USA U16: Low Post Q&A's

Wendell Carter Jr., 2017, Pace Academy (GA), C

With the USA U16 team ready to kick off FIBA America action, big things are expected of center Wendell Carter Jr. who is currently ranked No. 5 in the 2017 class by Scout.com. He is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former five-star big man Diamond Stone who was the top big man on the last USA U16 team as he averaged 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

by USA Basketball

You played in the USA setting last October in the Developmental Camp. Are you more comfortable this time around?

Most of the drills we did the same thing in October so I felt pretty comfortable. I had to get used to the altitude again, but once I got adjusted everything came kind of easy.

Your 12-15 foot jump shot was looking good in drills. Have you been working on that part of your game?

I’ve been working on that a lot. On days I don’t have school I put up about 1,000 shots. All mid-range. I want go get that down pat until I start shooting 3’s. That and my on-ball defense are what I’ve been working on.

What else do you do in your workouts?

On most of my workouts I do a combination of everything and the day before I go out of town I work on one specific thing and go from there.

This was your first year playing in the U17 level in the Nike EYBL. How was the spring session?

Of course, I’m trying to win. The 16’s and 17’s are completely different. Size, strength, shooting, the big men are more skilled. You have to play every game if you expect to win. Even if the competition isn’t as good as me I have to play like I’m playing against an EYBL team. That’s what I always need to keep in mind.

Who do you try to pattern your game after?

Anthony Davis. I love his game. I love how he is always working. Even when you think he’s stopping he’s not stopping. I just like the way he plays the game.

I know it’s early, but what are some of the schools that have shown you a lot of interest?

The latest offers were Kansas, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest. Coaches can’t call me until June 15. So I’m just waiting until then to see who calls and who is recruiting me the hardest. I’m kind of looking at everything right now. I haven’t been on visits so I’m open to everybody right now. Jeff Capel is one of the coaches who is texting my coach a lot telling me how interested Duke is right now.  

*Kentucky offered Carter Jr. on June 2.

Jordan Brown, 2018, Woodcreek (CA), PF

While Wendell Carter Jr., will most likely see a high volume of minutes in the low post, 2018 post Jordan Brown should see plenty of minutes off the bench. Despite his young age, Brown turned a lot of heads with his play down low in addition to his all-around skill level and future potential.

What’s been the biggest difference between the U16 tryouts and Developmental Camp from last October?

 by USA Basketball

Coming back from the fall and having the experience playing against the older competition has really helped me out playing against the 16U team.

How have the USA experiences been for you so far?

It’s kind of new to me. I haven’t really played against the top talent in my class, so jumping right into it and playing against the top people from the class of 2015, was kind of new, but I think I held my own. It was pretty fun though. I think I can step up in a few places. My perimeter defense, better basketball decision making, things like that.

You’ve showcased a variety of skilled moves on the offensive end. What would you say your strengths are right now?

My strengths are my post moves. I think I have good footwork, and I really like to work inside to outside and I can knock down the jump shot and get by people off the dribble.

Who has been the toughest player for you to go against in the tryouts?

It’s all good competition. Maybe Carte’Are Gordon because he is aggressive and physical.

How do you think your freshman season went in high school?

It went pretty good. We went to NorCal and lost to the team that ended up winning the state championship (San Ramon Valley – Division 1). I also got Freshman Player of the Year in California.

What do you want to work on before your sophomore season starts?

I want to expand my range out to the three-point line. Really be able to dribble the ball through people. I also want to work on my explosiveness, I know the people out here are very explosive. I’m always in the gym I’m usually in the gym for two hours. I’m always working on my legs.

With one season down, who are some of the schools that have reached out to you?

I have one offer from UNR (Nevada). Cal is looking at me, Stanford, Pennsylvania, and some others.

Do you want to stay local or would you be willing to travel for school?

All over. East coast, west coast, PAC-12, it doesn’t matter.

USA Basketball Camp: Day 1

Day 1 is in the books from the USA camp with one more to go on Sunday. 48 players took place in the two day USA Developmental Camp with 11 players from the class of 2015 mixed in with 37 freshmen and sophomores making their first appearance in a USA type setting.

Grown Man Strength:

Given the age gap between the seniors and younger kids it’s no surprise that the older guys dominated physically. Last year at this time, Rashad Vaughn (UNLV) and senior Eric Davis went up for a contested lay-up. The older Vaughn finished through contact and the younger Davis ended up on the floor saying “that’s some grown man strength right there.” This year it started out in a few simple half court 2 on 2 and 1 on 1 drills. Small forward Jaylen Brown and Scout.com’s No. 1 player man handled a few of the younger wings as he bulldozed his way to the rim. 7’0” center Stephen Zimmerman took advantage of the much younger EJ Montgomery for easy finishes in the post.

