-31) and a full game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers (49-31), who lost 119-114 at Toronto on Thursday.
Milwaukee withstood a triple-double from Jaylen Brown, who had 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Celtics. Brown&rsquo;s 11 assists matched his career high.
Marcus Smart shot 7 of 12 from 3-point range and was the Celtics&rsquo; leading scorer with a season-high 29 points. Daniel Theis had 22 points and Derrick White added 19 for the Celtics.
Khris Middleton had 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Bucks. Antetokounmpo had 11 rebounds and five assists. Holiday had eight rebounds and eight assists.
One night after a 117-94 victory at Chicago, the Celtics held Jayson Tatum and Al Horford out of Thursday&rsquo;s game. They also continued to play without Robert Williams III, who hasn&rsquo;t played since March 27 due to a meniscus tear in his left knee.
The Celtics still almost won on the road.
Smart put Boston ahead 119-118 on a 3-pointer with 4:25 left and added a driving layup nearly two minutes later to make it 121-118.
Milwaukee&rsquo;s Bobby Portis tied it by sinking a 3-pointer with 2:11 remaining.
The Bucks took the lead for good when Antetokounmpo made the second of two free throws with 1:31 left. After White missed a 3-pointer, Holiday converted a putback of his own miss to make it 124-121 with a minute remaining.
After Theis couldn&rsquo;t score from right under the basket, Antetokounmpo made one of two free throws to extend Milwaukee&rsquo;s lead to 125-121 with 39 seconds left.
HILL'S NECK PROBLEM
Bucks guard George Hill offered more clarity Thursday on the neck injury that caused him to miss 17 games before he returned to action March 14.
Hill said he had a partial tear between the sixth and seventh thoracic vertebra in his spine. Hill didn&rsquo;t undergo surgery and plans to revisit the issue after the season.
&ldquo;Surgery can be season-ending, so you don&rsquo;t want to do that,&rdquo; Hill said after the Bucks&rsquo; Thursday morning shootaround. &ldquo;You want to figure out how I can manage to get back out with the guys. It feels a lot better now. I&rsquo;m just trying to give it everything I have.&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Celtics: Rookie Sam Hauser, a Wisconsin native who began his college career at Marquette, had a career-high 11 points and went 3 of 4 on 3-point attempts. Marquette and the Bucks both play their home games at Fiserv Forum. ... Celtics assistant coach Ben Sullivan, an assistant on Milwaukee's staff last season, received his 2020-21 championship ring in a pregame ceremony.
Bucks: The Bucks requested waivers on DeAndre&rsquo; Bembry, who played eight games for them before suffering a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-utah-jazz-nba-sports-brook-lopez-7703bb40fb72236c5e9655a26a7a6389">season-ending knee injury</a> in a loss at Golden State on March 12. &hellip; Grayson Allen didn&rsquo;t play due to left hip soreness. &ldquo;He got hit a little bit the other night in Chicago,&rdquo; Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game, referring to a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-chicago-bulls-boston-celtics-nba-sports-89c777fcb55642d97f5523ac2d5f6024"> 127-106 victory</a> over the Bulls on Tuesday. &ldquo;Hopefully it&rsquo;s short-term.&rdquo; ... The Bucks outscored the Celtics 58-34 in the paint.
UP NEXT
Celtics: At Memphis on Sunday. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/memphis-grizzlies-boston-celtics-brooklyn-nets-nba-sports-3d2600b0730722e97fedf317fcb1237b">The Celtics beat the Grizzlies 120-107</a> in Boston on March 3.
Bucks: At Detroit on Friday. The Bucks are 2-1 against the Pistons this season but <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-khris-middleton-jrue-holiday-milwaukee-c2a817547bf4b377674b1909beacc87a">lost the last matchup 115-106</a> at Milwaukee on Jan. 3.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday each scored 29 points and the Bucks edged the shorthanded Celtics to take second in the East.

Giannis, Holiday help Bucks rally past Celtics 127-121

The second day of the 2022 NCAA tournament featured some slugfests, some blowouts, as well as a First Four team surviving another day. The Round of 32 is now completely locked-in, and we&rsquo;ll also take a peek at the must-watch matchups for Saturday.&nbsp;
UPSET ALERT&nbsp;
West Region: 11-seed Notre Dame defeats 6-seed Alabama 78-64
Alabama in recent seasons has had a strong program, with a number of players in the conversation for the NBA draft. This year the Crimson Tide&rsquo;s season has been a bit of a roller coaster, including a major win over arguably the best team in college basketball, Gonzaga, but also key SEC and non-conference losses that show in their 19-13 record coming into this game. Notre Dame had their fair share of ups and downs as well, but came into this first round matchup with momentum off their First Four double-OT win against Rutgers. The upset potential was apparent, and the Fighting Irish delivered behind a huge game from Cormac Ryan. The junior guard finished with a season-high 29 points, well above his 9.2 PPG average. Ryan has been coming on strong for the Irish with 20 and 16 points in their last two games respectively. Thanks to the efforts of Ryan and impressive freshman wing Blake Wesley &mdash; he scored 18 &mdash; Notre Dame moved on to play third-seeded Texas Tech in the second round.
Midwest Region: 11-seed Iowa State defeats 6-seed LSU 59-54
These were two teams with similar records that had similar patterns to their seasons &mdash; they both started the year with 12 game winning streaks that went through Christmas. However, playing in two of the best conferences in the country in the SEC and Big 12, both teams took their lumps through the remainder of the season. Although Iowa State took an 11-point lead around the 7-minute mark in the second half, LSU made an 11-1 run that brought the game within one point with under two minutes remaining. Iowa State pulled out the low scoring win with Tyrese Hunter being the team's major difference maker, dropping 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting from beyond the arc. The freshman guard&rsquo;s clutch shooting clinic included two late threes that helped Iowa State pull away from the Tigers at the end. Hunter&rsquo;s 5 steals also led a stingy Cyclones defense that recorded 15 total. Iowa State&rsquo;s victory means they advance to the second round to take on third-seeded Wisconsin on Sunday.
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BEST GAMES OF THE DAY
Midwest Region
No. 10 seed Miami defeats No. 7 seed USC 68-66
This matchup was tightly contested throughout the first 15 minutes, until Miami began to break the game open and took a 13-point lead with three minutes remaining in the first half. USC&rsquo;s offense grew stagnant, and the Hurricanes took advantage with a 31-20 lead at halftime. However, the Trojans came fighting back to begin the second half with two threes and a fast break layup from Isaiah Mobley (he finished with 11 points) to bring them within one. From this point it was a back and forth battle that favored Miami, yet USC would manage a big basket to keep it close &mdash; USC was down by seven points with 45 seconds left in the game. A Doug Peterson three, a Miami out-of-bounds call, and then another Peterson three brought the Trojans back within one, with 25.3 seconds left in the game.
After free throws from both teams, it was tied at 66 in the final moments. Charlie Moore drove to the lane and attempted a contested layup, which earned him a foul call. Moore stepped to the line and knocked down two free throws to seal the game. A halfcourt heave at the buzzer almost fell for Doug Peterson &mdash; he ended the game with a valiant effort of 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Miami&rsquo;s Isaiah Wong led the Hurricanes with 22 points while dealing with foul trouble and Moore followed with 16 points. Miami will see second-seeded Auburn in the second round.&nbsp;
South Region
No. 4 seed Illinois defeats No. 13 seed Chattanooga 54-53
Illinois only led this game for 25 seconds, but it was the most important time to do so. Chattanooga jumped on Illinois early, with a 14-3 lead in the first five minutes. The Mocs had control over most of the first half, but a Fighting Illini run at the end of period brought the score to 33-29.&nbsp;
The second half started much like the first with Chattanooga playing good basketball and giving themselves an 11-point cushion, but a very resilient Illinois team fought back again and kept the game within one or two possessions over the course of the closing minutes. After some questionable possessions by Chattanooga, Illinois took its first lead of the game on a Kofi Cockburn putback with 47 seconds remaining. The Mocs received a trip to the line on the next possession and two free throws were knocked down by SOCON Player of the Year Malachi Smith (who finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds), which gave his team the lead.
On the following possession Alfonso Plummer was fouled and hit two free throws for the Illini to take the lead back. On the final possession, the Mocs gave the ball to Smith who had two looks to take home the win &mdash; he was blocked on a left hand drive, then shot a last second midrange jumper that went just a tad long. Cockburn finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds and Plummer provided 15 points of his own. Illinois avoided the upset and will face fifth-seeded Houston on Sunday.
West Region
No. 7 seed MSU defeats No. 10 seed Davidson 74-73
An up-and-down season for Michigan State had some experts predicting Davidson would come away with this game. However, an impressive 27 points on 9-12 from the floor by Joey Hauser was the big difference.
An interesting storyline revolved around Davidson&rsquo;s transfer starting point guard, Foster Loyer &mdash; he's a Michigan native who made the move down to play with the Wildcats after three seasons of limited production for the Spartans. This proved to be a good move for Loyer, as he&rsquo;s been the leading scorer and assist man for Davidson with 16.1 points and 3.3 assists per game this season. The motivation was there for Davidson, and the team played with a confidence that showed each time the team came up with an answer to Michigan State&rsquo;s attempts to pull away.
Davidson took a five-point lead with under seven minutes to go, but with some big buckets by Hauser, heady play by AJ Hoggard (14 points) and a three from Gabe Brown (12 points), the Spartans made a 10-0 run to take a five-point lead of their own with under four minutes left. Michigan State had an eight point lead with one minute remaining, but a late push by the Wildcats with some great clock management, clutch baskets and pressure defense that led to a bad MSU turnover brought the game back in reach. However, in the end, Michigan State was able to close it out with two Tyson Walker free throws. Michigan State will take on second-seeded Duke in the round of 32.
No. 3 seed Wisconsin beats No. 14 seed Colgate 67-60
Colgate is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the country, and came into this game on a 15-game winning streak. The Patriot League champs made sure Wisconsin knew this one wouldn&rsquo;t be easy. However, this would be the Raiders&rsquo;s biggest test, as the Badgers won the Big Ten regular season championship and have a projected lottery pick in Johnny Davis.
Colgate found success scoring the ball from inside before unleashing their long-range prowess. Senior Nelly Cummings for Colgate finished the game with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists &mdash; he gave the Badgers trouble on all three levels. Cummings even locked the game at 28-all with a baseline reverse layup at the buzzer to go into halftime.
But the stars shine bright on the big stage and, after a slow start, Johnny Davis got going in the second half. Davis finished with 25 points on 8 for 20 shooting from the floor and added 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Tyler Wahl followed Davis with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals of his own. The Raiders played a strong game but wore down as the battle-tested Badgers showed up down the stretch. Wisconsin has a date with 11th-seeded Iowa State in the next round.
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OTHER FIRST-ROUND RESULTS
Midwest Region
2-seed Auburn defeats 15-seed Jacksonville State 80-61
East Region
3-seed Purdue defeats 14-seed Yale 78-56
6-seed Texas defeats 11-seed Virginia Tech 81-73
South Region
No. 1 seed Arizona defeats No. 16 seed Wright State 87-70
No. 2 seed Villanova defeats No. 15 seed Delaware 80-60
No. 5 seed Houston defeats No. 12 seed UAB 82-68
No. 7 seed Ohio State defeats No. 10 seed Loyola Chicago 54-41
No. 9 seed TCU defeats No. 8 seed Seton Hall 69-42
West Region
No. 2 seed Duke defeats 15-seed Cal State Fullerton 78-61
No. 3 seed Texas Tech defeats 14-seed Montana State 97-62
MUST-WATCH SECOND-ROUND GAMES ON DAY 3
No. 1 seed Gonzaga vs. No. 9 seed Memphis - 9:40 PM EST
A highly anticipated second round matchup of two potential top-10 picks in Chet Holmgren and Jalen Duren.&nbsp;
No. 1 seed Baylor vs. 8-seed North Carolina - 12:10 PM EST
Baylor is missing two key pieces due to injury, &mdash;LJ Cryer and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua &mdash;&nbsp;while UNC is playing some of its best basketball of the season. Caleb Love is worth keeping an eye on.
No. 4 seed UCLA vs. 5-seed Saint Mary&rsquo;s - 7:10 PM EST
The Bruins are hoping to get back to the Final Four while Saint Mary&rsquo;s wants to prove the WCC isn&rsquo;t just run by Gonzaga. This could be a battle.
No. 7 seed Murray State vs. No. 15 seed Saint Peter&rsquo;s 7:45 PM EST
Does Saint Peter&rsquo;s have more magic for a Sweet 16 birth? Or will Murray State's toughness win out?
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Blake Hairston takes us through the upsets and thrillers of Day 2 of the NCAA DI men's basketball tournament, plus a preview of Day 3.

