[valentine]

I get hypped for the Hoop Summit every year.

I seek out any information I can find from the practice sessions, measurements and scrimmages. I believe people sometimes forget that this is a week long event…so if someone has a subpar showing at the main game…it doesnt mean they performed poorly all week.

From what I’ve read so far, DeAndre Ayton and Josh Jackson have solidified their place as #1 in their class. 

Jackson looks cant miss, and seems like a Tmac clone.

Ayton showed ridiculous length in the measurements..yet has also impressed in 3pt drills. Apparently he was a menace on the boards too. The 3pt shooting was unexpected for me…making me believe that he is actually what people want Thon Maker to be (yet isnt….yet).

 

Im pleased to see Azebuicke get a callup, since I like his game. Missed out on some practices but hopefully he shows what hes got in the main game.

 

Scout has also hypped up Harry Froling, who came in bigger than expected at 6’11, 263lbs and appears to be still growing. He was lauded for his scoring, passing and IQ. I’ve been on the Froling bandwagon, yet sources say he presents a mismatch at the 5 for SMU.  My comparison is Kelly Olynyk.

 

Finally, McDowell White has shown that he deserves his 5 Star status with his excellent ball handling and passing. His shooting is OK, yet his wingspan isn’t elite, even for a 6’4.5 PG. I’m sticking with my Marcus Paige comparison, and I suspect it will heat up for his recruitment.

 

Disclaimer: Im not at the event and all information is of a 2nd hand nature. If one of the draftnet guys is present, please feel free to step in and add/ammend to this information to ensure accuracy.

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Glad to see Josh Jackson getting his due, Hes my favorite prospect in recent memory.

[Hype Machine]

 Yeah…I was watching him against significantly older players at the FIBA U17 WCs and thats when I started to take note.

I like him a lot…and is going to be unguardable for anyone on the World Team.

I think this is the weakest international team in a while, and they could get destroyed in transition.

Froling is probably the World Teams best player, but hes not suited for the up and down game and is far from shredded at 263lbs

For World team to stand any chance, hes going to have to drop 30…both inside and out…although I doubt his motor is up to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[Hype Machine]

 Yeah…I was watching him against significantly older players at the FIBA U17 WCs and thats when I started to take note.

I like him a lot…and is going to be unguardable for anyone on the World Team.

I think this is the weakest international team in a while, and they could get destroyed in transition.

Froling is probably the World Teams best player, but hes not suited for the up and down game and is far from shredded at 263lbs

For World team to stand any chance, hes going to have to drop 30…both inside and out…although I doubt his motor is up to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Glad to see Josh Jackson getting his due, Hes my favorite prospect in recent memory.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Will fill in a few things from the past few days:

