Under Armour Jayhawk Invitational ReportBy: ipowers

By Ian Powers

Myles Turner, 6’11" 220, C, Euless, TX 2014 – Turner is the fastest rising player in the country. After being out last summer due to injury, Turner was dominant at times this weekend. He can shoot the ball comfortably out to 17 feet, runs the floor well, has a good pair of hands and can finish around the basket using either hand. He’s a good, not great athlete, but more than capable of playing above the rim. Where he’s at his best is on the defensive end of the floor, he blocks and changes everything around the rim and rebounds and outlets. He is making an early case for next year’s McDonald’s All American game.

Diamond Stone, 6’10" 250, PF/C, Milwaukee, WI 2015 – Stone is a one of the premier players in the class of 2015 and he showed why at the Jayhawk. He is a big, strong kid with very good feet and hands. He rebounds both ends and is a great outlet passer. He has a soft touch around the basket and has a great feel for the game. Tends to coast at times and doesn’t always play hard, but when he’s locked in there aren’t many better.

Keita Bates-Diop, 6’7" 190, SF/PF, Bloomington, Ill 2014 – The Ohio St. commit had a solid outing this weekend. He showed his ability to knock down perimeter shots and score around the basket. He can handle and rebound and fill the lane and score in transition. He’s one of the more gifted combo forwards in the class and will fit in well in Ohio St. system much the same way Deshaun Thomas and Laquinton Ross have. I would like to see him be more assertive and take over games more.

Ray Smith, 6’6" 180, SF, Las Vegas, NV 2015 – This Vegas native was one of the younger kids I watched this weekend and he had a good showing. Needs to add strength but given his age, he has time to do that. He has a nice basketball body with long arms and legs. Runs the floor well and is a good athlete. Didn’t shoot it well when I watched, but the form on his shot looked good and gaining strength should be able to make it a more consistent weapon.

Michael Porter, 6’5" 170, SF, Columbia, MO 2017 – Okay, I get that this kid hasn’t played a high school game yet, but if what I saw over the weekend is any indication, he will be one of the premier kids in the 2017 class. 8th grade kids are not supposed to be as skilled and shoot the ball as well as he does. He is smooth and poised on the floor. He will try to dunk on you and has supreme confidence in his jumpshot. Looks as if he’ll end up 6’8" or 6’9′ and his body should fill out over time. If he stays hungry and continues to work, the sky is the limit for this young man.

Nick Babb, 6’4" 185, SG, Arlington, TX 2014 – Babb was very good this weekend in helping Texas Select win the championship. He and teammate Myles Turner were the most potent one-two punch in the tournament. He is sneaky athletic, can handle and make plays and knock down enough perimeter shots to keep you honest. He also shows signs of being an elite defender. His stock should go up as well as his recruitment.

Malek Harris, 6’7" 190, SF, Orland Park, Ill 2014 – Harris caught my eye this weekend with his all around play. He made plays at times, shot the ball at a decent rate and rebounded on both ends of the floor extremely well. He is a good athlete with a very good basketball body. He doesn’t do anything particularly great, but he has a great motor and will do the little things to help you win. He projects as a high major glue guy.