Three Wildcats included in ESPN's first 2021 NBA Mock Draft

Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics

Is Kentucky set to end its streak of zero top-three draft picks since 2015? ESPN believes the Wildcats are due.

In the outlet’s very first 2021 NBA Mock Draft, ESPN listed three UK players in the first round, headlined by Brandon Boston Jr. at No. 3 overall.

Boston is projected to be selected third by the Detroit Pistons, followed by five-star guard Terrence Clarke coming in at No. 15 overall to the Indiana Pacers and five-star forward Isaiah Jackson at No. 25 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Boston, Clarke and Jackson are the only three Wildcats included in the initial mock draft, meaning Keion Brooks Jr., Devin Askew, Lance Ware, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Dontaie Allen and Jacob Toppin are all projected to either return to Kentucky or – as we’ve seen more often in recent years – go undrafted or transfer out of the program at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.

This would also mean both Olivier Sarr and Davion Mintz go undrafted, though both players could decide to return to Lexington for an additional season the NCAA granting a free year of eligibility for the 2020-21 season.

The rest of the mock draft features several familiar names, including former Kentucky targets and/or players at rival programs: