The CP3 Elite Level Guard Camp and Jayson Tatum Elite Forwards Camp joined forces this yr with every group engaged on ability 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 the whole lot 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 referred to as “Luc”, had a touching tribute to Invoice Walton court docket facet in entrance of a small handful of scouts, saying merely, “He actually was one of the best”.
Prime NCAA Prospects
Cameron Carr 6’5 SG/PG Tennessee So.
Carr (pictured) was a participant we zeroed in on in highschool, as he not solely confirmed taking pictures capability however very strong upside as an athlete. He struggled for PT as a freshman at Tennessee enjoying behind SEC participant of the yr Dalton Knecht, however made essentially the most of his alternative in Vegas to impress NBA scouts. Primarily based on his athleticism, size and ability set, it’s not outdoors the realm of chance that Carr might have a breakout sophomore season and find yourself a lottery decide. NBA scouts 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 received a really clean pull up recreation, and creates properly 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 yr. As Purple (Morgan Freeman) stated in Shawshank Redemption, “Some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are simply too vibrant.”
Drake Powell 6’6 SF North Carolina Fr.
Powell had essentially the most spectacular camp from an NBA draft perspective. In highschool, he constructed a fame as an an elite athlete and defender that had hassle scoring. On Day One he put these notions to relaxation, at the very least for that day as he took over the gymnasium with a scoring flurry of 4-5 baskets, plenty of which got here from outdoors the three level arch and likewise created off the dribble, isolating in opposition to 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 is usually 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 prime 3-5 decide 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 energy all through the summer time. He’s received a physique sort 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 out of doors taking pictures stroke actually put his upside within the elite class. He has the bounce to stand up and end on the break, however actually wants a transparent pathway as any obstacles make it tough for him, with out a lot energy at this level. He had moments and confirmed a aggressive hearth, however his lack of energy 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 might 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 reveals very strong taking pictures contact with growing vary and a few capability to create. The footwork and skill to get out and run within the open flooring is excessive stage. 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 appeared slightly torpid and lacked pop in Las Vegas. He’s becoming a member of a robust Kansas squad and must be anticipated to have a giant position for them. He can shoot slightly and is an efficient athlete, however doesn’t actually have a standout ability to hold his hat on at this level. With an opportunity to impress scouts in Vegas, he got here out slightly 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 reveals some flashes at instances with strong footwork and the flexibility to make some performs across the basket and the midrange. His depth and vitality stage is inconsistent and he appears content material to only be an excellent participant. He’ll have a shot to be drafted over the following few years, as he’s received 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 gymnasium for a short while with plenty of spectacular scores and received a excessive 5 from former Dukie Paulo Banchero, (who completely destroyed everybody). A real throwback, Knueppel is among the most entertaining gamers to observe as he maximizes his skills at an incredible stage. He’s kind of what Larry Chicken or Nikola Jokic would appear like in the event that they had been solely 6’6 and even much less athletic. He’s received all of the methods within the e-book, just like the rec league man that has performed every single 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 simple layups. With all that being stated, it’s tough to venture him as a primary rounder till he reveals that he will be at the very least respectable defensively and turns into a prolific shooter. Neither of these issues are off the desk subsequent yr and he might simply affect video games to the identical stage or greater than Kyle Filipowski did this season. If Duke wins all of it this yr, Kon will doubtless be motive 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 received fairly good dimension as a SG and performs with focus and vitality. The place his recreation 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 a giant season in Lawrence.
Prime Excessive Faculty Prospects
Brady Koehler 6’8 Indianapolis 2025
Koehler had a formidable camp. He’s not a prime 50 recruit in the mean time, however primarily based on his efficiency in Las Vegas, he in all probability must be. He’s received a centered and mature demeanor, has a really good wanting lefty stroke and reveals some strong craftiness at establishing photographs when guarded, even in opposition to increased stage competitors. He must get stronger and doesn’t blow you away with run leap athleticism, however can stand up for ally oops and put backs and confirmed some strong leaping capability at instances.
Darius Adams 6’5 SG/PG New Jersey 2025
Adams is a really artful combo guard who has good dimension and a strong really feel for the sport. He reveals a whole lot of scoring acumen with the flexibility to isolate and arrange photographs off the dribble. His passing and ball dealing with are level guard stage, 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 stage prospect nonetheless along with his ability set and competitiveness.
Tajh Ariza 6’8 SF/PF Westchester, CA 2025
Ariza has a fantastic basketball physique and is extraordinarily fluid and athletic. When he’s on, he seems like a future NBA man. His ability set nonetheless has an extended methods to go, and he doesn’t at all times 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 up to now yr. We’ll see if his taking pictures and ball abilities enhance in his ultimate yr of highschool.
Caleb Wilson 6’9 PF/C Atlanta, GA 2025
Wilson is an absolute specimen and likewise has some very intriguing abilities, with the flexibility to knock down outdoors photographs and end across the rim. He’s within the Jermaine O’neal mildew, at the very least bodily and ability clever, he’ll simply must develop extra of a constant motor to grow to be one thing particular and potential standout on the highest stage.
Sadiq White 6’8 SF/PF Charlotte, NC 2025
White was persistently making spotlight, above the rim finishes, proving to be probably the most explosive gamers within the gymnasium. He’s nonetheless considerably uncooked, however reveals some potential along with his taking pictures. If he can additional develop as a wing, he reveals a whole lot of upside.
Alex Constanza 6’6 SF/PF Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2026
Constanza was one of many extra spectacular highschool children on the occasion. He’s received energy ahead dimension, listed at 6’8 he appeared an inch or two taller. He has a physique that enables him to play bodily but additionally reveals the pace and agility to play some on the wing. Most spectacular is his outdoors taking pictures stroke and contact. A category behind a lot of the excessive schoolers in attendance, and nonetheless probably the most spectacular.
Jalen Montonati 6’7 SF Owasso, OK 2026
Montonati is among the prime shooters on the highschool stage. He’s received vary properly previous the three level line and is a participant that can not be left open. He’s tall and has good size wanting greater than 6’7. What he’s missing is nice foot pace and athleticism. He could wrestle to create photographs for himself, however in catch and shoot conditions he will be lethal.
Nate Ament 6’9 PF Warrenton, VA 2025
Ament reveals a whole lot of upside as he’s received fluidity and athleticism and the dimensions to play within the publish but additionally the pace to cowl floor on the perimeter. His taking pictures and scoring capability has a whole lot of promise. He nonetheless wants so as to add a whole lot of energy to his body over the following two seasons, however in any other case, there’s loads to love about his NBA upside, a possible one and executed lottery man.
Shelton Henderson 6’6 SG/SF Houston, TX 2025
Henderson is an explosive wing with some clear taking pictures capability. Sadly the highschool children performed within the different gymnasium throughout the scrimmage classes so it was powerful to see a lot of him. However clearly an fascinating senior wing to trace for the following ranges.
