2021 Draft

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Cavs Top Pick Makes His First Appearance in Cleveland

by Joe Gabriele (@CavsJoeG)
8/2/21 | Cavs.com

On his first full day as a Cavalier, after meeting some team personnel and the media, Evan Mobley was approached by the incomparable Jim Chones, who eyed up the 20-year-old and – in his Chonesian way – said, “Yep, you’re seven foot.” He looked him up and down. “Could grow a couple inches, too.”

Chones knows big men. And one day on the road or at CCC, the team’s radio analyst will pull the youngster aside and impart some wisdom from a lifetime in the league.

In the meantime, life is moving fast for the former Trojan – who, along with his beaming parents, made his initial appearance in Cleveland on Friday afternoon in Independence to meet staff and media. (It was also the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic shut the season down in March 2019 that media members and outside staff were allowed back in the gym.)

After Detroit tabbed Cade Cunningham with the top overall pick and Houston went chalk with guard Jalen Green, the Wine &amp; Gold selected Mobley – far-and-away the most highly regarded big man in the Draft.

In his single season at USC, Mobley was named Pac-12 Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
Jennifer Pottheiser via NBAE/Getty Images

In his single season at USC, the soft-spoken seven-footer was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. He led the Conference in rebounding and blocks – swatting 95 shots in 33 games, second-most in the nation. He notched double-figure scoring in every game but two.

”At No. 3, we were elated to draft a young man with (Mobley’s) potential,” said Koby Altman, speaking of the highest pick he’s made as GM. “And I think his impact is going to be immediate. We want to move this thing forward, we want to take a step forward next year. We need to supplement with some good vets as well. But we have some high goals in mind for this young group that’s super-talented. And to be able to add Evan at No. 3, we’re extremely fortunate.”

So far, Mobley has let his game do the talking. And it’s good that it’s so loud, because he is not. When asked how friends and family would characterize him, he said, “I feel like they’d describe me as a mellow, chill guy. I’m not a man of many words, but I’ll talk when I want to.”

J.B. Bickerstaff, who came into the gym on crutches after some offseason surgery, was feeling tip-top otherwise. He’s got a new toy that’s unlike anything he’s had as a Cavaliers coach.

”You’ve got a guy who’s seven feet tall who can handle the ball, who can pass the ball, who can play-make, defend,” said Bickerstaff. “The list of his capabilities goes on and on. And what it does is gives you a ton of versatility as a coach. The teams that win in this league and how they win. You look at teams who win in the paint, typically are winning and successful teams at both ends of the floor.

"(Mobley) takes pride in defending and getting stops and shutting people down, so you mix that all together, and that’s my type of guy."

”So when you throw in a guy like Evan with guys like Isaac and Jarrett and our group, they give you an opportunity to win in the paint, and that translates to success.”

Mobley has the entire toolbox as a young big. But he’s also got guard sensibilities, playing on the ball before a massive growth spurt as well as playing with his older brother, Isaiah (who currently plays for USC), on the way up.

”Me, growing up, I played up a lot,” said Mobley. “So I had to be a guard a lot of the times because I wasn’t always the tallest – I was playing up with my brothers – and also having my dad as a coach, he showed me a lot of guard skills growing up, the fundamentals, a good base. And as I got taller and taller, that just stayed with me. That’s why I’m the player I am today.”

That bonus big man skill is not lost on his new head coach.

”I love the passes that (Mobley) makes,” smiled Bickerstaff. “Most seven-footers, they see the floor, and they see the rim. When I watched him, when he put the ball on the floor, he watched where the defense was first, and how that created open areas for his teammates. That’s just rare for a guy his size and guy his age.

”And he takes pride in defending and getting stops and shutting people down, so you mix that all together, and that’s my type of guy.”

The three guys sitting at the podium on Friday afternoon in Independence looked like they couldn’t wait for the season to start – like they found the missing piece of a puzzle.

Summer League starts one week from Sunday; Training Camp in late September.

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Big Man on Campus

Matthew Gold

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Mobley's Draft Process Through the Lens

Cavs.com

As the dust began to settle on draft night, Justin and Carter reacted to the selection of Evan Mobley by the Cleveland Cavaliers. They review his fit with the core, ways the Cavs can begin to optimize the young core and more!

