2014 Scouting Reports On NBA Draft Prospects

Almost three years ago, some of the top 16 and 17 year-old high school players gathered in Colorado Springs for the USA U17 tryouts. There was talent galore in the gym with the likes of Malik Monk, Dennis Smith, and TJ Leaf all getting cut. Two players from that team were drafted in Henry Ellenson and Diamond Stone and now six more are expected to hear their name called Thursday night. Here are my notes from three years ago on: 

• Jayson Tatum
• Josh Jackson
• Harry Giles
• Caleb Swanigan
• Terrance Ferguson
• Ivan Rabb

Jayson Tatum:

Strengths: 

Giles-Tatum talking about college

Standing at 6’7” and probably still growing, there isn’t a whole lot that Jayson Tatum can’t do on the basketball court. While he is the second youngest player on the team, Tatum is the most skilled from an offensive stand point. Not just on the USA team though, in all of high school basketball. He is comfortable playing point guard (and will probably handle the ball a fair amount for Team USA) and on the wing. Tatum also uses both his strong (right) and weak hand (left) interchangeably while dribbling or finishing shots in the paint. He likes to take advantage of miss-matches and can post up smaller defenders and either shoot over them or hit a fade-away. He can drive by slower defenders and finish at the rim or pull-up from 15 feet as well. Tatum dominated AAU at the 16U level last year and averaged 18.9 points in the 17U EYBL this year. Tatum came off the bench for Team USA last year, but he will definitely be one of the focal points this year. 

Weaknesses: 

Strength and shooting are the focal points even though he’s already shown improvements in both areas from his freshman to sophomore season. Tatum has a thin frame, but he has definitely put on muscle in his upper body and will continue to do so over the next two years. The only time I’ve seen Tatum bothered on the offensive end, was when a team put a strong and athletic 6’5” wing on him who tried to rough him up. Tatum still did what he wanted, but had to work a little harder than he was accustomed to. As for shooting, Tatum shot just 28% from three and 42% from the field in the EYBL. During the USA tryouts he was draining three’s from the international line on the first night and continues to improve in this area. One other note, he does not exhibit freakish athleticism like some players but with his height, guard skills, and offensive repertoire it isn’t easy for anyone to slow him down. 

Josh Jackson:

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.  

Harry Giles:

Strengths: 

Giles is the best pro prospect on the USA team although he still has a way to go before being fully healthy again. After starting two games last year in the FIBA Americas, Giles tore his ACL and missed his entire sophomore season. He returned to the court in May and the beginning months were rough as he tried to return to the player he was as a freshman. After looking tepid during the first USA tryout, Giles suddenly started flashing the skill-set that made him the No. 1 player in his class. With a 7’2” wing span, Giles started throwing down vicious one and two hand dunks in traffic. Giles noted he is at about 90% right now and he is still lacking that quick first step; however, he is able to play in isolation from 15 feet out or in the post. His jump shot is still a work in progress but he can hit off the dribble, from mid-range, and the three point line on occasion. With his length and athleticism, Giles resembles a player in the Chris Webber mode. While not the passer Webber was, his aura on the court is similar. It is going to take time for Giles to fully trust his knee, but when that time comes he could reclaim his top spot in the class of 2016. Oh yeah, he is also the youngest player on the team. 

Weaknesses: 

Getting healthy and working on the outside shot. Right now, Giles is still gaining confidence in his movements. An ACL tear takes time to come back from, but Giles is getting more confident as the days go by. Once his first step improves and he regains a little bit more of his athleticism Giles will be tough for any opposing big to guard. As noted above, Giles hit several outside jump shots in the tryouts although he miss-fired badly on a few as well. He has the range and touch to stretch the defense but needs to continue to hone his form and release going forward. While coming off a knee injury, he lacks vertical explosiveness.

