Post#33 » by Hair Canada » Mon Jun 18, 2018 4:28 am
TOURNAMENT SUMMARY:
Some final impressions from the championship – this time an individual summary of the tournament, focusing on the Canadian rotation players:
THE GOOD
Andrew Nembhard. Nembhard was clearly the best player on the Canadian team and was rightfully selected to the tournament’s first team. Led the tournament in assists (almost 9 a game) and steals (almost 3 a game). Sixth in scoring. Will be a great college PG. Very smart player, really composed, and showed some nice weapons for the next level, including good mid-range game, a very nice step-back shot, and good outside shooting (40% from 3). His main weakness remains a mediocre physical profile (strength, athleticism, and length) from an NBA point of view. This was especially obvious in the game against the US, where the length and athleticism of the US opponents really bothered him and caused him to miss shots and lose quite a few balls. As a student of the game, he’ll get better and learn how to better deal with these. But it does limit his NBA potential once he gets there.
Emmanuel Miller. The most surprising player for Canada. Gave a really fantastic tournament, scoring (fourth in the championship) and rebounding (eighth) very well. Showed a much better touch around the basket than what I’ve seen from him before, and even shot some threes with a nice touch, although he’s still reluctant from range. Gives great hustle on both ends of the floor and can play some PF in small ball, as he did here, but will have a hard time doing this against bigger and more physical players. Like Nembhard (and the Canadian team as a whole), the game against the US was a bit of a reality check. He’s very right-hand dominant, and even when going to his left, insists to finish with his right, which often leads to turnovers and predictable shots that are easy to contest. Still, I didn’t think he was an NBA prospect prior to this tournament, but I can now see him developing into a 3-and-D energy player from the bench. Really reminds me in many ways of Abu Kigab, who had a very similar role last year on the U19 team that won the world championship. Kigab didn’t look so good last year in his freshman year at Oregon, so hopefully, Miller can do better when he gets to the NCAA in 2019.
AJ Lawson. Really improved since his high school season. Scored the ball well (50% from the field; 44% from 3) and didn’t take many bad shots. Changed his 3-point shooting to a bit of a more flat-footed shot, which did well for his form and precision. Only played 4 full games, in which he scored almost 18 points a game. Also plays good defense (moves his feet well and is motivated) and is a good defensive rebounder. On the minus side, he’s still very thin, despite putting on some extra pounds, and will likely always have a skinny frame. Cannot finish well with contact against stronger players, which was really obvious against the US. Also didn’t pass the ball very well and doesn’t create much for others. More a SG than a CG, and he’ll need to get significantly stronger to compete with the opposition at that position. Clear NBA potential, but still has a long way to go.
Addison Patterson. A bit of an up-and-down tournament for Patterson, who is arguably the best NBA prospect in this team. Had a couple of weaker games, but mostly managed to have a positive influence and even had moments where he took over the game and showed his full potential. A really smooth player, with excellent handle, above the rim athleticism (had a couple of impressive poster dunks) and a lot of finesse on his finishes. This time around he also shot the ball much better from beyond the arc (39% for the tournament). Still has no mid-range game, and he’ll have to work on that to become a better offensive threat at the next level. I think he can also do even more in terms of passing and creating for others. Showed some nice flashes of that in Ste. Catherines. All in all, I liked what I saw, including on defense, where his effort level and awareness were much higher than before (As well as his general demeanor and attitude). Established himself as a top-20 player in the class of 2020 in North America. But I think he’ll eventually reclassify and become our best 2019 player.
THE BAD
Jaden Bediako started the tournament quite horribly, unable to score even from point blank and unable to keep up with anyone on defense. Improved a bit as the tournament progressed, but finished with a measly 38% from the field, although all shots were about two feet from the basket. Also often got blocked by smaller players. His big weaknesses (slow, no elevation, and quite clumsy) were fully revealed. A fairly good rebounder and shot blocker, who will still go to a D1 college and might still have a decent pro career due to his size (long and strong). But I think there’s no chance he’ll ever get to the NBA. Maybe in Europe.
Tyrese Samuel. Unlike Bediako, he does fit the modern game as an agile, lengthy, and athletic combo-forward. But although I didn’t have very high expectations from him (see preview), he still managed to disappoint. Was able to rebound fairly well and also had a few nice blocks and putbacks, reminding us of his potential. But he shot the ball really poorly (38% from the field) and looked really lost under the rim on the offensive end. Very poor touch and orientation around the basket, rushed shots, and showed a pretty weak feel for the game. Took bad decisions and lacked confidence. It might be that he’s on a down period right now, but despite the physical tools, he just doesn’t look like an elite player. Hopefully can turn things around going back to play in Canada for his last high school season next year.
THE EHH
Joel Brown. Showed more or less what I expected. A very good and energetic defensive presence and great speed and ball handling. But not much of an offensive threat. Plays a rushed game all too often, doesn’t finish well against length and has almost no outside game. Still a mid- to high-major NCAA prospect, but probably not much more than that.
Jahcobi Neath. Played 16 minutes a game. Shot the ball pretty well (39% from 3) and didn’t shy away from the ball. But his PG skills are quite mediocre at this point and he lacks a degree of creativity and finesse.
Wheza Panzo. Was okay from the bench. As I said in the preview, doesn’t do any one thing particularly well. A better defensive player at this point. His offense is quite rudimentary and in this tournament, he was especially weak on that side of the floor (less than 30% from the field). Did not play in the last two games due to injury.
Jevonnie Scott, Connor Vreeken, and Charles Bediako didn’t play enough to comment on their playing. Vreeken is a good 3-point shooter, but that’s about it. Bediako’s youth really showed throughout. Which makes the decision to take him over Ben Hendriks even stranger.
We'll see these guys next year in the 2019 U19 world championship, where hopefully they'll again be medal-contenders.
“If every basketball player worked as hard as I did, I’d be out of a job.”
— Steve Nash
