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adidas Nations Scouting Reports Part 1

adidas Nations Scouting Reports Part 1
Aug 10, 2014, 02:25 pm
Scouting notes on some of the elite players in the high school game including Jaylen Brown, Chase Jeter, and Dedric Lawson.

adidas Nations Interviews
Norman Powell
Montrezl Harrell
Norman Powell
Kobi Simmons
Thon Maker
Chase Jeter



Jaylen Brown, 6'6, Small Forward, Wheeler (CA), Class of 2015
Uncommitted

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #4, 24/7 #2, Rivals #3, ESPN #8

Strengths:
-Good size for a wing player at around 6-7
-Strong frame. Solid wingspan
-Excellent athlete
-Powerful first step. Plays above the rim with ease
-Has good shooting mechanics even if he sees inconsistent results from outside
-Capable of making shots with his feet set or off the dribble
-Attacks the rim with both hands
-Outstanding in transition
-Gets to the free throw line prolifically
-Doesn't settle for jumpers even though he can make them
-Enjoys taking contact at the rim, doesn't shy away from a hit
-Great potential defensively
-Moves feet extremely well. Does a good job staying in front of opponents
-Shows good timing as a shot-blocker
-Gets in the passing lanes regularly
-Prolific rebounder
-Unselfish player, makes the extra pass
-Plays with a chip on his shoulder. Always in attack mode
-Has terrific intangibles off the court. Very intelligent

Weaknesses:
-Jump-shot is still a work in progress. Was a non-shooter not too long ago and is still finding his consistency
-Sometimes tries to do a little too much and forces issue, causing turnovers
-Still working on his ball-handling skills. Needs to improve his left hand

Outlook: Physically gifted prospect with a great combination of toughness, athleticism and smarts. Not consistent with his offensive game yet, but shows the makings of a versatile skill-set, including the ability to create his own shot and punish defenses from the perimeter. After a strong summer is starting to get consideration for potentially being the #1 prospect in his high school class.


Chase Jeter, 6'10, Power Forward, Bishop Gorman (NV), Class of 2015
Committed to Duke

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #9, 24/7 #19, Rivals #8, ESPN #13

Strengths:
-Good size for a power forward at 6-10 in shoes with a near 7-2 wingspan
-Has a frame that should fill out nicely in time
-Smooth, fluid athlete
-Has the making of a nice skill-level for a player his size
-Can handle the ball a bit and attack his man from the high post
-Uses jump hooks to scores inside with soft touch
-Uses his quickness and skill-level to draw fouls at a nice rate
-Has rebounded extremely well at every level he's played at. Seems to have very good timing to go along with solid length and quickness. 15.7 rebounds per-40 in adidas Gauntlet competition this summer
-Young for his class. Only 16 years old

Weaknesses:
-Needs to continue to fill out his frame, particularly his lower body
-Lacks a degree of toughness. Lets other big men push him around without offering great resistance
-Smooth, but not overly explosive. Struggles to finish through contact in traffic at times
-Somewhat stuck between the 4 and the 5 defensively
-Struggles to step out on the perimeter and stay low to the ground
-Can't always put a body on some of the stronger centers he encounters
-Needs to continue to add range to his jumper
-Not a consistent free throw shooter


Dedric Lawson, 6'8, Small Forward, Arlington Country Day (FL), Class of 2016
Committed to Memphis

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #9, 24/7 #12, Rivals #8, ESPN #7

Strengths:
-Good size for his position at 6-8
-Excellent frame
-Very long wingspan (measured at 7-1+)
-Smooth, fluid athlete
-Great scoring instincts
-Unselfish player. Makes the extra pass
-Very effective in transition
-Doesn't shoot a ton of 3-pointers but makes the ones he takes at a decent clip (35% 3P% on 110 attempts in 49 career EYBL games)
-Can score a little with his back to the basket thanks to length, quickness, scoring instincts
-Uses his long wingspan and strong instincts to get plenty of blocks, steals and offensive rebounds at the high school level

Weaknesses:
-More smooth than explosive. Not super vertical
-Has a slow release on his jump-shot. Looks hesitant to take open shots from outside at times
-Settles for too many bad shots inside the arc. Loves to take all kinds of low-percentage floaters and runners inside the paint
-Had a very low 2-point percentage (47%) in the 2014 EYBL.
-Not a great finisher around the basket
-Somewhat of a tweener at this stage. Not strong enough to guard most big men. Struggles to operate on the perimeter full time
-Rarely in an actual defensive stance
-Lets opposing perimeter players blow right past him

Outlook: Long, smooth, talented forward with excellent scoring instincts. A little bit stuck between positions at this stage. Says he sees himself as a stretch power forward in the NBA long term.