• [Player: DeAndre Ayton] is the most amazing physical and athletic specimen I have seen in my five years covering the Hoop Summit practices/game. I almost feel like size, strength and speed wise, he might be like David Robinson during his junior year at Navy, all while being 17-years old. He has all the things you expect in a big time center prospect, plus has the speed and lateral ability to be quite versatile defensively. Huge potential as a rebounder, takes up crazy amounts of space on D and while his shot is a bit low/flat, he can hit them out to college 3 (about 60-70% at times). Relies a bit too much on outside shot, but when he works inside, watch out. Still quite raw as far as back-to-the-basket, plus can loose focus off of the ball, but he is without a doubt the highlight prospect of the World Team and probably the event. Hard to believe anyone better than him in class of 2017, not going out on a limb to think he is odds on favorite for #1 in 2018 NBA Draft. Oh, and no, he is not like Thon Maker. Thon just does not have his attributes or body, he is not as athletic nor does he have the vice grip hands. Thon does some good things, but Ayton is an entirely different beast, and his elite strength is something it is doubtful Thon will ever have.
• [Player: Josh Jackson] was not here today, should be at practice tomorrow. Heard it was due to academics. So, if he has established himself as top player in 2016 class, than that was probably something from McDonald’s All-American game. Really looking forward to seeing him, but if you are hearing about something he did today, wasn’t here in Portland
• [Player: Harry Giles] is here, still recouperating from ACL. Amazing frame, his shot still looks fine. Really wish he were healthy, but if he comes back to where he was before and builds on that, he should challenge for top spot. His hands are incredible also, the two separate ACL tears are a bit scary, though he is incredibly physically impressive and should be an absolute match-up nightmare.
• [Player: Harry Froling] has been a beast down low. However, he has been a beast down low against [Player: Kostas Antentokounmpo] and [Player: Fan ZiMing]. Ayton is a tough one for him, but loosing the other two PF’s in [Player: Thon Maker] and [Player: Lauri Markannen] make it hard to evaluate him against guys who are at least in his realm as competition. At least when I have been there (I was at US today, which was at same time as World today, but had been at both before), he and Ayton have not matched up much. Kelly Olynyk was actually incredibly skinny at a time, and I think maybe more athletic than Froling, though Harry has a nice touch and some low post flavor. Seems like he will need college development, just hard to see him adjusting to NBA speed of game. Still has done well here.
• [Player: William McDowell White] has been one of my favorite World Team guys, has a great feel for the game, really nice handle. Again, he is going up against a guy in [Player: Andres Feliz] who is not really on his level, however tough and speedy he may be. The match-up against the USA PG’s is going to be quite interesting, not sure whether he will have speed to contain them. Good vision, good change of speed, shot is slow though better than I thought it would be, it is also an area even he admits he needs work. Quiet kid, seems to be a good one as well, interviewed him and will hopefully have it up soon. Still think the "one-and-done lotto lock" with him seems like a stretch, and maybe you are too "hypped up". Marcus Paige? OK. Shooting was the big thing with Paige, no matter how inconsistent he was over his last couple years. Plus he was smaller, much quicker. Don’t get that one.
• Ah, [Player: Udoka Azubuike]. Do you really like his game? I mean, I like guys that dunk a lot and value post play, it is just that he is REALLY limited to just that. Plus he seems like he is winded quite easily, hard to see him playing big minutes for a while. He is massive, really struggles with double teams, decision making. Also, the age. I mean, COME ON! Showed to some guys who had never seen him or it and they all could not help but go "REALLY!?!?" If he is really 16 and a half (which, seems pretty damn hard to believe), than why is he graduating HS? Also, why has he generally been the same size for three years? Definite conundrums. I only walked in at end of practice today, which was his first, though had seen him at adidas Nations and other film, just not sure what to think about his prospects moving forward. Guess they still feel he will be a "two-and-done" at KU (since he won’t be eligible for 2017 Draft), just really not sure that he is someone to be too excited about.
• USA practices are always a trip. They do not scrimmage against each other much, they usually bring in guys for that (Nate Duncan came up with the title "The Portland Generals" or one time I heard them called "Club Sports Finest", Club Sport being the awesome gym across from the Trail Blazers practice facility where the majority of practices are held). Think everyone gets more out of the World practices, maybe also because NBA people only go to one USA practice and all of the World ones. Still [Player: Jayson Tatum], [Player: Jonathan Isaac], [Player: Markelle Fultz] and [Player: Frank Jackson] all had nice showings today. [Player: Terrance Ferguson] is probably the best pure shooter, and is also an incredible leaper. He just still does not do much off the dribble and is kind of all or nothing (no middle game). First day usually pretty slow, guys getting accustomed and all. World has some closed practices that helped get them into the swing of things that the USA do not seem to have.
• [Player: Martynas Varnas] has been an assassin of a shooter. [Player: Edin Atic] does more of the other things and has far more advanced ball skills, and he even has shown some things on D. The guy who seems to have quicker reactions than either of them is "Mogi" aka Wesley Alves de Silva. Still, none of them really have popped and I think will really struggle with the American athleticism, size.
• Excited for things to come and going to get some content on these guys up soon. Peace.