March Madness: Recapping Day 2 of the 2022 NCAA Tournament

No. 12 Illinois defeated No. 19 Michigan State 79-74. llinois&rsquo; last road win in East Lansing was in February of 2015, but that changed with a big-time win today. The Illini withstood a comeback from the Spartans, as Trent Frazier hit a dagger pull-up triple with 25 seconds to play. Kofi Cockburn led all players with 27 points. Tyson Walker had a phenomenal game for Michigan State off the bench, scoring 26 points.&nbsp;
Illinois (19-7, 12-4 Big Ten) entered this one projected a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, slipping a bit after losses to Purdue and Rutgers. Cockburn continues to be one of the most dominant forces in the country, averaging 21.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Alfonso Plummer and Frazier have been reliable all season and will need to keep things up for their team during the homestretch.
The Spartans (18-8, 9-6 Big Ten) came in having lost three of their last four contests, desperately needing to get back on track. They rank 24th nationally in Adjusted Efficiency, but simply haven&rsquo;t been able to score consistently recently. Gabe Brown leads the team with 12.1 points per game, but potential first round pick Max Christie will be an x-factor during the last few weeks of the season.&nbsp;
Illinois jumped out to a 7-2 lead after a Da&rsquo;Monte Williams steal and transition bucket. Brown answered with a corner three as he scored the first five points for Sparty. The Illini stretched the lead to 17-8 as Brown picked up his second foul at the 12:00 mark and Michigan State hit only 3 of their first 14 attempts from the field.&nbsp;
The visitors took a 34-22 lead into the break and quickly extended it to 40-24 early in the second period. Illinois remained in control for a good while until Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard cut it down to 67-59. Walker then connected on a three at the 3:47 mark while, at the same time, a whistle under the basket sent Julius Marble II to the free-throw line. Cockburn was then called for a 3-second violation and the momentum completely shifted, revving the crowd up again.&nbsp;
Cockburn and Walker traded buckets as Illinois held a 71-69 lead with 1:57 to go. Frazier stole the ball with 1:02 to go and finished a tough transition layup. Walker converted an and-1 to make it 76-74 with 47.7 on the clock. Frazier hit a deep pull-up triple with 0:25 on the clock, which all but ended the game, as Illinois would get the ball back and run out the clock.&nbsp;
Jacob Grandison scored 24 points on 6 of 10 from behind the arc. Frazier finished with 12 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Joey Hauser posted 11 points for the Spartans. Hoggard finished with 15 points and 8 assists in a strong outing.&nbsp;
Michigan State started this season 14-2, but are 4-6 since.
Tom Izzo remains one win from tying Bob Knight for the most overall wins at B1G schools, at 662.&nbsp;
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UPCOMING
Illinois hosts Ohio State on Thursday night.
Michigan State visits Iowa on Tuesday.

Illinois’ last road win in East Lansing was in February of 2015, but that changed with a big-time win Saturday.

No. 12 Illinois defeats No. 19 Michigan State 79-74, Cockburn scores 27

The Celtics have signed Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser to deals for the rest of the season.
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1492220712286830596?s=20&amp;t=AlWOFzlk1QbUUfFYVszSgQ">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;The move will make up some of the Celtics five open roster spots.
Kornet and Hauser had been performing well with their G-League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.
Kornet had averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1 three, and 1.3 blocks per game in 14 G League games.
Hauser averaged 21.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1 steal, and 4.4 threes per game in 18 G League games.

The Celtics have signed Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser to deals for the rest of the season.

Celtics sign Luke Kornet, Sam Hauser for rest of season

Brad Stevens woke up on Thursday morning and took care of business.&nbsp;
How often does that happen with the Celtics? Up until the past three weeks, Boston had been trademarked as the team who played wildly up and down to its competition, blowing leads left and right all while failing to establish an identity. And in recent years, the franchise was spearheaded by a Danny Ainge-led front office known for either adrenaline-inducing blockbusters or crickets from the transaction log.
Something is different. The Celtics have shredded an easy February schedule like they're supposed to. And new president of basketball operations Brad Stevens made exactly the moves he needed to make at this trade deadline &mdash; no more, no less. From an outsider's perspective, Boston had to check off three boxes on Thursday:
<ul>
<li>Find value for Dennis Schr&ouml;der before his contract expires (and replace him if he is traded)</li>
<li>Get under the luxury tax</li>
<li>Acquire a viable third center</li>
</ul>
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Stevens accomplished all three and even created more flexibility. When our staff went through gut-reaction winners and losers of the deadline on our live show, all of us counted the Celtics as winners. They still have five available roster spots, so the moves aren't finished. On Friday morning at his media availability, Stevens clearly outlined his personal goals with the deals:
"I thought all year that what we really needed to continue to focus on were adding guys that really know how to play, that make the right basketball decisions, and really have a great self-awareness to do what they do best and accentuate our best players."
It starts with Derrick White. The 27-year-old combo guard replaces Schr&ouml;der on the depth chart but could not be a more different player. Brad Stevens gave a glowing review of White, who has apparently been on his radar going back to his time with the USA Select Team:
"We've thought for years that Derrick was a really good fit with our best players," Stevens said. He is an excellent defender. He just makes the right play on offense, over and over and over. He's a guy that only cares about winning [and] that will do all of the little things, as you can see in some of his stats defensively with regard to willingness to put his body on the line, activity, shot challenges, all of those things. And on offense, just by making simple plays&nbsp;and doesn't need to do anything [or] be on the highlights to really impact winning... We felt really fortunate to be able to get a guy like that on a long contract that we think is, again, a perfect fit for our best players."
That covers the bases. White is averaging 5.6 assists per game this season with a 25.2% assist rate; the latter ranks in the 82nd percentile at his position, per Cleaning the Glass. His assist-to-usage rate of 1.12 is in the 76th percentile. For comparison, Schr&ouml;der had an&nbsp;assist-to-usage rate of 0.93 (12th percentile). And these numbers come as White frequently shared the floor with lead guard Dejounte Murray.
White's assist-to-pass ratio of 14.5% ranks eighth in the entire NBA.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
If Derrick White is doing this for the Celtics... 😮&zwj;💨 <a href="https://t.co/fZsrffM9ig">pic.twitter.com/fZsrffM9ig</a>
&mdash; Ethan Fuller (@ethman43) <a href="https://twitter.com/ethman43/status/1492162183039533059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

In theory, the ball should stick less with White and Marcus Smart in the backcourt, and White is more than capable of running an offense when Smart and/or Jayson Tatum isn't on the floor. In the below clips, he's making reads in split seconds. It's easy to picture Robert Williams or Al Horford as Jakob Poeltl, or Grant Williams/Jaylen Brown shooting these corner attempts.
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White isn't going to wow you with a highlight reel pass. But whether it's turning a good shot to a great shot, applying pressure with his cuts or pushing the transition pace, he brings several skills that Boston hasn't nailed down consistently.
Many Celtics fans were immediately concerned by White's 31.4% three-point clip. It's reasonable, and he likely won't ever be an elite marksman or pull-up dagger machine. But there's a bit more to unpack on the efficiency front.&nbsp;
White is making 22% of his corner threes this season. That is... extremely bad, and also 26 percentage points lower from 2020-21. He's making 34% of his threes above the break, which is slightly above league-average. White is making 32.3% of his catch-and-shoot three-pointers, per NBA Stats, when he's typically been in the 38-39% range in recent seasons. Brad Stevens said on Friday he thinks White is a better shooter than the base numbers suggest. I'm inclined to agree.&nbsp;
These aren't even White's key selling points. Flip to the defensive side of the ball and he'll show you why many now think the Celtics could boast the stingiest unit in the NBA. Nekias Duncan lauded White as one of the best point-of-attack players in the league on our show yesterday, and I'd take him at his word. White has a fantastic blend of speed and strength at 6-foot-4 and can mirror drives from the NBA's toughest guards. Here's one clip of him smothering Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
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White's block rate is in the 97th percentile at his position. It has been there, or higher, in each of the last four seasons. I truly fear for opposing backcourts if he and Marcus Smart share the floor.
The Celtics gave up Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, a 2022 lightly-protected first-round pick and the right to swap first-rounders in 2028 in exchange for White. That's quite a package for a player who is either a solid complementary starter or a really great bench piece. Stevens himself acknowledged that giving up first-round picks is an inherent risk. But it's the type of move that signals to Tatum and Brown that they're worth building around.&nbsp;
With minutes left on the clock, Boston snuck in another deal with the Rockets. Stevens sent Enes Freedom, Bruno Fernando and Schr&ouml;der to Houston for Daniel Theis. With White in the fold, there was no need to keep Schr&ouml;der even in the short term, and the Celtics also moved two centers who should not play in the rotation to bring back a very capable depth big.
Theis returns after less than a calendar year away from Boston. The 29-year-old started 21 of 26 games with the Rockets and averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He's a stalwart interior finisher; per Basketball Reference, Theis has made at least 71% of his shots within three feet of the basket in every year of his NBA career. He's not the stretch big man his three-point volume suggests, but Theis can at least make around one per game in theory.
Theis also isn't an event-creator on defense. He's a bruiser who can come off the bench and be a more viable switcher than Freedom or Fernando ever were. Ime Udoka should at least feel more comfortable deploying Theis in the rotation so Robert Williams III and Al Horford are not overextended.
"Rob and Al are our guys and they're playing great, but if you miss any time with those two guys, you can plug Theis in and it'll be a seamless transition," Stevens said.
So in two trades, the Celtics have upgraded their secondary guard spot and their bench center spot at the risk of missing out in the draft. With the help of a third trade from earlier in the morning, they also gave themselves extra time for moves via the buyout market.
Boston dealt PJ Dozier, Bol Bol, a second-round pick and cash considerations to Orlando for a conditional second-round pick. The goal was clearly to get under the luxury tax, and per <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/boston-celtics/cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotrac</a>, Boston did that.
Between the three moves, the Celtics have a whopping five open roster spots to fill. The needs are glaring: shooting and wing depth. That's especially compounded after trading Richardson.
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<a href="https://theathletic.com/3124166/2022/02/10/celtics-trade-deadline-roundtable-brad-stevens-bets-big-on-derrick-white/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Athletic's&nbsp;Jared Weiss</a> wrote that he's "gotten the impression" the Celtics will at least take a look at Gary Harris on the buyout market. <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/report-gary-harris-likely-on-the-move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nekias Duncan</a> listed Boston as a potential landing spot for Harris. If the three-point clip stays up, Harris would make a lot of sense as a plug-and-play shooting guard.
With so many lopsided deals around the league in terms of roster size, Boston should have options. Maybe Orlando also buys out Terrence Ross. Perhaps the Lakers waive Kent Bazemore or the Clippers let go of recently-acquired Rodney Hood?
The G League is also loaded with potential fits. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Boston is already signing Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet to rest-of-season contracts from the Maine Celtics. Hauser's signature skill is shooting and Kornet can stretch the floor as well.
Stevens was vague at his press conference, saying he wanted players with "skill." The Celtics have five opportunities (including Hauser and Kornet) to find such players. Udoka has another tough choice to make, too &mdash; should he break up the current buzzsaw starting lineup and insert White, or bring a starting-caliber guard beginning a four-year, $73 million contract extension off the bench?
For all the angst about Schr&ouml;der's tendency to stop the ball, he was also a much-needed driving threat. White gets to the rim at a level around league-average, but he's not the blazing downhill driver Schr&ouml;der is. Will that affect how the ball is able to move, especially if the Celtics don't have enough shooters on the perimeter?
Clearly these deals don't end the questions. For now, though, fans should feel confident that Brad Stevens was clear and deliberate with his trade deadline moves. Derrick White and Daniel Theis appear to be the complementary talents Boston should be seeking to bolster a lineup hunting postseason contention.
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Ethan Fuller shows how the additions of Derrick White and Daniel Theis fit into the current rotation for the Boston Celtics.