2015 Standouts:

Stephen Zimmerman, C, 7’0”, Bishop Gorman (NV)

In June of 2013, Zimmerman was the top ranked prospect in his class. After a subpar spring and summer on the AAU circuit he now sits at No. 14. That being said, Zimmerman is a completely different player than he was during his AAU days. It started with a MVP performance at the Nike Global Challenge in August and continued in both sessions at the USA camp. Looking looser on the court, Zimmerman got up and down with ease, made some viscous dunks and was comfortable hitting shots from all parts of the court. 

Zimmerman is set to kick off his official visits with a trip to Kansas next week. After visiting Lawerence he will be at Kentucky, UCLA, and Arizona. There is also a strong possibility of an unofficial visit to Notre Dame.

Henry Ellenson, F, 6’10, Rice Lake (WI)

It didn’t take long for Ellenson to get going. As soon as full-court drills began Ellenson became a primary ball handler for his team and scored three consecutive baskets on a tough drive and finish in the lane, a deep step back jump shot, and a fast break and one lay-up. Ellenson’s game usually got started from the perimeter where he has range to hit the three point shot, but given his ball-handling skills he was also mixing in step back jump shots with drives to the front of the rim. On the defensive side he mixed it up down low and used his lengthy wing span to contest shots in the paint. 

Ellenson has three schools left on his list: Marquette, Michigan State, and Kentucky. He’s taken officials to both Marquette and Michigan State and will be in Lexington, KY for their Big Blue Madness.

Caleb Swanigan, PF, 6’8”, Homestead (IN)

The best way to describe Swanigan is that of a junkyard dog. While usually a bit shorter than his opponents, Swanigan usually bullies them around down low for lay-ups. He made his mark this way at the 17U USA tryouts in July and continued to do so during Day 1 of the camp. He plays with a hard motor, has a strong upper body, and possesses nimble feet in the post. It didn’t matter if you were a young guy or a senior, Swanigan was looking to punish his defender with simple, but effective post moves. 

Luke Kennard, SG, 6’5”, Franklin (OH), Duke

The future Duke Blue Devil looked calm and under control throughout Day 1. He also caught fire from behind the arc in the evening and hit four three’s in one scrimmage. Kennard handled the ball and was also extremely aggressive on the boards. Throughout the drills and scrimmages Kennard played with a veteran’s poise and was one of the clear leaders of camp.

2017 / 2018 Standouts:

Michael Porter Jr. G/F, 6’7”, Father Tolton Catholic (MO), 2017

In the first day it might have been Porter that generated the most buzz amongst the younger kids. Standing 6’7”, Porter possesses a beautiful jump shot and he also has some sneaky athleticism. It was evident in the drills that Porter had a nice stroke. He got good elevation on his mid-range shots and knocked down shot after shot with an effortless stroke. While he isn’t going to blow by anyone from the perimeter just yet, he was getting the hoop during the 4 on 4 and 5 on 5 scrimmages. With long arms and a solid bounce, Porter Jr. put on a dunk show before the second stanza that was highly impressive. He is still coming into his lanky frame, but the talent is undeniable in the youngster from Missouri.

Jalek Felton, G, 6’4”, Mullins (SC), 2017

When you talk about elite athletes, Jalek’s name will always appear over the next few years. He’s known as a shooting guard but he displayed the best vision in camp threading several through the needle type passes in both sessions. As Raymond Felton’s nephew, Jalek has strong ball handling skills and blow by speed that can get him to the rim where he can easily finish. Felton also has range on his outside shot, but right now he is a fairly streaky shooter. He has the ability to knock down several in a row, but can also miss-fire badly on the next few. In his first USA camp experience, Felton shined brightly on Day 1.

Jarred Vanderbilt, SF, 6’7”, Victory Prep (TX), 2017

A Texas lefty, Vanderbilt made a strong impression on all observers early on. With sinewy strength, Vanderbilt was often slashing to the basket and finishing with dunks at the basket or soft shots over the defender’s outstretched hand. He has good quickness and awareness which allows him to get to the basket and he has the athletic ability to finish. 

Ira Lee, 6’8”, PF, Sierra Canyon (CA), 2017

Before the second session some of the players were joking around with Lee about his lack of “bounce.” While players such as Porter Jr. and Felton were throwing down crazy dunks, Lee was struggling to convert his. All the joking around stopped as play began as Lee went harder than every other player on the court. If there was a loose ball, Ira was grabbing it. He attacked both the offensive and defensive boards with an un-matched intensity and also scored a plethora of baskets inside the paint and on short face-up jump shots. He might not be the most athletic specimen at camp, but Lee certainly didn’t let anyone out play him.

