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

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 21: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Sharife Cooper (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

2021 NBA Draft: 26. Sharife Cooper compares Darius Garland

He’s undoubtedly small for the position. Sharife Cooper is generously listed at 6’1 and weighs about 180 pounds. At the college level, he had a difficult time finishing amongst the trees as his 39.1% from the field would indicate. He doesn’t keep defenses off balance with a reliable 3-point stroke either, nailing only 22.8% from behind the arc.

Regardless of his flaws, Cooper could be the next Darius Garland. The Cleveland Cavaliers are ecstatic about his development. Like Cooper, Garland is also a miniature guard but he’s a very good distributor of the rock. After setting up teammates, he likes to get things going himself.

Garland is a much better overall shooter than Cooper but what the soon to be pro lacks in distance shooting, he makes up for it in the midrange. Cooper is terrific when he’s just inside the key and his court vision is outstanding, averaging 8.1 assists per game.

Doubt him and his miniature size if you want but Cooper can score with the best of them, averaging a shade over 20 in his lone college season.

There’s certainly no other way to put it but the Auburn Tigers were a really bad basketball club this past season. And while a lot of that blame does fall on the shoulders of Cooper, he’ll excel at the next level as long as his new team gives him the keys to the car immediately.