I'm not a talent scout or trainer....
Watched this kid last night. Need to temper hopes of an immediate impact player. Didn't stand next to him, but he didn't look 6'10" - nor present himself as a 6'10" body. Certainly didn't tower over others (but long arms). He is thin, very thin (saw a web site that said he benches 120 - I'd tend to believe that - that will be his first college need). His gait shows he hasn't nearly grown into his body - which is understandable.
I watched the 1st half. he came off the bench and scored 3 points (1-3 from 3 and a missed put back) and had 3 rebounds at half (finished with 6 and 6 - about what he averaged last year at a larger school and right at his season average this year). Teams is deep, so sure coach tries to spread the minutes - not worried about his starting or not.
Offensively he'd set up briefly in the lower box, then would quickly drift to the corner looking to take a 3. Had one offensive board on put back attempt - otherwise didn't mix it up in the middle - stayed outside. On defense played the middle. one foul on a block attempt on a guard, otherwise not tested much inside. But did have difficulty holding out others on rebounds.
United Faith players didn't show much basketball acumen: poor footwork, spacing, etc. Did play aggressive D at the 3 point line and a solid half-court zone trap press. But get the impression little "coaching" taking place.
Will absolutely need a redshirt next year. Then another couple years to learn the game and get coached up. On D needs to learn how to dominate space, rather than occupy space. On offense will need to get more physical and aggressive - we don't need a stretch 4 focused on shooting shots from the 3, The kid that started ahead of him was much more active setting picks and banging down low - getting loose balls, etc.
Understand he has only played basketball a coupe of years. Will need considerable time to continue to learn game - certainly can't teach height, but can teach how to use height - which unfortunately I don't see happening at HS program. Has decent shot, but practicing shooting and learning game are two very different things.
Again, not a talent scout or trainer, will defer to Saul on what he sees. But don't see another Flomo or Smith, nor contributing much during Carter years - good news he will learn more watching Carter's footwork in one practice than he knows at this point. Will be a couple year project, then will see.
Last Edited: 1/10/2018 11:45:18 AM by cc-cat