Last year’s Nike Skills Academy was loaded, producing five lottery picks (Simmons, Dunn, Poeltl, Sabonis and Valentine) and nine total first rounders. This year all it took was one glance at the roster to know that the talent on hand was not nearly as strong. Nonetheless the group competed hard for three days in drills and scrimmages, giving scouts a glimpse of what to expect next season. It’s possible that as many as 3 or 4 first rounders could ultimately emerge from this group. The theme of this year’s Nike college group was "unorthodox", as there were a lot of players that fit that description.
Monte Morris 6’2.5, 172 lbs, 6’2 wingspan, PG, Iowa State — Considered one of the top returning seniors in the nation, a number of scouts mentioned him as a guy they really liked. He’s very quick and still is able to play under control. Morris was one of the standouts on day one. Though he’s older, is not a dynamic athlete and lacks strength, a big senior year should help his cause. He had a solid showing at Nike displaying a natural ability to run a team and get to the rim off the dribble. While there are some obvious holes to his game, he’s a guy who figures to be one of the better point guards in the country and get drafted somewhere in the second round.
Jaron Blossomgame 6’7.5, 218 lbs, 6’9.5 wingspan, SF, Clemson — There were rumors circling at Nike that the Clippers promised to take Blossomgame at 25 in the 2016 draft but he decided to return to school anyway. Surprising if true. Blossomgame had his share of wow plays as he quickly established himself as the freakiest dunker and athlete at the event. He had a dunk over Miles Bridges on day one that likely made Bridges want to thank Jordan Crawford (who famously dunked on LeBron) for, years ago, causing Nike to ban all recording devices at the event. Blossomgame also showed the ability to knock down shots. But scouts came away criticizing his inability to do much outside of the dunks and spot up shooting. His lack of ability to create shots off the dribble or pass the ball was evident and real areas for him to focus on in his senior year. Regardless, Blossomgame figures to be the top senior prospect entering the season, and will have a shot to be a first rounder.
Terry Larrier 6’8, 190 lbs, 6’10 wingspan, SG, UConn — Every year it seems someone comes out of the woodwork and surprises based on expectations coming in. This year, that player was Connecticut’s Terry Larrier. The VCU transfer still needs to add some weight to his frame, but he showed a lot of promise in the event as a guy that competes hard, has a high skill level and can contribute in a number of areas. He had one of the better shooting forms of all the wing players, showing a nice, high and quick release and also has the ability to catch and shoot or pull up off the dribble. In addition, he has excellent length and seems to give solid effort defensively. He could be primed for a break out season at UConn if he gains confidence quickly. Watch out for Larrier this year as he’s a kid with first round talent if things fall into place for him.
Jawun Evans — 5’11.5, 188 lbs, 6’4 wingspan, PG, Oklahoma State — Evans came in with a lofty first round projection on our mock draft and failed to solidify that. He’s a small PG, measuring at 5’11.5, but does have a solid wingspan at 6’4. He’s competitive and had some solid flashes handling the ball and scoring. But overall scouts came away disappointed, in particular with his jumpshot and ability to create offense for others. He’s got great speed but appears to need time to improve his skill level.
Edmond Sumner 6’5.5, 181 lbs, 6’8 wingspan, PG, Xavier — Probably the kid with the highest ceiling at the event. He possesses a very quick first step and scored well slashing to the basket. He’s a blur with the ball in the open floor and has tremendous length for the point guard position. He shows the ability to create off the dribble for himself and others. He had his moments but didn’t dominate the way he could have considering his talent edge. Some areas he still can improve upon are his consistency and confidence, as well as his vision and ability to create offense in the half court. A nice kid, he seems to need to play with a little more of an edge and develop an on court chip on his shoulder. He also has a tendency to deliver balls too hot or without touch. His body also needs to add strength in order to be able to play more physical and finish plays around the rim.
Jordan Bell 6’8.5, 227 lbs, 6’11 wingspan, PF, Oregon — A physical specimen and measured better than expected at 6-8.5 in shoes and with a 6’11 wingspan. Bell has a great body with huge shoulders and looks heavier than he weighed and handles contact well. He can really run the floor and has great explosiveness to finish plays at the rim. His hands aren’t great and his offensive skill level is low. He lacks great ability to make consistent post moves or hit mid range shots. So there’s a lot for him to work on. Lacking great touch, he may always be more of an athletic role player, but his combination of strength and athleticism gives him some intrigue as a likely future second round pick.
