The CP3 Elite Level Guard Camp and Jason Tatum Elite Forwards Camp joined forces this 12 months with every group engaged on talent improvement within the mornings (90 minutes CP3 after which 90 Minutes JT) after which had casual scrimmage runs with each camps mixed for a pair hours within the afternoon from 2-4. Whereas it was a little bit of a 3 ring circus and tough to catch all the pieces without delay, I selected to deal with the school gamers, however caught sufficient of the highschool prospects to offer some evaluation of their efficiency. Houston Rockets advisor John Lucas, fondly often called “Luc”, had a touching tribute to Invoice Walton courtroom facet in entrance of a small handful of scouts, saying merely, “He actually was the perfect”.
Prime NCAA Prospects
Cameron Carr 6’6 SG/PG Tennessee So.
Carr (pictured) was a participant we zeroed in on in highschool, as he not solely confirmed taking pictures skill however very strong upside as an athlete. He struggled for PT as a freshman at Tennessee taking part in behind SEC participant of the 12 months Dalton Knecht, however made essentially the most of his alternative in Vegas to impress NBA scouts. Based mostly on his athleticism, size and talent set, it’s not exterior the realm of chance that Carr might have a breakout sophomore season and find yourself a lottery choose. NBA scouts readily available agreed with this evaluation. He made some completely jaw dropping, athletic performs, together with dunks on the rim, in addition to turning on the afterburners within the open flooring to get by opponents. He’s bought a really clean pull up sport, and creates effectively off the dribble. NBA All Star expertise if his taking pictures turns into constant (it was not in Vegas), and contemplating his highschool play, and taking pictures type, there’s an actual likelihood it occurs this 12 months. As Purple (Morgan Freeman) stated in Shawshank Redemption, “Some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are simply too brilliant.”
Drake Powell 6’8 SF North Carolina Fr.
Powell had essentially the most spectacular camp from an NBA draft perspective. In highschool, he constructed a popularity as an an elite athlete and defender that had bother scoring. On Day One he put these notions to relaxation, not less than for that day as he took over the fitness center with a scoring flurry of 4-5 baskets, a variety of which got here from exterior the three level arch and likewise created off the dribble, isolating towards professionals. Chris Paul at one level determined to play him bodily and push him away from from beneath the basket, and Powell casually dribbled, allowed Paul to push (and foul him) spun and hit a free throw vary shot on CP3, which drew extra ohhhs from the group. He was clearly within the zone, and even fouling him wasn’t slowing him down. Powell nonetheless should show that he could be a constant scorer and overcome the truth that UNC has not had a ton of one-and-done success, however the makings are absolutely there for Powell to grow to be a high 3-5 choose after one season in Chapel Hill. The battles between North Carolina and Duke must be epic subsequent season, as each groups determine to be contenders with loaded rosters and revive the rivalry to it’s previous glory.
Isaiah Evans 6’6 Duke Fr.
Oozing upside, however nonetheless extra prospect than participant in the mean time, Evans has a really skinny body so he’ll must proceed to work arduous so as to add core power all through the summer season. He’s bought a physique kind and elegance that’s harking back to former Duke participant Brandon Ingram. He nonetheless struggles with contact and does most of his harm in catch and shoot, however the potential is there for him to grow to be an iso participant and rating within the mid-range and across the basket as his physique matures. The 7’foot wingspan and outdoors taking pictures stroke actually put his upside within the elite class. He has the bounce to rise up and end on the break, however actually wants a transparent pathway as any obstacles make it tough for him, with out a lot power at this level. He had moments and confirmed a aggressive hearth, however his lack of power continues to restrict his effectiveness.
Dailyn Swain 6-8 SF/PF Xavier
Swain was one other actual standout prospect on the occasion. He’s a participant that would find yourself having a breakout sophomore season at Xavier. He was very spectacular with a physique of a NBA 4 and the mobility and pace of a wing. Swain exhibits very strong taking pictures contact with growing vary and a few skill to create. The footwork and talent to get out and run within the open flooring is excessive degree. He’s an NBA athlete who simply wants to achieve confidence and expertise. Lottery is inside his sights as early as 2025.
AJ Storr 6’7 SF Kansas Sr.
Storr seemed somewhat torpid and lacked pop in Las Vegas. He’s becoming a member of a robust Kansas squad and must be anticipated to have an enormous position for them. He can shoot somewhat and is an efficient athlete, however doesn’t actually have a standout talent to hold his hat on at this level. With an opportunity to impress scouts in Vegas, he got here out somewhat flat and appears extra like a mid to late second rounder at this level.
Jarin Stevenson 6’10 C/PF Alabama So.
Stevenson has good size and a strong base. He exhibits some flashes at occasions with strong footwork and the power to make some performs across the basket and the midrange. His depth and vitality degree is inconsistent and he appears content material to simply be a superb participant. He’ll have a shot to be drafted over the subsequent few years, as he’s bought good size and a few intrigue, however he didn’t do sufficient to make scouts take discover.
Kon Knueppel 6’6 SF Duke Fr.