Evaluating the Celtics' trade deadline additions and next steps

Champaign, IL&nbsp; &mdash;&nbsp; In a game that went down the to wire, the Illinois Fighting Illini (14-5, 7-2 Big Ten) held on to a narrow, last-second victory over the Michigan State Spartans (15-4, 6-2 Big Ten) without star center Kofi Cockburn, 56-55. Holding onto the win, No. 24 Illinois moved into first place in the Big Ten.
Illinois&rsquo; Trent Frazier led all players with 16 points in the contest, while Marcus Bingham Jr. led the way for the 10th-ranked Spartans with 13 points.&nbsp;
In a fairly lopsided first half, Illinois took a 34-20 lead into the break. Frazier displayed his tough shot-making ability early on and posted 10 points in the first period on 4 of 7 shooting. Freshman Luke Goode had a good first half as well with 6 points. Gabe Brown and Bingham led the Spartans in scoring at half with 5 points each.
Illinois extended its lead in the second half to 15 points, and up until roughly the 5:30 mark, looked completely in control to close it out. During the final five minutes of play, the Spartans&rsquo; defense was up to the task and made the necessary stops. On the other end, Malik Hall and Joey Hauser brought Michigan State back within two points at 56-54. Hall then missed the front end of a pair of free throws, which all but sealed the deal.&nbsp;
Brown finished with 10 points and 3 rebounds. Hall scored 7 points and secured 7 rebounds. Alfonso Plummer played a key role in the win, posting 11 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds for the home team.
No. 24 Illinois held onto the win, and as a result, moved into first place in the Big Ten.
Coming into Tuesday's game, the No. 10 Spartans&nbsp; had won 10 of their last 11 games, including a statement last weekend at Wisconsin. Senior forward Gabe Brown leads Michigan State in scoring at 13.6 points per game. Freshman Spartan wing Max Christie is averaging 10.5 points per contest and is a potential lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.&nbsp;
Cockburn, a junior big man, leads the No. 24 Fighting Illini in points and rebounds, but without him, they lack a physical force on the inside. Neither he nor point guard Andre Curbelo played in this one; however, the Illini were still able to sneak out with the victory.
UPCOMING
Illinois will visit Northwestern on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;
Michigan State will host Michigan in a rivalry matchup on Saturday.&nbsp;
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In a game that went down the to wire, the Fighting Illini held on to a last-second victory over MSU without star center Kofi Cockburn.

No. 24 Illinois edges No. 10 Michigan State 56-55 to go atop Big Ten

BOSTON (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 17 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter, hitting three jumpers in the final minutes and three free throws in the last four seconds to ice it as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 108-103 on Monday night.
With both teams fighting COVID-19 outbreaks, Embiid also had 10 rebounds and a steal on the Celtics’ last-chance inbound pass while playing 40 minutes, 14 seconds — a season high for a game that didn’t go to overtime.
Seth Curry scored 26 points and Tobias Harris had 25 for Philadelphia.
Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, Jayson Tatum had 17 and Enes Kanter Freedom had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who had seven players in COVID-19 protocol, with Robert Williams III a late scratch for personal reasons.
After trailing the entire first half, the Celtics took an 80-75 lead into the fourth quarter and went ahead 97-90 on Brown's 3-pointer with 4:14 left. Matisse Thybulle hit a 3-pointer and then Embiid made a pair of foul shots. 
Boston led 98-96 when Danny Green made a 3-pointer, and then Embiid made three straight mid-range jumpers to hold the Celtics at bay. 
WHERE THERE’S SMOKE
The game was delayed for seven minutes after the national anthem and before the introduction of the Celtics players when a fire alarm went off in the building, accompanied by an announcement telling the crowd it may need to evacuate. After a few minutes of people nervously looking around, the Celtics mascot began waving his arms to pump up the fans; the pregame festivities resumed soon after.
A TD Garden spokesman said the problem was a malfunctioning sprinkler head in a concession area in the balcony level and set off a fire alarm. Building operations coordinated with the Boston Fire Department before giving the all-clear.
IN AND OUT
The Celtics’ pregame injury list required a three-tweet thread to list everyone, with Al Horford, Jabari Parker, Josh Richardson, Brodric Thomas, Grant Williams, Juancho Hernangomez and Sam Hauser all in the COVID-19 protocol. Robert Williams III was also listed as out for personal reasons. 
Tatum (ankle), Romeo Langford (neck) and Dennis Schroder (non-COVID illness) were questionable but cleared to play. To fill out the roster, the Celtics signed 15-year NBA veteran C.J. Miles, who hadn’t appeared in a game in more than two years, to a 10-day contract.
The Sixers were without Andre Drummond, Shake Milton and Georges Niang because of COVID protocols, along with Tyrese Maxey (thigh bruise), Furkan Korkmaz (non-COVID illness), Jaden Springer (concussion protocol) and Ben Simmons, who hasn’t played all year while awaiting a possible trade. 
THROWBACK
The Celtics celebrated ’60’s night, looking back on the decade when they won 9 NBA titles — going through the Philadelphia Warriors twice and the 76ers four times. (The Sixers were the only team to beat them, in the 1967 Eastern Division finals. 
Satch Sanders, Mal Graham and Rick Weitzman were honored on the court, and ’60’s music was played throughout the night. 
UP NEXT 
Sixers: Host Atlanta on Thursday. 
Celtics: Host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Joel Embiid scored 41 points, and the 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 108-103.

Embiid scores 41, 76ers beat Celtics 108-103

The Michigan State Spartans are one of the premier college basketball programs in the country, but shocked many last season with the trouble they had in the Big Ten, sputtering into a 15-13 season and First Four NCAA Tournament exit in the 2020-21 campaign.
The takeaway from last season was that it was a rebuilding year, as the Spartans were left finding answers after the departures of Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman Sr. to the 2020 NBA Draft. This season, head coach Tom Izzo and Co. are looking to bounce-back, as they&rsquo;re led by key upperclassmen like Gabe Brown, Marcus Bingham Jr. and Joey Hauser.
However, newcomer <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/2022-big-board/players/max-christie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Max Christie</a> could be the piece to spearhead Michigan State&rsquo;s rise back to the top of the Big Ten.&nbsp;
&ldquo;That boy gets buckets&rdquo; - Gabe Brown
Christie, a 5-star recruit out of Rolling Meadows High School in Illinois, chose Michigan State after an unusual recruiting process that was mostly virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. But it was the connection he made with Coach Izzo, the staff, and players that led him to choose the highly successful program.&nbsp;
I had the opportunity to watch Christie in his first two games of exhibition collegiate action versus Ferris State and Grand Valley State, two Division II programs in Michigan. It&rsquo;s clear Christie brings skilled and versatile elements to Michigan State&rsquo;s perimeter play, as his potentially elite shooting could be a major asset to the Spartans this season. His shooting ability can open driving lanes that allow him to get to the rim or find open looks for teammates, as his IQ and unselfishness showed on the court. While he still has a slim frame, Izzo noted that he had a great offseason in the weight room, and plans to utilize his length to be effective on the defensive end.&nbsp;
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NBA Outlook
Coming into East Lansing as No. 12 on ESPN&rsquo;s Top 100 out of high school, Christie will receive his fair share of eyes from the next level. Our Senior NBA Draft Analyst, Matt Babcock, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/babcock-takeaways-banchero-agbaji-keels-and-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently watched Christie as the Spartans took on Kansas at the State Farm Champions Classic</a> in New York to open the season.&nbsp;
Here are Babcock&rsquo;s initial thoughts after seeing Christie play in-person:
"My first thoughts when watching Max Christie for the first time last week was, 'He&rsquo;s very thin, he has a baby face and he looks like a young freshman.' Furthermore, his stat line and production wouldn&rsquo;t blow away anyone either, as he only scored 9 points on 3-of-10 shooting. I could easily see someone thinking he blended into the game and was underwhelming, and subequently drawing a quick conclusion of 'he&rsquo;s not ready.'
"Christie certainly didn&rsquo;t dominate in that game by any means. However, one of my favorite things about evaluating young NBA prospects is reading between the lines. With Christie, I saw a 6-foot-6 guard with a sweet stroke that has a great feel for the game. I also find it to be interesting that Tom Izzo &mdash; a great, but demanding and tough coach &mdash; trusted Christie, a true freshman, to start and play 31 minutes in his first career college game. A huge one at that.
"There&rsquo;s a reasonable argument that a player like Christie would benefit from staying in school to get stronger, mature as a player and get his game polished to a point where he could produce at a high level in college before entering the pros. However, the same exact thing could have been said about Josh Primo at Alabama, who only averaged 8.1 points in 22 minutes per game last season. Primo was selected No. 11 by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2021 NBA Draft. That leaves me thinking: Could Max Christie be this year&rsquo;s Josh Primo?"
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Silent Killer
When asked about what Christie brings to this Michigan State team, Bingham immediately responded, &ldquo;Max is a killer, man.&rdquo; What's unique is that isn't the first thought you get when you see his youthful face and thin frame walk onto the court. However, Christie holds a calmness and confident demeanor that doesn&rsquo;t appear to get shaken easily.&nbsp;
Christie is certainly impressing scouts, teammates and, most importantly, his coach in the early season. Izzo has praised his 5-star freshman's mentality and approach to college basketball so far. The Spartans are coming into this season with their eyes set on the top of the Big Ten once again, and we can expect Izzo to find ways to utilize Christie to his fullest potential along the way.
&ldquo;He&rsquo;s coachable, he has no ego, he has great understanding,&rdquo; Izzo said. "...(He&rsquo;s) every bit as good as the billing."
Max Christie is currently ranked No. 18 on the BasketballNews.com <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022 NBA Draft Big Board</a>.

