Where Kentucky players stand in ESPN’s updated mock draft

Ever since the 2020-21 roster was assembled, the general belief was that Brandon Boston Jr. would be the Kentucky Wildcats’ top draft prospect since many had him as a top-five pick.

And if not him, Terrence Clarke was also being projected as a lottery pick.

However, they are no longer favored to be Kentucky’s first player drafted in 2021, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz in their new 2021 mock NBA Draft.

Isaiah Jackson is now the top draft prospect, as he is now projected right outside the lottery at No. 15, up from No. 25 in the first mock draft.

In what has been a rough season for the Cats, Jackson has been one of the bright spots as he is averaging 2.9 blocks per game which is 10^th in the nation.

He also has a 15.3% block percentage, which is better than Anthony Davis (13.8%), Nerlens Noel (13.2%), and Willie Cauley-Stein (12.3%).

The biggest knock-on Jackson is the foul trouble he consistently finds himself in. He is averaging 5.2 fouls per 40 minutes, which is significantly higher than Davis (2.4) and Noel (3.2) during their time at Kentucky.

As for other Cats that showed up on the draft board, Boston is now projected to go No. 26 overall after being projected 3^rd in the preseason.

Terrence Clarke was projected 15^th in the preseason and has now dropped all the way to No. 44.

No other Cats are on the mock draft, but former Kentucky recruit Cade Cunningham is now ESPN’s projected No. 1 overall pick.

You can check out the entire updated mock draft from ESPN here.