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After not having a combine last year due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic, the 2021 NBA Draft combine is set to begin next week in Chicago between June 21-27. Before the combine begins, the NBA G League Elite camp will take place on June 19.
A total 69 players were invited to the event, where they will get a chance to showcase their skills in front of NBA GMs, front office personnel, and scouts. Top-tier prospects such as Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green, and Jonathan Kuminga are headlining the combine and will be must-watch tv.
However, there are a few guards at the combine, who deserve some attention and could help boost their draft. We’re going to breakdown those prospects and what they bring to the table as the prep for the next level.
Cameron Thomas, LSU
Thomas is a dynamic scorer and shot creator, who put up majors numbers as a freshman at LSU this season. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 23.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 34 minutes per game. Thomas also shot 40.6% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range on 7.2 attempts per game.
The Virginia native stood out on a LSU team that had the likes of Trendon Watford and Javonte Smart. Thomas was named to the 2020-21 All-SEC first team and 2020-21 All-SEC All-Freshman first team. Despite being 19 years-old, he’s a certified scorer, who can drive to the basket, create contact, and pull-up from distance. He may not be a pure point guard in the NBA, but could certainly find a role as a combo guard.
Daishen Nix, G League Ignite
While there will be a lot of attention on how top prospects Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga from G League Ignite perform at the draft combine, don’t forget about their teammate Daishen Nix.
Nix was a former five-star HS prospect, who originally committed to UCLA, but ended up joining the Ignite. The young guard was solid in the G League bubble with 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 26.5 minutes per game. However, Nix’s shooting stats leave a lot to be desired as he only shot 46.2% from the field, but 17.6% from three-point range.
He has the ability to get to the basket with ease, which also allows him to use his vision to create for others when the defense collapses. But it all goes back to shooting for Nix, who can really turn some heads if he can be a competent shooter at the combine.
Max Abmas, Oral Roberts
Abmas made a name for himself as he helped Oral Roberts make unprecedented deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-1 point guard was one of the main two scorers for the Golden Eagles this past season. Abmas averaged 24.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 37 minutes per game.
He also shot 47.8% from the field and 43.3% from three-point range on 8.3 attempts per game. The sophomore guard is currently ranked 56th in HoopsHype 2021 aggregate NBA mock draft.