Blake Hairston writes on why he thinks Max Christie could be the key piece to Michigan State rising back to the top of the Big Ten.

2022 NBA Draft: An early look at Michigan State's Max Christie

The Boston Celtics enter the 2021 NBA preseason with one of the deepest training camp rosters they have fielded in recent years.
While the preseason remains as meaningless as ever for team projections, the closed training camp practices and four preliminary contests should help sift through an experienced group. Only one Celtic is a rookie (two-way player Sam Hauser), and 17 of the 20 players have at least two years of NBA experience.&nbsp;
The competition should be fantastic throughout the depth chart. But some battles take on a higher importance as new head coach Ime Udoka finalizes his squad and shapes his team's identity. I have five groupings I'll be particularly interested in as opening night inches closer.
Robert Williams III vs. Al Horford &mdash; Who opens the season as the starting center?
This is the highest-profile "question mark" for the Celtics entering training camp. They just gave Williams a four-year, $54 million contract extension, and he finally started to string together healthy games in his third season. Horford, however, has more experience and notoriety given his last run in Boston. None of this is going to matter because Udoka will play whoever best complements Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.&nbsp;
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Who had the NBA&rsquo;s highest FG% inside the restricted area last season? Per NBA Stats (min. 100 attempts): 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo 💪 - 80.7% 2. DeAndre Jordan - 79.9% 3. Robert Williams III - 78.0% 4. Michael Porter Jr. - 77.5% 5. Daniel Gafford - 76.7% <a href="https://t.co/QjL19obD94">pic.twitter.com/QjL19obD94</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1437056999569637383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Is that Williams, who was one of the most efficient interior finishers in the entire NBA last season? He's an eye-popping lob threat who can move the ball well for a paint presence and protect the rim at a high level. Horford, in contrast, can stretch the floor, pass the ball well and open up more versatile defensive approaches. He can theoretically play power forward as well, though I'm skeptical of that as a realistic option.
We'll see how Udoka deploys Tatum and Brown as playmakers. Perhaps the spacing with those two, Marcus Smart and Josh Richardson clicks, and Williams can finish plays as a roller or dunker spot threat. Or maybe the Celtics need a stretch big as they have in past seasons. Either way, both should receive heavy minutes regardless of their place in the starting lineup.
My prediction:&nbsp;Williams starts, barring injury.
Dennis Schr&ouml;der vs. Payton Pritchard &mdash; Who runs the bench offense and when?
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Which rookies led the NBA in &ldquo;deep&rdquo; threes made (&gt;27 feet) last season? Per Sportradar: 1. Immanuel Quickley - 34 (38.6 FG%) 2. Payton Pritchard - 32 (40.5 FG%) 3. LaMelo Ball - 28 (34.1 FG%) 4. Saddiq Bey - 21 (35.6 FG%) 5. Anthony Edwards - 20 (27.4 FG%) <a href="https://t.co/Ti8afYE0mS">pic.twitter.com/Ti8afYE0mS</a>
&mdash; BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketbllnews/status/1436075090555310084?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Smart should be penciled in as the starting point guard and Richardson (more on him soon) appears to have the edge as a shooting guard. Schr&ouml;der would then come off the bench as a starting-caliber point guard, while Payton Pritchard looks ready for a larger load after his dominant summer league.
What responsibilities would they each have? The 28-year-old Schr&ouml;der is a seasoned lead guard who can attack off the dribble and finish at the rim. Pritchard doesn't have the same explosiveness, but instead has impressive range as a perimeter shotmaker. He orchestrated the Celtics offense in Las Vegas and became a backup point guard by default as a rookie. Is that enough to take responsibility off of Schr&ouml;der &mdash; and how will each fare without the ball in his hands?
My prediction: Schr&ouml;der gets more lead-guard run as a capable veteran.
Josh Richardson vs. Aaron Nesmith vs. Romeo Langford &mdash; Who capitalizes on available minutes?
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Josh Richardson on getting vaccinated: "That subject is pretty personal. I talked about what I'm going to do ... with my family and my circle. I'm not really sure. I think it's good that people are still educating themselves on the subject. Going forward, I'm not sure."
&mdash; Souichi Terada (寺田惣一) (@SouichiTerada) <a href="https://twitter.com/SouichiTerada/status/1442536533135970304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
Richardson should be starting for the Celtics as a two-way wing due for some positive regression. But the vaccine situation matters, from a public health and player availability perspective. Yes, he does not say he is unvaccinated outright, but this is a pretty loud hint that Richardson could miss opening night against the New York Knicks, and potentially more games.&nbsp;
In the possible absence, is Aaron Nesmith <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/aaron-nesmith-is-ready-for-whatever-else-the-boston-celtics-throw-at-him" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ready to step up</a>? The second-year wing flashed off-dribble attacking ability in summer league and is a known three-point threat. But Nesmith has an injury history, as does third-year guard Romeo Langford. The No. 15 pick from the 2019 draft has played just 50 games in his NBA career and is still a relative unknown. Who will we see in what roles, and when?&nbsp;
My prediction: Absolutely no idea.

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Grant Williams vs. Juan Hernangomez vs. Garrison Mathews &mdash; Who is the stretch 4 off the bench?
Boston brought aboard Hernangomez, Mathews and Hauser this summer, and each slots into that hyper-specialist, sharpshooting forward role. With context, Hernangomez would seem to have the edge as the primary piece of a trade from Memphis, while Mathews is currently on a non-guaranteed contract and Hauser is signed on the two-way deal. But they'll ultimately have to fit with the incumbent in Williams.
The Celtics' other 2019 first-round pick has been... interesting through his first two seasons. He is woefully streaky as a shooter, registering three months over 40% from three last season along with two under 32%. He's also a 6-foot-6 forward who works really hard on the defensive end, but can be outmatched due to his size.
It would be surprising to see Williams out of the rotation entirely, but Udoka could drastically alter his role depending on how he gets going this fall.
My prediction: Williams and Hernangomez stick in the rotation, but Hernangomez has more offensive responsibility.
Which veterans hang onto the end of the roster?
Jabari Parker, Theo Pinson, Ryan Arcidiacono, Juwan Morgan and Mathews are all signed to non-guaranteed training camp deals or partially-guaranteed contracts. The Celtics only have one active roster spot and one two-way contract available. Five veterans are essentially fighting for two spots, and that does not even include Bruno Fernando, who is on a fully-guaranteed deal as the fourth center on the depth chart.
That's a pretty serious battle for six veterans. The NBA G League website says that players in their fourth season or earlier are eligible for a two-way contract. This would make Fernando, Pinson, Morgan and Mathews eligible two-way players, though I would be suprised if a 24-game starter in Mathews were to opt to stay on a two-way deal.&nbsp;
Do the Celtics want steady guard depth in Arcidiacono and his 5.6 assist-to-turnover ratio from last season? Or do they opt for a scoring forward in Parker or Mathews? What about keeping the guaranteed-contract player they have in Fernando? And what about that last two-way slot?
Ultimately, these will be the most pressing questions during preseason action since all of these players should get quality playing time.
My prediction: Fernando and Mathews get the final active roster spots. Pinson gets the two-way.
Boston may not have a title-contending roster on paper. But it's clear that Udoka and Brad Stevens are building for the present and searching for the best complements to Tatum and Brown. As the two young stars creep towards their primes, it's becoming time to open the Celtics' window of opportunity.

Ethan Fuller takes a look at five competitions that could break out during the Celtics' preseason process.