On day 2, Kon took over the fitness center for a short while with a variety of spectacular scores and bought a excessive 5 from former Dukie Paulo Banchero, (who completely destroyed everybody). A real throwback, Knueppel is likely one of the most entertaining gamers to look at as he maximizes his talents at a tremendous degree. He’s type of what Larry Chook or Nikola Jokic would appear like in the event that they have been solely 6’6 and even much less athletic. He’s bought all of the methods within the ebook, just like the rec league man that has performed each day for 30 years, he is aware of passing angles, will get photographs off utilizing pump fakes, and has a fully masterful really feel for the sport. He passes teammates open for straightforward layups. With all that being stated, it’s tough to challenge him as a primary rounder till he exhibits that he could be not less than respectable defensively and turns into a prolific shooter. Neither of these issues are off the desk subsequent 12 months and he might simply impression video games to the identical degree or greater than Kyle Filipowski did this season. If Duke wins all of it this 12 months, Kon will possible be cause quantity 2. He tasks as a second rounder proper now, however a really intriguing participant to trace.
Rylan Griffen 6’5 SG Kansas Jr.
The Kansas switch confirmed that he’s an excellent shooter when left open. He’s bought fairly good measurement as a SG and performs with focus and vitality. The place his sport appears to be missing is in creating scoring alternatives. He’ll must grow to be more adept in ISO and pull up spots. He’s not the longest wing, however has an opportunity to play himself into being a late first rounder with an enormous season in Lawrence.
Prime Excessive College Prospects
Brady Koehler 6’8 Indianapolis 2025
Koehler had a formidable camp. He’s not a high 50 recruit in the mean time, however primarily based on his efficiency in Las Vegas, he most likely must be. He’s bought a centered and mature demeanor, has a really good trying lefty stroke and exhibits some strong craftiness at establishing photographs when guarded, even towards greater degree competitors. He must get stronger and doesn’t blow you away with run bounce athleticism, however can rise up for ally oops and put backs and confirmed some strong leaping skill at occasions.
Darius Adams 6’5 SG/PG New Jersey 2025
Adams is a really artful combo guard who has good measurement and a strong really feel for the sport. He exhibits quite a lot of scoring acumen with the power to isolate and arrange photographs off the dribble. His passing and ball dealing with are level guard degree, though he was with the wings on the JT Elite camp. Adams doesn’t blow you away with athleticism or pace, however is a excessive degree prospect nonetheless together with his talent set and competitiveness.
Tajh Ariza 6’8 SF/PF Westchester, CA 2025
Ariza has an amazing basketball physique and is extraordinarily fluid and athletic. When he’s on, he seems to be like a future NBA man. His talent set nonetheless has an extended methods to go, and he doesn’t all the time appear to play with a excessive motor. He’s nonetheless younger, so there’s time to develop, however he doesn’t appear to have progressed a ton prior to now 12 months. We’ll see if his taking pictures and ball expertise enhance in his ultimate 12 months of highschool.
Caleb Wilson 6’10 PF/C Atlanta, GA 2025
Wilson is an absolute specimen and likewise has some very intriguing expertise, with the power to knock down exterior photographs and end across the rim. He’s within the Jermaine O’neal mould, not less than bodily and talent smart, he’ll simply must develop extra of a constant motor to grow to be one thing particular and potential standout on the highest degree.
Sadiq White 6’8 SF/PF Charlotte, NC 2025
White was persistently making spotlight, above the rim finishes, proving to be some of the explosive gamers within the fitness center. He’s nonetheless considerably uncooked, however exhibits some potential together with his taking pictures. If he can additional develop as a wing, he exhibits quite a lot of upside.
Alex Constanza 6’9 SF/PF Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2026
Constanza was one of many extra spectacular highschool children on the occasion. He’s bought energy ahead measurement, listed at 6’8 he seemed an inch or two taller. He has a physique that permits him to play bodily but in addition exhibits the pace and agility to play some on the wing. Most spectacular is his exterior taking pictures stroke and contact. A category behind many of the excessive schoolers in attendance, and nonetheless some of the spectacular.
Jalen Montonati 6’7 SF Owasso, OK 2026
Montonati is likely one of the high shooters on the highschool degree. He’s bought vary effectively previous the three level line and is a participant that can’t be left open. He’s tall and has good size trying greater than 6’7. What he’s missing is nice foot pace and athleticism. He might battle to create photographs for himself, however in catch and shoot conditions he could be lethal.
Nate Ament 6’9 PF Warrenton, VA 2025
Ament exhibits quite a lot of upside as he’s bought fluidity and athleticism and the dimensions to play within the put up but in addition the pace to cowl floor on the perimeter. His taking pictures and scoring skill has quite a lot of promise. He nonetheless wants so as to add quite a lot of power to his body over the subsequent two seasons, however in any other case, there’s rather a lot to love about his NBA upside, a possible one and achieved lottery man.
Shelton Henderson 6’6 SG/SF Houston, TX 2025
Henderson is an explosive wing with some clear taking pictures skill. Sadly the highschool children performed within the different fitness center through the scrimmage periods so it was robust to see a lot of him. However clearly an attention-grabbing senior wing to trace for the subsequent ranges.