Trevon Bluiett 6’5.5, 215 lbs, 6’6.5 wingspan, SG, Xavier — Along with Milton and Peters, one of the top shooters at Nike. Bluiett is not a great athlete, with an "unorthodox" body type and a lack of foot speed and leaping ability. He’s a polished shooter and can score against college players with his great touch and knowledge of how to get open looks. He will likely need to become an even better shooter to make it at the NBA level as a specialty player.
Chris Boucher 6’9.5, 193 lbs, 7’3.5 wingspan, PF, Oregon — Boucher is a very interesting prospect. He’s overcome an amazing amount of adversity in his life to get to where he is and it would be hard not to pull for him to make it. He’s extremely long and athletic but there is concern about his ability to add weight considering his age. He’s very active and is unique with his ability to be a rim protector as well as knock down the 3-ball. He was granted another year of eligibility and figures to find a spot in the 2nd round next year as a long term project. Scouts mentioned that those around Oregon love him and expect a big season out of him. He needs to work on improving his shot selection as he has a tendency to take rushed 3 pointers without getting his feet completely set. Boucher is Captain of team unorthodox.
Miles Bridges 6’7, 230 lbs, 6’8.5 wingspan, PF/SF, Michigan State — Probably the most polarizing prospect at Nike Academy. Some scouts are really intrigued by him and feel he can be a small forward with a power game and that he’s a one-and-done type. He had numerous powerful and high flying finishes at the rim and obviously had a big reputation coming out of high school. But as the event wore on it became easier to pick apart his game and wonder how well his skill set actually translates to the NBA level. He doesn’t have much of an offensive game at this point, outside of bullying weaker players in the paint or converting garbage baskets with his athleticism. His jumpshot is inconsistent and lacks great form. While he shows some ability to move his feet laterally and defend on the perimeter, his lack of ball handling passing and shooting skills make playing the 3 a long ways off. He also measured extremely small for a power forward at 6-7 in shoes with a 6-8.5 wingspan. If a team can talk themselves into him evolving into a SF, it’s possible he could ride his prep hype into being a one and down. But there’s a good chance he struggles as a freshman at Michigan State considering his skill level, and ends up in school for a few years, similar to Perry Ellis.
Jalen Brunson 6’2, 201 lbs, 6’3.5 wingspan, PG, Villanova — Brunson has a compact body and really understands the game. He shows the ability to make those around him better and create offense for others. While he didn’t really stand out at Nike, he had some solid moments. His biggest issue is his lack of speed and athleticism. When he matches up against a really quick point guard he really struggles to gain separation and also is forced to use his body in order to contain them defensively. He was a vital piece of Villanova’s title team and should have a shot to get drafted whenever he ultimately declares.
Shake Milton 6’7, 205 lbs, 6’11.5 wingspan, SG/SF, SMU — Milton came into the event as a 6-5 point guard and left as a 6-7 wing. And yes, he looked every bit the 6-7 he was measured and apparently has grown to over the summer. Milton is another member of team unorthodox. He’s been a point guard in high school and as freshman at SMU, but considering his size now and the fact that he isn’t exactly fleet of foot, it is probably time for him to begin developing his skills off the ball as well. He’s a high IQ player, who can run the pick and roll and is very crafty getting shots off and proved to be one of the best shooters at the event. Sort of a less athletic Jordan Adams, Milton figures to have a big sophomore year at SMU. Not the most assertive kid, but seems to have a focus and maturity about him. He doesn’t appear to have strong legs and struggles to finish plays around the rim due to his lack of explosiveness. But his 7-foot wingspan is obviously a real bonus.
Allonzo Trier 6’5, 197 lbs, 6’6 wingspan, SG, Arizona — Trier displayed his solid scoring ability, but overall didn’t receive much positive feedback from scouts. He wasn’t able to participate on the third day due to an ankle sprain. He is a quick and explosive athlete and has some smoothness to his offensive game. His ability to ISO is very good, but his competitiveness and focus came under question. He should have the chance to shine at Arizona, particularly with Terrence Ferguson opting to play in Australia. But he lacks great length and will need to exhibit more consistency and toughness.
