By Ian Powers
Malik Monk 6’4” 185 SG Bentonville, Bentonville, AR 2016
Monk was great at the Nike Peach Jam, Global Challenge and he capped it off with another great performance in Vegas. He is a special scorer off the ball and his highlight reel athleticism is a nice compliment to the rest of his game. When he has his long ball dialed in, he is virtually unguardable. Some evaluators want to categorize him as a Point Guard or a future one, but making him one takes away from the best asset of his game and that’s his ability to score the ball. He can play on the ball for stretches at a time, but it would be a disservice to any team he plays for if they’re deprived of his offensive skill set. His recruitment is shaping up as a two team race with home state Arkansas and SEC rival Kentucky in hot pursuit. Head Coaches Mike Anderson and John Caliper made sure they were present at all of his games in Vegas and throughout the Summer.
Jayson Tatum 6’8” 190 SF Chaminade, St. Louis, MO 2016
Playing with the Arkansas Wings last week instead of his regular St. Louis Eagles team, Tatum didn’t skip a beat and performed at a very high level. He is simply the most skilled offensive player in the class. He can operate from the mid post area as well as any high school player in the last few years. He still isn’t a prolific shooter from deep but from 17 feet and in he’s deadly and can get his shot whenever he wants. He’s more athletic than people give him credit for as evidenced by a flush on a defender on the baseline in a game. He shot a few air balls in Friday’s game and seemed to be a little out of rhythm, but overall it was a very good performance for him all things considered in front of his future Coach (K) in Vegas.
Miles Bridges 6’7 225 SF Huntington Prep Flint, MI 2016
The powerfully built lefty wing was arguably the most exciting player to watch in Vegas. He switched from his usual team, The Family, and ran with Mac Irvin Fire like Tatum did in Vegas. He had big dunk after big dunk, highlighted by a huge dunk over a defender in Sunday’s win over the Las Vegas Prospects. He can put you on a highlight film if you’re not careful. When he wasn’t dunking on people, he was showing off his skill set that has propelled him into a top 10 spot in the class for many evaluators. He can step out and shoot the ball out to college three and he has an underrated handle that helps him get to the basket and finish with a powerful finish or get to the line. He is a match up nightmare at this level because he is too physically strong for high school kids and can take them down to the block and can also shoot the ball and put it on the floor to keep defenses honest. He recently cut his list to Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan St. and North Carolina. Most people seem to think he’s Kentucky’s to lose and Coach Cal made his presence felt all week
Dennis Smith 6’3” 200 PG Trinity Christian School Fayetteville, NC 2016
There really isn’t much else to be said about Smith. He is arguably the top point guard in the class and did nothing to damage his stock in Vegas. He can get to the basket against any defender he wants to and once he gets there he has a variety of finishes. He can finish over, around or through you and was brilliant in the closing seconds in his teams showcase win over Indiana Elite on ESPNU. He has a strongly built frame that can absorb punishment. While he excels at getting in the lane, he has a nice stroke that can stretch out to the NBA line. He has a tendency to go for the highlight play instead of the simple one. That issue should be rectified as he matures and learns how to play with better players. The word on the street is that he’s an NC State lean, but he’s kept that very close to the vest. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
De'Aaron Fox 6’4” 170 PG Cypress Lakes Katy, TX 2016
For my money, Fox is the best point guard in a very strong PG class. He combines elite size with elite speed, quickness and length to present a deadly two way package that causes havoc all over the floor. The lefty has improved as a shooter to go with his elite quickness. Where he causes the most problems for his opponent is on the defensive end of the floor. He uses his length and cat quick reflexes to disrupt offenses and create easy scoring opportunities for his team. Friday night he put on an absolute show. He finished with 35 and made highlight reel plays on both ends capped off by a two handed block that saw him snatch the ball out of the hands of a player as he attempted a layup over Fox. He plays hard and seems to never get tired. He patterns his game after Russell Westbrook, but is more of a true point guard than Westbrook. He looks like his decision will be a Spring one and Kentucky is making a major push to gain his services
Wenyen Gabriel 6’9” 185 PF/SF Wilbraham & Monson Academy Manchester, NH 2016
Gabriel left Vegas with offers from Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and North Carolina and with good reason. He is a big time talent and is just scratching the surface of his potential. He can do a little bit of everything and has a nice inside out package that will gain more polish with more coaching and game experience. He is long and wiry and may be able to move over to the small forward position in time. He needs to fill out his frame and become a more consistent shooter, but all of the necessary tools are there to be a dynamic college player and possible future pro down the line. Needs time but is one to watch out for down the road.
