The Under Armour Association closed out their season in Atlanta with WeR1 winning back to back championships. While UAA doesn’t get the same recognition as the Nike EYBL, they had their share of prospects, and have had a few big names in their minimal years of existence: Markelle Fultz, Josh Jackson, and Thon Maker to name a few.
Scottie Lewis 6’5 177 SG/SF, 6’10.25 wingspan, 8’6 standing reach -Team Rio 2019
It’s rare to find a player at this level that plays with so much passion and is so coachable. He never fails to get into a defensive stance, gets chase down blocks, and contests every shot, usually without fouling. He’s a gifted athlete but his shooting is not yet polished and needs to find more ways to consistently score. He uses his quickness to beat the defense but should look to add more creativity with the ball, as he generally relies on outjumping the defense. He did show a good spin move but overall lacks technique as a finisher and got the ball stolen a few times when operating in traffic. He missed a few key free throws and only shot 64.7% from the line. His 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game was solid but he’s capable of much more as he develops. Lewis is a talented prospect who can have a bright future in this game.
Eric Ayala 6’5 190 SG, 6’7 wingspan, 8’4 standing reach – WeR1 2018
Ayala helped WeR1 to win championship over Team Charlotte, posting 17 points and 11 rebounds in the final game. Nine of his points came from free throws and he didn’t shoot too well from the floor going 4-13. Labeled as a combo guard, his shooting must improve as he shot 27.3% from three and 62% from free throw over the UAA season. Ayala showed vocal leadership and used his strength to take and initiate contact. Sometimes he looked for contact on a drive more than the basket. Ayala averaged 17.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game over the UAA Finals as WeR1 won back to back championships.
Devon Dotson 6’2 175 PG, 6’2.5 wingspan, 7’10 standing reach – Team Charlotte 2018
Team Charlotte made a good run but came up a little short losing in the finals. Dotson averaged 20.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. He constantly attacks the basket, showing good hang time and body control to finish at the rim. He’s got a strong body and embraces contact, which is why he shot ten free throws per game and 22 in a single game against Team Thad. His shooting must improve as it doesn’t have proper rotation and he shot 25% from three over the UAA Finals and 30% over the UAA season. He was active and quick on the defensive end with 1.4 steals per game. He didn’t have an assist in the championship game but averaged 3.2 per game, moving the ball and leading in transition. His turnovers can be minimized with 2.4 per game which was down from his average over the season of 3.2.
Tyler Harris PG 5’11 160 PG, 5’9 wingspan, 7’5 standing reach – Team Thad 2018
There was never a dull moment when Harris was on the floor. He played fearless and knifed through the defense with his quickness and tight ball handling ability. He was shifty, didn’t overdribble, and was never under pressure. On defense, he pressed the whole game and was a pest for the ball handler. He shot the ball very well, 46.3% from three, deep range and ability to shoot off the dribble. He also showed some springs in his legs on one play catching an oop in traffic, slamming it off the back rim as he was fouled. Team Thad lost in the semifinals with a 4-1 record with Harris averaging 22.6 points, 5.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 3.2 turnovers per game.
Cassius Stanley 6’6 185 SG, 6’6 wingspan, 8’4 standing reach – Earl Watson Elite 2019
Something that stood out to me looking at Stanley’s stats, he has improved as a shooter with a 3pt% of 40.9%, however, he only shot 2-11 (18.2%) in Atlanta. He’s also only a 58.3% free throw shooter. He’s looking more comfortable running the point and shows a developing floater but still needs a midrange game. He attacked the rim when given the opportunity, showing his explosive leaping ability that made his name early in his youth career. Stanley averaged 12 points, 4.6 rebounds, two assists, and 2.6 turnovers per game. Earl Watson Elite ended with a 4-1 record.
Nazreon Reid 6’10 250 PF/C, 7’0.75 wingspan, 9’0 standing reach – Sports U 2018
Sports U only played three games in Atlanta, Reid averaged nine points and nine rebounds on 39.1% shooting. While he has the mobility and skills to step out to the perimeter, his impact would be much bigger if he played in the paint more. He tends to coast and was too content, showing no urgency to show his dominant force as he stood out among everyone else on the floor with his size and skillset. With that said, he did display his step back, put the ball on the floor and shake his man, he also shows some craft on his layups you don’t typically see from big men. It’s not often for a player his size to call for a screen out on the perimeter. When Reid did go into the post, he used his soft touch and it’s evident he has a good understanding of the game. While Reid was one of the top talents on the UAA circuit, Sports U lost all three games at the Finals.
