2021 NBA Draft: Small School Studs
Draft season is one of hope for each of the league’s 30 teams, as the next wave of prospects arrives to potentially change a franchise’s fate. While there will be plenty of discussion about the true top prospects, as the draft goes on you’ll start to see unfamiliar names slip in — guys who could be game-changers if they’re developed properly. Serious talent comes from every corner of the basketball world and it’s on teams to identify it everywhere, even from less conventional sources. Today we’re going to take a quick glance at some noteworthy draft prospects who have made their names at smaller NCAA programs who might not be well-known until their name gets called on draft night.
Neemias Queta, C, Utah State, Junior
Queta is a seven-footer from Portugal who is coming off a successful career in the Mountain West Conference. Last season was his finest yet, featuring averages of 14.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 3.3 blocks in 30.0 mpg. While Queta shot a career-low .559 from the floor, he also shot a career-best .707 at the line. He was named MWC Player of the Year and was also a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, using a 7’4″ wingspan to protect the paint with authority. Any way you slice it, Queta was one of the top rim-protectors in the nation and may be the best one in the draft, with a frame and defensive instincts that give him paint-anchoring potential.
The questions with Queta lie on offense, where he’s largely a non-threat more than 10 feet from the cup. Queta did improve as a free throw shooter in each of his college seasons, so there may be some shooting touch in there that can be coaxed out by a strong development staff, but he’s a long way from being a modern stretch big man. The same can be said on defense, where there are concerns about how Queta will hold up in space or in a run-and-gun environment. He’ll also need to work on limiting his turnovers, as teams should feel comfortable swarming him and forcing quick decisions at this point in his development.
Even so, the defensive attributes are outstanding and should be enough to warrant a second-round selection. Anyone with Queta’s profile as a source of blocks should be on the radar in fantasy circles, especially dynasty formats and large redraft leagues.
Jason Preston, G, Ohio, Junior
Preston’s story is a remarkable one, as he was unrecruited out of high school and actually attended UCF just to go to school before ultimately working his way through the college ranks and emerging as the leader of a strong Ohio team. One of the few true PG types who are likely to be available in the second round, Preston’s got outstanding vision that leads to a dizzying array of passes plus some intriguing physical traits. At 6’3″ with a 6’8″ wingspan, Preston should be able to handle himself defensively, though it’s his lacking athleticism that will ultimately be the determining factor there. The IQ that helps Preston show out as an elite passer carries over to that end of the floor, however, and he shows promise as a team defender if not a one-on-one lockdown guy.
Preston makes his name with passing acumen but he’s a capable floor-spacer as well, shooting .407 and .390 from distance in his final two college campaigns. His .596 free throw number from last year is alarming but looks like it could be an outlier since Preston went .765 and .725 in his first two seasons, and he also has a track record of overall efficiency — .515 and .514 in his last two years at Ohio. That speaks to how well Preston was able to pick his spots and get to the rim, though he’s unlikely to carve out a large scoring role in the pros. His final stat line showcases his versatility, as a 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.6 triples per game would certainly work in fantasy leagues. Preston is a sharp lead guard who plays with good energy and has the looks of a player who can be a pass-first coordinator of a bench group, with room for more.
E.J. Onu, PF/C, Shawnee State, Senior
Onu is one for the dreamers and optimists because the numbers he’s posted at the NAIA level are absurd. Last year Onu averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 4.5 blocks per game. Even better, he shot .573 from the floor and was .400 from deep on 130 (!) attempts. A late starter, Onu didn’t begin hooping until high school but hit a massive growth spurt and became one of the most prolific players in NAIA history after four dominant years at Shawnee State. He racked up 529 blocks in his four seasons thanks to a 7’6″ wingspan, instincts and defensive smarts. The physical tools are obviously incredible but Onu has also established a certain level of mastery over more nuanced concepts. His footwork, balance and timing are all on point; Onu does the damage without purely chasing swats. That translates outside the paint as well, where Onu is fleet of foot for his size and capable of defending in space without getting rocked.
A player who can rack up swats and hit threes is often a popular fantasy target, and while Onu might need some time to adjust to a higher level of competition, there’s no doubting his track record. There’s an elite combination of attributes here, and Onu has no problem putting all of that talent into the box score. He’s got elite defensive potential and fits beautifully with the modern game, so Onu is definitely a name to track closely if you play in dynasty leagues.
Charles Bassey, PF/C, Western Kentucky, Junior
Bassey is another intriguing big man who put up serious numbers in his college career. He’s coming off a campaign of 17.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game on .590 shooting. Though he’s not much of a 3-point threat (29-of-91 at WKU), Bassey did go .768 at the charity stripe over his three seasons and was often relied upon to carry Western Kentucky’s offense in an old-school way by dominating down low. Despite some limitations, Bassey was named Conference USA’s Player of the Year in his final college season.
The rebounding, shot-blocking and motor are all locked in as positives, and Bassey’s NBA outlook will ride on whether he can round out his offensive game at the next level. Even then, there’s value in being a simple rim-runner and lob-finisher with a smattering of post moves. While non-shooting bigs are finding it harder and harder to establish NBA gigs these days, Bassey’s upside — thanks to a hint of outside shooting potential — should convince a team to invest.
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