Please Note: The opinions expressed by The Chase Down podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions of the Cleveland Cavaliers or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, or partners.

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The Chase Down Pod - The Pick is Mobley

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Cavs Snag USC Big Man Evan Mobley at No. 3

by Joe Gabriele (@CavsJoeG)
7/30/21 | Cavs.com

There were some major surprises in the First Round of the 2021 Draft. The Cavaliers’ pick was not one of them.

The Wine &amp; Gold went with the player they’ve been aligned with for weeks – tabbing talented seven-footer from Southern California, Evan Mobley, with the No. 3 overall pick, adding the 20-year-old to a young core ready to take the next step.

The highest Cavaliers draft pick since Andrew Wiggins was selected with the top overall pick back in 2014, Mobley enters the league after a prolific single season with the Trojans. As a freshman, Mobley was named Pac-12 Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. The only other player to have accomplished that feat in a major conference was Anthony Davis in 2012.

After building the backcourt in two consecutive Drafts and taking forward Isaac Okoro with the top pick last year, Cleveland went with the explosive big man who finished last season as the Pac-12’s top rebounder (8.7rpg) and shot-blocker (3.0bpg) while averaging 16.8ppg, sixth-best mark in the conference.

”A lot of people have been comparing me to Chris Bosh, Anthony Davis, Giannis – players like that,” said Mobley after the Cavaliers made the pick. “I definitely see a good amount of similarity with all those players, but I feel like I’m my own player and I have my own tendencies which make me unique.”

Mobley has been described as a “unicorn” – a true seven-footer (with a 7-4 wingspan) who can do it all on the offensive end. The San Diego native can score the ball from all three levels. He can create his own shot – a rarity for most seven-footers. He can shoot over smaller defenders, is far too quick for clunkier big men and has a varied arsenal of shots – from a smooth mid-range jumper to jump-hooks over both shoulders.

He’s not yet a long-range threat – drilling just 12 triples on 40 attempts as a collegian – but he’s shown a nice stroke that will allow him to get better. He shot nearly 58 percent from the floor and 70 percent from the stripe.

In 33 games with USC, Mobley notched double-figure scoring in all but two – turning in 10 games of 20-points plus. He also notched 12 double-doubles – including a pair in the NCAA Tournament, where he led the Trojans to the Elite 8 before falling to Gonzaga.

On the defensive end, Mobley was an absolute nightmare for Pac-12 opponents.

The dominant freshman blocked at least two shots in 24 of his 33 appearances – including four games with four blocks, three games with five (including back-to-back contests in the Pac-12 Tourney) and three games with six.

His 95 total swats were second overall in the NCAA. Cleveland’s leader last year, Jarrett Allen blocked 71 blocks in 51 games.

”From a defensive standpoint, his versatility is really unique for a guy his size,” praised Cavaliers GM Koby Altman. “And then on the offensive side of the ball, (he’s) extremely skilled, can step out and shoot it, can handle it, was a guard coming up and had an incredible growth spurt.”

Mobley grabbed double-digit boards in a dozen games, nine of those contests with at least four off the offensive glass.

The Cavaliers didn’t have another pick going into Thursday night and didn’t jump back in to either round. But they head into Friday morning with a young man they hope will be a cornerstone player for a decade-plus.

”This is a large injection of talent, along with what we’ve already established,” said Altman. “We want him to set his goals really high. We’ve had some unbelievable success in this organization and (know) it’s really hard – and you need great talent to get there. (Mobley) has high hopes and aspirations, and we’re right there with him.”

With Evan Mobley, the Wine &amp; Gold got younger and bigger and better. And the future got a whole lot brighter.

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Center of Attention

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2021 Draft Interview with Koby Altman

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Cavaliers have selected forward/center Evan Mobley from the University of Southern California with the third overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

“Tonight we were able to draft a transformative talent, whose versatility, athleticism and physical gifts are qualities we covet in a player,” said Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman. “Evan Mobley checks each of those boxes. We are committed to establishing a sustainable and winning culture in Cleveland and we couldn’t be more excited about Evan being part of our future. We look forward to welcoming the Mobley family to Northeast Ohio and experiencing what it truly means to be part of the Cleveland Cavaliers community.”

