Future draft classes

[ManualRam]

Looks like Tyus Battle took that route as well because I hadn't heard/seen much from him till recently. Kidd looks much bigger than he was before and looked to be smoother with his movements than the last time i saw him like he wasn't fighting so much for space as he was just naturally creating it for himself.

Better SG size than Monk and Ferguson how do the 3 of them rank to you?

tyus is playing. he's playing up with the u17s on the EYBL circuit, but not playing particularly well. i still like him though. he does have good size and he's a better ball-handler and 3 pt shooter than say, vj king.

i'd rank him behind monk and in front of terrance ferguson. monk has a dynamite combination of athleticism and scoring instincts. he's also improving as a playmaker too. ferguson is a track athlete so he does have a ton of potential, but if his 3's aren't going in, he doesn't seem to know how to impact the game. he can run, jump and shoot 3's but the rest of his game needs a lot of work.

Monk look like a combo guard long term or can he make that transition to PG?

he looks like a 2 to me in the same way that malik newman looks like a 2 to me. i think he's made more strides in his playmaking at the same stage than newman has though. if its one option over the other due to size, i'd say combo, but monk looks like and plays like a 2.

[Rosque]

Wow, 5 pages and not a single mention of next great european guard Mario Hezonja? He is 18 and was already voted as second(or third?) most exciting player in the Spanish League, while playing for Barcelona.

[Marcus]

Wow, 5 pages and not a single mention of next great european guard Mario Hezonja? He is 18 and was already voted as second(or third?) most exciting player in the Spanish League, while playing for Barcelona.

he's got his very own thread.

[Rosque]

Wow, 5 pages and not a single mention of next great european guard Mario Hezonja? He is 18 and was already voted as second(or third?) most exciting player in the Spanish League, while playing for Barcelona.

he's got his very own thread.

Don't worry, I am aware of that. I'm just saying that there are players who have their own threads, just like Mario has and yet they are mentioned multiple times.

[Marcus]

Wow, 5 pages and not a single mention of next great european guard Mario Hezonja? He is 18 and was already voted as second(or third?) most exciting player in the Spanish League, while playing for Barcelona.

he's got his very own thread.

Don't worry, I am aware of that. I'm just saying that there are players who have their own threads, just like Mario has and yet they are mentioned multiple times.

i don't know much about the kid so i have nothing to contribute to this thread in reference to him.

what's your take on him and how he stacks up to next year's crop of talent?

[Rosque]

he's got his very own thread.

Don't worry, I am aware of that. I'm just saying that there are players who have their own threads, just like Mario has and yet they are mentioned multiple times.

i don't know much about the kid so i have nothing to contribute to this thread in reference to him.

what's your take on him and how he stacks up to next year's crop of talent?

I don't know much about next years draft other than Mario and two or three more players. I always find about US prospects during the season when hype catches up.

That being said, with knowing this is another top-heavy draft with good big men, I think he is bound to go to the lottery. DX has him as 6th.

Mario is swingmen, 6'6 tall. He is great scorer, very athletic (youtube his dunks). His ability to make tough shots is very Kobe-like. Unfortunately, so is his shot decision. His off-ball defense is also Kobe-like -- nonexistent. He's not very good team player, thinks he is the best on the team etc. He needs right organization/mentor and he will get his head straight. Great in pick and rolls, but more willing to shoot a tough jumper than pass to a teammate in better position. He gave more balls to opposition team than Spalding. Very turnover prone. With better focus and concentration he could become all-star in the league...or Jamaal Crawford type of player. But I doubt he would take that role.

[Marcus]

Don't worry, I am aware of that. I'm just saying that there are players who have their own threads, just like Mario has and yet they are mentioned multiple times.

i don't know much about the kid so i have nothing to contribute to this thread in reference to him.

what's your take on him and how he stacks up to next year's crop of talent?

I don't know much about next years draft other than Mario and two or three more players. I always find about US prospects during the season when hype catches up.

That being said, with knowing this is another top-heavy draft with good big men, I think he is bound to go to the lottery. DX has him as 6th.

Mario is swingmen, 6'6 tall. He is great scorer, very athletic (youtube his dunks). His ability to make tough shots is very Kobe-like. Unfortunately, so is his shot decision. His off-ball defense is also Kobe-like -- nonexistent. He's not very good team player, thinks he is the best on the team etc. He needs right organization/mentor and he will get his head straight. Great in pick and rolls, but more willing to shoot a tough jumper than pass to a teammate in better position. He gave more balls to opposition team than Spalding. Very turnover prone. With better focus and concentration he could become all-star in the league...or Jamaal Crawford type of player. But I doubt he would take that role.

if somebody drafts him this upcoming season, is he a guy they'll have to wait for or is he looking to make the transition to the NBA right away?

