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Now, more than ever, distance shooting is at a premium in the NBA. The focus of modern basketball is all around spacing and shooting from beyond the arc. Naturally, many NBA franchises will keep an eye on the top shooters in the 2021 NBA Draft. Ever since Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors sparked a three-point revolution in the NBA, even big men and bulky forwards have been shooting with a smooth stroke.
Who are the best shooters in the 2021 NBA Draft?
In this article, we rank the top five shooters entering the 2021 NBA Draft. Consider three-point shooting percentage, shot attempts, free-throw percentage, and several other factors including eye-testing. Many of these college players have defined themselves as great shooters and are banking on that reputation to get drafted by top tier teams. Not all shooters are the same, many shoot off pin downs while some shoot off the dribble. Several players are shooting comfortably now and so inevitably many names will be left off the list. So without further ado, let's take a look at the top five shooters in the 2021 NBA Draft class.
#5 Joe Wieskamp
Guard | Height: 6'6" | Weight: 212 lbs | Age: 21
Joe Wieskamp of the Iowa Hawkeyes is a knockdown shooter with effortless range. He shot 42.4% from beyond the arc in his freshman year but entered a slump in his sophomore season, shooting just 34.7%, which is, although poor for his standards, still around the league average of 35%. Nevertheless, he made massive strides in his game in his junior year as he went up to 46.2% from downtown on higher attempts per game.
He doesn't need the ball in his hands and is comfortable running around the screens off-the-ball. However, Wieskamp will likely be selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft. Shooting is the only skill in his repertoire and 92% of his shot attempts are beyond the arc. Joe Wieskamp is often compared to Duncan Robinson in that regard.
#4 Tre Mann
Guard - Height: 6' 5" | Weight: 190 lb | Age: 20
Tre Mann of the Tennessee Volunteers is a deadly three-point shooter who has deep range and can shoot off a dribble. He is projected to crack the top 20 of the 2021 NBA Draft. He started just four games out of 29 in his freshman year and was reduced to a catch-and-shoot shooter. However, Mann showed significant improvement in his sophomore season as he started every game he played and more than doubled his shot attempts. Tre Mann shot 40.2% from beyond the arc that year on nearly five attempts per game.
Defenders cannot leave him unguarded near the perimeter as he can launch three at will. He is a shrewd pick-and-roll operator who can create shots for himself and his teammates. He has been compared to Devin Harris and D'Angelo Russell in the NBA. He also improved his free-throw shooting from 65% in his freshman year to 83% in his sophomore year.
#3 Davion Mitchell
Guard - Height: 6' 2" | Weight: 205 lb | Age: 22
Originally a defensive-minded player, Davion Mitchell made massive strides in his offensive game to become a top scouted prospect. He went from 28.8% shooting from beyond the arc on 1.5 attempts in his freshman year to a whopping 44.7% on nearly five attempts in his junior year. Mitchell is the only player on this list who is expected to crack the top 10 in the 2021 NBA Draft.
He has an all-around package with tremendous upside. Mitchell is someone who constantly works hard on his game and will certainly be one of the best players in his rookie season in the NBA. He led the Baylor Bears to their first-ever NCAA title in 2021 as the starting point guard.
#2 Chris Duarte
Guard - Height: 6' 6" | Weight: 190 lb | Age: 23
Chris Duarte is a pure shooter who has a variety of tricks in his arsenal when it comes to knocking down the long ball. Despite being 6-foot-6, he is someone who can shoot off a screen, stop on a dime and pull up off the dribble. He is also a great ball-handler who can create shots for his teammates and operate the pick-and-roll. Duarte shot 33% from downtown on five attempts a game in his freshman year and improved it to 42.4% on 5.5 attempts in his sophomore year.
Chris Duarte is 23 years of age and many believe that will lead to him getting drafted lower in the 2021 NBA Draft. While some believe he might get picked late in the first round, some expect a second round pick. However, shooting is at a premium in the NBA and his age soon won't matter when teams see his sniper-like skills. He is often compared to the NBA's Rip Hamilton and Danny Green.
#1 Corey Kispert
Guard - Height: 6' 6" | Weight: 220 lb | Age: 22
Easily the best shooter in the 2021 NBA Draft, Corey Kispert is known for his marksmanship. He is a potential 40-50-90 player who has built a reputation as a knockdown shooter. Kispert shot 44% in his junior and senior year with the Gonzaga Bulldogs on 5+ attempts a game. He is a great on- and off-ball defender which has earned him comparisons to Klay Thompson and Joe Harris.
Corey Kispert has modeled his game after Klay Thompson and just like the latter, he has effortless shooting. Undeniably, anyone looking to draft him will be doing so to utilize his sniper-like precision shooting and lockdown defense. He led the Gonzaga Bulldogs to an unbeaten record in the 2020-21 season until the final championship game against the Baylor Bears.
Also Read: NBA Draft Combine 2021: Top 10 prospects expected to participate this year
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