USC’s Evan Mobley declares for NBA Draft
LOS ANGELES (BVM) – USC star big man Evan Mobley has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft following a magical NCAA Tournament run with the Trojans.
LEAGUE BOUND! I’ve dreamed about turning pro since I was a kid. Come along for the journey: https://t.co/mIpfUaZRy0 #1of1 #NFT pic.twitter.com/nD1uTVkSkv
— Evan Mobley (@evanmobley) April 16, 2021
The 19-year-old freshman averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in 33 appearances for USC. Mobley recorded two double-doubles during the Trojans’ NCAA Tournament run which ended in an Elite 8 loss to Gonzaga, including a 17-point, 11-rebound game in an opening-round win over Drake.
The 7-footer’s versatility fits the modern mold of an NBA center. With his size, length and ability to protect the rim, score at all three levels and create for others, Mobley will hear his name called early on in July’s NBA Draft.
Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham widely-regarded as the projected No. 1 overall pick, but the assumption is that Mobley will be one of the first three players selected with Jalen Green of the NBA’s G League also in the mix.
With a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Mobley dominated the prep level and won back-to-back Gatorade California Boys Basketball Player of the Year awards. The former Rancho Christian star averaged 20.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.2 blocks and 4.6 assists as a senior en route to being named the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year, given every year to the top player from the pool of McDonald’s All-Americans.
A former AAU coach of Mobley’s once called him “a mixture of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant” even before the freshman tore it up at USC. Now it looks as though Mobley will square off against those NBA superstars just two years later.