K.J. Lawson, 6'6, Small Forward, Hamilton (TN), Class of 2015
Committed to Memphis

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #37, 24/7 #46, Rivals #57, ESPN #37

Strengths:
-Versatile forward
-Good scoring instincts
-Can handle the ball a bit
-Good in transition
-Some post game
-can post up a bit.
-Solid upper body
-Can make an occasional outside shot with feet set
-Gets to the free throw line at a nice clip. Smart about drawing fouls. Makes 74% of attempts

Weaknesses:
-Undersized combo forward at 6-6
-Not an efficient scorer at high school level. 45% 2P%
-Doesn't show a lot of confidence in outside shot, even when left open
-Slow release on jump-shot. Average shooting mechanics
-Shot just 28 3-pointers in 21 games at the EYBL
-Doesn't have a great lower body
-Just an average athlete. Lacks explosiveness
-Struggles to finish around the basket in traffic
-Average decision maker. Takes a lot of bad shots inside the arc
-Average defender. Very upright on the perimeter
-Average passer
-Little bit old for class. Will turn 20 before he's even eligible to be drafted

Outlook: One of the better scorers in the Nike EYBL, averaging 18 points in 27 minutes per game.


Braxton Blackwell, 6'7, Small Forward, Christ Presbyterian (TN), Class of 2016

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #41, 24/7 #24, Rivals #33, ESPN #25

Strengths:
-Good size. Very strong frame
-Smooth, fluid player
-Fundamentally sound
-Good scoring instincts
-Strong feel for game
-Excellent passer
-Unselfish player
-Solid ball-handler
-Competitive defender
-Gets in a low stance on the perimeter, closes out well

Weaknesses:
-Good, not great athlete
-Looks physically mature already relative to his peers
-Average finisher around the basket
-Doesn't show much range on his jump-shot at this stage. Shooting mechanics are improvable
-A year old for his class. Will turn 20 during his freshman year of college

Outlook: Mature, versatile young player with strong intangibles and a well-rounded skill-set. Needs to continue to work on his jump-shot to make the transition from power forward to the perimeter, but knows how to play and shows good intensity and smarts.


Mario Kegler, 6'6, Small Forward, Arlington Country Day (FL), Class of 2016

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #32, 24/7 #32, Rivals #39, ESPN #16

Strengths:
-Wing player with solid size
-Strong frame, long arms
-Scores prolifically at the high school level (28 points per-40 at adidas Gauntlet, 25 points per-40 at adidas Nations)
-Very aggressive in transition
-Takes the ball strong to the basket and finishes aggressively once there, often through contact
-Gets to the free throw line at a tremendous rate
-Capable of making an outside shot

Weaknesses:
-Not an efficient scorer at this stage
-Jump-shot has a very slow release with a high arch
-Not incredibly explosive around the basket, relies more on strength
-Forces the issue quite a bit
-Average decision maker at best
-Very turnover prone
-Doesn't create much for others
-Needs to improve advanced ball-handling skills in half-court
-Forces up a lot of tough looks inside the arc, leading to a low 2P%

Outlook: Prolific scorer at the high school level. Shows solid instincts for putting the ball in the basket. Needs to continue to round out his game and not rely so heavily on physical tools as he matures.


De'Aaron Fox, 6'3, Point Guard, Cypress Lakes (TX), Class of 2016
Uncommitted

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #26, 24/7 #6, Rivals #86, ESPN #13

Strengths:
-Tremendous quickness.
-Gets from end to end in a blink.
-Draws fouls.
-Excellent in transition.
-Takes charges.
-Lefty.
-Very good defender.
-Moves feet very well.
-Put pressure on the ball.
-Great quickness.
-Very explosive.
-Plays above the rim.

