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I'm continuing my review of the future of Canadian basketball future prospects, with an eye not only to the next Olympics, but also to the one after. Prospects from the class of 2019 will be 24 by 2024, so if one of them sticks out, he could find himself on the national team. This used to be a strong class with Barrett and Nembhard, but after they reclassified to 2018 it's no longer that deep or talented. The two best prospects for me:

Tyrese Samuel (SF/PF, 6’9). Excellent size and a very good athlete. Didn’t see him play that much, but he can do many things – drive to the basket and finish high above the rim, shoot the three, pass, and defend. When he's in form, such as in the final of the CNIT this summer (look for the clip), he looks like a future star. Right now he’s quite inconsistent, both between games and within the same game, especially in terms of focus and taking possessions off on defense. But the flashes show that he’s an NBA potential if everything clicks and consistency improves (seems like much of it is a matter of mentality and immaturity). Plays for Wasatch Academy in Utah this year, where Emanuel Akot was until last year. Should probably stay in high school for two more years and then maybe a couple of years in college will help him reach his potential.

AJ Lawson (Combo-guard, 6’7). I’ve watched many complete games with him over the last two years. A tall, long and wiry scoring guard. Great size for the position at any level. There’s also something about him that really catches the eye. Great ball handling skills and shooting form. Will be able to create shots for himself from the perimeter at any level, due to his height, quick release, and ball handling skills (beautiful cross-over and step-back shot). Also able to get to the paint when he sets his mind to it and can finish easily above the rim in transition or on the break. A pretty good passer and usually gives a good defensive effort (gets many steals at the high school level). Likes money-time shots and I’ve seen him make tough winning buckets more than once.

On the downside, AJ is quite thin. Clearly still not fully developed physically, but I don’t think he’ll ever be very strong (has kind of a Sean Livingston body type). Also quite stricky. As I said, he has good form and quick release on his shot, but doesn’t make it with consistency. He shoots a lot from three, but often misses in bunches. I’ve seen him quite a few times go something like 3/12 or even worse. He also often finds it hard to finish in traffic or absorb contact, largely due to his lack of great strength. Hopefully these things will improve as his body matures and fills up. Has already shows very nice progress over the last two years. If that continues, he’s certainly an NBA potential (already has offers from Oregon, and I think a few other high-major colleges).

Beyond Samuel and Lawson, I don’t see many others from this class who right now look like they have a good shot at getting to the NBA. But maybe one of the following if they make a real jump over the next few years:

Emanuel Miller (6’7 SF). Moved this year to high school powerhouse La Lumiere. Hopefully will use the tougher competition to really hone his skills. He's long, a very good athlete, and already a pretty good defensive player. Offensively, he’s quite raw though. Can shoot the three and drive and finish above the rim, but his shooting touch is not great and so is his ball handling. I do like him, because he seems like a good kid and gives a great effort, but the talent level seems somewhat limited when talking about the highest levels.

Quincy Guerier (6’7 SG/SF). Another Quebecois, like Dort. Very good scorer. Excellent 3-point shooter. But not that good right now at other aspects of the game. Doesn’t have a great feel for the game. Also, doesn’t create much for others, and tends to disappear within games or alternatively take bad shots. Didn’t play well for Canada in the U17 World Championship in 2016. Was better this summer at AAU with Bounce, alongside Simi and Brezdaikis. Age wise, he’s actually a year older -- born in 1999 and is actually older than Simi and Barret (by more than a year), although they are both considered in the class of 2018.

Lual Akot (6’5 shooting guard). An under-the-radar guard from Ottawa (Sudanese origin I think). Might not be as talented as the two above, but I like him. Great shooter (although can be stricky), who plays with a lot of gumption. Still inconsistent between games, but a good athlete and defender, good passer, and can play above the rim. Not an elite level talent, and probably not NBA material, but there’s something about him and I hope he surprises.

Maybe we’ll get to see Akot play higher level completion for the U18 Canadian team this summer in St. Catharines (we're hosting the championship). Samuel, Lawson, and Miller will likely be there, although I’m not sure we’ll get to see Barrett and Nembhard, as they will be preparing for college, and at least the former has already paid his dues and have nothing more to prove at this level.

