USA Camp: Class of 2014 Review

The USA Developmental Camp held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs will probably be the best event all year in terms of the amount of talent in one place and the competitive structure of the two day event. With each kid playing for a purpose the intensity level was high throughout. On Day 1, one of the drills involved half court and full court scrimmages where both the passer and shooter had to acknowledge each other immediately after a made basket or the point didn’t count. The kids learned very quickly to recognize their teammates. Each session involved individual drills, group drills, one on one play, controlled scrimmages, and 10 minute scrimmages.

Tyus Jones, PG, Apple Valley H.S. (MN), #4

Tyus Jones

Jones has been listed at the top of the 2014 rankings from the time his high school career began. He showed why at the USA camp as he excelled in all of the camp drills and controlled the pace during the scrimmages. While he is not a physical specimen, it wasn’t hard for Jones to get by his defender on the offensive end. He was a wizard in all the dribbling and passing drills and didn’t break a sweat. On the defensive end, Jones he struggled a bit, especially during the one one drills and when isolated with Rashad Vaughn in game situations. 

Rashad Vaughn, SG, Findlay Prep (NV), #13

Bad Rashad came out Saturday morning, but this persona was replaced by good Rashad on Saturday evening. In the morning session, Vaughn displayed his sweet stroke during shooting drills, but struggled during the scrimmage portion. He did not look to attack the basket and instead settled for difficult fade-away jump shots and deep three’s which weren’t connecting. He also forced a few too many shots despite all of the talented players around him. 

Saturday night was a different story. His intensity picked up from the get-go and harassed the hell out of his opponents on the defensive side of the ball in one on one and pick and roll drills. His intensity level stayed high throughout the session and he put together an incredible night session. In the scrimmages he blew by Tyus Jones several times for lay-ups and he also took the ball coast to coast for a floater. When given an open look he drained shots from the wing. Vaughn did not take any bad shots in the night session and was on the lookout for open teammates as he racked up assists on several possessions in a row. Vaughn’s team also won both games.

Stanley Johnson, SF, Mater Dei (CA), #6

Johnson did not dominate the action like he did during the EYBL and Peach Jam; however he did have a solid performance. He handled the ball at times and also used his strength and size to attack the basket especially during 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 drills. The main weakness in Johnson’s game relates to his outside shooting. In the two day session Johnson did not attempt many of these shots and it was hard to gauge whether any improvement had occurred.

Kevon Looney, PF, Hamilton H.S. (WI), #14

Looney used his long arms and agility to put together a solid defensive performance at camp. He has the quickness to guard small forwards and the length to handle big men in the post. Looney was a bit quiet on the offensive end as he decided to operate from 15 feet and in. At times he got by his defender and finished with rim-rattling two hand dunks, but for the most part did not dominate the action.

James Blackmon, Jr., SG, Marian H.S. (IN)

Fresh off cutting his college list to a final five, Blackmon put together an impressive performance at the USA camp. Known as a knock down shooter, Blackmon did that and more. He got all the way to the basket at times during the scrimmages and also put down some dunks during the drills and games. On the defensive side of the ball he used his quickness to frustrate Vaughn on Saturday morning and put together a strong performance every time he stepped on the court.

Myles Turner, C, Trinity H.S. (TX), #2

Turner had his dad and high school coaching staff in to watch him compete in his first USA event and he did not disappoint. Turner started off the camp battling hard in the one on one drills with his fellow big men. Turner was aggressive in establishing a post position and easy entry for the passer. Once he got the ball it was either one dribble for a right hook or one dribble for a lay-up. On the defensive side he used his wing span and quick jumping ability to block shots or force his opponent into a difficult attempt. Turner played with a high energy level throughout the camp and also displayed his outside game which has college coaches and NBA scouts drooling. It was also apparent that a recipe of 500 push-ups a day improved his strength from AAU season. On Day 2, Turner struggled a bit during the defensive agility drills, but that area will most likely improve as Turner continues to get more comfortable in his body. 