[Rosque]

i don't know much about the kid so i have nothing to contribute to this thread in reference to him.

what's your take on him and how he stacks up to next year's crop of talent?

I don't know much about next years draft other than Mario and two or three more players. I always find about US prospects during the season when hype catches up.

That being said, with knowing this is another top-heavy draft with good big men, I think he is bound to go to the lottery. DX has him as 6th.

Mario is swingmen, 6'6 tall. He is great scorer, very athletic (youtube his dunks). His ability to make tough shots is very Kobe-like. Unfortunately, so is his shot decision. His off-ball defense is also Kobe-like -- nonexistent. He's not very good team player, thinks he is the best on the team etc. He needs right organization/mentor and he will get his head straight. Great in pick and rolls, but more willing to shoot a tough jumper than pass to a teammate in better position. He gave more balls to opposition team than Spalding. Very turnover prone. With better focus and concentration he could become all-star in the league...or Jamaal Crawford type of player. But I doubt he would take that role.

if somebody drafts him this upcoming season, is he a guy they'll have to wait for or is he looking to make the transition to the NBA right away?

Honestly, I have no idea. He plays in Spain and I'm from Croatia so there's language barrier for me in reading articles about him. I don't remember reading anything in Sports News (best sports newspapers in Croatia) about him and coming/not coming to the NBA. But, knowing his thirst and willingness to accept challenge, I think his situation is same as Dario Šarić' one -- top 12 and he'll come immediately.

[Marcus]

I don't know much about next years draft other than Mario and two or three more players. I always find about US prospects during the season when hype catches up.

That being said, with knowing this is another top-heavy draft with good big men, I think he is bound to go to the lottery. DX has him as 6th.

Mario is swingmen, 6'6 tall. He is great scorer, very athletic (youtube his dunks). His ability to make tough shots is very Kobe-like. Unfortunately, so is his shot decision. His off-ball defense is also Kobe-like -- nonexistent. He's not very good team player, thinks he is the best on the team etc. He needs right organization/mentor and he will get his head straight. Great in pick and rolls, but more willing to shoot a tough jumper than pass to a teammate in better position. He gave more balls to opposition team than Spalding. Very turnover prone. With better focus and concentration he could become all-star in the league...or Jamaal Crawford type of player. But I doubt he would take that role.

if somebody drafts him this upcoming season, is he a guy they'll have to wait for or is he looking to make the transition to the NBA right away?

Honestly, I have no idea. He plays in Spain and I'm from Croatia so there's language barrier for me in reading articles about him. I don't remember reading anything in Sports News (best sports newspapers in Croatia) about him and coming/not coming to the NBA. But, knowing his thirst and willingness to accept challenge, I think his situation is same as Dario Šarić' one -- top 12 and he'll come immediately.

i'll keep him in mind when the season starts and the draft buzz gets going for next year's class.

[EricAnderson]

Anyone see Brandon Ingram in person ? he flew up the rankings

Also Mickey mitchell went from top 10 to in the 80's is it possible hes still getitng over the acl injury and will get better or is he just not that good?

[ManualRam]

Anyone see Brandon Ingram in person ? he flew up the rankings

Also Mickey mitchell went from top 10 to in the 80's is it possible hes still getitng over the acl injury and will get better or is he just not that good?

haven't seen ingram play a live game, but just looking at some footage he looks painfully thin.

i think mitchell was over-penalized in the rankings for being injured. downgrading him is understandable, but to the 80s? can't agree with that. maybe they factored in possible injury prone-ness and his age.

he's recovered from the ACL, he also had a late HS season back problem and is gradually working his way back. he's coming off the bench and only playing 18 minutes a game for his aau team. despite only playing half of each game he's still top 5 on the circuit in assists. he still has his unique vision and feel for the game. he's a bigger now too. i think he'll be able to play some PF at OSU.