Caleb Swanigan:

Strengths: 

A late addition to the USA tryout roster, Swanigan quickly made a name for himself and earned a coveted spot on the 12-man team. The big man out of Indiana brings a toughness to Team USA and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. In the first four tryouts, Swanigan was often seen man handling taller big men down low. He did his best work on the offensive glass and after grabbing the board, Swanigan usually used his upper body mass to get the defender underneath the rim and effectively out of the play. He knows he is a beast down low and doesn’t stray from his bread and butter after leading the EYBL in rebounds with 11.9 per game. While not an outside scorer, Swanigan did show a nice touch and soft feet throughout the drill work in tryouts. 

Weaknesses: 

At 6’7” / 6’8”, Swanigan could stand to have another inch or two, although his 7’1.5” inch wing span sometimes makes up for that fact. While he dominated the boards and often scored on put-backs he also got blocked when going straight up a fair amount. When long defenders are in his face he has a hard time scoring without moving them out of the way. While it’s great that Swanigan knows his strengths he will need to improve his face-up ability and propensity to turn the ball over in the post going forward. 

Terrance Ferguson:

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. 

Ivan Rabb:

Strengths: 

Using an NBA comparison, I would compare Rabb to a younger Chris Bosh (Updated note: YIKES), although Rabb is a bit shorter at 6’10” and a 7’1” wing span. Last year Rabb started three games on the U16 team and led it in rebounding at 9.8 per game. Rabb is a lean big man that can often get pushed around down low due to his lack of weight, but on the offensive end he can finish with either hand. A natural righty, it isn’t uncommon to see Rabb hit shots with his left hand outside of the paint. He can handle the ball adequately and likes to sprint the floor on the break. Rabb can also hit a 12-15 foot jump shot, although his consistency remains a question. He grabbed (close) to double digit rebounds the past two years in the EYBL. There is also a strong possibility that he is not 100% healthy while in Dubai. 

Weaknesses: 

Due to his skinny frame, Rabb can get pushed around down low by stronger defenders. When he has a bigger defender on him, he should be able to use his quickness to his advantage, but is routinely cut off short on his drives. He needs to learn how to start and stay aggressive for an entire game as he sometimes plays more passively than one would like. Rabb also has a soft touch but needs to continue to work on his mid-range and face-up jump shots to make him a consistent scoring threat from outside of the post area. 

Nike Hoop Summit: US Scrimmage

The Nike Hoop Summit is underway in Portland, OR this week and Thursday marked the third day of practice for the U.S. team. The early afternoon consisted of putting in plays and some light scrimmaging as the team saved up for the 6-8pm session. In this stanza, the U.S. team scrimmaged for four, 10 minute quarters against a variety of players from Portland University and other local schools in addition to future Oklahoma Sooner, Payton Pritchard (class of 2016). It also happened to be the only practice that NBA scouts could attend for the U.S. team and the gym was packed with over 100 scouts and General Managers. The U.S. team used its length and athleticism to combat its strength disadvantage and won the first three quarters comfortable before squeaking out a fourth quarter victory.

The starters included Jalen Brunson, Malik Newman, Brandon Ingram, Ivan Rabb, and Stephen Zimmerman. 

Guards:

Malik Newman – Newman got the start alongside Jalen Brunson and showcased his scoring ability throughout. Without being tasked to start the offense, Newman was free to attack the basket and look for mid-range jump shots within half-court offensive sets. He started the scrimmage off with a three from the left wing and added in a step-back jumper. In the second half Newman put up points in a hurry scoring off a pick and roll and using screens to find open 17 foot jump shots. The uncommitted guard was one of the top performers on the day and used his first quick step to constantly free himself from his defender.

Allonzo Trier – The future Arizona Wildcat was the leading scorer for the U.S. with 20 points including an and one three to win a sluggish fourth quarter for the U.S. Trier hit several three’s from the wing and looked comfortable several feet behind the arc. Trier’s ability to get to the rim against more athletic defenders has been questioned but he displayed a good bounce off the dribble and was at ease finding his shot.

Briscoe drives against Pritchard - photo by Ken Waz

Isaiah Briscoe – The powerful combo guard was manning the point guard position when he was in the game. He used his upper body strength and in and out dribble to constantly get deep into the lane where he was able to use his wing span to convert lay-ups or dish out to open teammates. Briscoe was intense on defense and put the most pressure on Pritchard when he was handling the ball. In addition to his baskets close to the hoop, Briscoe converted a long two from the left corner in the second half.

