Quality NBA talent can be found at any pick throughout the two-round draft.
There is a higher chance of finding a future star in the lottery, but stars are not exclusively found early on.
Just ask Tony Parker or Nikola Jokic, selected 28th and 41st overall in their respective drafts.
Finding a star in the second round is quite hard to do.
However, there are typically plenty of quality supporting players to be had.
The depth of a class varies year to year but the 2021 NBA Draft has some intriguing talent already shining through.
Two prominent second-round picks who have shown flashes early this year will be discussed in depth later.
But a few players deserved an honorable mention.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is learning each game and appears to be blossoming into a two-way wing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Dalano Banton has provided high-energy play off the bench for the Toronto Raptors.
And Charles Bassey appears to be the answer at backup center for the Philadelphia 76ers.
All three players appear primed to develop into supporting pieces on winning basketball teams in the future.
But the following two players stand out just a bit more.
2. Ayo Dosunmu
Ayo Dosunmu is the sole draft choice from the Chicago Bulls’ 2021 draft.
The Illinois product was selected 38th overall after winning the National Player of the Year Award by USA Today.
Billy Donovan informed Ayo Dosunmu about 1 hour before tip-off that he would make his first NBA start and "play a lot."
"I need you to be who you are," Donovan told Dosunmu.
"He was unfazed," Donovan adds.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) December 7, 2021
Dosunmu does not have the gaudiest numbers but has carved out a decent role on the 16-8 Bulls.
Second-round picks rarely get significant minutes on playoff teams, which is why it is noteworthy Dosunmu averages 16.1 minutes per game this year.
He scores 5.8 points per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 41 percent from three.
Coach Billy Donovan said of Dosunmu:
“I think his decision-making as we’ve gone forward [is getting] better. There are times he’s a very aggressive driver to the basket. But he also has to recognize who’s at the basket.”
The game is starting to slow down for the rookie on not only offense but on defense, too.
His tenacity, aggression, and physicality allow him to play solid perimeter defense.
Ayo is earning significant minutes on a playoff-caliber team just 23 games into his career.
1. Herbert Jones
The potential steal of the second round is Herbert Jones.
Selected 35th overall out of Alabama, Jones is already an impactful two-way wing for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Watch Herb Jones 🔒 pic.twitter.com/PB68rhRnQg
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 3, 2021
He was inserted into the starting lineup for the second time starting November 24 and has remained a starter the past seven games.
Over those seven games, the Pelicans have gone 4-3 with Jones averaging 7.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game across nearly 30 minutes.
Not outstanding but also noticeable considering the Pelicans are 7-19 on the season.
Jones does not have the bold numbers but clearly impacts winning.
Of the seven five-man lineups that have greater than 30 minutes for New Orleans, two of them have a positive net rating.
Jones is on both.
He is stronger than his 6-foot-8, 210-pound frame would imply, allowing him to defend across multiple positions.
Jones’ energy, activity, and versatility on the defensive end all point to loads of potential moving forward.
Herbert has also been working with Pelicans’ assistant Fred Vinson.
Vinson has been credited with helping turn Lonzo Ball into a dangerous perimeter shooter.
Jones has a long way to go but clearly can blossom into a future potential star.
Just the potential to become an NBA star is all you can hope for your second-round picks.
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