Nugg Love
Fansided

Was Bones Hyland the biggest steal of the 2021 NBA Draft?

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

DENVER, CO - MARCH 22: Bones Hyland #3 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a three-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers at Ball Arena on March 22, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 22: Bones Hyland #3 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a three-point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers at Ball Arena on March 22, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
RICHMOND, VA – MARCH 06: NahShon Hyland #5 of the VCU Rams shoots as he draws a foul from Carter Collins #24 of the Davidson Wildcats in the first half during the semifinal game of the Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament at Siegel Center on March 6, 2021 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – MARCH 06: NahShon Hyland #5 of the VCU Rams shoots as he draws a foul from Carter Collins #24 of the Davidson Wildcats in the first half during the semifinal game of the Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament at Siegel Center on March 6, 2021 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

The easiest way to define an NBA prospect as a “steal” is if they exceeded their value based on draft position and pre-season expectations. Taking this into account, it’s hard to deny that any player exceeded expectations more than Bones Hyland.

The Denver Nuggets drafted Hyland 26th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, which is just about where many expected him to land. Becoming the first VCU player to get drafted to the league in over 11 years.

At VCU, Hyland capped off his sophomore year averaging 19.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals per game. Shooting 45 percent from the field, 37 percent from three and 86 percent from the line. Proving to be one of the most explosive scorers in the nation, with the ability to scorch defenses in a variety of ways.

Despite winning the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year award and earning a spot on the First-Team All-Atlantic 10 in 2021. He was still regarded as a raw prospect with room to grow. Hence why he was projected to go towards the end of the first round (and did).

Even with the loss of Murray, nobody thought the VCU product was capable of cracking into the rotation. With NBA scouts pegging Hyland as nothing more than a development piece that was undersized, and inefficient.

Boy were they dead wrong…

Home/Nuggets News