Luke Kennard – Throughout the course of the game, Kennard was the best defensive rebounding guard. He got off the ground quickly and is a good two-footed jumper which he also displayed when going for two-handed jams on various fastbreak attempts. Kennard knocked in several three’s, but struggled when he had to put the ball on the floor. He has a good first burst, but is hampered after one dribble when going towards the basket.  

Jalen Brunson – It wasn't a great scoring day for Brunson although he found the basket several times in the second half. His outside shot was off, but ran the offense well and minimized turnovers. Brunson played stellar defense on Pritchard picking him off twice and showed good instincts in intercepting a few other passes.

Small Forwards:

Brandon Ingram – The rising senior prospect started for the U.S. and finished with 13 points. He got to the line in both halves by attacking the basket and converted 7-8 from the line. He miss-fired on his three point attempts but knocked in a 12 foot jump shot after a pick and roll with Brunson in the second. Ingram used his length to block several jump shots as well on the defensive end. He didn't play as well as he did at McDonald’s, but he still looked comfortable and confident in his surroundings. Over the next few months he will need to continue to work on his strength and explosiveness as the fouls he drew today could have easily turned into blocks or missed shots against more athletic players.

Jaylen Brown – After participating in drills to start the practice, Brown was held out of the scrimmage with a sore hip.

Big Men:

Ivan Rabb – Over the last year, Rabb has worked on his body to get stronger and healthier. After winning a California state championship, Rabb’s effort has been top tier over the past two weeks. He scored close to the rim in the first half with both hands. He also displayed his passing ability with several touch passes to open teammates and operated well at the top of the key. Rabb was forced into a few contested shots in the second half going against stronger defenders and he noted that continuing to get in the weight room was one of his priorities.

Stephen Zimmerman – Big Zimm had a strong run in the second quarter scoring nine points in a quick burst. He converted a touch pass from Rabb and finished close to the rim including an and-one. While he scored in a hurry in this quarter he was also challenged by the physical play and struggled to score with the ball in his hands. He also didn’t get a chance to showcase his 12-15 foot jump shot during the course of the game.

Chase Jeter – The future Duke tandem of Kennard and Jeter connected several times for baskets including one where Kennard took the ball up the court and after attacking the basket he dished out to Jeter for a swish from the foul line extended. Jeter used his go-to move (right hook) to score in the second quarter.

Caleb Swanigan – Swanigan scored three points in the first half and struggled to convert down low; however he used his upper body to keep the opposing post players out of the paint and also man handled a smaller defender down low in the fourth quarter. He stepped outside the paint twice miss-firing on both of his jumpers which he was knocking down in the McDonald’s practices. Swanigan has the power to bang with college players but will need to work on his explosiveness off of two feet.

The U.S. won the first quarter 27-14, the second quarter 34-21, and the third quarter 31-15. With both teams looking tired the fourth quarter it was an issue getting the ball in the hoop on both sides. Down 15-12, Allonzo Trier hit a three from the top of the key and got fouled with two seconds left providing the U.S. with a 16-15 win. While not on the U.S. team, Payton Pritchard relished the opportunity to go against the older U.S. players. When he walked in the gym, the scouts were buzzing about the performance he put on a year ago in the Hoop Summit scrimmage despite being just a sophomore. While he struggled from the floor, he displayed good ball-handlings skills and was constantly getting into the paint showing good body control and an ability to avoid getting his shot blocked by the U.S. big men.

McDonald's All-American Predictions

Last year it was fairly easy to predict the players for the McDonald’s All-American, but this year it’s a different story. The 38^th all-star game will take place at the United Center in Chicago (IL) on April 1. Here’s a look at my 24 predictions:

The Top Tier:

1) Ben Simmons, 6’8”, SF, Montverde Academy (HS)

2) Jaylen Brown, 6’7”, SF, Wheeler (GA)

Simmons and Brown are the top two players in both the Scout and ESPN rankings. Brown had the better game in the one head to head match-up at the City of Palms tournament this year and his team got the win but both players have been on another level this year after showing tremendous improvement beginning last spring. 

