Texas Basketball: Jericho Sims seeing his draft stock rise quickly
It seemed like it was bound to happen at some point, but the former Texas basketball standout senior center Jericho Sims is finally starting to see his 2021 NBA Draft stock rise in the month of June. The writing was on the wall that Sims could very effectively fill the role of a traditional big man that excels in the paint on both ends of the floor in the NBA. But it took a while for that level of recognition to take hold at the next level.
And while Sims might not even be picked until the late second round of the 2021 draft, it is notable the rising he is seeing in his stock at the moment. Sims stood out at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine this week, putting him in a position to get more attention from scouts around the league’s landscape.
It looked as if Sims did everything he needed to make the right impression on NBA scouts at the combine thus far. He showed a lot of that explosiveness, defensive switchability, rebounding ability, and overall gifted athleticism that he made note of for Longhorns fans for the past four years.
Boxscore from game three of the NBA Combine. Wieskamp the leading scorer. Jericho Sims was excellent. Big outing from South Carolina's AJ Lawson with 17 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, showing his athleticism, shot-making and versatility. pic.twitter.com/ukLyfEltTK
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 25, 2021
Sims especially made an impact in a number of media and fan circles thanks to his showing at the scrimmages at the combine in Chicago this week. That aforementioned explosiveness and switchability in the frontcourt on both ends of the floor was definitely put on full display in the scrimmages.
Former Texas basketball C Jericho Sims shining at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine
Texas' Jericho Sims put on an absolute show for NBA teams at the NBA Combine today, dunking everything in sight. No question he helped himself with how aggressive he came out and the explosiveness and power he displayed. pic.twitter.com/quJziprxh6
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 23, 2021
What this showing at the combine, and the subsequent rise in draft stock, will do for Sims in all likelihood is better his chances to make a 15-man roster heading into next season. Prior to the start of the combine, it looked like there was a good chance that Sims could be put in a position to return to the Forty Acres for one more year.
But the chances of that happening are seeming pretty small at this point.
Texas men’s hoops is looking like it will wind up sending a very potent class of big men to the next level this summer. This includes a talented trio of freshman power forward Greg Brown, sophomore power forward Kai Jones, and the senior Sims.
Sims is also looking to get his first major workout with a big market team setup through this draft scouting process. He will work out for the Chicago Bulls in the middle of next week, which is a big step for him this summer.
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Of the trio of big men that the Longhorns have going in this draft class, the most likely to get picked up in the lottery is Jones. It seems like Brown is likely going to be picked in the late first, or early second round. And then Sims could be going as high as the mid-second round.