EuroBall
Duke really lack a true point guard or a point with enough experience. Irving would solidify that position. Rivers would of benefitted with a guy like Irving at the point. Kyrie is a tremendous talent that’s why Coach K called it at the beginning of his freshman year.
Kyrie played at St. Patrick’s in Jersey with a MKG a nobable talent. The transition for Kyrie was easier than most freshmen because his HS team had a system close to the college game, now his transition to Duke was easy because he already played in a college like system in HS plus he’s a great talent regardless of his 11 games played at Duke. MGK may be the best Freshman in his class and if you actually pay attention he is in a system that he fits right into at UK.
Scout should play closer details to the systems High School players play in and the system they are about to play in their freshman year to make early season predictions. Most freshman were the center of their HS teams with two to three other potential D1 talent around them, so realistically their teams are really built for their style of play. Now lets look at the transition to the college game. Most successful college programs have their own systems, players coming in that don’t have an idea of the set run in college will always be benched or get little playing time. There are numerous HS with the College like systems like Findlay prep, St. Patrick’s, Notre Dame just to name a few. Now if you pay closer attention to their recent top freshmen players they are right up there with the best performed freshman in the last two years because their HS have the coaches that have an idea of the system run in college. People wonder why Tristan Thompson was pick so high, he’s a system guy not saying he’s not talent he definitely is. Now lets look at last June’s draft, two of the top five picks came from two of the high schools I just mentioned (St. Patrick’s and Findlay Prep).
Incoming freshman’s to pay attention to Kyle Anderson and Mitch McGary will surprise people due to their play. I know Mitch is a bit overrated but His IQ for a HS players is High and he will fit right in there at Michigan. Kyle on the other hand plays in an excellent basketball system in HS and UCLA is a great fit for Him.
My point on this topic is clear scouts/experts should pay more details to players and their HS system and the system they are about to play in to make predictions. Look at the style of play does he or does he not fit in that style simple analysis. Kyrie is success is simple, his understanding for the college game was understood at the High School level same for many others and for some it happens in college. What college does is prepare you for the Pro.