WVU’s Deuce McBride Impressing at NBA Draft Combine

While not in the same national spotlight like Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham or Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs, West Virginia point guard Miles “Deuce” McBride is widely considered as a solid NBA Draft prospect. Even more so given his performance during the NBA Draft Combine this week.

West Virginia's Deuce McBride was absolutely on fire to start the shooting drills at the NBA Combine. Really popped physically and defensively, recently moving into the late first round of the ESPN mock draft. pic.twitter.com/ahIi9YThaG

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 23, 2021

When McBride, a Cincinnati native, first put his name into the NBA Draft process in early April, he was being projected as an early- to mid-second-round selection. With the show he is putting on at the combine, however, he has shot into the first round of Jonathan Givony’s latest mock draft for ESPN. Givony has McBride going with the final pick in the first round, 30th-overall to the Utah Jazz.

Givony called McBride a “tough-minded, multipurpose defender with good shooting indicators and plenty of upside to grow long term”.

While at the combine, McBride talked to college basketball analyst Andy Katz, answering questions about WVU coach Bob Huggins and what will be McBride’s determining factor for turning pro.

McBride said his decision to return to WVU or join the professional ranks will hinge on the feedback he gets from NBA teams in the coming weeks.

“Just continuing to get feedback from NBA teams as well as talking to my family and coaches about the most information I can gather and making a great decision,” McBride told Katz.

Deuce McBride of @WVUhoops on @CoachHuggs and @NBADraft: pic.twitter.com/zxe4t5NMXA

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) June 23, 2021

McBride led the Mountaineers in scoring this season, averaging 15.9 points in 29 games. He shot 43.1% from the floor and 41.4% from 3-point range while also averaging 3.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He was named a Second Team All-Big 12 selection, an honorable mention All-American and to two All-District teams following the season.

McBride was one of four Mountaineers to enter their names into the draft process this offseason, along with forward Derek Culver and guards Taz Sherman and Sean McNeil. Culver decided to sign with an agent and turn pro, Sherman announced last week that he will return to WVU and McNeil, like McBride, has yet to announce a decision.