With the 2021 NCAA Tournament bracket official and all games taking place in Indiana, the Indiana Pacers will have plenty of opportunities to scout some potential prospects. This year’s tournament will be unique but it still features a lot of NBA talent across the board.
Plenty of future NBA stars will be in Indiana over the next few weeks and some of the top prospects in the 2021 class will headline the tournament. But which prospect should stand out for the Pacers?
Illinois Guard Ayo Dosunmu would be a perfect fit for the Indiana Pacers.
The Illinois Fighting Illini have been one of the best teams in college basketball this season and have earned a No. 1 seed in the tournament. A big part of that success comes from Ayo Dosunmu and his ability to thrive in the pick and roll.
His third season at Illinois has seen him explode across the box score and up the draft rankings. He entered the season as an undrafted prospect and has quickly entered the mid-first round discussion with a chance to get into the lottery.
Ayo has put up incredible numbers all season for Illinois, upping his averages in every major category. He’s posted 20.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while boasting .496/.384/.783 splits. The only drop in his shooting numbers is a small dip from .544 to .522 on two-point attempts.
Ayo Dosunmu (19 PTS, 7-10 FG) came up clutch vs. No. 7 OSU 🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 6, 2021
Young star in the making @brhoops pic.twitter.com/PfasC3rxd0
He rebounds exceptionally well for a guard and is a great creator on the offensive end. His play in 2020-21 was enough to earn himself a spot on the First-Team All-American team. Ayo has shown up in the biggest moments for his squad all season long and was a major factor in their Big Ten Championship victory over Ohio State on Sunday.
Dosunmu is not only one of the most complete players in college basketball, but he is also one of the best closers you will find. He makes plays in the biggest moments and has helped turned Illinois into a powerhouse in college hoops this season.
Ayo’s excellence in the pick and roll would be a wonderful addition to Indiana’s offense. Using Ayo and Domantas Sabonis in that capacity while allowing Caris LeVert to work on his own would open things up drastically for a sluggish offense.
I’m not saying Ayo Dosunmu is the perfect player or even a true option for the Pacers as things stand but I would pound the table for him if he were available when the Pacers are on the clock.