Evan Mobley drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021 NBA Draft: Rancho Christian star is 3rd overall pick

Evan Mobley, two-time Gatorade California Player of the Year at Rancho Christian, was drafted third overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Former Rancho Christian star Evan Mobley was drafted third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

Mobley was a consensus five-star recruit at Rancho Christian, and was named the Gatorade California Player of the Year as both a junior and a senior. As a senior, he averaged 20.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.2 blocks, and 4.6 assists per game.

At USC, he averaged 16.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 2.9 BPG as a freshman at USC. He was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and Pac-12 Rookie of the Year becoming the first player to win all three conference awards since Anthony Davis – a player he's long been compared to as a prospect.

WHAT SCOUTS ARE SAYING ABOUT MOBLEY

"Mobley has a chance to be a generational bigman at 7’0, 215 pounds and a 7’4 wingspan ��� Huge potential as a two-way talent with elite defensive ability to both lock down smaller players on switches on the perimeter as well as his natural rim-protection ability with long arms and tremendous leaping ability … Shuffles his feet with the best of them to stay in front of his man in face ups and post-ups … Run jump athleticism puts him in rare company. Runs the floor like a deer, and has explosive leaping for first as well as second and third jumps … Phenomenal rebounder with his length and size. Also positions himself well for rebounds and does not rely solely on his size to dominate the glass … Versatile offensive player who can already attack from the perimeter and additionally score at all three levels … Jumper already looks smooth and he has the touch to catch and release from many areas … Showcases several post moves and a soft hook shots as part of his scoring repertoire … Already a good passer with anticipation and accuracy and also comfortable facing double teams … Affects the game in a multitude of ways on both ends. Versatility on defense and athletic enough to be disruptive with guards on switches … Decent ball-handler with plenty of time to improve … Will be 20 years and 1 month old on draft day, making him one of the younger draft prospects … 58/30/69 splits are incredible for a freshman stretch-five at the college level with high volume … Capable screener who can attack on the roll and also set up on the perimeter for open threes … Unmatched potential in this year’s draft class, with his size, athleticism, two-way ability, and shooting prowess ..." -Derek Bast, nbadraft.net.

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