NBPA Top 100: Session 4

The nighttime arrival of Karl Towns Jr. to the NBPA Top 100 created quite a stir at John Paul Jones Arena. As session four of the NBPA Top 100 camp tipped off, all eyes focused on the main court as Towns made his debut against another highly talented young prospect in Skal Labissere. While this match-up took center stage, the best game of the camp took place in UVA’s practice gym between the Grizzlies and Lakers. The Lakers pulled out a 74-69 win as the game featured high level plays and match-ups all over the court.

Top Performers:

Craig Victor, 6’9”, 2014, New Orleans Elite

Victor put together one of the top performances seen in the two day camp even though he was primarily matched-up with Kevon Looney, one of the top players in the country. Early-on all cylinders of Victor’s game were firing. He established position down low for easy and powerful dunks and he attacked the glass with a ferociousness rarely seen. At one point he elevated for an offensive rebound over a defender and missed the put-back, so he jumped over the taller defender again for another put-back attempt that went in. Victor also showed off a nice shooting touch knocking in two 15 foot jump shots from the corners to go along with a three-pointer from the wing. Victor played aggressive all game long knocking in jumpers and using his quick leaping ability to own the boards. He also added in a few nice passes resulting in easy baskets for his team. On the defensive side of the ball he matched-up with anyone from the 6’8” Looney to the 7’0” Thon Maker and used fundamental footwork to keep them away from the basket.

Phil Booth III, 6’2”, 2014, Team Takeover

Some players are hot for one quarter and then fall back to earth during their next quarter. Not true for Booth whose jumper was scorching the nets all game long. He went for 17 points in a loss with a variety of mid-range jump shots and three-pointers. In the first half Booth scored nine points and followed that up with eight points in the second half. He hit a total of three triples with his shots coming primarily off the dribble. Playing point guard for his second and fourth quarter unit, Booth ran a smooth floor game which was largely turnover free. Before the night session of games each team went through a pick and roll station where they learned the offensive and defensive nuances of this play from NBA personnel. It was obvious that Booth paid attention during this drill as he ran the pick and roll to perfection almost every time resulting in open looks which he knocked down all game long.

Kevon Looney, 6’8”, 2014, Milwaukee Running Rebels

Looney admitted that he let Victor get the best of him in the 1^st half, but he thought he made up for it in the 2^nd half. It’s hard to argue that fact since Looney’s team came out on top. Throughout the course of the game, Looney was active down low scoring off put-backs and dunks. Previously comfortable from 15 feet and in, he showed off his extended range by knocking in a three pointer from the top of the key with a defender draped over him. In the 2^nd half, Looney contested a shot which turned into a two-hand block and after grabbing the loose ball led the fast break. Contributions were made on both sides of the ball, and Looney showed off his versatile skill set in a victory.

Quentin Snider, 6’2”, 2014, Louisville Magic

The future Louisville Cardinal penetrated into the lane at will and scored from a different part of the floor each time en route to nine efficient points. While he constantly put pressure on his defender with penetration, Snider also knocked in a three and pull-up jump shot. Since last summer Snider has put on some noticeable muscle and this added strength has helped evolve his offensive game. Upon getting into the lane, if Snider didn’t have an open lay-up he used his stellar court vision to find the open man resulting in several assists throughout the game. 

Other Notes:

The future Miami guard, Adonys Henriquez put on one of his finer performances by draining multiple outside shots while also finding cracks in the defense to score inside the three point line. At one point in the second half, Henriquez ran a beautiful pick and roll with future Wolverine Rickey Doyle. A hard screen was set by Doyle at the top of the key and Henriquez rubbed shoulders as he went left, sized up the defense for a moment before attacking the basket. While Henriquez was initially looking to pass, he ended up holding on to the ball and finished with a left hand lay-up against a taller defender.

Colorado commit, Dominique Collier put on a fine shooting performance in the first half with several three’s and then followed that up in the second half with a few more baskets. Collier took smart and open shots and had an extremely efficient game.

Kejuan Johnson is a powerful G/F, but it was his passing that was on display throughout the game. Several times Johnson connected with teammates with passes that somehow got through the defense and resulted in lay-ups for his team.

The California boys were on opposite sides and while both Daniel Hamilton and Tyler Dorsey did not have their finest games, they both showed glimpses of why they are highly sought after. In the first half, Hamilton went coast to coast for a basket and added in a deep three and a reverse lay-up for good measure. Dorsey struggled with his shot, but created separation almost anytime he wanted from his defender.

The big man match-up was quite a site for the eyes throughout all parts of the game. In both the first and third quarters the two largest players in the camp went against each other in the 6’10” 270 pound Elbert Robinson and the 7’2” 260 pound Tanveer Bhullar. Both players were somewhat quite from a scoring standpoint, but they both kept each other at bay on the boards and set rattling screens. Robinson scored off a lefty put-back, while Bhullar dropped in a soft 12 foot jump-shot. In the second half, the Grizzlies put Robinson back in the game due to a depleted roster and he went against the 7’0” 200 pound string bean in Thon Maker. With the large weight discrepancy, Robinson tried to demand the ball in the post. To his credit, Maker did a pretty good job using his length and quickness to try and offset the weight difference, but a few times Robinson established position close to the basket and there was nothing that Maker could do as he watched Robinson lay the ball up easily.