Editor's note: This mock draft has been updated since it was originally published on April 27.
NBA scouts were significantly more excited about next year's draft than this June's class even before the coronavirus pandemic brought enough uncertainty to cause several prospects to decline entering their names in the 2020 draft. And when the dust settled on the NCAA's Aug. 3 deadline to withdraw from the draft, at least another half dozen prospects who had strong chances to hear their name called in 2020 elected to return to school, further bolstering the depth of the 2021 class.
Headlined by two potential franchise players in Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green, who both would have likely been top picks in this year's draft, the 2021 draft has considerable star power. It also has a huge number of upperclassmen college basketball stars who shunned the uncertainty surrounding the 2020 pre-draft process to return to campuses.
Here's our updated look ahead to 2021. Get out new Top 100 rankings for 2020 here.
Top prospects to withdraw at the deadline
Jared Butler | 6-foot-3 | So. | PG | Baylor
Corey Kispert | 6-foot-7 | Jr. | SG/SF | Gonzaga
John Petty | 6-foot-6, Jr. | SF | Alabama
Aaron Henry | 6-foot-6 | So. | SG/SF | Michigan State
Isaiah Joe | 6-foot-5 | So. | SG | Arkansas |
Chris Smith | 6-foot-9 | Jr. | SF/PF | UCLA
Makur Maker | 6-foot-11, Sr. (HS) | C | Hillcrest Academy
Luka Garza | 6-foot-11 | Jr. | C | Iowa
Ayo Dosunmu | 6-foot-4 | So. | SG | Illinois
Trendon Watford | 6-foot-9 | Fr. | PF | LSU
Note: The NBA has its own withdrawal deadline 10 days prior to the draft (Oct. 6th) in which international players can remove their name from consideration. Several players likely will elect to do so.
Biggest decisions from April
Players who announced they are not declaring for the 2020 NBA draft
The typical pre-draft process involves substantial commercial travel for both NBA executives and prospects. With the limitations that are likely to be in place because of the risks associated with COVID-19, NBA front offices have been preparing to make decisions about prospects without typical access.
This limited process is something younger fringe prospects weren't excited about, and it caused many to choose to return to school or elect to proceed with more caution.
David Johnson | 6-foot-5 | Fr. | PG | Louisville | No. 17 in 2021
Johnson made a logical decision to return to Louisville, as he averaged only 16 minutes per game as a freshman after suffering a torn labrum in July that knocked him out of the Cardinals' rotation until mid-December. He had an eye-opening performance in a road win at Duke but was streaky overall, despite dropping glimpses of potential. Johnson is one of the most athletic freshman guards in the country, and he has the type of ballhandling creativity you can't teach. Plus, he's only 18 years old.
Keyontae Johnson | 6-foot-5 | So. | SF | Florida | No. 22 in 2021
Johnson is a prime example of the effects of the pandemic. He was a projected early-second-round pick who likely would have made a strong case for himself as a first-rounder in the postseason tourneys and pre-draft process. He didn't start the season on any draft boards but piqued NBA scouts' interest with a sophomore campaign that earned him first-team all-SEC honors. He'll return to school in hopes of making a deep NCAA tournament run next season that could propel him into the first round.
Scottie Lewis | 6-foot-5 | Fr. | SG/SF | Florida | No. 23 in 2021
Lewis started the season projected as a lottery pick, but a disappointing season dropped him out of our first-round projections. Workouts could have helped him demonstrate the type of length, athleticism, defensive versatility and perimeter shooting that caused scouts to be excited about the former top-10 recruit.
James Bouknight | 6-foot-4 | Fr. | SG | UConn | No. 26 in 2021
Bouknight hit his stride in the last two months of his freshman season and looked like one of the better scoring guards in the country, helping him win AAC all-conference honors. With upperclassmen moving on, Bouknight should have the keys to the Huskies' offense as a sophomore, giving him a chance to break out as an NBA prospect and solidify his standing as a first-round pick.
Wendell Moore | 6-foot-6 | Fr. | SF | Duke | No. 31 in 2021
Matthew Hurt | 6-foot-9 | Fr. | PF | Duke | No. 34 in 2021
Duke's pair of McDonald's All Americans had underwhelming seasons relative to expectations, making the decision to return a straightforward one.
Moore made only four 3-pointers all season, something that will have to improve for him to keep his stock in first-round territory. Hurt has a big summer ahead of him in the weight room if he is to become a capable defender and rebounder to complement his excellent perimeter-shooting ability.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | 6-foot-9 | Fr. | PF | Villanova | No. 33 in 2021
The Big East freshman of the year had a change of heart after Villanova head coach Jay Wright announced that the forward would test the NBA draft waters, citing complications caused by the pandemic. Now Robinson-Earl will be an early favorite for Big East player of the year as a sophomore. His productivity and team accomplishments will be major keys for his stock. Although lacking extraordinary size, length or athleticism, he has a great feel for the game and brings effort and toughness as a rebounder. Expanding his shooting range will be a key to his outlook, but the 81% he shot from the free throw line leaves room for optimism.
Romeo Weems | 6-foot-6 | Fr. | SF | DePaul | No. 36 in 2021
Playing for a dreadful DePaul team that went 3-15 in the Big East, Weems represented a glimmer of hope for the Blue Demons. He was viewed as a sleeper prospect by forward-thinking NBA scouts searching for 3-and-D prospects. Weems was one of the more versatile and impactful defenders in his class, and he hit 36% from 3. Improving his ballhandling and becoming a more prolific scorer will be the keys for Weems to emerge as a first-rounder next year.
Amar Sylla | 6-foot-9 | Age: 18.5 | PF | Oostende | No. 39 in 2021
Sylla was a likely draft pick in 2020 who now returns to Belgium in hopes of solidifying himself as a first-rounder next season. The Oostende big man won't turn 19 until October, and the development of his frame will play a role in his ability to become a more efficient, productive and consistent player.
Marcus Garrett | 6-foot-5 | Jr. | PG | Kansas | No. 40 in 2021
Ochai Agbaji | 6-foot-5 | So. | SG | Kansas | No. 46 in 2021
The Jayhawks' starting backcourt was set when Garrett and Agbaji elected to pass on the 2020 draft. Both played bit roles offensively behind All-Americans Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike and will be asked to fill the scoring void next season.
Garrett, named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, emerged as the team's de facto point guard while demonstrating terrific versatility, but he will need to show improvement as a perimeter shooter to hold scouts' interest. Agbaji didn't make the leap some hoped as a sophomore, but his stock is still rising, considering that he was on track to redshirt his freshman season before injuries nixed those plans.
Carlos Alocen | 6-foot-5 | Age: 19.3 | PG | Zaragoza | No. 45 in 2021
Alocen had a good chance to hear his name called in this year's draft after an excellent season as the starting point guard of Zaragoza, currently third in the Spanish ACB. A big guard who plays with flair, Alocen is mature beyond his years, and he has considerable experience under his belt for a teenager. Having already made his debut with the senior national team, he's expected to make his Euroleague debut for the team that owns his rights, Real Madrid. Improving as a perimeter shooter will be a major key for Alocen moving forward.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and international teams.