[Hype Machine]

Great write up Don…so good I’m even prepared to wear the cheap shots throughout lol

 

 

 

 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I understand how passionate you are about your countrymen and your "hype" of the guys you are a fan of, just can also maybe turn into possible exaggeration at times. Believe me, I do not have all of the answers or a crystal ball, just try to go off of what I have seen in watching a lot of basketball and basketball prospects. I do feel both of the Australian guys exceeded my expectations and the memories I had from watching them at adidas Nations. Will freely admit that it is sometimes hard to catch certain people at Nations, since they do not stagger any of the games (they all go on at the same time). So, did not catch as much Asia-Pacific as I did Team Wall or Team Lillard, or the college counsellor games.

Even with them both Aussies surpassing my expectations, I would not force them into the draft and could see difficulty in them being top level NBA Draft prospects. Will explain more as I get to watch more this week, though they both do not hold ones gaze like the athletes on Team USA or the monster known as DeAndre Ayton. They should be solid college guys, though think it will take them time even to adjust to that level. It will all be about how they work on their weaknesses, though their lack of length and top end speed both could limit just how high they get projected. Will be an interesting game and I think Froling could give Team USA some issues if they use a guy like Jon Isaac or Wenyen Gabriel on him, though they will have athletic advantages in their own right.

Glad you enjoyed and know that it is just to try and keep it all in perspective, as opposed to rain on your parade, which I think you understand. So, all good, thanks!

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I understand how passionate you are about your countrymen and your "hype" of the guys you are a fan of, just can also maybe turn into possible exaggeration at times. Believe me, I do not have all of the answers or a crystal ball, just try to go off of what I have seen in watching a lot of basketball and basketball prospects. I do feel both of the Australian guys exceeded my expectations and the memories I had from watching them at adidas Nations. Will freely admit that it is sometimes hard to catch certain people at Nations, since they do not stagger any of the games (they all go on at the same time). So, did not catch as much Asia-Pacific as I did Team Wall or Team Lillard, or the college counsellor games.

Even with them both Aussies surpassing my expectations, I would not force them into the draft and could see difficulty in them being top level NBA Draft prospects. Will explain more as I get to watch more this week, though they both do not hold ones gaze like the athletes on Team USA or the monster known as DeAndre Ayton. They should be solid college guys, though think it will take them time even to adjust to that level. It will all be about how they work on their weaknesses, though their lack of length and top end speed both could limit just how high they get projected. Will be an interesting game and I think Froling could give Team USA some issues if they use a guy like Jon Isaac or Wenyen Gabriel on him, though they will have athletic advantages in their own right.

Glad you enjoyed and know that it is just to try and keep it all in perspective, as opposed to rain on your parade, which I think you understand. So, all good, thanks!

[Hype Machine]

Great write up Don…so good I’m even prepared to wear the cheap shots throughout lol

 

 

 

 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Will fill in a few things from the past few days:

• [Player: DeAndre Ayton] is the most amazing physical and athletic specimen I have seen in my five years covering the Hoop Summit practices/game. I almost feel like size, strength and speed wise, he might be like David Robinson during his junior year at Navy, all while being 17-years old. He has all the things you expect in a big time center prospect, plus has the speed and lateral ability to be quite versatile defensively. Huge potential as a rebounder, takes up crazy amounts of space on D and while his shot is a bit low/flat, he can hit them out to college 3 (about 60-70% at times). Relies a bit too much on outside shot, but when he works inside, watch out. Still quite raw as far as back-to-the-basket, plus can loose focus off of the ball, but he is without a doubt the highlight prospect of the World Team and probably the event. Hard to believe anyone better than him in class of 2017, not going out on a limb to think he is odds on favorite for #1 in 2018 NBA Draft. Oh, and no, he is not like Thon Maker. Thon just does not have his attributes or body, he is not as athletic nor does he have the vice grip hands. Thon does some good things, but Ayton is an entirely different beast, and his elite strength is something it is doubtful Thon will ever have.
• [Player: Josh Jackson] was not here today, should be at practice tomorrow. Heard it was due to academics. So, if he has established himself as top player in 2016 class, than that was probably something from McDonald’s All-American game. Really looking forward to seeing him, but if you are hearing about something he did today, wasn’t here in Portland
• [Player: Harry Giles] is here, still recouperating from ACL. Amazing frame, his shot still looks fine. Really wish he were healthy, but if he comes back to where he was before and builds on that, he should challenge for top spot. His hands are incredible also, the two separate ACL tears are a bit scary, though he is incredibly physically impressive and should be an absolute match-up nightmare.
• [Player: Harry Froling] has been a beast down low. However, he has been a beast down low against [Player: Kostas Antentokounmpo] and [Player: Fan ZiMing]. Ayton is a tough one for him, but loosing the other two PF’s in [Player: Thon Maker] and [Player: Lauri Markannen] make it hard to evaluate him against guys who are at least in his realm as competition. At least when I have been there (I was at US today, which was at same time as World today, but had been at both before), he and Ayton have not matched up much. Kelly Olynyk was actually incredibly skinny at a time, and I think maybe more athletic than Froling, though Harry has a nice touch and some low post flavor. Seems like he will need college development, just hard to see him adjusting to NBA speed of game. Still has done well here.
• [Player: William McDowell White] has been one of my favorite World Team guys, has a great feel for the game, really nice handle. Again, he is going up against a guy in [Player: Andres Feliz] who is not really on his level, however tough and speedy he may be. The match-up against the USA PG’s is going to be quite interesting, not sure whether he will have speed to contain them. Good vision, good change of speed, shot is slow though better than I thought it would be, it is also an area even he admits he needs work. Quiet kid, seems to be a good one as well, interviewed him and will hopefully have it up soon. Still think the "one-and-done lotto lock" with him seems like a stretch, and maybe you are too "hypped up". Marcus Paige? OK. Shooting was the big thing with Paige, no matter how inconsistent he was over his last couple years. Plus he was smaller, much quicker. Don’t get that one.
• Ah, [Player: Udoka Azubuike]. Do you really like his game? I mean, I like guys that dunk a lot and value post play, it is just that he is REALLY limited to just that. Plus he seems like he is winded quite easily, hard to see him playing big minutes for a while. He is massive, really struggles with double teams, decision making. Also, the age. I mean, COME ON! Showed to some guys who had never seen him or it and they all could not help but go "REALLY!?!?" If he is really 16 and a half (which, seems pretty damn hard to believe), than why is he graduating HS? Also, why has he generally been the same size for three years? Definite conundrums. I only walked in at end of practice today, which was his first, though had seen him at adidas Nations and other film, just not sure what to think about his prospects moving forward. Guess they still feel he will be a "two-and-done" at KU (since he won’t be eligible for 2017 Draft), just really not sure that he is someone to be too excited about.
• USA practices are always a trip. They do not scrimmage against each other much, they usually bring in guys for that (Nate Duncan came up with the title "The Portland Generals" or one time I heard them called "Club Sports Finest", Club Sport being the awesome gym across from the Trail Blazers practice facility where the majority of practices are held). Think everyone gets more out of the World practices, maybe also because NBA people only go to one USA practice and all of the World ones. Still [Player: Jayson Tatum], [Player: Jonathan Isaac], [Player: Markelle Fultz] and [Player: Frank Jackson] all had nice showings today. [Player: Terrance Ferguson] is probably the best pure shooter, and is also an incredible leaper. He just still does not do much off the dribble and is kind of all or nothing (no middle game). First day usually pretty slow, guys getting accustomed and all. World has some closed practices that helped get them into the swing of things that the USA do not seem to have.
• [Player: Martynas Varnas] has been an assassin of a shooter. [Player: Edin Atic] does more of the other things and has far more advanced ball skills, and he even has shown some things on D. The guy who seems to have quicker reactions than either of them is "Mogi" aka Wesley Alves de Silva. Still, none of them really have popped and I think will really struggle with the American athleticism, size.
• Excited for things to come and going to get some content on these guys up soon. Peace.

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