[EricAnderson]

Anyone see Brandon Ingram in person ? he flew up the rankings

Also Mickey mitchell went from top 10 to in the 80's is it possible hes still getitng over the acl injury and will get better or is he just not that good?

haven't seen ingram play a live game, but just looking at some footage he looks painfully thin.

i think mitchell was over-penalized in the rankings for being injured. downgrading him is understandable, but to the 80s? can't agree with that. maybe they factored in possible injury prone-ness and his age.

he's recovered from the ACL, he also had a late HS season back problem and is gradually working his way back. he's coming off the bench and only playing 18 minutes a game for his aau team. despite only playing half of each game he's still top 5 on the circuit in assists. he still has his unique vision and feel for the game. he's a bigger now too. i think he'll be able to play some PF at OSU.

Yeah he looks to have great vision from the higlights for a guy that size with that passing ability and at least pre injury looked like a decent arhlete the 80's seems very low..

[JFarfan18]

Thoughts on Jaylen Brown? Heard that he's killing it at the Adidas EuroCamp.

[ManualRam]

Thoughts on Jaylen Brown? Heard that he's killing it at the Adidas EuroCamp.

i made a few posts on him in this thread. basically i think he's THE sleeping giant of his HS class. i don't think people have quite caught on to how much potential he has. physically and athletically, there isn't much more you could want out of a wing prospect. needs to work on his handle, but the shot is coming along nicely. can slash, defend and has a good floor game. great demeanor.

[bigboi]

After watching tape Josh Jackson looks like he has more potential than Wiggins. His ball skills are far more ahead

[Marcus]

After watching tape Josh Jackson looks like he has more potential than Wiggins. His ball skills are far more ahead

If Josh keeps progressing he looks like a star in the making once he hits the league.

[Marcus]

Thoughts on Jaylen Brown? Heard that he's killing it at the Adidas EuroCamp.

i made a few posts on him in this thread. basically i think he's THE sleeping giant of his HS class. i don't think people have quite caught on to how much potential he has. physically and athletically, there isn't much more you could want out of a wing prospect. needs to work on his handle, but the shot is coming along nicely. can slash, defend and has a good floor game. great demeanor.

read an article that pegs Jaylen as a contender for #1 overall pick when his draft time comes around.

Same article mentions Brandon Ingram and says he has considerably more upside than Thon Maker. Gonna do some research. Have you seen enough of this kid to agree with that statement?

[ManualRam]

Thoughts on Jaylen Brown? Heard that he's killing it at the Adidas EuroCamp.

i made a few posts on him in this thread. basically i think he's THE sleeping giant of his HS class. i don't think people have quite caught on to how much potential he has. physically and athletically, there isn't much more you could want out of a wing prospect. needs to work on his handle, but the shot is coming along nicely. can slash, defend and has a good floor game. great demeanor.

read an article that pegs Jaylen as a contender for #1 overall pick when his draft time comes around.

Same article mentions Brandon Ingram and says he has considerably more upside than Thon Maker. Gonna do some research. Have you seen enough of this kid to agree with that statement?

ingram? no, just highlights, not games so i don't have an opinion of him other than that he looks skilled and is REALLY thin. even with as little knowledge as i do on him i can't agree that he has more upside than maker. who has more upside than maker? you might think that other prospects might come closer to reaching their potential than maker, but not many have more pure upside than he does.

[Marcus]

ingram? no, just highlights, not games so i don't have an opinion of him other than that he looks skilled and is REALLY thin. even with as little knowledge as i do on him i can't agree that he has more upside than maker. who has more upside than maker? you might think that other prospects might come closer to reaching their potential than maker, but not many have more pure upside than he does.

that's the part that caught me as well. Not sure how anybody could be mentioned in the same convo with Thon Maker upside wise.

Still gonna keep an eye out for this Ingram kid though. Article called him "KD lite", maybe they meant more upside in that respect since that's the comparison Thon gets as well. Either way im intrigued until im not anymore. Apparently Ingram, Jaylen Brown, Kobi Simmons, and Dennis Smith have been impressive at Eurocamp.

They're facing older guys by up to 4 yrs in some cases, Smith is having problems with Micic's size which is expected but they've all been impressive considering. Apparently Jaylen Brown looks like a man out there though and is already miles better than his twin (Stanley Johnson).

[reanimator]

Blakeney, Jeter, Trier Added to USA U18 Tryout Roster

Headlining the group of invitees set to participate in training camp is a trio of high school seniors who each have two gold medals playing internationally for USA Basketball: Arizona-bound Stanley Johnson (Mater Dei H.S./Fullerton, Calif.) and Duke commits Tyus Jones (Apple Valley H.S./Apple Valley Minn.) and Justise Winslow (St. John’s School/Houston, Texas). In addition, eight others have at least attended a USA Basketball camp.

