Team USA Scouting Report: Wings

Josh Jackson – 6’6”, SF, Consortium College Prep, Southfield, MI (#2-Scout, #3-ESPN, #1-Rivals)

Height	Wgt	Wing Span	Birth	Class
6'6"	184	6'8.75 *	2/10/1997	2016

USA (U16 Stats):

GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
5	5	22.2	16.2	30	64	47%	10	28	36%	11	14	79%

RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
5.6	1.8	0.8	0.6	2.2

AAU (UA Stats):

Year	Min	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2014	N/A	12.3	60	127	47%	9	43	21%	29	45	64%

Year	RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
2014	6.4	1.4	1.8	0.9	0.4

Strengths:

A top 5 player in the junior class, Jackson is a smooth and skilled wing (although almost one year older than Giles and Tatum). Last year he averaged 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in just under 20 minutes a game during USA play. Athletic with a good first step, Jackson is the prototypical wing at the next level. He is very strong in one on one situations and can use his left to right spin move to finish aggressively at the rim. He can break people down off the dribble and is tough to stop once he gets in the lane. Jackson is the type of player that likes to get up and down the court for high flying dunks, but he also uses his length and quickness to lock down defenders on the wing.

Weaknesses:

For all his talent, Jackson has a tendency to blend in more than he should. At times you can forget that he is on the floor as he can float from offense to defense aimlessly without making an impact several minutes at a time. His jump shot is also a work in progress. He shot just 2-15 from three during the Under Armour Finals in July, but was very effective from inside the paint. Jackson has the tools and just needs to stay aggressive to fulfill his talents while continuing to hone his jump shot to turn into a threat from all areas on the court.

Terrance Ferguson – 6’6”, SF, Flower Mound, TX (#15-Scout, #10-ESPN, #10-Rivals)

Height	Wgt	Wing Span	Birth	Class
6'6"	170	6'7" *	5/17/1997	2016

USA (U16 Stats):

GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
5	0	18.4	5.8	12	33	36%	4	19	21%	1	3	33%

RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
3.8	2	2.4	0.2	1.2

AAU (Under Armour Stats):

Year	Min	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2014	N/A	10.3	41	113	36%	26	76	34%	20	31	65%

Year	RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
2014	3.3	1.1	1.9	0.4	0.9

Strengths:

Another repeat member on the USA team, Ferguson is a long and lean 6’6” with a solid shooting stroke. He excels in the mid-range whether it is a shot off the catch or off the dribble. He gets good elevation and with his long arms and he can usually extend above the defender. His elbows are locked in tight and his misses are usually short or long (a sign of a good shooter per Larry Bird). He has range beyond the international three point line even though his percentages would suggest otherwise. There was a lack of pure shooters at the USA tryouts and many observers thought that Ferguson might have the nicest stroke of them all. Ferguson is a strong run and jump athlete although his forays to the basket are usually limited to highlight dunks on fast breaks. Ferguson came off the bench last year for the USA team and will do so again this year looking to become the zone buster for team USA.

Weaknesses:

Ferguson is a strong shooter, but he is also trying to develop other parts of his game such as his ball handling and slashing abilities. With an increased handle, Ferguson will be able to do more damage than just pull-up jump shots. Also, at just 170 pounds Ferguson can get tossed around by defenders that are stronger or more aggressive. Ferguson has a good tool set to work with and can become a dangerous player off the bench in Dubai but needs to continue to focus on getting stronger and turning into more than a jump shooter and dunker on the break.

Tyus Battle – 6’5”, SF, Gill St. Bernard’s School, Edison, NJ (#12-Scout, #19-ESPN, #25-Rivals)

Height	Wgt	Wing Span	Birth	Class
6'5"	179	6'7.5" *	9/23/1997	2016

AAU (Nike EYBL Stats):

Year	Min	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2014	23.4	10.7	79	207	38%	34	93	37%	55	74	74%

Year	RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
2014	3.7	1.5	1.7	0.6	1.7

Strengths:

It only takes one look at the 6’5” Battle to tell that he is a tough competitor on the court. With great strength and an athletic build, Battle is an ideal wing for the USA team as he can provide lock down defense, outside shooting, and an ability to attack the basket. Along with Ellenson and Swanigan, Battle is a newcomer to the USA team and advanced throughout tryouts with his aggressive mindset. His father noted that Tyus seems to turn it on in July and he is definitely right about that. Last year Battle outplayed both VJ King and Luke Kennard in a 16U game in Peach Jam and this year his strong play with Team Scan helped them advance in the prestigious 17U tournament. He upped his scoring average during the Peach Jam and averaged almost 14 points per game to go along with a 40% mark from behind the arc. Battle will have a versatile role for the USA team and earned a spot with his defensive intensity, shot making ability, and overall athletic nature.

Weaknesses:

Unlike many of his counterparts, Battle does not need to hit the weight room as he is one of the most college ready players physically. He does need to improve his ball-handling skills to make him an even better threat on the perimeter. While he can bring up the ball against the press he is better in situations where just one or two dribbles are needed. He shot 36% from the three point line throughout the EYBL season which was brought up by his play in Peach Jam so Battle will also need to continue to make his shot as quick and efficient as possible.

V.J. King – 6’6”, SF, Paul VI, Akron, OH (#13-Scout, #18-ESPN, #14-Rivals)

Height	Wgt	Wing Span	Birth	Class
6'6"	187	6'10"	1/22/1997	2016

USA (U16 Stats):

GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
5	0	16.4	8.2	15	33	45%	1	9	11%	10	19	53%

RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
5.2	1.4	1.4	0.8	1.6

AAU (Nike EYBL Stats):

Year	Min	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2014	22.7	11.5	66	168	39%	7	34	21%	45	72	63%

Year	RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
2014	4.8	1.1	1.7	0.2	0.6

Strengths:

Highly touted as a freshman, King had an up and down AAU season. In the EYBL, King averaged 11.5 points and 4.8 rebounds but given his Paul George type build a lot more was expected out of him. Coming off the bench last year for the USA team, King averaged 8.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in just 16 minutes. King has ideal height for a wing at 6’6” and also sports a 6’10” wing span. Given his physical attributes he is capable of being a lock down defender that can force deflections on the wing and offensively King likes to get out on the break where he can use his athleticism. He can attack and finish at the basket very well and if he sees the ball go in once or twice early his confidence level rises. In one tryout session in front of the college coaches, King caught fire and scored from all three levels in an impressive performance. King is also a versatile player on the wing with a good passing gene and ability to rebound the ball.

Weaknesses:

King has the physique, with long arms and a strong upper body; however he fails to always use his god given gifts. He should have been more productive in the EYBL, although he did do enough during the intense tryouts to keep his spot on the team. While King can score from the outside at times, his jump shot needs a lot of work. He went 1-9 last year in the FIBA America’s from three and just 7-34 during the EYBL. With an increased focus on his shot mechanics, King could turn into a strong all-around performer.