While it shouldn’t be a surprise to many, Adelaide 36ers dynamic young point guard Josh Giddey will officially declare for the NBA draft today.
The news was made public by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski after discussions with Giddey’s agents Daniel Moldovan and Alex Saratsis of Octagon Sports told ESPN on Tuesday.
ESPN Story: Josh Giddey – a playmaking 6-foot-8 Australian guard – is entering the 2021 NBA Draft. Giddey is the No. 13 player in the ESPN Top 100 and could climb in the draft lottery. https://t.co/w1Vvg5xVbt
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 27, 2021
Giddey signed with Adelaide in March of 2020, turning down offers from various NCAA Division 1 program, including Arizona.
The 18-year old has played 23 games for the Adelaide 36ers in his debut NBL season, averaging 11 points, 7 rebounds per game to complement an NBL-best average of 7.43 assists. He also becomes the youngest Australian player in NBL history to record a ‘triple double’, after producing a 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists game against the New Zealand Breakers on Monday.
NBA scouts from the Toronto Raptors, who have the 8th pick in the draft, travelled to Australia this week to watch Giddey play and witnessed the triple-double effort.
The 6’8 (203 cm) playmaker, who is now favourite to win this seasons NBL Rookie of the Year award, will speak to the media at 10:30 am today but has made a public statement via his social media already.
Official.https://t.co/9UBP3AuS7a pic.twitter.com/iVejhv1ZWQ
— josh giddey (@joshgiddey) April 27, 2021
Sixers Chairman Grant Kelley was delighted by the strong play from the rookie so far and excited to have been a part of the young tyro’s journey to reach the NBA.
“I first met Josh just over a year ago and was extraordinarily impressed with his humility, presence, and maturity. This season, Josh has also shown he is a consummate team player, with resilience and toughness, in challenging circumstances. We wish him all the best in the upcoming NBA Draft, and know he will be an asset, both on and off the court, wherever he plays.” said Kelly.
Giddey is currently the No. 13 prospect in ESPN’s Draft Predictions but has remained largely scouted by NBA teams. It’s thought that after workouts for NBA teams Giddey could be drafted as high as the sixth pick in the draft. This would see the NBL Rookie Of The Year being a lottery draft pick for two seasons in a row, with Illawarra’s LaMelo Ball winning the award and being drafted with the third pick by Charlotte last year.
“I know that playing in the NBL has more than prepared me for the next level, so I’m ready to take that jump and enter the 2021 NBA Draft,” Giddey told ESPN in a statement. “The 36ers have done a great job developing me, and have put a lot of work into my game over the entire time I’ve been here. My teammates and the coaching staff here in Adelaide have helped my game reach a new level, and that’s only given me more confidence that this is the right decision for me.”
Giddey also etched his name into the NBL record books during the game against New Zealand, notching up the most assists by a local player in their first NBL season with 171 so far.
After tonight’s game, Josh Giddey has recorded the most assists by a local player (non-import) in their first NBL season with 171 dimes so far.#NBL21 @joshgiddey pic.twitter.com/8jG56NDmD3
— The NBL (@NBL) April 26, 2021
Most assists in a debut NBL season
171 – Josh Giddey, Adelaide 36ers 2021
169 – Mark Wright, Coburg Giants 1984
168 – Mark Dickel, Victoria Titans 2001
149 – Aaron Bruce, Adelaide 36ers 2009
132 – Paul Henare, NZ Breakers 2004
127 – Justin Cass, Hobart Devils 1990