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    kg_2_kp
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    BleedingBlue
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    NEW YORK, N.Y. — Both All-American teams along with the two international teams were back at New York’s Basketball City on Friday morning for their second practice before taking the court for Saturday’s Jordan Brand Classic (8 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and WatchESPN.com).

    The buzz on Friday surrounded around the increased attention from NBA scouts, as there were notably more in attendance than Thursday. That number may increase again Saturday with all 30 teams submitting requests for credentials for the two contests.

    So for these players, this weekend has become as much about making a good impression in their first professional audition as it anything else.

    Here’s what stood out from Friday’s practice session.

    Best matchup in the West: Julius Randle vs. Chris Walker

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    Courtesy Prestonwood Christian Academy
    Julius Randle has shown a knack for attacking the rim at JBC practices.
    Randle came out intent on displaying his perimeter prowess for the second consecutive day and his battles with Walker allowed him to utilize those tools. Early in the session, he was able to shake Walker and throw down a thunderous jam. Walker came back looking to score retribution but struggled to make a play facing the basket.

    That was the theme of this matchup as both players were focused solely on facing the basket from the perimeter and neither looked to assert himself around the rim.

    While Randle clearly has more potential facing up, the reality is that both of these guys are representative of big men in general in today’s day and age. And like it or not, when they are answering to guys like John Calipari and Billy Donovan, they are going to have no choice but to play the game inside-out.

    Best Matchup in the East: Dakari Johnson vs. Joel Embiid

    There were two ways to view this matchup – production vs. potential or, perhaps, the present top 2013 center vs. the future top center.

    Johnson has set the standard for centers since rejoining the 2013 class. He works for everything he gets, has great hands and defines efficiency in the post. Then there’s Embiid, who is just in the crystalizing stages of his development but has a wealth of upside. A 7-footer with broad shoulders who runs the floor like a deer, Embiid is built like the prototypical new-age NBA post player, but has tools in his skill set as well with a sound jump hook and a super-soft touch that extends all the way out to the arc.

    Ultimately, Johnson was the best center in high school basketball this year, but Embiid looks like the better NBA prospect.

    Best pick-and-roll guard: Andrew Harrison

    Harrison’s ability to thrive in pick-and-roll situations is no secret. His size, explosiveness and versatile scoring tools all make him ideally suited for that role, but in this setting he showed a mature understanding of how to read the action.

    He used his physical tools to split hard hedges, pulled up anytime his defender tried to go under and found his roll man often. Most impressive, though, was his understanding of when to flip the ball-screen, punishing a perfect hedge by using the screen a second time, thus preventing any hedge on his way back.

    Best International prospect

    Thon Maker (Australia/Carlisle School) is absolutely oozing with potential.

    He’s a 7-footer who runs the floor, is equally light on his feet moving laterally and shows a very intriguing skill set for a young big man. He’s got good footwork playing the pick and roll, and utilizes his quick feet to get to the rim as quickly as possible. He’s a bouncy finisher and shot-blocker around the rim and, like Embiid, already has the touch to step out to the 3-point line.

    Highlight of the day

    Jabari Parker pulled down a defensive rebound and pounded out two dribbles to get to the near hash mark with teammate Aaron Gordon releasing and sprinting his way up the floor. Parker launched a lob towards the rim that covered two thirds of the floor. The pass was on the mark, but only a few feet short of the rim. Gordon elevated, caught the ball, and then turned in mid-air to complete the 180 finish.

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