WKU Basketball: Mock Drafts Not Kind to Bassey Two Weeks Out
We are two weeks away from the 2021 NBA Draft, and there’s one name that’s on everybody’s mind and where he’ll go: Charles Bassey.
We are two weeks away from the 2021 NBA Draft, and there’s one name that’s on everybody’s mind and where he’ll go: Charles Bassey.
Bassey’s draft stock has always been something of a wildcard, especially after he returned to WKU for a third season after injuring his leg in 2019.
While not a top-tier prospect, you can find a good day where he’s mocked inside the first round (if only just) but mock consensus seems to have him as a second-rounder.
And “consensus” is a generous word: Even if a mock draft agrees on his round, no one agrees where he’ll go in that round. Some have him as an early second, some have him flirting with NBA Mr. Irrelevant status.
Here’s where some prevalent mocks have him two weeks to the day of draft night.
New York Post: #27, Brooklyn Nets
DeAndre Jordan is at the end of the line, and Nic Claxton is still far from a sure thing. The Nets’ one weakness — other than the health of their stars — is in the paint.
Elite Sports NY: #27, Brooklyn Nets
Although the Nets are leaning into small-ball and five-out basketball, they need to add some brute strength to the roster. Bassey is a rim-running big who can do everything a modern center should: protect the rim, catch lobs, and rebound.
The Rookie Wire (USA Today): #33, Orlando Magic
TRW didn’t do write ups for the second-round selections. This scenario sees Bassey just miss being taken in the first 30 picks.
Sports Illustrated: #42, Detroit Pistons
No write up was given by Jeremy Woo for his second-round selections.
The Athletic — Sam Venice ($): #47, Toronto Raptors
No write up was given by Sam for Bassey’s outlook. On a personal note, he has Bassey going just before my beloved Hawks, which breaks my heart.
Bleacher Report: #58, New York Knicks
This would make for a disappointing draft night for Charles Bassey, who can be found in the first round of some mock drafts. But that’s hardly a consensus opinion.
Should Bassey keep falling into the 50s, the Knicks should be glad to stop his skid. Between Robinson’s injury woes and the team’s ability to withstand its absence, they might not be eager to throw major money his way.
Bassey could eventually emerge as a viable replacement. He has size, a great motor and some flashes of outside shooting that might allow him to grow beyond the normal rim-runner limits.
For The Win (USA Today): #59, Brooklyn Nets
Western Kentucky’s Charles Bassey was fairly dominant in college, averaging 17.6 points and 11.6 rebounds with 3.1 blocks per game this past season.