NBA Comparison: Tari Eason/Will Barton

Strengths: High motor wing with plenty of upside to develop on both ends of the floor … Has excellent size for a wing with a near 7 foot wingspan and good height at 6’6.5 barefoot … Defensive effort and energy is very impressive and gives him promise as lock down defender type for the next level … Developed a reputation in high school for his great motor and willingness to put in great effort as a defender … Despite struggles shooting in the G League, his lefty outside shot in high school appeared a lot more promising and effective … 75% free throw percentage gives some real credence to the idea that his shooting is better than his 3 point shooting would indicate … Still just 18 years of age, will not turn 19 until July making him one of the youngest prospects available … With his excellent length, has the size to develop into a player that can switch and guard some fours as well as wings and guards … Shows some glimpses of playmaking for others with good vision and passing … Capable of some bigtime highlight finishes on the break … Never seems to lack for confidence. He is willing to battle and does not shy away from contact … Can get down hill in a hurry and get by opponents off the dribble and finish at the rim … While not always the best decision, shows a willingness to take the ball into the teeth of the defense … Drive and dish game showed some flashes … Solid 6.6 rebounds per game show his activity level and willingness to bang … Defensive analytics confirm the eye test and are high level … 2.5 steals per game is an elite level of pilfers … He also registered .7 blocks per game which is good for a wing …

Weaknesses: Struggled mightily with both shooting and turnovers in his season in the G League playing for the Ignite … Appeared unfocused and left a bad impression with scouts with his huge turnover numbers at 3 per game … Had a tendency to turn the ball over far too often on drives to the basket … Many quesiton his decision to join the Ignite, and whether he challenged himself to develop, with lower competition level overall than in college … More likely to be a quality role player than a star at the next level … A good athlete, but somewhat unorthodox as he lacks fluidity … Can get too enamored with creating off the dribble and over-penetrating into the teeth of the defense, instead of knowing when to give the ball up or pull up for mid range shots … Finishing ability comes under question with the number of lay ups he missed … Maturity and consistency need to improve. Had times where he seemed to lose focus and make a lot of mental errors with bad passes and bad shot selection … Shot just 24% on three pointers with the Ignite … Devleoping a reliable runner would helpo when he gets into the trees in the paint …

Outlook: Projects as a potential defensive specialist with a chance to be more if his shooting improves … Likely to hear his name somewhere in the mid-llate lottery … Still has a number of holes to his game that need to be addressed …

Notes: Measured: 6′ 6.50” barefoot, 196.8 lbs, 6′ 10.75” wingspan, 8′ 8.00” standing reach, 30 standing vert, 38 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine …Native of Dallas, Texas … 5 star recruit who played at Duncanville in Texas and led them to a great season, playing alongside Anthony Black, and helping them defeat powerhouse Monteverde at the Hoop Hall West in Phoneix, Arizona …

Aran Smith 6/23/24

Strengths: 6’8 athletic wing … Good size and length for position with a 6’10.5 wingspan … Strong frame. Plays physical and initiates contact … High-level athlete with translatable run and jump ability, especially off one foot. Long strides in the open floor. Thrives in an up-tempo style where he can trap, run, and dunk in the open floor. Quick first step and slashes well in the half-court. Reads tip-slam opportunities well … Scoring stats: 19 PPG 65.3% FG% U16 Americas Championship 2021, 11.1 PPG 53.6% FG% U17 World Cup 2022, 10.2 PPG 45.8% FG% Nike EYBL 2022 … Changes direction well with the ball. Unselfish and shows instincts as a passer. Capable of making the right pass mid-attack and shows good timing hitting teammates in stride … Versatile and physical defender, can guard up or down in the lineup, and defends well on and off the ball. Takes contact and holds position defending in the post. Moves feet well laterally. Loves to trap, jump passes, and defend full court to turn defense into offense. Draws charges. Shows shot blocking instincts and covers ground well for position … High energy and motor on both ends. Good aggression and confidence … Younger for class, turned 18 in July after high school graduation …

Weaknesses: Strong frame but still has room to fill out … Good arc on shot and can get hot as a streaky shooter but he isn’t real consistent from 3PT right now. Shot 22.2% 3PT% on 1.5 3PT attempts per game at the U16 Americas Championship in 2021 and 28.9% 3PT% on 2.9 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Poor free throw shooter: 58.3% FT% U16 Americas Championship 2021, 58.8% FT% U17 World Cup 2022, 60.5% FT% Nike EYBL 2022 … Can improve shot creating and offensive technique overall, needing to smooth out areas in his offense. Drives can be forced and straight-line, lacking creativity and wiggle … Can improve decision making with the ball … Has the reputation as a strong rebounder but numbers can increase and there’s room for growth considering his height and abilities. Averaged 6.6 rebounds per game at the U17 World Cup and 5.8 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Can work on using left hand at the rim … Picks up unnecessary fouls at times …

Outlook: G-League Ignite rookie … Recorded 11 points (5-8 FG), 6 rebounds (3 offensive), 3 blocks, and 2 steals in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game … Recorded 15 points (9-10 FT), 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals in the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit … Won Gold at both U16 Americas Championship in 2021 and U17 World Cup in 2022 … Named to the All-Tournament Team at the U16 Americas Championship in 2021 … 2023 Naismith High School Boys All-American 1^st Team … 2023 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year …

Evan Tomes 8/12/23