In his lone collegiate season at USC in 2020-21, Mobley (7-0, 215) led the Trojans (25-8) to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time since 2001 and started in all 33 games, averaging 16.4 points on .578 shooting from the field, 8.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.9 blocks in 33.9 minutes. He was named the 2020-21 Pac-12 Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, becoming just the second player from a major conference to win all three awards in a single season (Kentucky’s Anthony Davis, 2011-12). Mobley, who was also selected to the 2020-21 All-America First Team by the NABC and Second Team by AP and USBWA, is the second top-five pick in Trojan history, joining O.J. Mayo (No. 3 in 2008).

One of 10 semifinalists for 2020-21 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Mobley led the Pac-12 in rebounding (8.7), blocks (2.9) and double-doubles (12). His 95 total blocks ranked second in the nation and set a USC freshman record. Additionally, he led all NCAA freshmen in total rebounds (286) and became only the fourth player named Pac-12 Player and Freshman of the Year in the same season (Deandre Ayton, Kevin Love and Shareef Abdur-Rahim). Mobley also joined Gary Payton (1986-87) as the only freshmen selected as Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Prior to his stint at USC, Mobley attended Rancho Christian High School in Temecula, California, where he averaged 20.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.2 blocks and 4.6 assists during his senior season and was named the Morgan Wooten National High School Player of the Year. He was a 2020 McDonald’s All-American, a two-time California Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2020 Naismith Player of the Year finalist. Mobley won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2019 FIBA U-19 World Cup and 2018 FIBA U-17 World Cup.

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Cavaliers Select Evan Mobley with Third Overall Pick in 2021 NBA Draft

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2021 Draft Interview with Evan Mobley

2021 Draft Position Preview: Second Rounders

Breaking Down Some Possible Second Rounders as the Draft Nears

by Joe Gabriele (@CavsJoeG)
		7/27/21 | Cavs.com

As of now, with just a few days remaining before the 2021 NBA Draft, the Wine &amp; Gold have just a single selection. It’s a damn good selection – No. 3 overall – but if nothing changes, that’ll be their only choice.

But as we’ve pointed out repeatedly, crazy things can happen on Draft night, and teams will move all over the board on Thursday night. The Cavaliers could very well jump back into the First or Second Round as the evening progresses.

Cleveland has had plenty of luck over the years in the Second Round – from Mark Price to Hot Rod Williams to Daniel Gibson to Anderson Varejao. And neither Price nor Varejao were originally drafted by the Cavs.

With college basketball completing its 2020-21 season right through Big Dance, some of the following players got some much-needed exposure in the hopes of fulfilling their hoops dreams. And those big dreams don’t have to end there. Nikola Jokic – the 41st overall pick in 2014 – was this season’s MVP. Khris Middleton – selected with the 39th pick in 2012 – just helped guide the Bucks to their first NBA title in 50 years.

The league has been littered with success stories from Second Rounders. And perhaps some of the following prospects – if they’re selected once Mark Tatum begins announcing picks – will one day join them.

Left to Right: Quentin Grimes, JT Thor, Luka Garza, Jericho Sims, Jason Preston
Photo by Andy Lyons via NBAE/Getty Images

LUKA GARZA – 6-11, 265 – Born: December 27, 1998 – (Washington, DC) – College: Iowa – Possibly the most decorated player in college hoops coming into this year’s Draft, Garza was last year’s Sporting News Player of the Year, the first repeat winner since Michael Jordan, was twice named Big Ten Player of the Year and consensus First Team All-American and was named College Player of the Year last season; as a senior, averaged 24.1 points and 8.7 boards per; Iowa’s all-time leading scorer, his uniform No. 55 was retired this past year; had seven games of at least 30 points and a 41-point explosion in the second game of the year against Southern, going 14-of-15 from the floor to go with nine boards; offensively-gifted player who can score from anywhere in the halfcourt, is crafty enough to work around opponents and strong enough to go through them; enters the league at 22 years old; prolific rebounder, uses his massive size – 6-11, 265 – to his advantage on both ends of the floor, despite lacking the burst and mobility of today’s NBA big men; won’t physically dominate at the pro level, but could be an outstanding change-of-pace big off some squad’s bench.