5 battles to watch during Celtics training camp and preseason

At the halfway mark of 2021 NBA Summer League, we're seeing prospects rapidly adapt to the next level. In some cases on Thursday, players visibly evolved over the course of a single game.
Rookies like James Bouknight and Cam Thomas turned frustrating first quarters into dominant performances. Other veterans continued to show their overall grasp on the NBA. We saw two more games reach overtime, underscoring what has been a competitive slate so far.
Below are the studs and duds from Day 5:
STUDS
Tre Jones, guard, San Antonio Spurs
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TRE JONES GETS IT TO GO! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> on ESPNU <a href="https://t.co/UkiNhTrqMU">pic.twitter.com/UkiNhTrqMU</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1425926354894266386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 34 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 12-for-20 FG, 1-for-3 3PT
This was arguably the most dominant performance of NBA Summer League thus far. Jones was in complete command on the offensive end, beating players off the dribble, pulling up in the mid-range and dishing all sorts of impressive passes. He pushed the ball in transition and consistently pressured the defense in what became a close shootout.
In the closing seconds, Jones scored the go-ahead bucket on a tough layup, and then stole the ball from Vernon Carey Jr. to ice the 106-105 win over Charlotte. Simply a masterclass from the second-year point guard.
James Bouknight, guard, Charlotte Hornets
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Absolutely filthy hesi from James Bouknight as he finishes this lay high up off the glass!! <a href="https://t.co/8Z7LyWSUZM">pic.twitter.com/8Z7LyWSUZM</a>
&mdash; Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/AC__Hoops/status/1425922734022856710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 11-for-23 FG, 1-for-4 3PT
Thursday's matchup against Tre Jones and the Spurs was a challenge. Bouknight felt the pressure early, and played hesitantly for a large portion of the first half. But I was thoroughly impressed with how he adapted. The 2021 lottery pick found his confidence and got to his spots off the dribble. He also consistently forced the defense into tough spots when he attacked the basket.
Bouknight floored me as a passer as well. He should have finished with double-digit assists; on multiple occasions, such as one fast-break blunder, teammates blew impressive dimes from the rookie guard. Bouknight also finished with zero turnovers &mdash; even more amazing when considering his usage.
Cam Thomas, guard, Brooklyn Nets
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CAM THOMAS IS REALLY LIKE THAT 🤯 A game-tying bucket followed by a one-legged three to win it in sudden-death! <a href="https://t.co/8mdLLqD1HY">pic.twitter.com/8mdLLqD1HY</a>
&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1425966738638721024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 31 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 10-for-23 FG, 2-for-6 3PT
Thomas did not play his best 33-plus minutes of basketball on Thursday. He started off by forcing a lot of shots, not looking to beat defenders or pass. But towards the latter stages of the game, the rookie guard seemed to see the floor better, make the right decisions and find his shooting touch.
Of course, he canned two monster buckets to end things &mdash; one three to send the game to a sudden death double-overtime, and then the golden shot. That microwave potential is the way Johnson can earn immediate playing time off the bench for the Nets.
Sam Hauser, forward, Boston Celtics
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Undrafted rookie Sam Hauser proving he belongs in the league. 21pts/7ast/6-10 3PA <a href="https://t.co/MF4Tu8ZTku">pic.twitter.com/MF4Tu8ZTku</a>
&mdash; High Motor Hoops (@HighMotorHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/HighMotorHoops/status/1425991310486425603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats:&nbsp;21 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 7-for-12 FG, 6-for-10 3PT
This was a statement game for Hauser, who had sputtered out of the gate with the Celtics. The sharpshooting forward looked like his Virginia self, drilling threes off the catch as part of a team-wide hot streak. He also moved the ball much better compared to his prior two contests, helping Boston set a summer league record with 33 team assists. Then, on the defensive end, he seemed to keep defenders in front of him and shuffle his feet well. Good showing from the Celtics' two-way signing.
Ishmail Wainright, forward, Toronto Raptors
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Two years ago, Ishmail Wainright played in the German 2nd division finals. Now he's under the contract with Toronto Raptors. The first time <a href="https://twitter.com/Wainright24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Wainright24</a> stepped on the court straight from the airport, his coach Buzas saw his success was all programmed: <a href="https://t.co/R83Dwkv3Mb">https://t.co/R83Dwkv3Mb</a>
&mdash; Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Urbodo/status/1425820905855324173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, 7-for-12 FG, 4-for-6 3PT
Wainright may be an unheralded name to most; the 26-year-old forward played for Baylor until 2017 and spent 2020-21 playing with Strasbourg in France. But people who tuned in surely will remember the name. The 6-foot-6 wing was engaged on both ends, made quality shots and did not force himself into the action. it was a poised all-around performance, and it makes sense why Toronto has Wainright signed to a two-year contract.
Tyrese Maxey, guard, Philadelphia 76ers
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My play of the night: Tyrese Maxey perfectly executes the Matisse Thybulle blocked jumper [pretty much] for the win. cc: <a href="https://twitter.com/TyreseMaxey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TyreseMaxey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MatisseThybulle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MatisseThybulle</a> <a href="https://t.co/ocnCCseHCt">pic.twitter.com/ocnCCseHCt</a>
&mdash; Lauren Rosen (@LaurenMRosen) <a href="https://twitter.com/LaurenMRosen/status/1426029134510268417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Box Score Stats: 31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 11-for-23 FG, 1-for-8 3PT
Maxey didn't have his three-point shot falling Thursday night and bricked a couple of bad looks. But otherwise, the slashing guard displayed his signature ability to get to the rim at will. Maxey also had a couple of nice pull-up jumpers and step-backs he used to mix things up. And he finished off a 96-88 overtime win against Atlanta by clamping up Sharife Cooper in the closing seconds.
Other notable performers: Paul Reed (Sixers), Sharife Cooper (Hawks), Chris Duarte (Pacers), Payton Pritchard (Celtics), Jaime Echenique (Wizards), Jalen Smith (Suns)
DUDS
Ayo Dosunmu, guard, Chicago Bulls
Box Score Stats:&nbsp;2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1-for-7 FG, 0-for-3 3PT
The Bulls only scored 59 points as a team, and there were a couple of dud-worthy performances that came from Chicago. Dosunmu had a hard time gaining separation from the Timberolves defenders and didn't get many quality looks at the basket. As a defender, he got shaken often and was hit with some bruising screens. It didn't seem like Dosunmu was involved in the offense; he often stayed on the wings and in the corners.
Marko Simonovic, center, Chicago Bulls
Box Score Stats: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1-for-8 FG, 0-for-4 3PT
Eight of Simonovic's 10 points came at the charity stripe. The 21-year-old was otherwise effective for most of the game, and didn't play with the strength and physicality necessary in the paint. He was not particularly impactful as a screener, and in the second half was part of a team-wide collapse defensively.&nbsp;
Emmanuel Mudiay, guard, Portland Trail Blazers
Box Score Stats: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3-for-7 FG, 0-for-3 3PT
Unfortunately, Mudiay's summer league play is reminiscient of his last seasons in the NBA. The 25-year-old did post a threat offensively and was inconsistent defensively. His shooting form is still an issue. He does not command the offense like a five-year NBA veteran should at this stage. The veteran trio of Mudiay, Michael Beasley and Kenneth Faried have been collectively underwhelming, and it's hard to feel good about their NBA comebacks right now.
R.J. Hampton, guard, Orlando Magic
Box Score Stats: 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1-for-6 FG, 0-for-1 3PT
The entire Magic squad was frigid in the 108-71 loss to Boston. Hampton was no different, but he seemed to seal his fate with his shot selection. The second-year guard often drove headstrong into crowds and finished poorly. He's not the type of guard who probes and gets to his spots around the court while keeping his head up. I'd like to see Hampton take his time a bit more, although in fairness, he's probably third in the pecking order for facilitation duties behind Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony.
Zeke Nnaji, forward, Denver Nuggets
Box Score Stats: 6 points, 9 rebounds, 2-for-10 FG, 0-for-4 3PT
Nnaji has appeared seriously out of sorts offensively in summer league. The 2020 first-round pick just does not have a consistent post move he can go to in the half-court, and coughed up five turnovers in large part from being unable to create anything on his own. Nnaji is now 0-for-10 from long range in his two games played. There's no sugarcoating it: the offensive game is a mess right now.

Viewers witnessed an epic battle between Tre Jones and James Bouknight, two of the standout performers on the fifth day in Vegas.

Studs and duds from the fifth day of NBA Summer League

Perhaps the biggest frenzy of the NBA Draft cycle comes after the draft is completed.&nbsp;
Mere minutes after pick No. 60 is revealed, newsbreakers are reporting out fully-guaranteed deals, two-way contracts and Summer-League additions around the NBA. We've created a place for you to keep track of these moves.
Below are the notable reported agreements, listed by team.
Atlanta Hawks
Ibi Watson (G), Dayton --&nbsp;agrees to Exhibit 10 deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/JShawNBA/status/1421137851316592641" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JD Shaw/HoopsRumors</a>
Boston Celtics
Sam Hauser (F), Virginia&nbsp;-- two-way contract agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1420983228396101637" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/The Athletic</a>
Brooklyn Nets
David Duke (G), Providence --&nbsp;agreed to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/John_Fanta/status/1420974779868266496" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Fanta/Fox Sports</a>
Brandon Rachal (F), Tulsa --&nbsp;agreed to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/TUMBasketball/status/1421125766197047296" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tulsa Athletics</a>
Charlotte Hornets
DJ Carton (G), Marquette --&nbsp;agrees to Exhibit 10 deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1420986452947648515" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/The Athletic</a>
Chicago Bulls
Ethan Thompson (G), Oregon State --&nbsp;agrees to Exhibit 10 deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1420978552816738304" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto/HoopsHype</a>
Cleveland Cavaliers
Chandler Vaudrin (F), Winthrop --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/Winthrop_MBB/status/1421089611539955715" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Winthrop Athletics</a>
Dallas Mavericks
Carlik Jones (G), Louisville --&nbsp;agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420991380395073537" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Eugene Omoruyi (F), Oregon --&nbsp;agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420979430927777792" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
E.J. Onu (F), Shawnee State --&nbsp;agrees to training camp deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyWoo/status/1420979723069427713" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeremy Woo/Sports Illustrated</a>
Feron Hunt (F), SMU --&nbsp;agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantAfseth/status/1420993320994721799" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Grant Afseth/Sports Illustrated</a>
LJ Figueroa (G), Oregon --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1421280618210603009" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam Zagoria</a>
Denver Nuggets
Giorgi Bezhanishvili (F), Illinois -- Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1421113026917412871" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam Zagoria</a>
Detroit Pistons
Chris Smith (F), UCLA&nbsp;-- agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420979150559535104" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
John Petty (G), Alabama --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/mikerodak/status/1421109144896032776" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Rodak/AL.com</a>
Anthony Tarke (F), Coppin St. --&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AnthonyTarke/status/1420988333094801412" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agrees to unspecified deal</a>
Spencer Littleson (G), Toledo --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1420998599605985284" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto/HoopsHype</a>
Golden State Warriors
Jaquori McLaughlin (G), UCSB&nbsp;-- agrees to unspecified deal, <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1421072913881567233" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Jordan Schakel (F), San Diego State -- Summer League agreement, <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanKalbrosky/status/1420999272997261313" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today</a>
Colbey Ross (G), Pepperdine --&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/cdot_ross/status/1421145317387366410" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Summer League agreement</a>
Houston Rockets
Matthew Hurt (F), Duke -- <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1421275019322306560" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agrees to two-way contract, per Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Indiana Pacers
Terry Taylor (G), Austin Peay -- agrees to training camp deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420984014735872000" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Duane Washington Jr. (G), Ohio State --&nbsp;agrees to two-way contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420969644601614337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Los Angeles Clippers
-- None reported so far --
Los Angeles Lakers
Mac McClung (G), Texas Tech --&nbsp;agrees to training camp deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1420976989918441472" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/The Athletic</a>
Joel Ayayi (G), Gonzaga --&nbsp;agrees to two-way contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420969546995933186" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Austin Reaves (G), Oklahoma --&nbsp;agrees to two-way contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanKalbrosky/status/1420972297150779394" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today</a>
Chaundee Brown (G), Michigan --&nbsp;agrees to Exhibit 10 contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1420984245250674693" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jonathan Givony/ESPN</a>
Alan Griffin (G), Syracuse --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1421204946226143232" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam Zagoria</a>
Memphis Grizzlies
Romeo Weems (F), DePaul -- agrees to Exhibit 10 deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1420969722217209856" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/The Athletic</a>
Yves Pons (F), Tennessee&nbsp;-- agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420972279698231296" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Keaton Wallace (G), UTSA --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1421143975965175811" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alex Kennedy/BasketballNews.com</a>
Miami Heat
RJ Nembhard (G), TCU --&nbsp;agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420989119702970369" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
AJ Lawson (G), South Carolina --&nbsp;agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420987461744959489" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Javonte Smart (G), LSU -- agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420981941042622464" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
D.J. Stewart (F), Mississippi St. -- Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1420974202774040576" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alex Kennedy/BasketballNews.com</a>
Marcus Garrett (G), Kansas --&nbsp;agres to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/IraHeatBeat/status/1421138197623492618" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ira Winderman/South Florida Sun Sentinel</a>
Dejon Jarreau (G), Houston&nbsp;-- agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/IraHeatBeat/status/1421138197623492618" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ira Winderman/South Florida Sun Sentinel</a>
Micah Potter (C), Wisconsin -- agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/IraHeatBeat/status/1421138197623492618" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ira Winderman/South Florida Sun Sentinel</a>
Dru Smith (G), Missouri --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanKalbrosky/status/1421127877521707011" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today</a>
Milwaukee Bucks
Mike Smith (G), Michigan -- Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1420974489488314371" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto/HoopsHype</a>
Jalen Crutcher (G), Dayton --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/JonChep/status/1421174764979298307" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jon Chepkevich/Rookie Scale</a>
Minnesota Timberwolves
McKinley Wright IV (G), Colorado -- agrees on two-way contract, per<a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420970500071858176" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Isaiah Miller (G), UNC Greensboro --&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Nike_Beast23/status/1420982966201749506" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agrees to unspecified deal</a>
Matt Lewis (G), James Madison --&nbsp;agrees to unspecified deal, as announced on Instagram
New Orleans Pelicans
Jose Alvarado (G), Georgia Tech --&nbsp;agrees to two-way contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ksugiuraajc/status/1420975067232718850" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ken Suguira/Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>
New York Knicks
Aamir Simms (F), Clemson -- agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1421068449963548676" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Oklahoma City Thunder
-- None reported so far --
Orlando Magic
Asbjorn Midtgaard (C), Grand Canyon -- Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1420993281954045954" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/The Athletic</a>
Jeremiah Tilmon (F), Missouri --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1420977542056534017" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alex Kennedy/BasketballNews.com</a>
Philadelphia 76ers
Aaron Henry (G), Michigan State --&nbsp;agrees to two-way contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420968768130404353" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Daishen Nix (G), G League Ignite --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/1421183526666481668" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam Zagoria</a>
Phoenix Suns
-- None reported so far --
Portland Trail Blazers
Trendon Watford (F), LSU --&nbsp;plans to sign two-way contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420972774269628423" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Mark Vital (F), Baylor --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1421126065183985671" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jonathan Givony/ESPN</a>
Sacramento Kings
D.J. Steward (G), Duke --&nbsp;agrees to training camp deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1420981965608693760" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/The Athletic</a>
Matt Coleman (G), Texas --&nbsp;agrees to training camp deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/JeremyWoo/status/1420979002383142914" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeremy Woo/Sports Illustrated</a>
Damien Jefferson (F), Creighton --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1421098072759799810" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jonathan Givony/ESPN</a>
San Antonio Spurs
Justin Turner (G), Bowling Green --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1420986657222897667" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania/The Athletic</a>
Matt Mitchell (F), San Diego Sate --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanKalbrosky/status/1420996575120314368" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bryan Kalbrosky/USA Today</a>
Biram Faye (F), Gran Canaria --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1421100846201417733" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jonathan Givony/ESPN</a>
Toronto Raptors
Justin Champagnie (F), Pittsburgh --&nbsp;agrees to unspecified deal, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1420978690935169027" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN</a>
Moses Wright (F), Georgia Tech --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/moses-wright-going-to-summer-league-with-raptors/DUKAEVIODRFQ7BUBD56U6VUDO4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ken Suguira/Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a>
Utah Jazz
MaCio Teague (G), Baylor --&nbsp;agrees to Exhibit 10 contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeAScotto/status/1420974669235200005" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michael Scotto/HoopsHype</a>
D.J. Funderbunk (F), NC State --&nbsp;Summer League agreement, per <a href="https://twitter.com/JShawNBA/status/1421212803151671312" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JD Shaw/HoopsRumors</a>
Washington Wizards
Jay Huff (C), Virginia -- agrees to Exhibit 10 contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1420983981667983361" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fred Katz/The Athletic</a>
Jordan Goodwin (G), St. Louis --&nbsp;agrees to Exhibit 10 contract, per <a href="https://twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1420983666877075457" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fred Katz/The Athletic</a>

