NBA Draft Big Board 1.0: Cunningham, Mobley, Suggs, And The Best Of The Rest
By Evan Wheeler
10. James Bouknight, G, Connecticut
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, 6-foot-9 wingspan
Class: Sophomore
Age: 20
Mike’s Ranking: 18
Evan’s Ranking: 8
James Bouknight in my opinion is the best pure shot-maker in this class, he’s got a tendency to make tough shots look easy. I believe he’s being overlooked in a similar fashion that Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray were in their respective drafts.
His scoring ability is reminiscent of both of those players with the way he can shoot off of the dribble with such ease, and his 23.7 points per game per 40 minutes average should entice team’s on the way he can carry an offense at the next level.
The dimensions to Bouknight’s scoring go beyond just his shooting, he puts defenders in slow motion with the smooth handle he’s got at his disposal and literally floats as a dribbler. Plus he’s a phenomenal finisher at the rim, who is ambidextrous, has great body control to contort for acrobatic finishes, and toughness to get through contact.
He’s got a case to be the most undervalued prospect in the 2021 draft currently, and I feel many franchises will be kicking themselves if they overlook his talent. Bouknight also has great length for a guard, underrated athleticism, and is a much better defender than he gets credit for.