The six athletes added to the training camp roster are: Antonio Blakeney (Oak Ridge H.S./Orlando, Fla.); Ohio State pledge Austin Grandstaff (Rockwall H.S./Rockwall, Texas); Chase Jeter (Bishop Gorman H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.); Syracuse commit Tyler Lydon (New Hampton School/Elizaville, N.Y.); Allonzo Trier (Montrose Christian/Seattle, Wash.); and UCLA pledge Thomas Welsh (Loyola H.S./Redondo Beach, Calif.).

Players unable to participate include P.J. Dozier (Spring Valley H.S./Columbia, S.C.); Ohio State pledge D’Angelo Russell (Montverde Academy (Fla.)/Louisville, Ky.) and UNLV commit Rashad Vaughn (Findlay Prep (Nev.)/Golden Valley, Minn.).

In addition to Johnson, Jones and Winslow, the 18 previously-announced training camp participants include: Illinois commit Leron Black (White Station H.S./Memphis, Tenn.); Isaiah Briscoe (Roselle Catholic H.S./Union, N.J.); Jaylen Brown (Wheeler H.S./Alpharetta, Ga.); Jalen Brunson (Adlai E. Stevenson H.S./Lincolnshire, Ill.); Michigan commit Kameron Chatman (Columbia Christian School/Portland, Ore.); Marquese Chriss (Pleasant Grove H.S./Elk Grove, Calif.); Arizona commit Tyler Dorsey (St. John Bosco H.S./Los Angeles, Calif.); JaKeenan Gant (Effingham County H.S./Springfield, Ga.); Duke pledge Luke Kennard (Franklin H.S./Franklin, Ohio); UNLV commit Dwayne Morgan (St. Francis Academy/Baltimore, Md.); Syracuse pledge Malachi Richardson (Trenton Catholic Academy/Hamilton, N.J.); Arizona commit Justin Simon (Temecula Valley H.S./Temecula, Calif.); Myles Turner (Trinity H.S./Bedford, Texas); Glynn Watson (St. Joseph H.S./Westchester, Ill.); and Stephen Zimmerman (Bishop Gorman H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.).

http://zagsblog.com/articles/blakeney-j ... ut-roster/

Stanley Johnson (Mater Dei H.S. / Fullerton, Calif.)
Tyus Jones (Apple Valley H.S. / Apple Valley, Minn.)
Justise Winslow (St. John’s School / Houston, Texas)
Leron Black (White Station H.S. / Memphis, Tenn.)
Isaiah Briscoe (Roselle Catholic H.S. / Union, N.J.)
Jaylen Brown (Wheeler H.S. / Alpharetta, Ga.)
Jalen Brunson (Adlai E. Stevenson H.S. / Lincolnshire, Ill.)
Kameron Chatman (Columbia Christian School / Portland, Ore.)
Marquese Chriss (Pleasant Grove H.S. / Elk Grove, Calif.)
Tyler Dorsey (St. John Bosco H.S. / Los Angeles, Calif.)
JaKeenan Gant (Effingham County H.S. / Springfield, Ga.)
Luke Kennard (Franklin H.S. / Franklin, Ohio)
Dwayne Morgan (St. Francis Academy / Baltimore, Md.)
Malachi Richardson (Trenton Catholic Academy / Hamilton, N.J.)
Justin Simon (Temecula Valley H.S. / Temecula, Calif.)
Myles Turner (Trinity H.S. / Bedford, Texas)
Glynn Watson (St. Joseph H.S. / Westchester, Ill.)
Stephen Zimmerman (Bishop Gorman H.S. / Las Vegas, Nev.)
Antonio Blakeney (Oak Ridge H.S./Orlando, Fla.)
Austin Grandstaff (Rockwall H.S./Rockwall, Texas)
Chase Jeter (Bishop Gorman H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.)
Tyler Lydon (New Hampton School/Elizaville, N.Y.)
Allonzo Trier (Montrose Christian/Seattle, Wash.)
Thomas Welsh (Loyola H.S./Redondo Beach, Calif.).

I'd roll with..


Tyus Jones /Jalen Brunson
Justin Simon/ Antonio Blakeney/ Luke Kennard
Stanley Johnson/Jaylen Brown/Malachi Richardson
Justise Winslow/Kameron Chatman
Myles Turner/ Stephen Zimmerman