USA Basketball held a mini-camp for the men’s junior national team during Final Four weekend in Minneapolis as many of the best high school players in America had a chance to face against NBA Global Academy competition in scrimmage play. Here’s a look at eight established American Class of 2020 prospects (although some could reclassify) and how they looked during the Saturday morning session open to media and NBA scouts.
RJ Hampton 6-4 175 SG Frisco Liberty (Little Elm, TX)
Although Hampton is still deciding between the Class of 2019 and the Class of 2020, regardless of which class he decides, the 6-foot-5 lead guard is a major long-term prospect.
Continuing to improve as a general floor leader, Hampton is improving his ability to run a half-court offense as he seamlessly glided to the rim as a driver while getting others involved when defenses collapsed. Slippery with the ball in his hands, Hampton does a great job of using his long wingspan to jut the ball above his head with two hands in traffic as it makes it difficult to strip him in tight spots. Hampton continues to also show positive signs of keeping his emotions in check as he had a tendency to let bad calls or bad plays get in his head if something didn’t go his way. Hampton’s a natural talent with great size for the position as this could be a huge spring for him.
Greg Brown 6-8 190 SF/PF Vandegrift (Austin, TX)
A Class of 2020 mega-athlete with tremendous run-and-jump potential, Brown looks as though he is filling out into his 6-foot-9 frame. Listed at only 185 pounds at the camp, it looks as though Brown could still add significantly more muscle without hindering any of his supreme athleticism.
While Brown is still figuring out how to be most effective in a half-court setting, his ability to slash and glide above the rim is nearly unparalleled in high school basketball. Brown’s jumper and handle also continues to show positive signs of improvement as he’s becoming a more complete wing forward. And Brown’s athleticism gives him a lot of defensive upside as well — particularly if he continues to add weight.
Evan Mobley 6-11 195 PF/C Rancho Community Christian (Temecula, CA)
Perhaps the best pro prospect in all of high school basketball, the 7-foot Mobley continues to show great upside. The Class of 2020 big man shows some guard-like traits with the ball in his hands as he can handle and pass after corralling a defensive rebound.
Long and agile, Mobley moves easily up and down the floor as he’s able to rebound in traffic, alter shots with his length and also score near the basket with good touch. Another player who is still figuring out his tremendous gifts, Mobley has so many tools to work with that it’ll be fascinating to see how he ends up. For now, Mobley will work on extending his shooting range while becoming more of a natural shot blocker when he’s defending away from the ball.
Isaiah Todd 6-10 210 PF/C Trinity Academy (Richmond, VA)
This Class of 2020 big man continues to be one of the most polarizing prospects in the class. During drills, Todd looks fluid and smooth out to the international three-point line, as the 6-foot-10 Todd shoots a clean ball with good mechanics.
But during scrimmage play, Todd still shows a motor that takes a little while to get all the way revved up. More comfortable playing away from the basket and facing up, Todd can float on the perimeter too much at times — although you wouldn’t mind if he’s taking open catch-and-shoot jumpers. Todd also rebounds well and has the athleticism to be a force on either end of the floor. This spring will be intriguing for Todd as he is among the most talented players in his class. If Todd figures out how to play with an edge all the time then he’ll be tough to stop.
Jalen Green 6-5 175 SG San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, CA)
One of the top prospects entering camp, the Class of 2020 guard continues to show positive signs of development. The 6-foot-6 Green shows freaky bounce and long strides that enable him to gather a full head of steam and still absorb contact to finish at the rim.
Also showing deep range on his catch-and-shoot jumper, Green is comfortable going off the bounce with either hand as his pull-up game continues to look like a potentially lethal weapon. Defensively, Green’s wingspan and stride allows him to effectively slide on and switch as he’s capable of handling multiple perimeter spots as a solo defender. Adding weight would be helpful, but Green continues to be one of the best scorers, and overall prospects, in high school basketball.
Josh Christopher 6-4 205 SG Mayfair (Lakewood, CA)
An established scorer in the Class of 2020, the 6-foot-4 California native appears to have added even more muscle and strength since my last viewing. With above-average athleticism and a knack for getting buckets, Christopher is very tough to contain at the high school level.
Although a bit tunnel-visioned as a scorer, Christopher can make passes to find open teammates as he’s able to handle in traffic to make plays. Defensively, Christopher’s strength and length allow him to check some bigger players as he’s an effective rebounder who could even be used a bit as a small-ball four at the college level — given the right fit. The ceiling isn’t as high for Christopher as some others on this list, but there’s a lot of safe things about his game that translate at all levels.
Daishen Nix 6-2 195 PG Trinity International (Las Vegas, NV)
Continuing to rise in the national rankings over the past year, this tall point guard has a lot to like. Pushing 6-foot-4, Nix has natural floor vision and a creative flair for passing as he finds open guys and cutters with tough passes of all kinds.
Shooting, and hunting his own buckets in general, is still something Nix is attempting to balance into his offensive arsenal, but his jumper is steady enough to be a threat with continued improvement. Defensively Nix has good size to get after multiple perimeter spots as he’s a natural for jumping passing lanes and using his hands. A heady player who uses his mind more than his athleticism, Nix will be fascinating to see develop this spring. He always makes others around him better.
Isaiah Jackson 6-9 180 SF/PF SPIRE Institute (Detroit, MI)
Displaying perhaps the highest motor of any American player in camp, the 6-foot-9 Jackson is a tremendous athlete who is very effective on both ends of the floor around the basket.
Incomplete from a skill perspective, Jackson makes up for it with great leaping and secondary leaping ability as he possess natural timing for rebounds and blocking shots. Although Jackson takes a long time to load up his perimeter jumper, it does appear to be workable with a little bit of touch. Adding a jumper would just be icing on the cake for Jackson, however, as he’s a potential force as a shot-blocking rim runner who hunts lobs and makes energy plays.