Jahlil Okafor, C, Whitney Young H.S. (IL), #1

The consensus top player in his class put a hurting on the young fellas early Saturday morning during post drills. He first matched up with Chase Jeter and used his 50 pound advantage to basically move Jeter under the basket for easy lay-ups. He also got the better of 2015 big man Diamond Stone by using his size and quickness for baskets in the paint. His dominance did not last long as Okafor suffered a right ankle injury towards the end of one on one drills and was done for the rest of camp. Okafor is a dominant presence in the post, but needs substantial work on his outside game. He currently shoots a set shot with a slow release which was evident in the full court drills performed by the players. This is not a concern for Okafor on the high school level but could be in the next few years.

Theo Pinson, SF, Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC), #27

Pinson was one of the leaders throughout camp. He started the first session off causing havoc on the defensive end in one on one drills and carried that intensity over to the scrimmages. On the offensive side he brought the ball up the court at times and fed the big men in the post. He also attacked the rim off the dribble and hunted for tip-backs on the offensive glass. Pinson struggled early with his outside shot which has been fairly normal for him; however when he went straight up and down on his shot, whether off the catch or the dribble, the result was usually pretty favorable. Overall, it was a solid two day showing for Pinson.

Justin Jackson, SF, Homeschool Christian Youth (TX)

Jackson had his moments but similar to Johnson he blended in more so than during previous AAU or camp games. Per usual, Jackson had his mid-range game and patented floater working early and often. He also was one of the best players in camp in terms of cutting off the ball for easy lay-ups and dunks. In the controlled scrimmages he was effective running the pick and roll with Ivan Rabb and other big men on his team. He didn’t shoot much from the outside, but during the shooting drills his shot still looked relatively flat with a lack of rotation which is one thing for him to work on before arriving in Chapel Hill. 

Chris McCullough, PF, Brewster Academy (NH), #15

McCullough was injured and did not participate.

Reid Travis, PF, De La Salle H.S. (MN), #39

Travis was injured and did not participate.

*All rankings from Scout.com

Summer Awards: Part 1

Most Dominant Player:

Stanley Johnson, 6’7”, 2014, F, Oakland Soldiers

Stanley Johnson - Adidas / Kelly Kline

A well-known name on the circuit for many years, Stanley Johnson was the most dominant player from beginning to end this past spring and summer. He averaged 18.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game during the EYBL regular season while leading his Oakland AAU team to the Peach Jam. In 18 regular season games, Johnson scored in double figures the first 17 games before playing limited minutes in the final game. 

During the Peach Jam, Johnson stepped his game up even more in front of a group of college coaches that included John Calipari, Sean Miller, Steve Alford, and Andy Enfeld. He was pretty much un-guardable in his five games averaging 25.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. In a 33 point game, Johnson was hitting from the outside and driving to the basket at will. In his next game he went for 24 points against the EYBL runner-up in CP3 which also included a game winning floater. 

While his AAU team didn’t repeat at the Peach Jam, Johnson did lead his USA West team to the Nike Global Challenge title one week later when he scored a team high 23 points and added in 11 rebounds. To cap off his stellar summer play he averaged 11.5 points and 2.5 assists per game at the Adidas Nations where he played a key part in helping his team advance to the televised finals. 

Johnson made his name as a freshman at Mater Dei, but increased his skill set year over year. As a sophomore he gave Shabazz Muhammed fits on the defensive end by using his strength and power. A year and a half later, Johnson now knows how to use his strength on the offensive end as well. By combining his strength and quickness with an improved ability to handle the ball, Johnson played a fair amount of point-forward over the past few months. 

The main weakness and criticism of Johnson pertains to his outside shooting. Never known as a strong shooter, Johnson made strides over the past few months and shot 30% from the three point line throughout EYBL play. 

