Charles Bassey enters NBA Draft

When the 2021 NBA Draft rolls around, the the highest-drafted Bluegrass product may not come from the University of Kentucky.

Instead, that honor may end up going to Western Kentucky star Charles Bassey (6-11, 235lbs), who will be leaving Bowling Green after three seasons on the Hill to enter the draft, according to ESPN.

“I’m declaring for the draft and hiring an agent. I’m completely going into this one for sure,” Bassey told ESPN.

On the season, Bassey averaged 17.6 points on a solid 59% shooting from the field. He also added 11.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.

As of now, ESPN ranks Bassey 25th overall in this year’s draft. Kentucky’s Isaiah Jackson is ranked 11th by that same service.

According to NBAdraft.net they have Bassey going 29th overall to the Philadelphia 76ers and ranked 22nd overall. They have Jackson going 32nd to the New York Knicks and ranked 38th overall.

Bassey is coming off a spectacular season for the Hilltoppers, where a lot of national media saw him as one of the best big men in the country. Showing a post game that offers some promise, he really strives in transition where he is able to utilize his length and athleticism to beat his man down the court and go and get his. He is strong enough to finish through contact and showed a decent touch from three this season, as he shot 30.5% on 59 attempts.

Defensively, Bassey is a shot-blocking machine. He shows great timing as a shot blocker, and has grown as a defender when it comes to switching off on different positions.

The former five-star recruit is a former top-10 player in the class of 2018. He ultimately chose WKU over offers from Baylor, Kansas, LSU, UCLA, Texas A&M, and a few others.

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