BasketballNews.com tracks every report of Summer League signings and pending contracts.

Undrafted Free Agent Tracker: Reported contracts and Summer League deals

With the 2021 NBA Draft just days away, BasketballNews.com's Lead NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock has put together a list of the top available prospects by position. He recently listed the draft's top&nbsp;<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2021-nba-draft-top-point-guards-in-this-class" target="_blank" rel="noopener">point guards</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2021-nba-draft-top-shooting-guards-in-this-class" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shooting guards</a>, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2021-nba-draft-top-small-forwards-in-this-class" target="_blank" rel="noopener">small forwards</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2021-nba-draft-top-centers-in-this-class" target="_blank" rel="noopener">centers</a>.
Here are the best small forwards in this year's class:
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jalen-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jalen Johnson, Duke</a>
Although he had a disappointing freshman season at Duke (in which he left his team early), Jalen Johnson possesses an intriguing combination of strength, athleticism, and playmaking skills. Considering his abilities as a ball-handler, distributor, and finisher at his size, he&rsquo;s one of the more talented forwards in this year&rsquo;s draft class and he has a ton of upside.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/kai-jones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kai Jones, Texas</a>
At 6-foot-11, Jones teased with his athleticism and offensive tools this past season at Texas. He will need to develop his physical strength and add polish to become a high-level NBA player; however, his long-term ceiling is extremely high. At the end of the lottery, he might be worth the risk.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/isaiah-jackson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky</a>
<span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Due to his length and leaping ability, Isaiah Jackson is a premier rim protector. He will need to add physical strength, but his presence in the interior is felt on both ends with his mobility and explosion. A bit raw on the offensive end, he's flashed decent touch and the ability to play above the rim. Jackson could serve as an effective rim protector, rim runner, and roaming big.&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:6847,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;4&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:13756105},&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:[{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}},{&quot;1&quot;:0,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;3&quot;:3},{&quot;1&quot;:1,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;4&quot;:1}]},&quot;6&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:[{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}},{&quot;1&quot;:0,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;3&quot;:3},{&quot;1&quot;:1,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;4&quot;:1}]},&quot;7&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:[{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}},{&quot;1&quot;:0,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;3&quot;:3},{&quot;1&quot;:1,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;4&quot;:1}]},&quot;8&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:[{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}},{&quot;1&quot;:0,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;3&quot;:3},{&quot;1&quot;:1,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;4&quot;:1}]},&quot;10&quot;:2,&quot;12&quot;:0,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Arial&quot;}">Due to his length and leaping ability, Isaiah Jackson is a premier rim protector. He will need to add physical strength, but his presence in the interior is felt on both ends with his mobility and explosion. A bit raw on the offensive end, he's flashed decent touch and the ability to play above the rim. Jackson could serve as an effective rim protector, rim runner, and roaming big.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/trey-murphy-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trey Murphy III, Virginia</a>
A sniper as a shooter and an effective defender, Trey Murphy III came into his own at Virginia after transferring from Rice. He doesn't excel in creating for himself, but as a movement and spot-up shooter, he can be incredibly valuable to just about any NBA offense. Considering his size, length, mobility, defense, and ability to stretch the floor, Murphy is a viable option in the first round.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/usman-garuba" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Usman Garuba, Real Madrid</a>
Known mostly for his defensive prowess, Usman Garuba causes problems for opponents all over the floor with his length and explosiveness. He is instinctual at the rim, as both a protector and play-finisher. Aside from his positive contributions on the defensive end, his offensive abilities have been somewhat of a concern for some time now. This past season in Spain, Garuba&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/international-basketball-fiba-europe-euroleague-real-madrid-usman-garuba-progressing-as-shooter-trending-upward-2021-nba-draft-prospects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">three-point shooting improved greatly</a>, providing real hope that his game might translate to the NBA better than initially expected.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jt-thor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JT Thor, Auburn</a>
Thor is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. He's long, rangy, and fluid for his size. He also has the ability to shoot the deep ball and protect the rim. Thor is <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jt-thor-could-be-2021-nba-draft-diamond-in-the-rough-auburn-tigers-prospect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a potential diamond-in-the-rough</a> who could make a great impact at the next level if it clicks. He likely won't be ready to contribute early in his career, but the physical tools and skill set are worth betting on.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/j-robinson-earl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova</a>
Although he isn't the flashiest player in the class, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl projects to be a reliable contributor. He averaged 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds this past season, showing that he's willing and able to do the little things necessary for team success. He's a strong rebounder, screen-setter and passer, and he has flashed the ability to stretch the floor as well.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/kessler-edwards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kessler Edwards, Pepperdine</a>
Kessler Edwards is a proven shot-maker who excels in both three-point shooting and scoring in the post. He has good size at 6-foot-7 and a knack for doing all the little things well. Edwards is a disciplined and active team defender who can provide a decent amount of switchability. While he doesn't have a ton of upside, he looks to provide solid value on both ends of the floor in versatile roles.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/isaiah-todd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Isaiah Todd, G League Ignite</a>
Isaiah Todd is an impressive athlete with good physical tools that he uses to his advantage, making him a difficult assignment for defenders. Todd averaged 12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in 15 games this past season for the G League Ignite. He has good length at 6-foot-10 and has shown the ability to stretch the floor, as he shot 36.2% from deep. If he is able to improve his decision-making and discipline, Todd could likely tap into his significant potential.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/greg-brown-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greg Brown III, Texas</a>
Greg Brown III is arguably the most explosive athlete in the draft. His leaping ability off one or two feet is incredible, which led to many highlight plays at Texas this past season. He has a high motor and a knack for attacking the offensive glass. He has shown flashes of being able to shoot from outside and make plays on the offensive end. However, his basketball IQ and self-awareness as a player seem to be lacking. Considering his level of athleticism, overall physical tools and raw talent, Brown should still be selected somewhere in the first round.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/isaiah-livers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Isaiah Livers, Michigan&nbsp;</a>
Isaiah Livers is one of the best shooters in this draft, especially off movement. He has NBA size for a wing at 6-foot-6 and he was a career 41.2% three-point shooter at Michigan. He likely won't be relied upon to create much offense at the next level, but his ability to stretch the floor will likely provide him an opportunity.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/sam-hauser" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sam Hauser, Virginia</a>
Hauser projects as a stretch big at the NBA level due to his impressive shot-making ability. He excelled at Virginia shooting off movement and the standstill, and has shown he can hit big-time shots from the mid-range as well as from deep. Hauser is one of the older players in this Draft cycle at 23 years old, but his skillset is one that organizations covet. Look for him to get a good NBA opportunity next season.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/matthew-hurt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matthew Hurt, Duke</a>
Hurt was one of the best three-point shooters in the country last season, knocking dow 44.4% of his 126 attempts. After being ranked No. 12 in the 2019 RSCI, he had an underwhelming freshman season at Duke. As a sophomore, he came into his own as a scorer and showed that he can contribute on the interior as well as the perimeter. He's tough on the glass, has good size, and projects as a stretch four at the NBA level.
To see BasketballNews.com's latest 2021 NBA Mock Draft, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>.

BasketballNews.com's Lead NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock has put together a list of the top power forwards in the 2021 NBA Draft.