Despite his inconsistencies on the perimeters, Johnson was still the toughest player to guard on the AAU scene. He used his quickness to beat defenders off the dribble and his strength to finish at the rim time and time again.  He attended events all over the country and never shied away from the competition while dominating any defender that tried to slow him down.

Stock Riser:

Myles Turner, 6’11, C, 2014, Texas Select

This one comes as no surprise as Myles Turner burst onto the scene in April and quickly made his way into a top 10 player nationally. In a class lacking dominant big men, Turner’s ability to run the floor, shoot from the outside, and block shots certainly stood out. He began his ascent at several of the Under Armour events in the spring and he solidified his reputation at the NBPA camp in June. Turner tested his skills against Cliff Alexander and Jahlil Okafor in July and August and more than held his own. After having a lengthy list of suitors in July, Turner cut his list down to a manageable eight schools:  Arizona, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, and Texas. 

Myles Turner - Adidas / Kelly Kline

Standing close to 7 feet, Turner sports a nice touch from outside of the paint and with his long arms has a jump shot that can’t be blocked. He can hit mid-range shots and three’s from all areas of the floor. He runs the court well and establishes a nice post presence in the block where he can finish in the paint or shoot a quick turnaround shot off the glass. On the defensive side of the ball, Turner patrols the paint and blocks shots while keeping the majority in play. In his first match-up with Alexander, Turner bothered him with his length and forced him into a 5-15 performance.

While Turner improved dramatically in such a short time span, he still has weaknesses that need addressing. The first one is his actual strength. While Turner bothered Alexander with his length, he also struggled when it came time to bang bodies down low. Alexander muscled up Turner for several of his baskets. Also, Turner can tend to float around the perimeter for long stretches on the offensive end. 

Despite these areas of improvement, Turner’s stock was scorching hot during the spring and summer.

Mr. Turnaround:

D’Angelo Russell, 6’4” G, 2014, Each 1 Teach 1

A Louisville native, Russell is fresh off a stellar month July and August and was recently featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” for his play. While the summer ended on a high note for Russell, the last five months were definitely a roller coaster ride. 

He started the AAU season just after helping Montverde Academy win the prestigious National High School Invitational championship where he played in the same backcourt as top ranked point guard Kasey Hill. Last year, Russell teamed up with Quentin Snider on the Louisville Magic 16U team that ran a version of “40 minutes from hell.” While Russell could have gone for a 3-peat at the Adidas Invitational, he decided to switch allegiances and joined up with a new AAU program in the Florida based Each 1 Teach 1. High expectations were created as Russell teamed up with future UNC point guard Joel Berry to form a dynamic backcourt.  

Russell - Adidas / Kelly Kline

A seamless transition to new surroundings was expected; however that was far from reality as Russell struggled mightily in his first few Nike tournaments. In the two April live periods, Russell struggled to adapt to his role on a new AAU team. In a total of eight games that took place in L.A. and Hampton, Russell averaged a solid 12.6 points per game which came from shooting just 35% from the field and 20% from the three point line (8-40).

A few weeks later in May, Russell began to round himself into form and averaged 15.8 points per game on 57% shooting as his team went 4-0 in Dallas. His play improved and he decided to end his recruitment early by choosing to play for Thad Matta and the Ohio State Buckeyes. With the pressure off of him to pick a school, his play was expected to continue to improve. This was not the case when he attended the NBPA Camp in late June. At this camp, Russell averaged five points per game over a three game stint. While this performance was nothing to write home about, it was also the last time Russell would struggle on the court.

In July, Russell’s play took off and he showed why he was considered one of the top shooting guards in his class. During the Peach Jam, he was one of the main pieces of a championship team that went 8-0 in playoff and pool play. Over this four day stretch, he averaged 14.1 points per game while shooting 49% from the field and 36% from three. While his scoring noticeably picked up, he also led with his all around skill set by averaging 5.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists. In the semi-finals he recorded the lone triple double in the EYBL season with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. 