The Big Men Locks:

3) Diamond Stone, 6’10”, C, Dominican (WI)

4) Ivan Rabb, 6’10”, PF, Bishop O’ Dowd (CA)

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

6) Stephen Zimmerman, 6’11”, F/C, Bishop Gorman (NV)

7) Chase Jeter, 6’10”, PF, PF, Bishop Gorman (NV)

There’s no shortage of big men talent in the 2015 class. Stone, Rabb, and Zimmerman are still uncommitted while Ellenson is headed to Marquette and Jeter is off to replace Jahlil Okafor at Duke. All five players played for different variations of the USA basketball teams and will be looking to carry their high school teams to state championships.

The Guards:

8)   Malik Newman, 6’3”, G, Callaway (MS)

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

10) Isaiah Briscoe, 6’2”, G, Roselle Catholic (NJ)

11) Allonzo Trier, 6’4”, SG, Findlay Prep (NV)

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

The above guards have all been in the top of their class since stepping onto the high school scene. It took Brunson until his sophomore year to get national recognition, but now he will try to follow in his father’s footsteps and take home the MVP honors just like Rick did in 1991.

Highly Probable:

13) Cheick Diallo, 6’9”, C, Our Savior New American School (NY)

14) Carlton Bragg, 6’9”. PF, Villa Angela – St Joseph (OH)

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

16) Antonio Blakeney, 6’4”, SG, Oak Ridge (FL)

17) Dwayne Bacon, 6’6”, SF, Oak Hill Academy (VA)

18) Jawun Evans, 6’0”, PG, Kimball (TX)

19) Brandon Ingram, 6’8”, SF, Kingston (NC)

Diallo, Bragg, and Swanigan are all five-star big men. Diallo started the year hurt, but is the best shot blocker in the class. Bragg just committed to Kansas and Swanigan is a workhorse downlow. The LSU bound Blakeney is one of the top scorers in high school and Dwayne Bacon has stepped his game up for Oak Hill. Evans will be added for point guard depth and will be the quickest guard in Chicago while Brandon Ingram will get to continue his head to head battles with Jaylen Brown. 

Rounding Out the Team:

20) Jalen Coleman Lands, 6’4”, SG, La Lumiere School (IN)

21) Tyler Dorsey, 6’4”, SG, Marantha (CA)

Coleman-Lands and Dorsey are both explosive scorers. Coleman-Lands is one of the top shooters in the country and Dorsey has put together multiple 40 point games in California.

The Longshots:

22) Daniel Giddens, 6’10”, C, Oak Hill (VA)

23) Derrick Jones, 6’6”, Archbishop Carroll (PA)

24) Charles Matthews, 6’5”, SG, St. Rita (IL)

Two years ago Kennedy Meeks was a surprise selection to the McDonald’s All-American game and last year 7’0” center Thomas Welsh got the nod. This year the surprise will go to Charles Matthews. At one point he was the top ranked shooting guard in his class but has struggled in marquee events over the past two years. As a senior, Matthews has put together a strong season in Chicago and should get the local nod in addition to the Kentucky bump to get him in the All-Star game. 

Others:

There are numerous top players that could easily slide into the McDonald's game including Louisville's trio of recruits in Ray Spalding, Donovan Mitchell, and Deng Adel. Other possible names include Brewster teammates Justin Simon and Jalen Adams and a few Texas natives in Tyler Davis, Elijah Thomas, and Austin Grandstaff. 

Harry Giles & Ivan Rabb Match-up

Two five-star big men faced off in one of the first big individual match-ups of the holiday weekend at the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions semi-final on Friday night. Harry Giles, a five-star prospect in the junior class and a potential top draft pick in 2017 faced off against senior Ivan Rabb, who is currently the No. 7 ranked player in the class of 2015. Giles helped lead his Wesleyan Christian (NC) team to a 59-49 victory over Bishop O’ Dowd (CA).