QUENTIN GRIMES – 6-5, 210 – Born: May 8, 2000 – (Woodlands, TX) – College: Houston – One of the catalysts to Houston’s excellent regular season and Tournament run to the Final Four; began his career with Kansas; a big shooting guard – 6-5, 210 with a 6-8 wingspan who’ll make his money at the next level from beyond the arc; was Third Team All-American and AAC’s co-Player of the Year in 2021; one of the Draft’s older prospects, will turn 22 next May; solid but not spectacular defender; very dangerous in transition; shot over 40 percent from long-range as a junior, took 8.3 attempts per game; a true shooting guard, doesn’t have the handle to play lead guard at the next level; had 13 games of at least 20 points last season, including a 33-point outburst against Western Kentucky, drilling eight triples in the process; Houston was 29-1 last year in games in which he hit multiple three-pointers; outstanding shooting mechanics; half-brother is a defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks; could be a solid 3-and-D guy off the bench at the pro level.

JASON PRESTON – 6-4, 185 – Born: August 10, 1998 – (Orlando, FL) – College: Ohio – One of the coolest stories in this year’s Draft, Preston averaged two points per game in two years of high school ball, applied to Central Florida as a regular student and, after a growth spurt, posted his highlights on Twitter and received multiple scholarship offers, including the one to Ohio U; led the MAC and was second in the nation in assists last year; led the Bobcats to the NCAA Tournament after being named MVP of the MAC Tourney; went off for 31pts, 8asst, 6reb and 0 turnovers against 8th-ranked Illinois, finished with 11pts, 13reb and 8asst in OU’s shocking upset of Virginia in this year’s Big Dance; confidence from beyond the arc grew in three years at OU; a fluid athlete with better explosion than expected, posting a 38” vertical at the combine; older prospect, will be 22 in August; instinctive player with tremendous basketball IQ, solid decision-maker; can make any pass in the halfcourt or transition; excellent rebounder despite thin frame; would be a solid addition to any team’s second unit.

JERICHO SIMS – 6-10, 250 – Born: October 20, 1998 – (Minneapolis, MN) – College: Texas – Along with Kai Jones at Texas, formed one of the most imposing front lines in college hoops; physically imposing frame – a powerful 6-10, 250 with an incredible 7-3 wingspan; match that frame with his insane athleticism – he turned in a 44.5” max vert at the NBA Combine, second-highest in the event’s history; two brothers played D-I hoops and brother played football for Minnesota; played in 119 games in four-year career in Austin; shot nearly 70 percent (69.6) for his career at Texas; will turn 23 this October; great upper body strength – efficient on the boards and in the post; has the athleticism to switch effectively on the perimeter;  tough, solid rim-protector; started and finished senior season strong: doubled-up in four of his first five games this year and finished with a career-high 21 points and season-best 14 boards against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tourney’s title game; shot just 52 percent from the stripe at Texas, didn’t crack 60 percent in any season; not a prolific scorer, but knows his role as a banger on both ends.

JT THOR – 6-10, 205 – Born: August 26, 2002 – (Omaha, NE) – College: Auburn – Intriguing lefty from with Auburn, started all 27 games for the Tigers and notched double-figure scoring in 10 of his last 15 appearances; excellent length with over a 7-2 wingspan and 9-2 standing reach; high IQ player with tremendous motor; wowed scouts at pre-Draft Camp in Chicago; excels in the open floor; has the creativity of a guard; can struggle against pressure; offensively, his outside shot needs work – shot under 30 percent from deep – but has the natural stroke to improve; not a strong ballhandler and can be turnover prone; son of Sudanese immigrants, Thor grew up in Anchorage, AK before moving to West Virginia at 14; strong help defender; outstanding shot-blocker – rejected at least one attempt in 17 of his last 22 games and had 12 outings with at least with two swats; still a work in progress, Thor has all the measurables that scouts love, but will need to turn it into consistent production at the pro level.

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