The Jordan Brand Classic was introduced with the top 16U international prospects followed by the top prospects from the New York region. Here are some of the players who stood out and are worth tracking over the next few years.
RJ Barrett 6’6 175 SG/SF – Montverde Academy (Canada) 2000
Barrett came away with the Co-MVP award and although his team didn’t win, he was the best player and prospect in the game. His versatility and all-around game separated him from the other players. He took a number of rebounds coast to coast; scoring and distributing, taking one to the other end and throwing down a dunk in traffic while getting fouled. His ability to score and pass, in transition and half court, gives him great potential as a player who can have the offense run through him as well as having the ability to get to the free throw line. His jump shot can add consistency but he shot well when he pulled up with confidence. The left handed wing was without a doubt the best athlete to participate, he finished with his right hand on a few occasions, even when he had the opportunity to use his left. He finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in 25 minutes. Barrett was the most vocal player in practice and three years from now we can expect him to be starring in the main event of the All American Game.
Charles Bassey 6’10 210 PF – St. Anthony (Nigeria) 2000
Bassey earned Co-MVP and his team came away with the win. He wasn’t involved with every play offensively and isn’t the type of player to get his own points at this stage of his development but finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds (six offensive). He still has a way to go to develop his post-game but he reads double teams and passes out very well, even better than players much further along. On multiple occasions, without hesitation he would pass out after grabbing offensive rebounds, while most players at any level, will take one dribble and force it up; he was able to make the most of his team’s second opportunities. Bassey runs the floor well and doesn’t give up on plays. He also displayed good shot mechanics within his comfortable range.
Aleksandr Ershov 6’4 190 SG – CSKA Moscow (Russia) 2000
Ershov helped the White Team late in the game, scoring in bunches, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit. He slashes with craft; changing speeds, splitting defenders, and finishes at different angles. He reads double teams and is quick to find the open man. Ershov is a natural scorer and finished with 12 points while shooting 6-9.
Andrew Nembhard 6’3 160 PG – Vaughan (Canada) 2000
Nembhard is a great floor general. He knows when to attack and when to slow it down. The pass first point guard can lead in transition, makes plays off the dribble, and has a natural feel for the game. Very poised not forcing the offense and can knock down open jump shots within the flow. Nembhard finished with 11 points and three assists. Also an alert defender recording a game high five steals.
Alanzo Frink 6’8 PF – St. Joseph (Dominican) 2000
Frink is a strong aggressive driver and likes to play through contact. He didn’t have a great jump shooting game; 4-11 from the field, 0-3 from three, and 2-6 from the free throw line but has the tools and talent to be a great scorer. He has great size for a slashing wing at 6’8 and utilizes it to finish against any size defenders. Frink scored ten points in the game, also posting two blocks and three steals on the defensive end.
Nikola Zizic 6’9 C – FC Barcelona (Montenegro) 2000
Zizic likes to play in the post, using his base to try to move defenders out of position and shows a nice jump hook with either hand. He would benefit from showing better body language; looking at the ref for a foul after every missed shot and showing disgust at teammates when he turns it over from throwing a bad pass. Zizic came out scoring with three quick baskets in the first half, he would finish with six points and followed right behind Charles Bassey in the rebound column with ten.
Domantas Vilys 6’3 180 SG – Marciulionis Academy (Lithuania) 2000
Vilys is a very deceptive one foot jumper, finishing above the rim multiple times in practice also chasing down Andrew Nembhard’s layup in the game. He is a good passer and attempted the right plays but turned it over a lot with six. He likes to operate off the dribble and is a better scorer than he showed in the game shooting 1-8 (0-4 from three). Vilys finished with four points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Paul Eboua 6’5 SF – Stella Azzura Basketball Academy (Cameroon) 2000
Eboua has great length and athleticism. He still needs to improve on his skills to utilize his raw physical tools. He tried a windmill on a break but missed; at times he attempted some moves but couldn’t pull them off as if he never practiced them. He was a bit out of control on some possessions. He can use his speed to beat the defense then tried to finish with an awkward layup. Overall Eboua showed the great potential he possess but still needs some work. He finished with two points from free throws and four rebounds.
Regional Prospects
Taurean Thompson 6’9 200 PF – Undecided
Thompson earned the Co-MVP award for Team New York. He was unstoppable in the paint and even stepped out to hit a three. He made the most of his 26 minutes, scoring a game high 27 points shooting 13-15. He also grabbed a game high 13 rebounds, five on the offensive end. He has very good hands with great touch around the basket. He also has great footwork, using euro-steps and hop-steps to change directions around the defense. He traveled twice on the move but his instincts to read and react to the defense is very quick.
Unique McLean 6’2 180 PG – Massachusetts
McLean should be mentioned with the best athletes that played in the Barclay’s Center that day, which is saying a lot. He’s an explosive leaper but most of his points came from easy layups running ahead of the defense or putting back a missed shot. He only recorded two assists as he chose to try to take on most breaks by himself. He has an awkward shot where he puts it high up on his head; he made a few rom midrange but went 0-3 from three and 2-5 from the free throw line. His elite athleticism made him one of the more intriguing prospects in the game. McLean finished with 24 points on 24 shots and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.
