East Team
O.J. Mayo and Corey Stokes Vs. Nick Calathes and Kosta Koufos
While these games were merely meant to allow players to get loose and get a grasp for playing with others who may not have necessarily been familiar with each other from the AAU circuit (playing for different sneaker companies), games quickly became awfully competitive, specifically the matchup that pegged Nick Calathes and Kosta Koufos versus O.J. Mayo and Corey Stokes. Obviously the duo of Mayo and Stokes was at a huge size disadvantage, standing 65 respectively and having to go up against the 65 Calathes and 71 Koufos. The size mismatches on both sides did not stop these four for playing with a fire that you would more likely see in an NCAA practice, however.
From the beginning, it was clear that these four players were going noticeably harder than any other players in the 2 on 2 drills. Whether it was the fact that they were excited for the opportunity to play versus players they may not have played against or we were just seeing these players exert their fullest competitive instincts was unbeknownst, but these four clearly had it out for each other. Quickly words were exchanged between Mayo and the squad of Koufos and Calathes, primarily due to questionable foul calls on both sides. The two teams continued to go back and forth for two games, with Koufos and Calathes emerging as narrow victors in both games. At the conclusion of each game, Mayo showed his displeasure in losing by slamming the ball on the floor and looking visibly upset in defeat.
In the games, Mayo showed his competitive drive by going hard on each and every play. This seemed to pick up the intensity of the game on both sides, as Koufos and Calathes then began going much harder. Mayo shot the lights out of the ball, hitting numerous NBA three pointers and beautiful fade-away jump shots out of the post. His partner Stokes, one of the deadliest shooters in the class of 2007, converted countless tough jump shots over the 71 Koufos, leaving many fans nodding their heads in the quick release three pointers and turnaround jumpers that he was hitting over the Greek giant.
The victorious team of Calathes and Koufos ran the pick and roll remarkably well, with Calathes making all of the right reads each time he came off of a screen. He was able to use his deceptive quickness and hesitation moves to get to the rim on Mayo, utilizing shot fakes to ensure he was able to get the ball up over the more athletic Huntington star. His teammate Koufos used his size advantage to its fullest potential, posting on Stokes at every available opportunity and scoring via his soft touch around the rim. While these were just two on two games and nothing to get overly excited about, it was awfully pleasing to see these players go so hard this early in the week.
Individual Player Breakdowns
O.J. Mayo, 65, 210 lbs, PG/SG, Signed with USC
Mayo was downright amazing in the four on four drills, running point guard the entire time and playing set up man to teammates Gani Lawal and J.J. Hickson. His outstanding court vision was exhibited through his numerous no look passes in traffic and remarkable left handed passes off the dribble. As the games became closer, the Huntington star began to take over scoring as well, hitting countless three pointers and displaying the competitive instinct that the great ones have. There was little more that Mayo could have done on day one on the floor, besides beating Koufos and Calathes in two on two.
Kosta Koufos, 71, 240 lbs, PF/C, Signed with Ohio State
Just like Mayo, Koufos was outstanding on the first day of practices, despite the fact that his high school season just came to a conclusion two days earlier. In the final game of four on four, he hit 4 three pointers and displayed the outstanding potential that everyone has seen in him as a pick and pop threat. He did struggle defensively a bit guarding athletic posts such as J.J. Hickson and Gani Lawal, but will have defensive dynamos Othello Hunter and Dallas Lauderdale to help him once he hits Ohio State. It was truly a sight to see a seven footer shooting the ball the way Kosta did, as one observer sitting near me whom had never seen him play previously told me: This kid plays like hes 66, but hes biggest guy out there! I cant believe what Im seeing.
Nick Calathes, 65, 190 lbs, PG, Signed with Florida
Calathes was solid Sunday with his heady and crafty play, doing all of the things that coaches love on the floor to make up for his lack of outstanding athleticism. He did a good job handling the ball, despite the immense ball pressure that was put on him by Mayo on the day. The basketball IQ and intangibles that he possesses are truly special, and it is clear that he was taught the fundamentals of the game at a very young age. Nick struggled a bit defensively on the day against more athletic guards and was a bit shaky from beyond the three point arc, but was able to consistently lead his team to victory through his cerebral play.
Donte Greene, 69, 210 lbs, SF/PF, Signed with Syracuse
As ridiculous as this may sound, Greene resembled a bit of a poor mans Kevin Durant on Sunday. He put the ball on the floor, shot the three pointer, and used his outstanding length and athleticism on both ends of the floor. While he is about an inch shorter and not the deadly shooter that KD was at this stage, the similarities in their games are definitely evident. The Baltimore native used his deceptive athleticism to block numerous shots in the paint against stronger post players, and was able to take opposing big men out to the wing and score on the perimeter against the more traditional posts. He is certainly a name that draft fans should keep etched in their heads, as many feel that he has a great chance of being a one and done player once he hits Syracuse.
J.J. Hickson, 69, 240 lbs., PF, Signed with North Carolina State
Having not seen Hickson since the Reebok Big Time in late July, it was surprising to see how much the athletic big man has expanded his game offensively in the past 8 months. Once considered a player who could only score from 8 feet and in, the Georgia native showed the ability to score also when facing the basket Sunday. He was able to convert on numerous 12-15 foot jump shots, while also utilizing his athleticism down low on the blocks. The N.C. State signee finished everything inside, running the pick and roll to perfection with O.J. Mayo. If Hickson is able to continue to improve at this rate, he will certainly be able to fit right in the rotation of the outstanding Wolfpack frontline of Brandon Costner and Ben McCauley next season.