Player of the Week
Ian Jackson, SG, Overtime Elite
Season Stats: 25.0 PTS, 6.0 REB, 2.7 AST, 47.1 FG%
I’m not sure there is a higher riser among NBA prospects than Ian Jackson. Despite not being draft-eligible until 2025, Jackson has garnered the attention of NBA scouts. The 6-foot-5-inch shooting guard has been dominating in Overtime Elite so far. The New Yorker averages 25 points per game – good for second in Overtime Elite. Jackson is a five-star and the tenth-ranked prospect in the class of 2024 according to 247Sports. The 18-year-old signed with North Carolina in November. The Tarheels are getting a good three-point shooter and a crafty sorcerer in the paint. Look for Jackson’s name to continue to be shared among NBA circles.
Who’s Hot?
Daquan Davis, PG, Overtime Elite
Season Stats: 19.3 PTS, 5.6 REB, 5.1 AST, 41.0 FG%
Daquan Davis is a 6-foot-1-inch point guard playing in Overtime Elite. The 18-year-old Davis has offers to play at a bunch of high-level college basketball programs – Indiana, Providence, Illinois, Texas A&M, Maryland, Penn State, and others. The four-star prospect has been lighting it up in Overtime Elite. Davis’ 19.3 points per game is fourth in Overtime Elite. Davis is not only a talented scorer but is a great passer as well. His elite passing will be important at the next level. Look for Davis’ name to be one talked about in future NBA drafts.
Rakease Passmore, G/F, Overtime Elite
Season Stats: 18.8 PTS, 6.5 REB, 2.3 AST, 50.9 FG%
Rakease Passmore might have one of the best names in basketball. While his name might lend him to be a better passer, Passmore has been one of the best scorers in Overtime Elite. The 6’ 5” Passmore has been on the radar of some of the best college basketball teams. Passmore chose Kansas over the likes of Memphis, Houston, Florida State, Miami, Tennessee, and others. Passmore is fifth in Overtime Elite in points per game. The Florida native is great in transition and projects as a plus defender. So far it seems the Jayhawks have one of the better players in the high school class of 2024.
Josh Bannan, F, NBL
Season Stats: 11.8 PTS, 7.7 REB, 1.5 AST, 46 FG%
Josh Bannan is not as young as some others on this list. Bannan, now 21 years old, has a unique career trajectory. The Australian native left his home country to play for the University of Montana. Bannan was an All-Big Sky first-teamer and scored over 13 points per game in his collegiate career. The 6-foot-10-inch forward decided to leave college early to go back home. In the NBL, Bannan has recorded 8 double-digit games in 12 games total this season. Recently, Bannan has games of 14 and 17 (with 17 tying a career high). Bannan could see his name floating around G League or even NBA circles soon.
Who’s Not?
AJ Johnson, PG/SG, NBL
Season Stats: 2.5 PTS, 1.0 REB, 0.7 AST, 32.0 FG%
AJ Johnson is a 6-foot-5-inch point guard/shooting guard from California. Johnson, 19 years old, is not draft-eligible until 2025. A five-star in the class of 2023, Johnson decided to go the professional route rather than college. Johnson signed a contract with the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL. While being a fluid mover with the basketball and having limitless potential, Johnson has not done well in the NBL so far. The Californian is playing a mere 7.7 minutes per game and
not doing much when he sees the floor. A move to G League Ignite next year could do Johnson well if he wants to live up to the second-round grade in 2025.
Thierry Darlan, SG, G League Ignite
Season Stats: 6.6 PTS, 2.9 REB, 0.7 AST, 33.7 FG%
Thierry Darlan has not lived up to the hype so far. Darlan, a 6’ 8” shooting guard from the Central African Republic, has first-round potential for the 2025 NBA Draft. Darlan, a member of NBA Academy Africa, chose to go the professional route rather than going to college. The 19-year-old G League player is only scoring 6.6 points per game this season. Some of this is due to his talented teammates. That being said, Darlan has not shot the ball well when he has seen playing time. While the potential is there, major development is needed next year for Darlan to live up to his initial first-round grade.
Top 5 Younger Australia Prospects to Keep an Eye On
5. Nash Walker, G
Nash Walker is a 6’ 5” guard from Australia. Walker is currently 16 years old and was a solid performer at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship. At the event, Walker scored 11.8 points per game and notched 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Walker shot an impressive 37.1% from three and proved he could be a solid weapon from beyond the arc. Walker’s mid-range shot and ability in the paint could improve but is a solid shooter at a young age. Walker’s name could end up being seen on NBA Draft boards.
4. Henry Sewell, C
Australia had a talented big man at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship. Henry Sewell, 6-foot-8-inches at 16 years old, helped lead Australia to a runner-up finish in the event. Sewell scored 11.5 points and added 7.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The big Australian had 2 double-doubles in the tournament and could be counted on in the paint. Sewell did not attempt a three-pointer at the event and more range could add another weapon to Sewell’s game.
3. Oscar Goodman, PF
With Oscar Goodman you get consistency. The 6’ 6” power forward was a reliable weapon at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship; the New Zealander averaged 14 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. Goodman’s performance was so good that he was named MVP of the event. Goodman had a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds in the final against Australia. Expect big things from the talented power forward.
2. Hayden Jones, SG
Hayden Jones could end up being a high-level NBA prospect in a couple of years. Right now, Jones is only 16 years old but is a solid 6-foot-5-inches. The shooting guard from New Zealand had one of the best performances at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship. Jones put up 31 points with 12 rebounds and 2 assists in the final against Australia. Jones is a solid three-point shooter and an excellent rebounder. With more size and maturity, Jones could be a weapon in the West.
1. Dash Daniels, PG
Dash Daniels is a prospect that everyone should hear about. Dash Daniels is the younger brother of New Orleans Pelicans Guard Dyson Daniels. The elder Daniels was drafted eighth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Dyson’s little brother is 16 years old and is already 6’ 3”. At the FIBA U16 Asian Championship, Dash put up 12 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. With more size and muscle as he ages, Dash can follow suit with his brother and be a first-round draft pick.