The 6’10” Giles finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds while the 6’10” Rabb ended the game with 14 points and 13 rebounds. While both players finished with a double-double neither was overly dominant and both players were quiet for long stretches. The two teams started off the game in a zone and slowly moved to more man-to-man in the later part of the second quarter.

Harry Giles – 14 points, 11 rebounds, 6-14 FG’s, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT’s

Harry Giles started with a smooth looking jump shot from just inside the three-point line, but then went scoreless the rest of the quarter with two missed dunks. In the second quarter Kwe Parker found Giles for a two hand dunk before he put together a nice baseline spin move converting with a left handed lay-up. Moving to the second half, Giles’ first basket came off a beautiful set play that resulted in a lob. He also added in another dunk and a tip-in for his 14 points.

The stat line is nice and Giles’ team got a win (thanks in part to the play of Brandon Childress), but it wasn’t a typical dominant game for Giles. He missed four dunks during the course of the game and disappeared at times as well in O’Dowd’s zone defense. He did record several blocks and also created several deflections when matched-up with Rabb on the defensive side.

Harry Giles Shot Chart

Ivan Rabb, 14 points, 13 rebounds, 5-14 FG’s, 4-4 FT’s

Rabb recorded his first field goal when time expired at the end of the first quarter and added in two tip-ins in the first half. He showed off his ambidextrous skills in the second half hitting a left-handed shot over Giles in addition to a left handed lay-up. Rabb started to move outside the post as the game progressed and he did hit a 15 foot jump shot, but also missed two pull-up jump shots just outside of the right free throw line.  Throughout the course of the game, Rabb got to face off with Giles on the offensive end while he only guarded Giles a few times on the defensive side. In his one-on-one battles he scored straight-up on Giles one time and got to the free throw line another. Rabb did create space when facing up on Giles for jump-shots on three occasions, but wasn’t able to convert.

Ivan Rabb Shot Chart

Overall: Draw

The stat lines for Giles and Rabb were fairly similar and while Giles got the win, this match-up ends in a draw. Rabb got more chances to play against Giles on offense, but Giles was also impressive creating deflections on the fast break as well as the post. Both players have the ability to score inside and out, but Giles gets the edge on aggressiveness. He moves more fluidly than Rabb on the court and also plays a bit stronger. Both players are deserving of their top ten status, but it is the junior Harry Giles that has the higher upside. 

Team USA Scouting Report: Big Men

The 17U USA team kicks off World Championship play in Dubai beginning August 8. The 12 man team is  loaded with talented big men from the class of 2015 and Harry Giles in the class of 2016.

 

Diamond Stone – 6’10”, C, Dominican High, Milwaukee, WI (#1-Scout, #4-ESPN, #6-Rivals)

Height	Wgt	Wing Span	Birth	Class
6'10"	250	7'3" *	2/10/1997	2015

USA (U16 Stats):

GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
5	5	20	13.6	27	50	54%	0	0	0%	14	23	61%

RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
7.2	0.6	2	2.6	0.6

AAU (Under Armour Stats):

Year	Min	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2014	N/A	22	76	135	56%	11	35	31%	57	81	70%

Year	RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
2014	11.2	1.3	3.5	3.9	0.5

Strengths:

Last year Stone averaged 20 minutes a game to go with 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in USA play. The big man from Milwaukee takes high quality shots and dominated the Under Armour AAU circuit this past spring. Stone has slimmed down a bit over the years and has a solid frame for a future power forward. He is a true-back to the basket big that can step outside when needed. He prefers the jump hook in the post which he shoots with a soft touch. Stone also already sports a nice form and touch on his jump shot which allows him to convert at the free throw line and step out comfortably to 12-15 feet when the paint gets crowded. He also knocked in several three’s in AAU play but most likely won’t be shooting those in Dubai. With his strength and increased agility, Stone is a strong rebounder under the basket and can also run the floor on the break.