Jahvon Quinerly 6’2 165 PG, 6’4.75 wingspan, 8’0 standing reach – Sports U 2018
Quinerly scored a total of 24 points in his two games. He’s very good off the dribble. He was under control when pressured, playing at his pace, and got into the lane at will to show soft touch on his floater or getting to the rim to use his signature jellyfam finger roll. He found the open shooter for a cross court pass when the defense would shift to his side. Usually a terrific outside shooter (43.2% on the year), he struggled to connect, making only one of seven attempts.
Elijah Weaver 6’5 190 PG, 6’7.75 wingspan, 8’2 standing reach – Team Breakdown 2018
Weaver was all over the place with his scoring in his four games: Six, 16, five, and 24 points on 37.8% shooting. He takes a lot of threes for not being a good shooter, 20% on almost four attempts per game. He also must cut down the 2.8 turnovers per game. However, he’s a shifty guard with a good crossover, and instinctive off the dribble. He drives and dishes to the open big man after bringing the help defender to him and hits cutters at the right time on their stride. There’s no doubt that Weaver’s a talented guard but his shooting and ability to run a team have a way to go to reach his potential.
Anfernee Simons 6’4 175 PG/SG, 6’6.5 wingspan, 8’2 standing reach – Team Breakdown 2018 (Louisville)
Simons is a high-volume shooter, taking 17 shots per game but was big for his team scoring 23.5 points per game. He’s a cold-blooded shooter, hitting big shots all weekend and shooting 41.4% from three, making tightly contested shots on routine. He got fouled on multiple three-point attempts. He’s got a quick first step and shoots well off the dribble as well as catch. Simons has solid athleticism to pair with his scoring ability. He was first in the league in scoring with 20.4 points per game over the UAA season. Team Breakdown went 2-2 but lost in the first round to Team Felton.
Bryan Antoine 6’6 175 SG, 6’6.25 wingspan, 8’3 standing reach – Team Rio 2019
Antoine struggled with his shooting early on but it picked up after the first game. He shot 4-13, missing all his threes and wasn’t converting his layups. He ended up with an 18.5 point per game scoring average and hit a game winning three. He has a textbook jump shot with proper mechanics and arc. He also shows good touch on his floater. Antoine’s a talented prospect but I would like to see his aggression and intensity pick up. Team Rio went 2-2 with three of the games only decided by one point.
Jalen Suggs 6’4 185 PG/SG, 6’4.5 wingspan, 8’2 standing reach – Grassroots Sizzle 2020
Suggs is one of the top rising sophomores and while he isn’t the most productive player right now, he flashed his talent throughout the event. He had a rough first game against Texas Hard Work, shooting 3-15 from the floor, 1-8 from three, and six turnovers. On the positive side, he posted 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. In other games, he showed a smooth jump shot and his ability to stop on a dime to pull up as the defense freezes. He has a quick step and attacks the middle, taking what the defense gives him, sometimes scoring for himself while other times kicking to the open man. He handles full court pressure well for his age and can get flashy with his passing. He looks like he can be a strong defender when he was on the ball but he usually roamed on defense. As his game matures, we will see more consistency and less turnovers. Over his UAA season, he averaged 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.5 steals, and 3.5 turnovers.
Moses Brown 7’0 225 C, 7’4 wingspan, 9’3 standing reach – New Heights 2018
Brown didn’t play against anyone who could match his size, as he stood out as a shot blocker and rebounder, he didn’t jump if he didn’t have to and wasn’t the quickest closing out on the perimeter. He has good mobility and can put the ball on the floor and make a move in spurts but needs to improve for it to be a translatable skill at higher levels. He likes to bang but if he’s not the one initiating the contact, he loses balance getting bumped off his drive. As mentioned earlier, he didn’t have anyone on him with his size so it’s understandable he scored inside easily but he makes layups with either hand while jumping off either foot. In addition to his post-game and inside touch, Brown has the foundation for a face up game from midrange but for whatever reason, he twists his body when he shoots. He made some jump shots in the game but air balled free throws on more than one occasion. Brown put up an average of 14.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, and 2.3 turnovers per game while shooting 53% from the floor and only 51.5% from the free throw line.
Precious Achiuwa 6’9 185 SF/PF, 6’11 wingspan, 8’11 standing reach – New Heights 16U 2019
Achiuwa was one of the most intriguing prospects and could’ve helped New Heights’ 17U team. He led his team to a 4-1 record and was consistently productive with 19.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game with a field goal percentage of 62.3%. He has great versatility with well above average run and jump athleticism. He defended every position and got a few chase down blocks finishing with an average of 2.6 per game. He handles the ball well, demonstrating in the full court and excels as a slasher. For having ability to shoot, he doesn’t settle for too many threes, shooting 50% on ten attempts.