EJ Montgomery Jr., F, 6’9”, Montverde Academy (FL), 2018

Billed as one of the top incoming freshman in the country, EJ Montgomery didn’t back down against his older competition. He gave up height and strength in the early going to Stephen Zimmerman, but Montgomery also had the chance to show some of his own skills off. Montgomery is currently a power forward, but he has some perimeter skills in a look-alike Tayshaun Prince body. He scored on several follow-up dunks throughout the scrimmages and also got his lefty jump shot going in the early morning hitting a deep jump shot from the wing followed by an in rhythm three. In high school, Montgomery will go up against some of the top competition in the country including daily match-ups with Ben Simmons which will only increase the skills he already possesses. 

The AAU Duo:

6’10” Wendell Carter Jr. and 6’10” Austin Wiley played on the same Southeast Elite 16U AAU squad this past year and both players and friends are taking part in the USA camp. While they are both starting their sophomore seasons schools from the Southeast have started to take notice. 

Carter hails from Georgia and noted that Georgia Tech came to his school last week and that Texas A&M and Mississippi State had also shown interest. His high school coach also told him that Duke was supposed to stop by next week.

Wiley is from Alabama and is just two hours from Auburn, the school both of his parents attended. He is currently receiving interest from Auburn, Memphis, Clemson, and North Carolina.

Peach Jam & Elite Youth Invitational: Day 1

It took about one half of basketball for the intensity to pick up, but once it did viewers were quickly reminded why the Peach Jam is the best tournament in high school basketball. Action started promptly at 5pm as college coaches quickly filed into their court side seats for a few hours of 16U action. While the players were younger, there was an early treat for everyone involved with Jayson Tatum making the decision to play for the St. Louis Eagles 16U squad.

Tatum came to play in the 2nd half

Last year, the No. 1 junior in the country dominated the 16U tournament and this year Tatum pretty much dominated the 17U EYBL despite being a year younger than most of his competition. Playing with a new team led to a fairly passive first half where the 6’7” point forward picked up two quick fouls and was rendered pretty much useless. Not so much for the second half. After recording just one field goal in the first half, Tatum finished with 29 points. Drive right. Drive left. Step back. Fade away. Dunk on the break. Tatum took over when his team needed and could not be contained off the dribble. After a slight first half deficit, the St. Louis Eagles came away with a win in their first game.

Coaches in the stands: As the No. 1 player in his class, it’s not surprising that Tatum is heavily recruited. UNC coach Roy Williams was front and center for Tatum’s game. Along with Williams, two assistants from Duke were present along with one from Kansas.

While Tatum was busy put on a show on Court 4 at the Riverview Athletic Center, a group of heralded freshmen were battling a few feet away. In a match-up between Cal Supreme and South East Elite fans got to see arguably the top player in the class of 2017 in 6’9” DeAndre Ayton. A sinewy power forward, Ayton showed off his impressive talents just one week after wowing college coaches and NBA scouts at the LeBron James camp. In the second half Ayton spun down the lane for a contested lay-up and the foul and then hit a three from the left wing on the next possession. Ayton can mix it up down low, but also has the foot speed to run the court like a gazelle and operate from 15 feet and out. He also cleaned up the glass and finished with several rim rattling dunks.

While Ayton had a standout game, his team took the loss. Led by 6’10” Wendell Carter Jr. and 6’9” Austin Wiley, Southeast Elite squad jumped to an early lead and then managed to hold on at the end for a victory. Both Carter Jr. and Wiley dominated the glass and attacked from 12 feet and in. 

Other players that made an impact were 6’2” shooting guard Jonah Matthews from Santa Monica, CA, and 6’5” shooting guard Jordan Shackles. Matthews showed off his high arcing jump shot and quick release with several three’s from the wing, but also blew by his man several times off the dribble. Just like Matthews, Shackles (2017) knocked in a shot from the wing and showed a little bit of athleticism getting to the basket.

After watching some of the top players in the class of 2016 and 2017 in the first set of games it was time to head five miles down the road to the Elite Youth Invitational featuring the Nike teams that did not qualify for Peach Jam. The first night of games were hardly competitive, but it did provide a chance to see several top prospects. 

Shooting guard Malik Beasley scored 24 points in his opening game. He punished his opponent with quick drives to the basket and explosive finishes. After a strong Top 100 camp, the offers have been pouring in for the 6’4” guard, but for now he is still waiting on the blue bloods to come calling. His teammate Noah Dickerson also put together a strong game running the floor and finishing on the break several times. After the power forwards de-commitment from Georgetown there was a host of assistant coaches in the stands to watch. UVA, Maryland, and Ohio State were some of the schools there to see Dickerson.

In the last game of the night, fast rising Wisconsin forward Henry Ellenson took the court. First it was Bo Ryan that was front and center for the late tip, but then Wojo filed in with one of his Marquette assistants and soon Roy Williams and Greg McDermott made their way over. Ellenson scored 17 points and helped his team break the press time and time again while playing point forward. The offers have been pouring in for Ellenson after a dominant spring, but the 6’10” forward plans to cut his list down “sooner, rather than later.”