ASU’s Josh Christopher improves draft stock at NBA draft combine

As the NBA gears up for the 2021 NBA Draft, teams throughout the league got a glimpse at some of the NBA prospects ahead of this year’s draft.

During a 10-day period in Chicago, NBA teams and reporters got a chance to see competitive scrimmages between the upcoming draft picks, interviewed NBA prospects and had a chance to athletically test the players as part of the G League Elite Camp and 2021 NBA draft combine workouts.

Arizona State’s Josh Christopher, who is a projected borderline first-round pick in some NBA mock drafts, had the opportunity to boost his draft stock and show NBA teams what he has to offer during the combine workouts.

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz were present at this year’s NBA draft combine and were impressed with what they saw from the ASU standout.

After an up-and-down freshman season at Arizona State, Christopher elected not to dodge the competition and took part in the 5-on-5 scrimmages, posting a solid 28 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals in 49 minutes. Still only 19, Christopher showed obvious scoring talent. He attacked the rim with a head of steam, showing impressive strength, fluidity and explosiveness in the open court and in one-on-one situations. – Jonathan Givony

Givony added that Christopher needs to improve on his shot selection, decision-making and jump shot ability. However, Givony believes that the 6-foot-5 guard can improve on those facets of his game the more he matures as a player in the league.

The ESPN writer also wrote that Christopher worked himself back into the first-round conversation, where he initially started at the beginning of the college basketball season.

Thought Josh Christopher crushed his Pro Day today. Shot it way better than expected, both off the dribble and with his feet set, showed his power and explosiveness, and went really hard all the way through. Good look for him. pic.twitter.com/4efgJAa4tq

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 27, 2021

In his one season with the Sun Devils, Christopher averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 15 games for Arizona State during the 2020-21 season.

Christopher scored over 20 points in three games this past season for Arizona State.

The former ASU guard put up a career high 28 points and dished four assists on November 26 against the Villanova Wildcats.

Christopher also put up a double-double on January 7 vs. the UCLA Bruins. In that game, the 6-foot-5 guard scored 22 points and collected 11 rebounds.

The 2021 NBA Draft will be on Thursday, July 29, at 5 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN and ABC.