Nike Global Challenge: Day 1

The NIKE Global Challenge kicked off last night at Whitney Young High School in Chicago, IL. The tournament takes place over a four day span with the championship occurring Saturday afternoon..

There are eight teams overall, four from the USA along with a team from Canada, Brazil, China, and Africa. The first night featured two games: USA Midwest vs. Canada and USA West vs. Brazil. 

Game 1: USA Midwest 97 Canada 82

The USA team had an athletic advantage and used that to jump to an early double-digit lead in the first quarter and pulled away in the 3^rd quarter after a Canadian run cut it to 5 points.

Malik Monk, 6’3” SG, Bentonville (AR), 2016

The junior shooting guard would have rather been in Dubai playing for the 17U USA team; however he made the most of his opportunity at the Global Challenge on opening night. Monk finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals on 7-13 shooting (0-5 from three). Coming off the bench, Monk dished out a few assists early on. He had a driving lay-up in the first half and finished over one of Canadian’s 6’10” post players. In the second half, his high flying abilities were on display as Monk got out on the break several times for dunks and finished several lay-ups off of basket cuts in the half court set. 

As noted earlier, Monk missed all of his three’s and also a 17 footer after a vicious right to left cross. There is no doubt that Monk can knock down three’s in a hurry, but today he didn’t take any three’s in rhythm. Instead of going straight up and straight down on his shots, he floated either right or left which caused the ball to go in that direction. 

While his shot wasn’t on target, Monk was very active on the defensive end with several deflections and steals on the perimeter. In his first game, Monk was the second leading scorer finishing right behind another junior in Omari Spellman.

Omari Spellman, 6’9”, PF, Macduffie (OH) 2016

Spellman, a 6’9” junior from Ohio resembles UNC big man Kennedy Meeks in body type but is still extremely light on his feet. He can pound down low on the defensive end and got into some heated battles with several of the Canadian big men throughout the game. On the offensive end he prefers to do most of his work outside of the paint. 

Spellman hit 2-3 three’s and added in a 15 foot jump shot off a curl to finish with 15 points on 6-10 shooting. The big man also converted a right handed scoop on a drive, a one handed reverse dunk alone under the basket, and a coast to coast lay-up. All fairly impressive feats for someone that is listed at 268 pounds. On the downside, Spellman only grabbed one rebound.

Jalen Brunson, 6’2”, PG, Stevenson (IL), 2015

In his first game, Brunson looked at home playing in the Chicago area. The top point guard in the class of 2015 scored 11 points and dished out five assists while registering only one turnover. He hit 3-5 three’s including a nifty looking step back in the second half. Brunson uses his shoulder to create space on his drives and found Malik Monk on numerous occasions in the second half. Brunson played with a calm and steady demeanor and only turned the ball over once.

Team Canada:

Despite the loss, the Canadian talent shined in their opening loss to the USA Midwest team. Three players scored in double figures including 6’4” guard Jalen Poyser who finished with a team high 17 points. Poyser rivaled any of the American players with his athleticism and was usually able to free himself for a shot any time he wanted. He finished with 17 points which came on a variety of quick and explosive moves which included a euro-step in traffic and a two hand dunk off a drive from the right wing. 6’0” guard Munis Tutu ran the show for the Canadians and he showed off his play making skills with six assists. Tutu is extremely quick and was also very active on the defensive end. Wide bodied Jordy Tshimanga finished with eight points and eight rebounds. Tshimanga displayed solid footwork in the post, but will need to improve his lift when going up for a shot going forward. Long and lean Kyle Alexander, a 6’10” big man also scored eight points in just 13 minutes and was active attacking the glass. 

USA West 94 Brazil 80

After a tough first couple minutes, the talented USA West team quickly put some separation between the Brazilians and had a double digit lead for almost 35 out of 40 minutes.

Stephen Zimmerman, 7’0”, C, Bishop Gorman (NV), 2015

Zimmerman got the start for the West and seemed to be in a much better position than during the AAU season with the Oakland Soldiers who lacked strong play from the guard and wing spot.

