NBA Comparison: Jalen Williams/Shake Milton

Strengths: Complete offensive package and is a scoring threat at all levels … Currently running the point guard position at Santa Clara, and looks comfortable in the role … Has a nice little floater in the lane… Reliable mid-range pull up jumper… Strong finisher around the hoop with a nice lay up package including with both hands… Crafty around the hoop …  Strong handle with good deception and a nice crossover… Good at cutting off ball, receiving the pass and finishing with a lay up… Excellent free throw shooter (89%)… Fits well in Santa Clara’s constant-motion offense. Good and willing passer… Good size and rebounder at the guard spot… Seems to step his game up against better competition: Santa Clara has not played an elite national schedule. But to Bal’s credit, he scored a career high 25 points on 10–14 shooting in a win against Oregon, arguably the best opponent Santa Clara has faced so far. Also had his better games against the high major opponents like Stanford, Oregon, Cal, Washington State… Good hands defensively, and very good length, with a near 7-foot wingspan … Just turned 20, on December 3rd making him a very young junior … A bright and mature kid who has shown a lot of development in the past year, giving the impression that he will continue to improve through hard work …

Weaknesses: Fairly quick, but not display standout explosiveness nor brute strength … Shows some stiffness in his hios and legs, something that may even out as he finishes growing into his body, so it could stay relatively the same and make him a less flexible player … Can he get and hold his position at the next level offensively?… Has decent length but does not display elite lateral foot speed… Three point shooting form looks a bit undisciplined, as it’s more of a fling than a pure stroke. But so far it’s accurate (40%), so this could be more a commentary on style than a critique as long as it keeps going in… Would like to see him dominate the smaller guys as well as show his stuff against the high major players. So far has had some down games against the more mid-major competition, including in losses where the team could have used the extra production … A/TO at an even 2.8/2.8 ratio needs improvement …

Summary: Big crafty guard with an impressive offensive package: Good lay up, floater, and mid range pull up, as well as accurate outside shot and excellent court vision… Impressive length (6–7 with a 6–11 wingspan) at the guard position… Lots of potential for a player who is a possible first round pick

Notes: Full name: Adama-Alpha Bal … Measured with a reported 6–11 wingspan a year ago at Arizona … Played two seasons for Arizona before transferring to Santa Clara… Originally from Le Mans, France… Was a member of the U20 and U16 French National Teams … Scored a career high 25 points on 10–14 shooting in a win against Oregon on 11/24/23… Has potential to be the third first round pick from Santa Clara in the past 3 years, along with Jalen Williams (2022, 12th pick) and Brandin Podziemski (2023, 19th pick) …

Drew Wolin 12/23/23