Weaknesses:

Explosiveness and a junkyard dog mentality. Stone is strong with a good center of balance, but he lacks the straight up and down explosiveness that will be required of him down the road. Last year during the USA developmental camp he had his struggles converting down low when guarded by bigger defenders such as Jahlil Okafor. As for his mentality, Stone sometimes lacks the toughness to dominate. He routinely put up double-doubles in AAU play but given his size and strength he should be leaving no doubt about his dominance. He got hurt towards the end of the July live period and was forced to sit out the initial part of the USA practices with a groin injury leaving his full health in question for the games in Dubai.

Ivan Rabb – 6’10”, PF, Bishop O’ Dowd, Oakland, CA (#3-Scout, #1-ESPN, #4-Rivals)

Height	Wgt	Wing Span	Birth	Class
6'10"	209	7'1"	2/4/1997	2015

USA (U16 Stats):

GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
5	3	18.4	12	26	42	62%	0	0	0%	8	12	67%

RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
9.8	1.4	2	2.6	1.2

AAU (Nike EYBL Stats):

Year	Min	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2014	26.4	14.6	123	205	60%	0	2	0%	75	108	69%
2013	N/A	11.9	82	157	52%	3	5	60%	47	88	53%

Year	RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
2014	9.2	1.6	2.9	1.4	0.6
2013	10.7	0.7	1.5	2.9	0.3

Strengths:

Using an NBA comparison I would compare Rabb to a younger Chris Bosh, although Rabb is a bit shorter at 6’10” and a 7’1” wing span. Last year Rabb started three games on the U16 team and led it in rebounding at 9.8 per game. Rabb is a lean big man that can often get pushed around down low due to his lack of weight, but on the offensive end he can finish with either hand. A natural righty, it isn’t uncommon to see Rabb hit shots with his left hand outside of the paint. He can handle the ball adequately and likes to sprint the floor on the break. Rabb can also hit a 12-15 foot jump shot, although his consistency remains a question. He grabbed (close) to double digit rebounds the past two years in the EYBL. There is also a strong possibility that he is not 100% healthy while in Dubai.

Weaknesses:

Due to his skinny frame, Rabb can get pushed around down low by stronger defenders. When he has a bigger defender on him, he should be able to use his quickness to his advantage, but is routinely cut off short on his drives. He needs to learn how to start and stay aggressive for an entire game as he sometimes plays more passively than one would like. Rabb also has a soft touch but needs to continue to work on his mid-range and face-up jump shots to make him a consistent scoring threat from outside of the post area.

Henry Ellenson – 6’10”, F, Rice Lake High, Rice Lake, WI (#7-Scout, #5-ESPN, #17-Rivals)

Height	Wgt	Wing Span	Birth	Class
6'10"	231	7'2"	1/13/1997	2015

AAU (Nike EYBL Stats):

Year	Min	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2014	26.5	18	102	254	40%	20	70	29%	64	102	63%

Year	RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
2014	9.3	1.1	2.1	1.6	0.8

Strengths:

Ellenson was cut from the 16U USA team and didn’t do much to stand out last October during the developmental training camp. After an upper body transformation, where a bulky Ellenson lost 20 pounds getting leaner and quicker in the process, he is now one of the team’s top players. He has a very intriguing skill-set and is able to do a variety of things that his big men peers can’t do. He has good height (6’10”), great length (7’2” wing span), and with wide shoulders he is strong enough to handle his own in the post. Getting quicker during the spring turned Ellenson into more of a perimeter player than one might like, but he can score effectively in the post with either hand (short left or right jump hooks). During USA tryouts he was great in the pick and pop drills and is a weapon rolling into a 15-17 foot jump shot. He also has three point range and will most likely launch quite a few during his time in Dubai. Ellenson shot a poor percentage in EYBL (28.5%), but knocked down quite a few in North Augusta (his team did not make Peach Jam) and in the USA tryouts. In front of all the big name college coaches, Ellenson calmly drained a step back 3 from the wing as time expired on the shot clock and a hand in his face. Given his length Ellenson can also rebound (9.3 per game), but it is his ball-handling that sets him apart. He can handle the ball with both hands, bring the ball up the court, and break the press. Ellenson is still improving, but established himself as the most consistent big man in camp. He came into the spring ranked in the 50’s and 60’s in his class and came out as a top 10 player.

