I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2021 NBA Draft like it was yesterday. The energy felt different coming out of the pandemic—teams were making bold moves, international prospects were gaining unprecedented attention, and everyone wondered which franchise would land the next generational talent. Having followed basketball drafts for over a decade, I've developed a keen eye for spotting future stars, and I must admit, the 2021 class had me particularly intrigued. Today, I want to take you through that memorable draft night and track where these players have landed three years later, because frankly, their journeys have been anything but predictable.

The Detroit Pistons made Cade Cunningham the first overall pick, and while many analysts predicted this move, I remember thinking he faced immense pressure stepping into a rebuilding franchise. Cunningham has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy, averaging 20 points per game in his sophomore season, but injuries have hampered his development. What fascinates me about tracking these draftees is seeing how their careers diverge based on opportunity, coaching, and plain old luck. Just look at Jalen Green, selected second by Houston—his explosive scoring ability has made him a cornerstone of the Rockets' young core, though his efficiency still needs work. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley, who went third to Cleveland, has already established himself as one of the league's premier defenders, something I predicted would happen given his unique combination of length and mobility.

The middle of the first round produced several gems that have outperformed their draft positions. I've always believed that player development systems separate good franchises from great ones, and Golden State's selection of Jonathan Kuminga at seventh overall proves my point. He took time to find his rhythm but has evolved into a dynamic two-way player who contributes meaningful minutes for a championship-contending team. Then there's Franz Wagner, picked eighth by Orlando—honestly, I think he might be the most underrated player from this class. His basketball IQ is off the charts, and he's become the Swiss Army knife every team covets. The draft's international flavor was particularly strong, with Josh Giddey (Australia) going sixth to Oklahoma City and Alperen Şengün (Turkey) landing in Houston at sixteenth. Both have exceeded expectations, with Şengün developing into a skilled big man who reminds me of a young Nikola Jokić with his passing vision.

What strikes me about reviewing this draft class is how quickly circumstances can change in professional basketball. Players like Scottie Barnes, who surprisingly went fourth to Toronto, have already made All-Star teams, while others selected in the lottery have bounced between multiple franchises. Ziaire Williams, picked tenth by Memphis, has shown potential but hasn't quite found his consistent role yet. This volatility reminds me of how quickly teams can rise and fall in international competitions too. Just look at the recent performance of Petro Gazz, who joined the rest of the three-team Philippine contingent to the 2025 AVC Women's Champions League quarterfinals with a quick 25-8, 25-12, 25-12 sweep of Hong Kong's Hip Hing on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena. That dominant victory shows how proper development and team cohesion can lead to spectacular results, much like what we've seen with some of the more successful 2021 draftees.

The second round produced its usual share of surprises, with Herbert Jones at thirty-fifth to New Orleans emerging as one of the draft's best defenders—something I definitely didn't see coming. Ayo Dosunmu, picked thirty-eighth by Chicago, has become a reliable rotation player, while Sharife Cooper, who went forty-eighth to Atlanta, has already moved overseas. This disparity in outcomes fascinates me because it highlights how unpredictable player development can be. Some prospects flourish with opportunity, while others struggle to adapt to the NBA's physicality and pace. Personally, I believe teams are getting better at identifying talent later in the draft, but there's still an element of luck involved that keeps the process exciting year after year.

Looking at where these players are now, three seasons into their careers, provides valuable insights about team building and player evaluation. The success stories like Barnes and Mobley were somewhat expected, but the emergence of players like Bones Hyland (twenty-sixth pick) as impactful scorers demonstrates why the draft remains basketball's ultimate gamble. As someone who's studied numerous draft classes, I'm convinced the 2021 group will be remembered as particularly deep, with at least eight to ten players developing into legitimate starters or stars. Their continued development will shape the NBA landscape for the next decade, and I for one can't wait to see how their stories unfold. The journey from draft night to established professional is never linear, and that's exactly what makes following these careers so compelling.