Zimmerman was quiet in the first half finishing with just 2 points on a left handed lay-up in coverage but came alive in the third quarter. An offensive rebound turned into a put-back to start the quarter and Zimmerman was off and running. Soon after he got fouled on a dunk attempt and calmly swished two free throws. He then recorded an assist from the high post, grabbed rebounds on both sides and threw several pin point outlet passes. Zimm scored on a short hook shot off of another offensive rebound in addition to a well run pick and roll opportunity, and a strong two hand dunk in the paint. 

The three time state champion from Nevada can go long stretches without making an impact but when he plays with the energy and intensity shown in the third quarter it is easy to see why he is so highly regarded. One of the better passing big men, Zimmerman is very comfortable operating from the high post.

West Shooters:

The West team is loaded with outside shooting capability. Shooting guard Austin Grandstaff got the start and immediately hit a three from the wing. Combo forward DJ Hogg got in on the outside action along with shooting guard Matt McQuaid, and Dejounte Murray. 

West Point Guards:

Junior point guard De’Aaron Fox got the start while future UCLA Bruin Aaron Holiday came off the bench. Both guards were too quick for their Brazilian counterparts. Fox got into the lane and dished out assists while he also got in on the three point action while Holiday showed off his speed and body control by pushing the ball on the break and weaving in and out of defenders for contested shots in the lane.

Marques Bolden, 6’11”, C, Desoto (TX), 2015

The youngest big man on the team put together quite the performance including the dunk of the night when he elevated and released a crushing two hand dunk. Bolden ran the floor well and was active on the glass and in the paint. On the court he looks like Darien Townes, a former big man at Georgetown and Arkansas and definitely impressed the NBA scouts in attendance. 

Brazil:

The two most impressive players for Brazil were 6’3” guard George Lucas Alves de Paula and 6’9” power forward Lucas Teodoro de S. Colimerio. George Lucas took it to the Americans to start the game and with his strong build resembled a powerful running back on the court. The lefty hit a three early on and finished at the rim on several occasions. The long and lean Lucas Teodoro gave up size down low; however he ran like a gazelle up and down the floor. He blocked shots, scored down low off of put-backs and also hit a 15 foot jump shot from the corner.  Just like Bolden, Lucas Teodoro had the NBA scouts taking notes from their courtside seats.

Individual Focus: Corey Johnson, 6’4”, SG, Vermont Academy (VT), 2015

The top shooter award on opening night belongs to shooting guard Corey Johnson from Team Canada who hit 5-10 three’s on the night to finish with 15 points. He recently hit 6-15 from three in Canada’s silver medal run at the U18 FIBA America’s tournament and quickly showed off his perfect shooting form in Chicago. In the first quarter Johnson knocked down an open three from the left wing with his body square and strong rotation on his shot. He then added three’s off the dribble, from the corner, and with a hand in his face. Consecutive three’s in the third quarter got Canada to within five points before losing steam. 

After the game, Johnson noted, “Overall, we did good. It was the first time we were all together. We were able to grow as a team even though we had just one practice together. It was a slow start, but once I found my feet I hit some shots. I think I can do a few things better such as attacking and facilitating for my teammates.”

Next year Johnson plans to suit up for the Vermont Academy and will play against high level competition in the New England prep school ranks which will help him increase interest and “get the highest D1 scholarship” that he can get. 

“Interest wise I have Virginia Tech, Harvard messaged me, UMASS, Creighton is going to offer me soon, Lehigh, and a bunch of other mid majors like Delaware, Northern Illinois,” said Johnson.

While he did hit five three’s, Johnson is more than just a shooter. He has good size and a good build for a shooting guard and also finished with six rebounds and pushed the ball in transition when given the opportunity. With increased exposure during the high school season, it isn’t a stretch to say that a lot more high majors will come knocking on the Canadian’s door.