Other classes:

2017-18:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1643672
2020:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1644482&p=60956369#p60956369
2021:
viewtopic.php?t=1644845
2022:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1645274
2023 + :
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1645754

Thanks this is really helpful.
This is a little below my radar so I haven't seen any of these guys play and I am not really familiar with any of them. So most of this crew is slated for the FIBA Americas u18 team and mostly too old for the FIBA u17 WCs right (which was last summers u16 team)?
Any others besides Barrett and Nembhard of the 2018 class eligible for the u18 team this summer? You'd think we'd get full turnout with it being on home soil. Hopefully the AAU club rivalries don't interfere with turnout.

mojo13 wrote:Thanks this is really helpful.
This is a little below my radar so I haven't seen any of these guys play and I am not really familiar with any of them. So most of this crew is slated for the FIBA Americas u18 team and mostly too old for the FIBA u17 WCs right (which was last summers u16 team)?
Any others besides Barrett and Nembhard of the 2018 class eligible for the u18 team this summer? You'd think we'd get full turnout with it being on home soil. Hopefully, the AAU club rivalries don't interfere with turnout.

In terms of the U18 team this summer, it is indeed interesting, because the tournament is coming to Canada. Would be really nice if RJ and Nembhard would make an appearance, although I would totally understand if he chooses not to.

If not, I would think the guards could be some combination of:
* AJ Lawson, who I mention above
* Joel Brown, who I don't talk about, but is a strong and quick PG, with good penetration, although his perimeter shot is quite weak and he is still learning how to really control the rhythm of the game (Nembhard is clearly better at that).
* Keshaun Saunders (6'5), playing for Orangevielle Prep, is considered a 2018 prospect, but I think he was born in 2000, so might be able to play as well (a really nice aggressive guard, with good shooting).
* Lual Akot, who I also talk about above.
* Tre Edwards (6'6 SG), who plays at Hamilton Heights in the US and is a good shooter and athlete, although he tends a bit to disappear during games
* Another PG, perhaps Dalano Banton or Jahcobi Neath. the former is a tall PG, with good court vision, but not very athletic. The latter is an excellent athlete, but I'm less confident about his PG skills.
* Could also be one of the two 2020 guards -- McNeilly or Patterson (or both) -- for some extra shooting (McNeilly) and ball handling. Depends I think on how they do in the U17 world championship.

At the wing, we'll probably have:
* Miller and Samuel, who I mention above.
* Jevonnie Scott (6'7 forward) from Athlete Institute can play both the 3 and the 4. An athletic forward with developing skills and a lot of strength.
* Maybe Wheza Panzo, also from Hamilton Heights. Another 6'6 or 6'7, who does many things on the court, but from what I've seen doesn't do any of them particularly well.
Not sure who else

Bigs, as I said, is a problem. Probably will come from the following group:
* Jaden Bediako (6'9 Center). Almost surely will make it into this team. Very big and wide, with an incredible wingspan. Really dominates the paint against lesser competition. But very limited athletically. Slow and still a bit clumsy, although he's made huge improvements over the last two years. despite the athletic limitations, his a great shot blocker, due to his size and good timing. On offense, he's developed a nice hook shot and can now finish much better with contact.
* Malcolm Bailey (6'8 PF). Plays with Jaden at Ridley College (together with Jaden's younger brother Charles). Unlike Jaden, he's a really good athlete and has very nice potential I think. But not very tall and sometimes shies away for contact. Tries to make a transition now to the SF, but I think his skillset is more that of a PF.
* I quite liked what I saw from Asara Otchere, who might actually be in the class of 2020. Not very big (6'8 I think), but excellent athlete and lives in the paint. Good defensive player
* Ben Hendriks (6'10 PF), playing for Athlete Institute, is also a nice prospect. Decent athlete who can finish well around the rim when teammates set him up. Also gives decent defense.

Need more bigs in Canada.