NBA Draft: Pro comparisons for the top 30 prospects in 2021

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 05: MaCio Teague #31 hugs Jared Butler #12 of the Baylor Bears during the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

The hopes of an entire city rest squarely on the shoulders of a young kid.

The NBA Draft provides hope, whether it’s false or not, and in many ways, clarity. Whether it’s the first overall pick or the 30th, the influx of new, fresh talent can get a fanbase to buy into what their team is trying to accomplish.

With the draft order officially set in stone, fans no longer need to wonder what position their hometown team will ultimately have. Deciding who they’ll take once the draft clock begins counting down is somewhat inconsequential at this point in time as well.

The 2021 NBA Draft is loaded with talented players all across the board. In some cases, many of these players struggled in a fanless atmosphere. In other instances, they thrived. While big-time college programs have always been the main source of high talent, this year’s class comes from all walks of life. You still have your traditional big-time college programs that produced talented players but the international ballers made their mark as well.

Also, more than ever, the G League played a big part this past season. With notable high school players opting to pick up a large sum of cash as well as work on their skills against grown men, the G League has become a viable option for those who decided against the college route.

Before each draftee gets a chance to step onto the NBA hardwood, we’ll take an educated guess on who they remind us of in the NBA today. It’s time for fans to either get excited about what the future could possibly bring or get depressed about their possible underwhelming selection.