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 Iowa’s Luka Garza, Michigan State’s Aaron Henry, Michigan’s Isaiah Livers, Providence’s David Duke, and LSU’s Trendon Watford. Below is a free excerpt from each scouting report.

LUKA GARZA

C, Iowa, Senior
Age on draft night: 22.6 | 6’11.25” | 243 | Wingspan: 7’1.5” | Standing Reach: 8’11.5”

Primary Values: Scoring, shooting

Bottom line: Garza was a dominant college player who, like some other bigs on this board, might be out of step with today’s NBA. He is skilled, can score in a variety of ways in the paint and from the perimeter and has a great feel for the game. But the concern is his below-the-rim game just won’t translate at the next level. Garza had a groin injury that kept him out of the 5-on-5 play at the NBA Draft Combine. While scouts were impressed that he had lost some weight and looked like he was in better shape, he still tested as the worst overall athlete in the combine.

Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Luka Garza here

AARON HENRY

W, Michigan State, Junior
Age on draft night: 21.9 | 6’6” | 210 | Wingspan: 6’10” | Standing Reach: 8’7.5”

Primary Values: Defense

Bottom line: Henry was Michigan State’s best player this past season and did all the little things NBA scouts love. He played tough defense at multiple positions, was an unselfish playmaker and showed an improved midrange game. The issue is that he shot under 30% from 3-point range. There needs to be more “3” to his 3-and-D game for him to crack the first round.

Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Aaron Henry here

ISAIAH LIVERS

SF, Michigan, Senior
Age on draft night: 23.0 | 6’7.25” | 231 | Wingspan 6’9.25” | Standing Reach: 8’8.5”

Primary Values: Shooting

Bottom line: Livers’ shooting ability off the catch, both from 3 and inside the arc, has intrigued scouts. He’s not an elite athlete, but he’s a smart defender who makes up for his athletic limitations through his feel for the game. A stress fracture in his left foot ended his season. Livers' injury prohibited him from participating in anything other than the measurements and interview portion of the draft combine.

Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Isaiah Livers here

DAVID DUKE

G, Providence, Junior
Age on draft night: 21.8 | 6’5.5” | 204 | Wingspan 6’8.75” | Standing Reach: 8’8.5”

Primary Values: Versatility

Bottom line: Duke rocketed up draft boards early in the season only to come back to earth in the second half of the season. For the first half of the season he put up big numbers offensively as both a shooter and a playmaker, but as his shot stopped falling and his turnovers increased when defenses keyed on him, scouts became more pessimistic about his long-term draft stock. He may thrive more as a 3-and-D wing than as a hybrid point guard in the NBA, although he’s a bit undersized for that. He was solid on the court in the NBA Draft Combine, and teams raved about his interviews, but he didn’t move the needle much on his draft stock.

Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on David Duke here

TRENDON WATFORD

W, LSU, Sophomore
Age on draft night: 20.7 | 6’8.75” | 237 | Wingspan: 7’2.25” | Standing Reach: 8’9.0”

Primary Values: Playmaking, rebounding

Bottom line: Watford is the strange wing that has neither the “3” nor the “D” to make it into the top of the draft. However, he is an interesting playmaker, is a creative scorer around the basket and plays with a lot of confidence. If his shot improves, he becomes a much more interesting player.

Read the FULL SCOUTING REPORT on Trendon Watford here

See all of the 2021 NBA Draft Scouting Reports.