Weaknesses:

Despite the weight loss, Ellenson still struggles with his vertical jump. A slow first jump and lack of air can often result in a blocked shot under the basket. He has improved over the past year, but still needs to work on his explosiveness. Also, he can fall in love with his perimeter game too much and can float outside of the arc when he could be posting up or battling down low (which he is capable of doing).  

Harry Giles – 6’10”, PF, Wesleyan Christian Academy, Winston Salem, NC (#3-Scout, #5-ESPN, #2-Rivals)

Height	Wgt	Wing Span	Birth	Class
6'10"	209	7'2"*	4/22/1998	2016

USA (U16 Stats):

GP	GS	MPG	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2	2	12	7	6	10	60%	0	0	0%	2	4	50%

RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
5.5	1.5	0.5	2	1.5

AAU (Nike EYBL Stats):

Year	Min	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2014	18.5	10	55	119	46%	2	6	33%	18	32	56%

Year	RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
2014	7.1	0.7	1.3	1.2	0.8

Strengths:

Giles is the best pro prospect on the USA team although he still has a way to go before being fully healthy again. After starting two games last year in the FIBA Americas, Giles tore his ACL and missed his entire sophomore season. He returned to the court in May and the beginning months were rough as he tried to return to the player he was as a freshman. After looking tepid during the first USA tryout, Giles suddenly started flashing the skill-set that made him the No. 1 player in his class. With a 7’2” wing span, Giles started throwing down vicious one and two hand dunks in traffic. Giles noted he is at about 90% right now and he is still lacking that quick first step; however he is able to play in isolation from 15 feet out or in the post. His jump shot is still a work in progress but he can hit off the dribble, from mid-range, and the three point line on occasion. With his length and athleticism, Giles resembles a player in the Chris Webber mode. While not the passer Webber was, his aura on the court is similar. It is going to take time for Giles to fully trust his knee, but when that time comes he could reclaim his top spot in the class of 2016. Oh yeah, he is also the youngest player on the team.

Weaknesses:

Getting healthy and working on the outside shot. Right now, Giles is still gaining confidence in his movements. An ACL tear takes time to come back from, but Giles is getting more confident as the days go by. Once his first step improves and he regains a little bit more of his athleticism Giles will be tough for any opposing big to guard. As noted above, Giles hit several outside jump shots in the tryouts although he miss-fired badly on a few as well. He has the range and touch to stretch the defense but needs to continue to hone his form and release going forward.

Caleb Swanigan – 6’8”, PF, Homestead High, Fort Wayne, IN (#12-Scout, #17-ESPN, #20-Rivals)

Height	Wgt	Wing Span	Birth	Class
6'8"	269	7'1.5"	4/18/1997	2015

AAU (Nike EYBL Stats):

Year	Min	PPG	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%
2014	27.9	17.7	122	259	47%	5	19	26%	123	194	63%

Year	RPG	APG	TPG	BPG	SPG
2014	11.9	2.0	3.4	0.8	0.8

Strengths:

A late addition to the USA tryout roster, Swanigan quickly made a name for himself and earned a coveted spot on the 12 man team. The big man out of Indiana brings a toughness to Team USA and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. In the first four tryouts, Swanigan was often seen man handling taller big men down low. He did his best work on the offensive glass and after grabbing the board, Swanigan usually used his upper body mass to get the defender underneath the rim and effectively out of the play. He knows he is a beast down low and doesn’t stray from his bread and butter after leading the EYBL in rebounds with 11.9 per game. While not an outside scorer, Swanigan did show a nice touch and soft feet throughout the drill work in tryouts.

Weaknesses:

At 6’7” / 6’8”, Swanigan could stand to have another inch or two, although his 7’1.5” inch wing span sometimes makes up for that fact. While he dominated the boards and often scored on put-backs he also got blocked when going straight up a fair amount. When long defenders are in his face he has a hard time scoring without moving them out of the way. While it’s great that Swanigan knows his strengths he will need to improve his face-up ability and propensity to turn the ball over in the post going forward.

 Note * - Wing span taken from 2013.