The Derby Classic hosted some of the top talent the nation has to offer in an underrated all-star game. There weren’t any likely one and dones but some future college standouts and long term NBA prospects.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6’5 185 PG – Kentucky
Under the radar big PG Gilgeous-Alexander filled it up with 29 points on 12-15 shooting. He only missed three shots which would usually indicate he was getting easy looks but that wasn’t the case. He scored in bunches off step backs, pull ups, as well as getting to the rim. He got hot quick to make an early impact on the game. His shooting ability will be much needed at Kentucky next year as the incoming recruits lack outside touch. His hot hand helped him win the three-point competition and MVP of Team Lightning with a 122-109 victory. Scoring wasn’t Gilgeous-Alexander’s only contribution as he grabbed nine rebounds and passed out six assists in 19 minutes of play.
Taveion Hollingsworth 6’2 165 PG/SG – Western Kentucky
Maybe the most underrated recruit in the country, Hollingsworth played well to earn MVP of Team Thunder. He shoots very well off the dribble, especially from midrange. He doesn’t waste dribbles as a ball handler and force his impact. He uses his quick first step to beat his defender and plays at his own pace. His jump shot is effortless, not wasting any motion. Hollingsworth is a piece to a talented recruiting class and has a chance to be an impact player at Western Kentucky. Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball finished with 18 points and seven rebounds.
Darius Perry 6’2 175 PG – Louisville
If any player got the home crowd excited for next year, it was Darius Perry. Perry showed his tight and shifty handle to create for himself, getting his shot off against any defender. He’s more of a scoring point guard so distributing and becoming more of a floor general will need further development. He shot many contested shots but knocked most of them down to earn 22 points including four three-pointers.
Abu Kigab 6’7 220 SG/SF – Oregon
Kigab brought the same intensity he played with in his two years at Prolific Prep. Although he doesn’t have a polished post game or much technique around the basket, he loves to bang and play physical. He scored most of his points underneath but shot 2-3 from behind the arc. His jump shot and offense has made great strides in the past two years, you can see it in his confidence. Kigab ended with 18 points and seven rebounds.
Davion Mitchell 6’1 185 PG – Auburn
Mitchell was productive every time he touched the ball. He’s very quick and has good athleticism overall. His body control at the rim is impressive and he can slow the game down when he drives. His shooting mechanics look fine but he missed all three of his attempts from deep. He passed the ball very well while displaying good court vision. The Auburn commit posted 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
Paul Scruggs 6’4 190 PG/SG – Xavier
Scruggs showed his ability to dribble drive. He can have tunnel vision at times but he’s hard to stop when going to the rim with his spins and ability to change direction with the ball, also not being afraid to play through contact. His shooting can improve and he doesn’t look to shoot outside too much. Like Darius Perry, he’s also more of a scoring point guard than a player that brings the best out of his teammates at this stage of his development. Scruggs finished with 16 points and five rebounds.
Lindell Wigginton 6’2 190 PG – Iowa State
Wigginton was solid overall. He used his explosive ability at appropriate times and knocked down both of his three-point attempts. His pull up jump shot and ability to stop on a dime works at will at this level. He didn’t do too much ball handling but played well within the fast pace of the game. Wigginton was Oak Hill’s most reliable scorer this year and scored 13 points in his 19 minutes.
