Thursday was day two of the NY2LA Summer Jam. Here are a few names that stood out on Thursday from 16 and 17U in Wisconsin…
2018 G Stefan Smith – Stackhouse Elite North – Smith proved to be a tough-nosed slasher and overall scorer. Stefan gets after it and attacks the rim. While his shot selection wasn’t always ideal, there was no question that he has confidence, isn’t afraid to mix it up inside and will take contact.
2018 WF Vasilije Vukmanovic – Stackhouse Elite North – Vukmanovic has good positional size and length. He showed a consistent perimeter stroke, solid rebounding instincts and defensive effort. There is no doubt to his scoring ability. As his game matures, there is no doubt he has what it takes to be a three-level scorer on a consistent basis.
2018 G Ayo Dosunmu – Mac Irvin Fire – Ayo has a long lean frame that he uses to his advantage. As a slasher, he can use his long arms to get to the rim and finish. He showed he could score from the post by spinning around his man and scoring at the rim. Thursday he proved he is one of the better scorers in 16U.
2018 F Darius Bazley – King James – Bazley did a good job playing up with King James’ 17U squad on Thursday. He proved to be a good, young rebounder and shot blocker. He can run the floor and finish strong above the rim as well. Once Bazley adds an offensive game that is reliable and productive, he could project to be a solid two-way player.
2017 G Marcus Carr – Stackhouse Elite North – Carr made his impact felt on Thursday. He scored at all three levels. The 6’3” lead guard not only scored at a high level as a shooter and slasher, but he also showed he could facilitate; transforming him from a scoring guard to a legit playmaker.
2017 G Tristan Sadler – Stackhouse Elite North – Sadler played tough at both ends.
He’s quick with the basketball in his hands as he’s going from one end to the next. Sadler likes to dribble penetrate and create at the rim, but he also showed flashes of court awareness as well.
2017 F Ellie Nsoseme – Stackhouse Elite North – Ellie made his impact as a rebounder and an elite, young shot blocker. He contested and rejected numerous shots in my viewing of he and Stackhouse Elite. The 6’9” front court big man showed he could score on a sweeping left hook over his shoulder, a short turnaround in the post and that he could finish above the rim. He’s still pretty raw, yet shows plenty of skill at this early stage.
2018 G Tre Jones – Howard Pulley – Jones showed he could score in bunches from a variety of areas on the floor. On the other end, he gave defensive effort. As Jones continues to fill out his body, Jones has the skill to make him a high-level player.
2018 G AJ Green – Iowa Barnstormers – Green is the picture of steady and calm at the lead guard spot. He values the basketball and is a high-level shooter from the perimeter. Green will initiate the offense and find his own shots within the offense.
2018 F Joey Hauser – Iowa Barnstormers – Hauser is a highly-skilled forward. He has an excellent and accurate shooting stroke from deep. Hauser can put the ball on the floor and explode up above the rim off the bounce. He uses screens well to get to the rim off the dribble as well. While his body needs to fill out, Hauser has the length and skill to score points from all three levels.
2017 Brad Davison – Howard Pulley – Davison did an excellent job on Thursday. Both as a scorer and with his ability to run the offense. He showed the ability to score at all three levels, including contested jumpers. The recent Wisconsin-commit played with energy on both ends, takes care of the ball and operates with toughness.
2017 F Donnie Tillman – Dreamvision – Tillman defines toughness as a slasher. He does a good job getting to the rim by using his thick frame. The rising senior does a good job of drawing contact at a high level when he does look to get to the rim. As a jump shooter he shows flashes of a mid-range game and occasional three-point shooter. On the opposite end of the floor, he’s engaged and has real upside as a multi-positional defender.
2017 C Jacob Epperson – AUSA Platinum – Epperson has a long, thin frame. He showed some touch and scoring ability inside. He does tend to get knocked off his spot a little too easily and it’s clear he has to get stronger. It would also help him to develop a jumper while he works on his body and post game. Epperson has upside because of his mobility and how he uses that to cover solid ground as a defender. Additionally, Jacob does a solid job communicating on defense and is a very good passer at this stage.
2018 F Benjamin Fakira – AUSA Platinum – Fakira has a well-built frame for his age. Given time, Fakira should have a solid, chiseled, college ready body come time to enter the next level. Benjamin moved well and has pretty good hands. The 6’9” forward is pretty quick off his feet and shows he could provide some rim protection. Like Epperson, Fakira passes the ball at high level. Overall, Fakira arguably the highest upside on this squad and is one to watch.