A few days later at the Nike Global Challenge, Russell averaged a team high 19.8 points per game on 54% shooting and won co-MVP of the tournament as his team lost by three points in the finals. After a stellar July, Russell finished off his summer in L.A. at Adidas Nations. He took charge of his senior laden USA team and became the teams’ alpha dog on the offensive end early on. He played with a confidence and aggressiveness not seen in April and was one of the main reasons his team won the championship. Throughout the event he averaged 13.6 points per game and knocked in three’s from the wings and mid-range jump shots to go along with his athletic drives to the basket. 

After years of playing with a different AAU team, it took Russell awhile to get going. He finished off his summer in the exact same gym as where he started four months earlier. It’s safe to say that once he settled into his new surroundings his confidence soared and as did his play.

Scouting Report

UA Summer Jam: Day 2 Recap

Two days down in Mequon, Wisconsin for the UA Summer Jam and this time the 16U age group got to share the main stage at Homestead High School. On Day 1, the who’s who of college basketball filled the bleachers to watch Cliff Alexander take on Myles Turner and while several big time match-ups occurred it was the young kids that drew the coaches in the morning.

Top Players (16U):

Diamond Stone, 6’10”, 2015, PF/C, Young Legends

photo from NY2LA Sports

One of the top players in the class of 2015 drew the most attention early in the morning on Day 2. For Stone’s game against Dream Vision, he had head coaches such as Roy Williams, Rick Pitino, Tom Izzo, Travis Ford, Buzz Williams, and Bo Ryan front and center. Stone flashed his skills for the coaches and while he struggled at times he still finished with 22 points. He scored off put-backs, on the break, and in post-up situations. While Stone dropped weight this spring, he still has his strength which allows him to overpower opponents in a graceful manner. He didn’t connect on his jump shots in the first game, but nailed a three in his second game against DC Assault. One area that Stone will need to continue to fine as he continues to play in the 16U age group relates to his concentration. He missed on four dunks during the day which should not happen with a player his size and athletic ability. Despite the misses, all of the coaches were imagining how good he would look suiting up for them in two years.

Ray Smith, 6’6”, 2015, G, LV Prospects

In the first game of the day, Smith had UNLV head coach Dave Rice front and center at 8am along with a variety of other west coast schools. Smith is a long and lean wing player with a high arching shot. He didn’t waste any time as he nailed a three to start the game en route to seven first half points. In the second half, Smith helped spur a comeback from double digits with his all around play. He grabbed key rebounds and also dished to cutting teammates when he wasn’t too busy driving to the basket. He had a key assist off of penetration in the remaining seconds of the game before the opponent forced overtime. Smith is a talented wing that can do a little bit of everything and a guy that all the west coast schools would love to have.

Daquan Bracey, 5’11”, 2016, PG, Baltimore’s Finest

Bracey is a jet quick guard that wanted the ball in his hands even though he was the youngest player on the team. He made his mark early on coming off the bench with his quick first step and ability to get by defenders off the dribble. He hit one three in the first half but then turned up his play which led to increased playing time. After a basket by the LV Prospects which put them up two with five seconds left, Bracey went coast to coast for a right handed lay-up that sent the game into overtime. He eventually miss-fired on a three pointer to put the game into a second overtime, but one has to admire his cojones. 

Kani Coles, 6’6”, 2015, SF, Baltimore’s Finest

Playing forward for Baltimore, Coles attacked the offensive boards throughout the game. In the first half he scored 10 points with six of them coming off offensive put-backs. On all the put-backs Coles flew through the air for the rebound before tipping the ball in or going back up for a contested lay-up. He continued his domination on the glass in the second half and created many additional scoring opportunities for his team.  

John Davis, 6’2”, G, 2015, DC Assault

DC Assault went 2-0 on the day with Davis playing a huge role as a key scorer. The combo guard was explosive and strong with the basketball and mixed in outside shots with athletic drives to the basket. In both games, Davis went for double digit points and kept the defense off balance all day long. Upon penetration, if Davis did not have a lay-up he also had enough court vision to find the open man for a lay-up.

