The NBL player that “could play in the NBA tomorrow”, according to ESPN Draft Analyst

Understandably, NBL21 has been a year dominated by talks of Adelaide 36ers star Josh Giddey as an NBA draft prospect.

ESPN’s Draft Analyst Jonathan Givony has him slated at pick #14 in his 2021 NBA mock draft.

But speaking on The Huddle, the leading draft analyst has another NBL talent on his radar, with Illawarra Hawks Next Star Justinian Jessup making waves in the competition.

Averaging just under 15 points per game, Givony said Jessup had a lot of impressive attributes.

Summing up a big week in the NBL, Givony and Liam Santamaria also spoke about how Didi Louzada will fare in a New Orleans Pelicans singlet and why Adelaide 36ers fans should be excited about new signing Kai Sotto.

Lastly, Givony explained why it’s not all doom and gloom for Cairns youngster Mojave King, whose averages are down on what had been anticipated when he first arrived in the NBL.

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Givony on why Justinian Jessup has impressed him so much

“He could play in the NBA tomorrow and make shots.

“He’d make the right plays and hold his own defensively.

“The real revelation is that he’s a good defender.

“You can put him on smaller guys, he’s physical, he’s got great size, a great feel for the game.

“He can also play pick and roll, and he can shoot from anywhere on the court.”

 

Givony on Josh Giddey’s draft stock

“He’s just so smart and so instinctual that he finds a way to make plays.

“People used to say that’s it all about athleticism, but most coaches would tell you now that it’s about skill and Giddey has that.

“Being a 6’8’’ point guard who can make a pass and seize the game faster than anybody else on the court, that’s going to give him a chance to not only be an NBA player, but potentially a difference maker.

“The good thing about him is that he’s so big, he’s so versatile and so unselfish.

“People will love to have him in their team because he’s just going to make the game so easy for everybody else.

“Even in his bad games, he shows you a lot.

“His passing is always there, his rebounding is always there and that’s encouraging.

“He still finds ways to contribute when the shot isn’t going in.

“This has been a great development year for him and a great exposure year for him too.

“I can see a team with multiple picks really liking him.”

 

Givony on what Adelaide fans can expect from Kai Sotto

“He’s been on the radar for quite some time now.

“He’s 7’2’’, can shoot the three, he knows how to play and is fairly mobile.

“He’s young, he’s skilled and he’s going to be an exciting guy to follow in the NBL.

‘I think from a development standpoint, joining the NBL is a phenomenal decision from him.

“He’s going to be tested every night against some of the best.

“In terms of addressing the things that he needs to work on, I think this is going to be a great step for him.

“He’s going to be able to get on the court and show what he’s all about.

“NBA teams watch the NBL so everybody will be keeping tabs on what he’s doing.

“I think Adelaide fans can expect to get a younger version of Harry Froling.

“Having a full year at Adelaide would put him on the radar and give him a chance to get drafted.”

 

Givony on Didi Louzada signing with the Pelicans

“I think it makes sense with all the injuries they (the Pelicans) have.

“They’ve always loved him.

“He’s helped himself with the way he’s played while he’s healthy.

“They’ve always been invested in him.

“They hired a guy to live in Australia and go to every game to watch him.”

 

Givony on Mojave King’s draft chances

“It’s been good to see him play better lately.

“I watched that Adelaide v Cairns game and that was probably his best game of the season.

“He finally made a couple of shots, got some rebounds off the offensive glass and made some defensive plays.

“When we’re evaluating international prospects, we’re always thinking about ‘how is this guy different to the guys we have in college? How is he superior?’

“He’s going to have to become a really productive player before he gets to the NBA and I think that’s fine.

“He’s 18, it takes a while, there’s no rush.

“I think everybody was expecting way too much too early from him.

“There is 6-7 weeks left of the season so he could go on a hot streak.

“He’s probably a future guy but if he enters the draft, I wouldn’t be shocked either.

“There’s definitely more there for him to show.”