2021 NBA Draft: Top power forwards in this class

Either you&rsquo;re gonna be great, or you&rsquo;re gonna quit.
It&rsquo;s a phrase that was burned into <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/trey-murphy-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trey Murphy III</a>&rsquo;s brain by his father, Kenneth, when he was growing up in Durham, NC, and continues to be the driving force behind the way the 21-year-old lives his life.
The lessons you learn along the way can take you far. As an only child, Murphy has been pushed from an early age, which has translated into him becoming his own toughest critic.
&ldquo;Him being that hard on me has helped me, especially [since] a lot of different coaches have been hard on me,&rdquo; Murphy III told BasketballNews.com in a phone interview. &ldquo;I took it [in] stride because it's almost nothing compared to what your dad is gonna say to you...He does that to me, so that's when I start doing it to myself. I think I've overtaken him on that one.&rdquo;
As a highly-touted, projected first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Virginia, Murphy has yet to quit. He&rsquo;s currently wrapping up an 11-day road trip in which he&rsquo;s worked out with a number of teams, including sessions with the Boston Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Clippers.&nbsp;
&ldquo;My three best workouts,&rdquo; said Murphy, whom BasketballNews.com Lead NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock has slotted at No. 25 in his <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest NBA Mock Draft</a>. &ldquo;I did really well in those, shot the cover off it and just really competed. My other two workouts, I didn't put the ball in the basket the way I wanted to, but I still defended at a high level and did other things...Workouts are important, but at the end of the day they're just trying to get to know you. If I don't do well in a workout, it's not the end of the [world]. [I&rsquo;m] just going into these workouts super focused, but also really relaxed as well."
In between workouts, Murphy is making sure he&rsquo;s hydrated, well-rested and clear-minded with rest and recovery. He had a similar mentality at last month&rsquo;s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, where he tested and measured well and interviewed with 14 different teams. He also feels like he showed a lot of different things athletically to NBA circles at Excel&rsquo;s pro day. For those who aren&rsquo;t familiar with his game, Murphy describes himself as &ldquo;a really versatile basketball player.&rdquo;
&ldquo;As anybody would see, my shooting is what really stands out. I shoot the ball at a really high level, and I defend at a high level as well,&rdquo; Murphy said. &ldquo;Those two things right there are gonna be at a premium and something that every team will love to have. I feel like I separate myself because I'm a really high IQ player, and then my athleticism and length is something that is pretty special, too. And I feel like I have a lot of untapped potential in that my best years in basketball are years down the road. So just being able to show what I can do in my limited role at first will be helpful so I can expand my game later on in my career."
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The numbers at Virginia support that, as he averaged 11.3 points on 43.3% shooting from deep for the Cavaliers in his 25 games. But Murphy is especially proud of his development on the defensive end of the floor, a strong aspect of his game he credits Virginia head coach Tony Bennett for molding.
&ldquo;Basically during my recruiting Zoom with Coach Bennett, the first thing that he showed us was film, and that's what really caught my eye because he's super attentive to the details,&rdquo; Murphy explained. &ldquo;That's something that I really take pride in is really being close to the details and studying every detailed part of my game. He saw some potential in me as a defender. He was like, 'Look see there,' -- he was showing a clip of me sliding, cutting somebody off -- 'You definitely have the ability, and I know if you come here, I'll be able to bring that out and you'll become a better defender.' At the end of the day, a lot of it is on me and it's about want-to, as well as just being smart. But a lot of it was that practice is 80% defense, so there's no choice but to become a better defender.
&ldquo;Before I got to Virginia, I didn't play any defense at all. I was an awful defender. So just in that area alone, I'm super thankful for him for that. He helped me with different things on my jumpshot in order to get it more consistent. Really, it was just little tweaks, and he always had a lot of confidence in me and never tried to change my jumpshot, but still gave little nuggets of helpful information in order to make it a little better. Then off the court, he was probably a top-three person that I have ever met. He's better than advertised, I would say, and he's really a great human being and somebody that you can really look up to as a really good role model."
Murphy&rsquo;s lone season at Virginia happened fast. Transferring in from Rice, he didn&rsquo;t have to wait out a year on the sidelines as some expected. He and the school applied for a waiver of eligibility after some time spent with the team and before the season began.
&ldquo;I was going through practice, and I was realizing I was one of the best players on the team, and I felt like it was a good idea for me to play this year because I'd be able to help the team win more and it would be something I could really enjoy,&rdquo; Murphy recalled. &ldquo;Being able to play with Sam [Hauser] and Jay [Huff], having a lot more spacing on the floor would be nice.
&ldquo;Coach [Jason] Williford brought the idea to me, one of the assistant coaches, and asked [if I] was I thinking about it. And I said, 'Yeah, definitely been thinking about it because I like the way the team is, it's a great setup for the team and everybody's really cohesive.' I talked about it some more with my parents and then I talked to Coach Bennett about it, and he was super supportive either way. He was like, 'Look, I definitely don't want to pressure you into doing this, but I mean we would definitely benefit from you playing this year. At the end of the day, the decision is up to you.' So I just felt like it was the best decision for me to not redshirt and play."
The NCAA granted the waiver to him on the first day of the season on Nov. 25, and Murphy scored a season-high 21 points on 7-for-9 from the field that night in his Virginia debut. It would be a <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/ncaa-basketball-trey-murphy-iii-virginia-cavaliers-draws-attention-as-3-and-d-stretch-four-2021-nba-draft-prospects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sign of things to come for the talented forward</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
<a href="https://twitter.com/UVAMensHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UVAMensHoops</a>' Trey Murphy III posterizes his <a href="https://twitter.com/Towson_MBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Towson_MBB</a> defender. 2020 Bubbleville: <a href="https://t.co/i9CTWmL7r2">https://t.co/i9CTWmL7r2</a> <a href="https://t.co/yvAPiETplh">pic.twitter.com/yvAPiETplh</a>
&mdash; FloHoops (@FloHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/FloHoops/status/1331687478177247238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>

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But Murphy acknowledges that he wouldn&rsquo;t be where he is now without the experience he got at Rice. He called the first two years of his collegiate career &ldquo;integral&rdquo; to his success with Virginia, citing how he was able to put on 30 pounds of weight, as well as go through some adverse moments.
A specific one that will stick in his mind? Five games into his freshman year. It was around Thanksgiving time in 2018, and Owls were set to take on Wichita State on the road.
&ldquo;By the first media timeout, I want to say it was like 20 to 5 and the crowd is going nuts,&rdquo; Murphy reminisced. &ldquo;They were pressing us to death and literally, I was just looking around like, 'What is happening? This is my welcome-to-college moment.&rsquo; I had airballed a three at one time. It was a very rough showing. Just going through those hard times and remembering them and working so those times don't happen again was something that was very motivational.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Playing against people that are much older, much stronger and more physical and having to find a way was something I think helped me a lot when I made the transfer to Virginia, and I feel like it was kinda seamless for me."
Murphy firmly believes his biggest area of growth is his maturity, which has &ldquo;exponentially grown, unlike a linear growth of what it should be.&rdquo; He admits that he was a &ldquo;terrible teammate&rdquo; in high school that would yell at his own guys due to his competitive nature and desire to win, and that would create a toxic environment. However, as the years have gone by, he&rsquo;s learned to change his approach.
&ldquo;I understand now, you can't... it works sometimes, but everybody's different and you have to make sure you're able to meet their needs in order to get the best out of 'em,&rdquo; Murphy said. &ldquo;Because some people, they don't respond to that type of criticism like that, and they don't respond well and it's not good for the entire team. And then, just learning to control what I can control and become better with my effort, as well as just defending at a high level. Those are like the areas where I've really improved a lot. I'm really excited for the improvement that I'm gonna be making as well."
In a literal sense, Murphy has grown, too. He went from exiting his high school senior season at Cary Academy at 6-foot-5, to entering this upcoming draft 6-foot-9. Getting taller and bigger was an adjustment for him, going from a shooting guard swingman to his current small-ball four position... It just took some time to get used to.
&ldquo;I liked that a little bit because you get bigger guys guarding you, and you're able to beat 'em with speed and quickness,&rdquo; Murphy said of the change. &ldquo;So it helped me open up a new part of my game.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I think overall, the growing part, it hurt me a little bit defensively because I wasn't grown into my body yet and I was still a little 'bambi'-ish I would say -- having my feet crossed up and falling. My dad used to call me after every game. He was like, 'You just gonna keep the streak alive.' I'm like, 'Dad, what type of streak are you talking about?' He was like, 'Well you fall every single game, and I see you gonna keep that streak alive.' Just clumsiness and growing into my body."
And Murphy knows he&rsquo;s still not a finished product physically yet. In fact, he insists that getting stronger is a definite need as he heads into the NBA, among other aspects.
&ldquo;Any time you go up a level, you're gonna be playing against better athletes, and this jump is probably the biggest jump that I'll be making,&rdquo; Murphy said. &ldquo;Playing against grown men is something that you can't really replicate in college, so making sure I live in that weight room, but not getting overly strong and losing out on my athletic ability will be important.
&ldquo;I've gotta rebound the ball better, but I don't think that's too much of a concern for me. I definitely think I'm gonna rebound the ball at a higher level. And overall, just continuing to develop. That's something that's super important to me because I want to play [and have] a really long career and eventually become an All-Star."
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A misconception that Murphy notices going around about his game that he &ldquo;almost laughs&rdquo; at is that he can&rsquo;t handle the basketball. While he knows he has to get better with his timing and sharpening it, he contends that he gets to his spots fine, and is confused when people try to put him in a box. He won&rsquo;t get worked up over it, and plans on putting those claims to rest at Summer League.
Though Murphy says he is his own person and doesn&rsquo;t play like one player alone, he does enjoy watching film. Paul George is at the top of his list, specifically observing the way he defends the ball and plays with fluidity on offense. Jayson Tatum is another, and Murphy wants to get to that high level of handling and scoring. The similarities to Mikal Bridges are there, too.
As far as a support system goes, Murphy is receiving a lot of feedback from his parents, his agent and teams. He considers himself a sound, realistic and aware person when it comes to making decisions, and stays grounded when doing so.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The reason why [a team should draft me] is because every team needs shooting. Every team needs a guy that can defend and somebody that is a high IQ player that competes at a high level. I feel like I do that very well, and I also have a lot of other qualities that would help that,&rdquo; Murphy said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;And at the end of the day, you're getting a really high character person that is gonna do the right thing and isn't gonna get into any trouble. You're making an investment and you want to make sure you're giving it to the right people, and I know that my character is something I take pride in. You won't have to worry about character issues with me."
Murphy is a proud, family-oriented Durham native trying to put the city on the map, as many other hoopers from the tight-knit community are trying to do. He grew up, met his teammates-turned-best friends and began his journey there. Life has taken him from North Carolina to Houston, TX to Charlottesville, VA.
And in just 15 short days, Murphy will have found another new home -- in the NBA.

Spencer Davies speaks with Trey Murphy III about his self-criticism, successful year at Virginia, transferring from Rice and more.