Leroy Butts, 6’7”, F, 2015, DC Assault

The senior to be at Bishop O’Connell was the leader of the DC Assault team and led through his stellar play in both the morning and afternoon games. The lanky left-hander showed a smooth touch on his jump shot and excelled in knocking down anything within 15 feet. He also could score in the post and often caused problems on the defensive end when he guarded the other team’s center. The DC Assault team had a variety of east coast college’s at their games with Butts being a major recipient of their attention. 

Nick Blair, 6’4”, SF, 2015, Dream Vision

In an early morning loss to Diamond Stone and the Young Legends, Nick Blair was one of the bright spots for the west coast based AAU team. Blair combined his leaping ability and strength to score off drives to the basket. He also showed off an outside shot connecting on two three pointers. Overall, Blair finished with 18 points and was a tough wing to contain.

Players of Interest (17U):

Daryl Gaynor, 6’2”, 2014, G, LV Prospects

A combo guard out of Nevada, Gaynor played a key role in two wins for the Las Vegas Prospects. His key attribute is his quickness which he showcased frequently in transition. In an up-tempo first game, Gaynor pushed the pace and knifed his way to the basket. In his second game, Gaynor continued to push the pace and put defenders back on their heels. Against Team Loaded – NC, Gaynor went off for 24 points on 10-17 shooting.

TJ Haws, 6’3”, 2014, G, LV Prospects

Gaynor’s back court mate in the two wins was TJ Haws, the star from Lone Peak. With Gaynor pushing the pace, Haws was able to slide over to his more natural shooting guard position. Haws scored 13 points in the first game on 5-8 shooting and 14 points in the second game on 5-10 shooting. During the games he used several basket cuts for right and left handed lay-ups while also draining several smooth looking outside shots. 

DJ Wilson, 6’8”, 2014, SF, Team Superstar

In the morning session against the LV Prospects, DJ Wilson had the college coaches buzzing with his play. Standing at 6’8” with a skinny frame, Wilson showed off a text book jump shot and went 3-3 from behind the line in a strong first half performance. His shot was smooth and effortless with range several feet behind the arc. When pressured Wilson used a pump fake to drive to the basket and finished with a soft floater. A Sacramento native, Wilson could see his stock start to rise after his first game in the tournament.

The Headliner:

Similar to Day 1, there were two top notch individual match-ups going on at the same time. Unfortunately coaches had to choose one or the other as the Cliff Alexander vs. Karl Towns Jr. match up was going on in a side gym, while the Myles Turner vs. Kevon Looney match-up was going on in the main gym. 

Both Turner and Looney had their moments in their match-up, but it was the 5’7” Demontrae Jefferson that stole the show and helped lead his Milwaukee Rebels team to a win. While super athletic, Jefferson can often play out of control and force shots from all over the court. For the most part that wasn’t the case as he went 11-21 for 23 points and dished out six assists. Jefferson got out on the break and finished at the rim time and time again and also ran the pick and roll with Looney and other teammates leaving them with pin point passes for easy baskets. Looney finished 13 points and eight rebounds while Turner scored nine points to go along with nine rebounds. Looney’s offense came primarily off drives to the basket and shots down low, while Turner hit a deep jump shot and turnaround over Looney to go along with two baskets down low. The coaches came for the big men, but were instead treated to highlights from Jefferson.

Other Notes:

Joe Burton scored in the 30’s again as he went for 31 points on 12-20 shooting.

The Utah Prospects put on a rare performance in the afternoon holding ISTI Elite from Houston scoreless in the first half. At halftime, the Prospects had a 28-0 lead behind the shooting of Brekkott Chapman and Jared Stutzman. ITSI featured center Tacko Fall who was listed at 7’5.” He went 1-3 from the field in a 48-12 ball game.