Weaknesses:
-Limited scorer.
-Very thin legs.
-Average touch around the basket.
-Poor shot-selection.
-Too many off the dribble jumpers.
-Only plays at one speed.
skinny frame, legs.
-Not a good shooter at all.
-Decent mechanics but poor touch.
-Ugly looking floaters from 15 feet.


Justin Simon, 6'5, Point Guard, Temecula Valley (CA), Class of 2015
Committed to Arizona

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #41, 24/7 #43, Rivals #23, ESPN #23

Strengths:
-Great size for his position. Measured 6-5 in shoes. Excellent frame
-Tremendous wingspan. Measured at 6-11
-Big hands
-Gifted athlete. Quick in the open court. Can play above the rim with ease
-Excels in transition thanks to his excellent physical tools
-Can find the open man in drive and dish situations
-Outstanding defender capable of guarding multiple positions
-Moves feet extremely well. Puts pressure on the ball
-Generates blocks and steals. Outstanding rebounder for his position

Weaknesses:
-Limited offensive player in the half-court
-Lacks serious range on his jump-shot. Only made 11 total 3-pointers in 28 games (39 attempts) at the adidas Nations and Gauntlet events this summer
-Average ball-handler in the half-court, particularly with left hand
-Struggles to create high percentage shots for himself and others against set defenses. Shot 40% from 2-point range this summer
-Doesn't have great touch around the rim yet. Not an efficient finisher if he can't simply dunk the ball
-A year old for his class. Will be 20 years old before he's even eligible to be drafted

Outlook: Gifted physical specimen with tremendous potential defensively. Unselfish player who likes to get others involved, but still has a ways to go to round out his offensive skill-level, particularly his outside shot.


Maverick Rowan, 6'7, SG/SF, Lincoln Park (PA), Class of 2016
Committed to Pittsburgh

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #43, 24/7 #55, Rivals #43, ESPN #56

Strengths:
-Good size for a wing at 6-6 or 6-7
-Solid frame and wingspan
-Very good shooting mechanics, quick release
-Can make shots both with feet set and pulling up off the dribble
-Extremely reliable catch and shoot threat
-Finds ways to score inside of the arc, finishing in transition, attacking closeouts, etc
-Shot 88% from the free throw line

Weaknesses:
-Body is still filling out
-Average ball-handler in half-court situations. Very upright in his first step
-Struggles to create his own shot against set defenses
-Doesn't look to create much for others
-Shot-selection can be questionable at times
-Defensive potential is a question mark
-Average lateral quickness.

Outlook: Son of former NBA draft pick and longtime European pro Ron Rowan (Notre Dame/St. John's). Confident, aggressive scorer with solid instincts for putting the ball in the basket. Averaged 19 points in 27 minutes per game at the adidas Gauntlet on 45% shooting from beyond the arc. Needs to continue to round out his game on both ends of the floor to prove that he's more than just a spot-up shooter for the highest levels of basketball.



Kobi Simmons, 6'5, Point Guard, St. Francis (GA), Class of 2016

Jonathan Givony

Recruiting Rankings: Scout #7, 24/7 #25, Rivals #15, ESPN #29

Strengths:
-Great size for his position
-Smooth, fluid athlete
-Quick in transition
-Very good first step driving left
-Puts pressure on the defense with his probing, aggressive style of ball-handling
-Can make an outside shot
-Shot 81% from the free throw line at the adidas Gauntlet (87 attempts)
-Quick hands for steals
-Anticipates in passing lanes
-Very good potential defensively thanks to his size

Weaknesses:
-Still learning the nuances of how to run a team efficiently
-Somewhat wild in his approach to the game
-More of a scorer than a facilitator at this stage (-1.7 PPR in Gauntlet)
-Shows average vision in the half-court
-Lack of strength makes it difficult to finish around the rim effectively in half-court settings
-Not a consistent 3-point shooter
-Very low release point on his jumper
-Has an average wingspan relative to his height

Outlook: Talented guard who's reputation revolves more around his potential as a big point than it does around his actual production. Still learning how to maximize his tools on both ends of the floor and play efficient basketball. Only 17 so still has plenty of time.

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