Scouting Reports: JT Thor, Herb Jones, David Johnson, Charles Bassey & Jason Preston
Scouting Reports: JT Thor, Herb Jones, David Johnson, Charles Bassey & Jason Preston
2021 NBA Draft Scouting Reports
Every week I’m rolling out in-depth scouting reports on the top prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft.
The full scouting reports are only accessible to paying subscribers. Each report goes in-depth on player strengths, weaknesses, statistical strengths and weaknesses, and rank key player attributes for each player.
This week I tackle Auburn’s JT Thor, Alabama’s Herb Jones, Louisville’s David Johnson, Western Kentucky’s Charles Bassey and Ohio’s Jason Preston. Below is a free excerpt from each scouting report.
JT THOR
F, Auburn, Freshman
Age 18.8 | 6’9.25” | 203 | Wingspan 7’3.25” | Standing Reach: 9’3”
Birthdate: Aug. 26, 2002
Primary Value: Defensive versatility
Bottom line: Thor is a high-risk, high-reward prospect. His production at Auburn as a freshman was underwhelming, but the skill set is tantalizing. He is big, has elite length, can guard three positions and has an emerging perimeter game that NBA teams really covet. He’s a major work in progress for a team willing to take the gamble. But with his size and skills, he’s likely worth it in the late first round to early second round.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on JT Thor here
HERBERT JONES
W, ALABAMA, SENIOR
Age 22.7 | 6’7.25” | 206 | Wingspan 7’0.25” | Standing Reach: 8’10”
Birthdate: Oct. 6, 1998
Primary Values: Defense, playmaking
Bottom line: Teams have become obsessed with finding long wings who can defend three-to-four positions and serve as secondary playmakers on offense and score with some efficiency. Jones ticks two of the three boxes. His defensive abilities and versatility are elite. He shows promise as a secondary ball-handler and playmaker, but he’s going to have to improve as a shooter and scorer to become the ideal wing NBA teams covet.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Herbert Jones here
DAVID JOHNSON
G, LOUISVILLE, SOPHOMORE
Age 20.3 | 6’4.75” | 203 | Wingspan 6’10.5” | Standing Reach: 8’8”
Birthdate: Feb. 27, 2001
Primary Values: Defense, athleticism
Bottom line: Johnson was widely considered a potential late lottery to mid-first-round pick coming into the season. His stock dropped considerably despite his improvement in two areas scouts were concerned about (turnovers and 3-point shooting). Johnson’s often passive play offensively, combined with growing questions about his ability to be a lead guard, has pushed him into the second round. But he impressed enough scouts at the NBA Combine with his defense and athleticism to get drafted, probably.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on David Johnson here
CHARLES BASSEY
C, Western Kentucky, Junior
Age 20.7 | 6’10.25” | 230 | Wingspan 7’3” | Standing Reach: 8’11.5”
Birthdate: Oct. 28, 2000
Primary Value: Rebounding, shot blocking
Bottom line: Bassey is intriguing. He is young for his class, is already an elite rebounder and a very good rim protector and plays with a great motor. He has solid low-post moves and an emerging face-the-basket game. A knee injury during his sophomore season really hurt his draft stock, and he’s slowly been climbing back into the second-round conversation.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Charles Bassey here
JASON PRESTON
PG, Ohio, Junior
Age 21.8 | 6’4” | 180 | Wingspan 6’8.5” | Standing Reach: 8’4.5”
Birthdate: Aug. 10, 1999
Primary Value: Ball handling, passing
Bottom line: Preston impressed scouts at the NBA Combine with his combination of precision passing and ability to run the offense. He is an above-average ball-handler and playmaker and has good size and length for his position. His jump shot is solid, but will likely be the swing skill that determines the trajectory of his NBA career. He’s an interesting second-round prospect.
Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Jason Preston here
You can find the full collection of 2021 NBA Draft Scouting Reports here