Trey Murphy III is his own biggest critic, but he won't quit

The <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021 NBA Draft</a> is less than three weeks away, so BasketballNews.com is breaking down the best prospects in each conference. Today, we&rsquo;ll look at ACC players to keep an eye on.
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/scottie-barnes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scottie Barnes, Florida State</a>
STATS: 10.3 PTS, 4.0 REB, 4.1 AST, 1.4 STL
When talking about versatility in this year&rsquo;s class, you don&rsquo;t have to look far to get to Scottie Barnes. What makes Barnes so unique as an athletic, 6-foot-8, 225-pound freshman is his high level of impact as a playmaker on the offensive end, with the potential to guard up to five positions on defense. While his size suggests he&rsquo;ll translate smoothly as a forward to the NBA, he played and defended the guard position over the course of last season. His 4.1 assists per game came from the combination of his very unselfish style of play, the utilization of his height to see over defenses, and effectively navigating ball screens.
On the other side of the ball, his 7-foot-2 wingspan allowed him to get deflections and make opposing players uncomfortable, which created advantages for Florida State. What&rsquo;s also evident is his communication and effort on defense &mdash; two things that are very appealing to NBA decision-makers.
What limits Barnes is his scoring ability, as the numbers and film suggest he was not very effective or comfortable as a shooter. Off the ball, he can play as a cutter, but the percentages are less favorable when out on the perimeter (without him initiating the offense and getting downhill). At his NBA Combine Pro Day, Barnes displayed some improved mechanics and fluidity to his jump shot, so it will be interesting to see how it translates to the next level. Scouts rave about his passion and energy on the court along with his charismatic personality off of it.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scottie Barnes is projected as the No.6 pick to the OKC Thunder in our latest mock draft.</a>
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/jalen-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jalen Johnson, Duke</a>
STATS: 11.2 PTS 6.0 REB 2.2 AST 1.2 BLK
The Duke Blue Devils continue to attract top-ranked high school prospects, and Jalen Johnson was expected to be the next star to carry the torch for another season of deep tournament runs. Unfortunately, that didn&rsquo;t happen and his season was cut short by an injury and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nba-news-duke-university-jalen-johnson-opts-out-nba-draft-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a decision to leave the team</a> (which was questioned by scouts and fans alike). However, Johnson is still a tantalizing talent with major potential as an athletic, playmaking, combo forward.&nbsp;
From day one, he should be able to provide high-level athleticism, fill the lane in transition and either finish at the rim or find open teammates with his passing ability. He&rsquo;s also a good ball-handler, which makes him a grab-and-go threat on the defensive boards. Speaking of defense, he has upside as a prospect who can guard all frontcourt positions and has the tools to stay with guards, although he&rsquo;ll have some work to do before a team should feel comfortable on switches against the NBA&rsquo;s best guards.&nbsp;
The last few years of Johnson&rsquo;s career have been questioned by scouts, as he bounced around teams and left college early. Johnson was projected to be a top-six pick at one point, but he could fall out of the lottery if teams feel more confident about other prospects. While teams will want to see how he&rsquo;s moving post-injury and how well his shot is coming along, the pre-draft interviews could end up being drastically more important for Johnson during these final weeks.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jalen Johnson is projected as the No. 9 pick to the Sacramento Kings in our latest mock draft.</a>
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/trey-murphy-iii" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trey Murphy III - Virginia&nbsp;</a>
11.3 PTS 3.4 REB 1.2 AST 43.3% 3FG
In every recent draft, teams have been highly valuing 3-and-D prospects because their skill set obviously translates to the NBA and they can immediately contribute in two important areas of today&rsquo;s NBA. Elite three-point shooters who can also lock down the opposing team's best offensive player are highly coveted. One of the next players in this mold is Trey Murphy III of Virginia. Murphy III is an elite catch-and-shoot three-point shooter who should contribute right away when stationed around the perimeter. On defense, his 6-foot-8, 206-pound frame and a 7-foot wingspan make him a tough on-ball defender who can cover up to four positions.&nbsp;
While Murphy III has mostly flown under the radar this season, the pre-draft process is really exposing how much of a translatable skill set he has and how he can be utilized on the NBA level. Although not all players stick in the NBA, finding a role is half the battle and Trey Murphy III checks the boxes that teams need. Don&rsquo;t be surprised if his name is called in the first round.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trey Murphy III is projected as the No. 25 pick to the L.A. Clippers in our latest mock draft.&nbsp;</a>
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/day-ron-sharpe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Day&rsquo;Ron Sharpe - North Carolina</a>
9.5 PTS 7.6 REB 1.4 AST 0.9 BLK
A high-school teammate of projected No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham and projected lottery pick Scottie Barnes, Day&rsquo;Ron Sharpe also had some high expectations entering this season with the Tar Heels. Sharpe is a 6-foot-11, 265-pound presence on the interior and he uses that frame to excel as a rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. Scouts love his ability to outwork the opposing team&rsquo;s big men for 50-50 balls, block shots, and be a play finisher around the rim. Something that jumps out when watching him play is his potential as an interior playmaker that a team could run some inside-out offense through at times.&nbsp;
While Sharpe isn&rsquo;t a tremendous athlete, his motor and second-jump quickness make up for it. He didn&rsquo;t stretch the floor during his year at UNC, but he did display some touch during his pro-day shooting drills, providing optimism that he can add that to his game in the years to come.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Day&rsquo;Ron Sharpe is projected as the No. 33 pick to the Orlando Magic in our latest mock draft.</a>
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/d-j-steward" target="_blank" rel="noopener">D.J. Steward - Duke</a>
13 PTS 3.9 REB 2.4 AST 1.1 STL
Although Jalen Johnson didn&rsquo;t have the opportunity to impact Duke for a full season, D.J. Steward was the other freshman tasked to lead the Blue Devils for Coach K. Steward is a speedy 6-foot-2 combo guard who doesn&rsquo;t only use speed to create advantages on the floor. As a guard who is slightly undersized, he impressed by showing a quick first step and converting well around the rim on drives in the halfcourt and in transition. His shooting numbers are interesting considering that he shot better off the dribble than in catch-and-shoot situations. Steward shot 81.1% from the free throw line, which suggests his 34.1% from beyond the arc could rise.&nbsp;
Steward&rsquo;s role at the next level needs some time to solidify. Right away, he projects as a combo guard who may play more off-ball as his playmaking will need some time to develop. However, he also needs to gain more consistency as a spot-up shooter to play off-ball. What could get Steward on the court is his on-ball defense, especially as his body strengthens.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">D.J. Steward projects as the No. 48 pick to the Atlanta Hawks in our latest mock draft.</a>
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/sam-hauser">Sam Hauser - Virginia</a>
16.0 PTS 6.8 REB 1.8 AST 41.7% 3FG
The premium on shooting in the NBA will always benefit any prospect who was a 40%+ volume three-point shooter. Sam Hauser fits that profile; he has good size as a combo forward at 6-foot-8 and he shot nearly 44% from three throughout his collegiate career at Marquette and Virginia. &ldquo;Big Smooth&rdquo; has a smooth stroke he displays in shots off the catch and even some flashes off the dribble or using turn-around jumpers in the post. He also played well as a cutter, finding open lanes for easy baskets and making plays for his teammates doing the same.
Hauser is a solid prospect who has the ability to fit within a team&rsquo;s offense to provide a major floor spacing threat. If the rest of his game is able to adjust to NBA-level size, speed, and athleticism, he&rsquo;ll be an impactful glue guy.
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sam Hauser is projected as the No. 54 pick to the Indiana Pacers in our latest mock draft.</a>
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<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft/big-board/players/david-johnson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Johnson - Louisville</a>
12.6 PTS 5.8 REB 3.2 AST 1.1 STL
David Johnson is a talented player who had some intrigue coming into his second season with the Louisville Cardinals. As a lead guard, Johnson makes his impact as a pick-and-roll ball-handler who can make high-IQ plays in the halfcourt. At 6-foot-5, he has elite positional size to defend both guard spots as well as the length to cover ground as a help defender. Although he had struggles shooting the ball from deep his freshman year, he returned as a sophomore and shot a much-improved 38% from three-point range.&nbsp;
Although he doesn&rsquo;t offer much off-the-dribble creation as a scorer, if Johnson can consistently put pressure on the defense as a passer and scorer from inside and out while also effectively defending opposing backcourts, he&rsquo;ll find a role in the NBA. He also had a solid showing in the Combine scrimmages that displayed his ability to defend and fill a stat-sheet in various ways.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Johnson is projected at the No. 56 pick to the Charlotte Hornets in our latest mock draft.</a>
Check out our breakdown of the top 2021 NBA Draft prospects <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2021-nba-draft-analyzing-the-pac12s-top-prospects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in the Pac-12</a> and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2021-nba-draft-analyzing-the-big-ten-top-prospects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Big Ten</a>.

Blake Hairston breaks down the top NBA draft prospects to keep an eye on from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

2021 NBA Draft: Analyzing the ACC's top prospects

In a basketball year full of uncertainty and unknowns, athletes have had to take on both the physical and mental challenges of the season, including those circumstances out of their control. The players who had their conference and NCAA Tournament hopes ripped away by COVID-19 after last season experienced a heartbreak that very few can relate to. A tumultuous 2020 tested and tried us all in our unique ways, so for a lot of us, having March Madness in our lives again is pure bliss.&nbsp;
As the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/basketball-news-march-madness-2021-ncaa-tournament-bracket-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">brackets were released Sunday evening</a>, a handful of first-round round matchups quickly popped out, as well as some potential Round of 32/Sweet 16 games that could provide excellent viewing opportunities from a NBA Draft perspective, as numerous high level prospects are in the Field of 68.
Here are some matchups, and potential matchups, we could see unfold:
Round of 64
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West Region: Oregon (7) vs. VCU (10) 
Chris Duarte and the Oregon offense face a tough assignment in VCU, who own the No. 12 ranked defense in adjusted efficiency, per KenPom.com. Nah&rsquo;Shon Hyland will enter the tournament averaging 19.4 points after a stellar season. The A-10 Player of the Year will have an opportunity to dazzle on the big stage.
West Region: Virginia (4) vs. Ohio (13) 
Jason Preston averaged 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists this season and will face a tough Virginia team in round one. Sam Hauser and Trey Murphy III will also have an opportunity to show their ability to stretch the floor with their tremendous three-point shooting.&nbsp;
South Region: Texas Tech (6) vs. Utah State (11) 
This will likely shape up to be a defensive battle, as both teams are in the top-25 of adjusted efficiency. Terrence Shannon Jr. can add to his draft resume, and Neemias Queta, averaging a double-double on the year, has a prime opportunity to use his 7-foot frame and length on the big stage.&nbsp;
Potential Round of 32
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Midwest Region: Oklahoma State (4) vs. Tennessee (5) 
This would be a phenomenal matchup from a draft perspective, with three players projected top-20 in the 2021 class. Cade Cunningham, Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer would each be able to cement themselves even further as high-level prospects. This game would undoubtedly draw a lot of attention.&nbsp;
West Region: Kansas (3) vs. USC (6) 
Evan Mobley is widely considered a top-5 pick in this 2021 class, so watching him play against the physical David McCormack would be very informative. Ochai Agbaji and Jalen Wilson of the Jayhawks are likely to test the waters after the season, so a strong performance against a defender like Mobley would be positive.
East Region: Michigan (1) vs. LSU (8) 
This matchup would provide a look at numerous potential future pros. It&rsquo;s reported that Isaiah Livers will miss the remainder of Michigan&rsquo;s games, but Cameron Thomas and Trendon Watford vs. Franz Wagner, and Hunter Dickinson for a shot at the Sweet 16 would be must-see TV.
East Region: Alabama (2) vs. UConn (7) 
James Bouknight missed eight games due to injury, but has still played his way into the lottery-pick conversation. The SEC Champion Crimson Tide would be a phenomenal defensive test for him, and Herb Jones could once again show his all-around value on the floor.
Midwest Region: West Virginia (3) vs. San Diego State (6) 
Miles &ldquo;Deuce&rdquo; McBride and the Mountaineers secured the No. 3 seed in the tournament, and could face a difficult task in SDSU (23-4) in the second round. McBride is a pesky defender and has shouldered much of the offensive load this season -- this would be a prime opportunity to shine and really display his talent.
Other Notables
South Region: Arkansas (3) vs. Texas Tech (6) Midwest Region: Illinois (1) vs. Georgia Tech (9) South Region: Baylor (1) vs. North Carolina (8)
Potential Sweet 16 Matchups
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South Region: Baylor (1) vs. Villanova (5) 
Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell have led Baylor to an incredible season, with both of them showing great promise for the next level; two high-level defenders and terrific shooters and an experienced Villanova squad would be a great test for a chance at the Elite 8. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is also on many draft boards -- his energy, physicality and rebounding may be put to the test against Mark Vital and the toughness of Baylor.
East Region: Alabama (2) vs. Texas (3) 
Kai Jones and Greg Brown III both have an opportunity to boost their stock on the big stage, as the freshmen are both projected to be first-round picks. A tough Alabama squad would provide a real test in a No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup.
Other Notables
East Region: Michigan (1) vs. Florida State (4) - Franz Wagner, Hunter Dickinson, Scottie Barnes,&nbsp;
South Region: Ohio State (2) vs. Arkansas (3) - Duane Washington, E.J. Liddell, Moses Moody
Midwest Region: Illinois (1) vs. Oklahoma St. (4) / Tennessee (5) - Ayo Dosunmu, Cade Cunningham/Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer

Derek Murray breaks down his favorite games (and potential meetings) in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.