Player of the Week
Myles PowellPowell has had an up and down journey in the NBA so far. Going undrafted, bouncing in and out of the Westchester Knicks organization, and finally settling on a two way deal with the 76ers during the NBA Covid outbreak, Powell’s journey has been nothing short of abnormal. However, he has seemed to finally find a fit in Philadelphia/Delaware. Spending most of his two-way contract up with the main roster, Powell has finally been sent down to the Blue Coats to get some time. Currently averaging 21/3/3, Powell should become one of their main offensive imitators in the playoffs and beyond.
Who’s Hot
College Park Skyhawks: The Skyhawks started the G-League season 0-8, making it an almost impossible hole to climb out of in a short season. After working through the growing pains of so many new additions, they were able to find their way back to .500 which is an accomplishment in itself. Recently, they have rattled off 6 wins in a row and are currently 8-2 in the month of March. It feels like the team has come into their own at the right time. With only five games left in the season, the Skyhawks have a chance to sneak into the playoffs if they can continue their recent success. The mainstay on their roster, Justin Tillman and Cat Barber are both averaging 23 PPG. Barber has shot 45% from deep on five attempts per game and it feels like their success has opened up the entire offense. While Sharife Cooper and Langston Galloway have been featured in less games, the backcourt depth that the Skyhawks tout is second to none. A fun and fast team, while their record may not dictate it, they will give any matchup an issue if they are able to sneak into the playoffs.
Who’s Cold
Jaden Hardy: It is hard to justify Jaden Hardy as the “who’s cold” player of the week but it really is less about his stats and more so about the recent drop in his draft stock. Hardy was originally considered a top three to five pick in the upcoming draft, his scoring ability the main driver. While he has performed in the G-League, looking at his surface stats, his inefficiency has been a concern. Even though he has the size and scoring ability to become an impact player at the next level, many organizations are cooling on the idea that Hardy should be one of the first three guards off the board. Combine his recent slip with the emergence of Jaden Ivey, Johnny Davis and [Player Ochai Agbaji], he may have a chance to slip outside of the lottery. Over the last portion of the season, Hardy should continue to work on his game. He has already shown the tools to become one of the best young players in this class, he just needs to put it all together.
Top Ignite Players this Season:
As the G-League season comes to a close in the coming month, the Ignite are not eligible to make the playoffs. While the team would be far from playoff contention if they were eligible, their main goal is to be drafted into the league in the next two years. With six players on this current Ignite team being able to be drafted in the next two years, here are the players ranked by their G-League performance this year.
6. Fenbo Zeng
Zeng feels like he has some time to spend in the G-League before you ever see him on an NBA roster. A player that was not nearly as highly touted as the other prospects he shares the floor with, Zeng had to work for every minute he has earned. Even though he may declare for the draft this season expect him to be back with the Ignite or a different G-League team as an undrafted free agent.
5. Michael Foster Jr.
Foster has had a great season for a G-League rookie posting 14.8/8.8/2.0 in thirteen games. While he is a second round pick in most mock drafts he shouldn’t have a problem competing for a roster spot in whatever organization he is drafted by. The most likely outcome for Foster will be to spend time in the G-League to help develop his game. If he can work on becoming a more active passer and a more willing three point shooter, his nose for the ball on the glass will help shape him into an NBA rotation player.
4. Jaden Hardy
While he has been cold recently, placing Hardy fourth should be a testament to the other talent he has played with this season. A human torch, Hardy is going to find a home at the NBA level. An expected lottery pick, if he can continue to work on his efficiency in the right situation he should thrive as a bench player in his first season. Even though Hardy is taking a bit of a slide in the draft, I don’t doubt he could be a player that is talked about positively in a “re-draft” five years from now.
It was hard to rank Daniels over Hardy but the Australian guard gets the nod because he was able to showcase the best parts of his game the entire year. Even though he struggled to put it all together on a nightly basis – he was always contributing on or off the ball. A developing offensive game will be the difference maker when it comes to his ceiling at the next level but a 6-6 guard that can rebound and pass as effectively as Daniels shouldn’t have a problem commanding the floor in NBA minutes. While he may not be eye popping in the box score he has certainly had his fingerprints on every game this season.
Beauchamp is an ideal player for any NBA organization and his time in the G-League has only reaffirmed it. A forward with a long wingspan and the ability to get into passing lanes, has shown that he can also be efficient from the floor on relatively limited attempts, 57% on 11 FGA’s. The big question surrounding Beauchamp will be if he can expand his range to behind the three point line. A willing shooter from behind the arc he is only connecting on 24% of his attempts. In an NBA system he should be able to find his touch from outside making him the next rangy forward with offensive upside.
Scoot Henderson (pictured) arrived on the G-League scene one year early and played like he belonged. A presumed top three pick in his draft class, a 2023 draft eligible player, Henderson not only played above his age group but looked like the best player at any given time. Smooth and composed at 17 years old for most of the season, Henderson gave the Ignite 14/5/3.6. With another year to sharpen his skills against NBA level competitors, the young guard will be more than prepared to make the leap in 2023. On a team that did not win many games, their season was more about preparing for the next level and Henderson is going to be more prepared than anyone else on the roster.