Tyler Dorsey 6’5, 189 lbs, 6’3 wingspan, SG, Oregon — Dorsey missed some of the time due to injury but had some solid moments. He’s a very good shooter and has solid speed on the perimeter to get by defenders and into the paint. He’s a little undersized as a shooting guard, and had a rough negative 2 inch wingspan measurement (6-5 with a 6-3 wing). He isn’t much of a play maker for others and will need to add strength to finish plays around the rim. Dorsey has the look of a four year guy with a chance to play professionally, but still has some work to do rounding out his game.
Josh Hart 6’5, 215, 6’7.5 wingspan, SG, Villanova — Hart is another unorthodox player. His jumpshot is far from text book and he doesn’t wow you with his speed and athleticism. But he brings the same level of fight and intensity to every game and generally doesn’t get embarrassed by superior athletes. He’s got an up hill battle to be drafted or make an NBA team, but he seems to have a real will to succeed and along with his teammate Brunson, was a big reason that Villanova cut down the nets in April. Don’t write Hart off, but there is a reason he didn’t keep his name in the draft as scouts are skeptical at this point about his ability to make the league coming out of college.
Malcolm Hill 6’5.5, 235, 6’8.5 wingspan, SG/SF, Illinois — Hill came into the event with even lower expectations than Hart, but actually helped his cause quite a bit. He may not be a draft pick, but he’s for sure a lot closer to one after Nike than he was coming in. He got hot on the 2nd day and at one point couldn’t miss, with a number of pros (Isaiah Thomas and Tyler Ulis) on the court. He’s a tank, having the 2nd heaviest weight at the event at just 6-foot-5. And is not bashful at all about taking shots. He’s got a bit of a street ball game as he is extremely physical and a little unorthodox with the way he creates shots and shoots the ball. If he had more explosiveness it would help his cause, and scouts also aren’t sure what position he is. But he should have a big year for Illinois and could get some looks based on the way he played in Hawthorne.
Peter Jok 6’5.5, 203 lbs, 6’7.5 wingspan, SG, Iowa — Jok did some things well in drills showing the ability to pull up and hit shots. He’s a solid, though not a stand out athlete, and he didn’t do a lot in the games. Regardless, this is a kid with a lot of character and should find a way to carve out a nice career in basketball at some level. He is an excellent scorer and competes hard.
Moses Kingsley 6’9, 236 lbs, 7’2.5 wingspan, C/PF, Arkansas — In a camp filled with unorthodox players, Kingsley is another that fits that mold. He’s an undersized center at 6-9 but a giant 7-2.5 wingspan. He’s not fluid running the court, but he really competes hard, going for every rebound and runs hard, if not pretty, usually beating his opponent up the court. He has decent touch in the paint, but still needs to add some polish to his post game. At one point he faced off with Diamond Stone for a few drills, and won the battle, granted that didn’t get scouts very excited as they joked that anyone could do that. He brings a blue collar work ethic and seems to still be improving, despite his age. He’s not the sexiest player as his upside isn’t great but he could serve in the role of someone along the lines of a Festus Ezeli. Kingsley is regarded as a likely second rounder, but don’t completely rule him out as a first rounder if he has a big senior year.
Johnathan Motley 6’9.5, 232 lbs, 7’3.5 wingspan, PF/C Baylor — Motley is one of the real physical specimen bigmen returning to the college game. He has flashes where he looks like a surefire first rounder. He can run the floor very well, and has great dimensions for a basketball player. His issues all revolve around consistency and focus. If he can learn some basic post moves and knock down mid range shots with more consistency, he could really intrigue teams. But so far in his career he’s been more of a tease than anything. His Nike performance was more of the same as he showed flashes, but struggled to sustain any consistency. Motley will have a good chance to hear his name called on draft night, and how high that is is really up to him.
Alec Peters 6’8.5, 234 lbs, 6’9.5 wingspan, SF/PF, Valparaiso — Peters was one of the guys, along with Morris, that nearly every scout I spoke with mentioned as a guy they liked. While not a great run jump athlete, his ability to knock down shots makes him an intriguing prospect, potentially in the role of a Matt Bonner. He has very solid range and a nice shooting stroke that makes him a guy you can’t leave open, and a guy that can spread the floor for a team. Peters is limited with his mobility, he’s obviously going to struggle defending at either the 3 or 4 spots. But his solid body strength and versatility to face up and hit shots gives him a solid shot to be drafted and make a team next year.