Jarred Vanderbilt 6’8” 200 SF Victory Prep Academy Houston, TX 2017
This versatile and talented lefty played very well in Vegas. The game I watched saw him knock down 5 long balls. That aspect of his game is the most scrutinized and if he can constantly knock down those shots, he’s a top 3 player in the class. He can be a lock down defender and is a great ball handler and passer and is deadly in the open floor. Once he engages and doesn’t go through the motions, he can be a dominant two way player.
Brandon McCoy 6’11” 230 C/PF Cathedral Catholic San Diego, CA 2017
McCoy has seen his stock rise this Spring and Summer due to his high rate of improvement. When I first saw him in May, he was struggling with footwork and had a tendency to rush everything he did. At Peach, he had improved by leaps and bounds and 2 weeks later in Vegas, he was better. He seems to be improving on a game by game basis and is just scratching the surface of his immense upside. He has a college ready body right now and a motor that always runs high. He has good hands, elite athletic ability and a mid range jump shot that sets up his developing back to the basket game. He is becoming a priority for blue bloods and will be among the elite players nationally by the time 2017 rolls around.
Trendon Watford 6’8” 195 SF Mountain Brook Birmingham, AL 2019
The younger brother of former Indiana standout Christian Watford is as advanced of a incoming high school freshman as there is in America. He is long with big hands and he uses his length to his advantage. He can handle the ball and shoot it from mid range and college three. He rebounds the ball well on both ends in and out of his area. He’s not a freak athlete, but he’s athletic enough and his high skill level more than makes up for what he may lack. He seems to have good head on his shoulders and is better at the same age than his brother was. If he continues to improve, he’ll be among the elite players in the class.
Billy Preston 6’9” 230 PF/SF Prime Prep Dallas, TX 2017
Preston is a California native but transferred to Prime Prep in Dallas last season. He has a tremendous body for his age and is a high level athlete. He can play inside and out with the best of them but seems to turn it on and off when he wants to. Effort is the biggest issue with him right now because he seems to be a push button player. When he’s on, he’s among the elite players in the country regardless of class. When he’s not, he can float for an entire game and hardly make any impact. If he can figure out how to hone his effort and develop better focus and intensity, he has a chance to be very good.
Frank Jackson 6’3” 195 PG/SG Lone Peak Alpine, UT 2016
Utah has had it’s fair share of players in recent memory and Jackson fits that mold. He was once a BYU commit and has now seen his games attended by Coach K and his entire staff. His game is based on his power and ability to get in the lane. He can get to the basket on virtually anyone in front of him and when he gets there he can finish though you or over you. He’s not a traditional point guard in terms of running a team and his assist to turnover ratio leaves something to be desired. If he can polish his feel for the position he has an opportunity to be a lottery pick because he fits the big, strong, quick and athletic point guards in the league today.
Lonzo Ball 6’5” 180 PG Chino Hills, CA 2016
Playing in the adidas event allowed Ball play against elite national competition which is something that evaluators have lacked a lot of opportunities to see. He more than held his own on the big stage matched up against the likes of Frank Jackson, Dennis Smith and Kobi Simmons. Ball is easily the most gifted passer of the group and plays at a pace that makes the game look easy. He can simply do what he wants but a lot has to happen in order for him to reach his potential. He has been in a system that is not very conducive for success at the college level and beyond. His high school and travel team seems to play a style that emphasizes the 3 ball and has very little regard for structure or shot selection. He also needs a major overhaul of his shooting form. Despite these issues, he still possesses great ability and his intangibles (desire, intensity, passing and defense) give him a chance to be special.
Mustapha Heron 6’5’ 205 SG Sacred Heart Westbury, CT 2016
Heron and his NY Rens teammate Rawle Alkins are the most powerful set of wings to come across the AAU circuit in a long time. Heron’s strength allow him to get wherever he wants to get to on the floor. Defenders just bounce off of him when he puts his head down. He has a powerful first step and a nice lefty stroke that can keep defenses honest. He’s not a great shooter but he can make shots and he is a very good athlete to finish over the trees. His body and left handed game will remind some of Harold Miner, although not quite the athlete but with a better natural feel for the game.
