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2014 FIBA U18 Americas Championship: US Scouting Reports

2014 FIBA U18 Americas Championship: US Scouting Reports
Jun 25, 2014, 12:06 am
Scouting reports on the top US prospects who competed at the FIBA U18 Americas Championships in Colorado Springs.

Myles Turner, 6'11, Center, USA
Incoming Freshman (Texas), RSCI #5
Mike Schmitz

Strengths
-Excellent size, frame and length for a center.
-Great instincts as a shot blocker. Rotates well. Alters shots. Very good timing.
-Good offensive rebounder.
-Very good shooting touch. Capable out to 3-point range. Comfortable in mid-range spots.
-Upside offensively. Can get to a turnaround jumper comfortably. Fundamentally sound rip-through from 17 feet. Pretty good touch on right handed jump hook.
-High IQ. Good passer. Knows where to be on the defensive end.
-Good hands.
-Plays with great effort. Works hard on the glass.

Weaknesses
-Lacks mobility. Struggles getting up and down with fluidity. Runs awkwardly.
-Huge feet slow him down. Has issues hedging and recovering.
-Average body.
-Lacks explosiveness. Not an above the rim guy.
-Not comfortable turning over his right shoulder.
-Lacks go-to moves on the block. Doesn't get deep position.
-Foul prone.

Outlook Turner has an intriguing blend of shooting ability, basketball IQ, shot blocking instincts and rebounding ability for a near-7-footer. The Texas-bound big man does some nice things on the floor that should translate well to the next level. Turner's potential is a bit limited by his lack of mobility and explosiveness, however. He's not exactly great in one area and although he certainly has some NBA-level skills and tools, he struggles to get off the ground quickly, keep quicker bigs in front and hedge and recover in the pick and roll. Turner figures to face questions about his long-term durability due to his abnormally large feet and awkward running style. Turner certainly has the tools to contribute at Texas and eventually parlay that into a potential lottery selection in the 2015 draft. But because of Turner's lack of athleticism along with questions about his long-term durability, he doesn't quite have the star potential people may have envisioned in the past.


Chase Jeter, 6'9 C, USA
Scout #9, Rivals #17, ESPN #13, 247Sports #15
Jonathan Givony

Strengths
-6-10 with a 7-2 wingspan
-Has a nice frame. Looks like he can add a lot more weight
-Solid feel for the game. Made some nice outlet passes
-Opportunistic scorer and rebounder

Weaknesses
-Body still filling out. Lack of strength affects him in every facet of the game
-Good, not great athlete. Lacks a degree of explosiveness
-Not the toughest guy around
-Average defender. Struggles to step out and get low on the perimeter. Gets pushed around mercilessly in the post due to lack of lower body strength
-Has a difficult time finishing through contact

Outlook Did not have the most impressive showing. Was cut from the team by coaching staff but then brought back at the last minute when another player was forced to withdraw due to family issue. Still in an early stage of his development. Will likely improve athleticism as body fills out. Needs to figure out how to play harder, tougher on a more consistent basis.


Stephen Zimmerman, 6'9, Power Forward, USA
Scout #8, Rivals #4, ESPN #6, 247Sports #10
Mike Schmitz

Strengths
-Solid size and length for a power forward.
-Very mobile for his size.
-Can finish above the rim off of one foot or with momentum in transition.
-Excellent passer.
-Can handle.
-Potential as a rebounder and shot blocker.
-High IQ defender.
-Moves well laterally for his size.
-Very good shooting touch. Good in mid-range spots.
-Good touch with his left hand.

Weaknesses
-Soft.
-Gets pushed off of his spots offensively.
-Wants to shoot jump shots rather than operate on the block.
-Not a great rim protector.
-Struggles finishing through contact.
-Lacks explosiveness from a standstill position.
-Doesn't have a wide array of post moves when he is able to catch on the block.
-Right elbow doesn't bend all the way.

Outlook Very intriguing prospect due to his combination of length, mobility, shooting ability, passing instincts and overall IQ. Zimmerman most likely projects as a perimeter-oriented stretch power forward at the NBA level due to his shooting ability, handle and passing instincts combined with his lack of toughness. Zimmerman needs to improve his overall mentality and toughness in order to hang as a rebounder and defender but he should be able to carve out a niche as a skilled big man who can get up and down.


Jalen Brunson, 6'2, Point Guard, USA
Scout #17, Rivals #14, ESPN #22, 247Sports #28
Mike Schmitz

Strengths
-Strong and physical point guard.
-Can finish well through contact. Initiates contact going to the rim. Uses both hands.
-Consummate point guard. Very unselfish. Moves the ball. Makes the simple pass.
-Takes care of the ball.
-Capable shooter.
-High IQ.
-Solid on ball defender. Moves his feet well.
-Good instincts off the ball.

Weaknesses
-Average athlete.
-Short arms.
-Capable but not a knockdown shooter. Passes up open looks regularly.
-Lacks creativity.
-Doesn't change speed or direction all that well.
-No in-between game.

Outlook The coach's son figures to be a solid starting point guard at the college level due to his heady point guard play and physicality. Brunson gets his teammates involved and isn't afraid to attack the rim. The 6-2 lefty is a bit limited athletically and needs to develop into more of a threat as a shooter to take his game to the next level. Bruson's NBA potential is a bit limited by his average athleticism and overall scoring ability, but he figures to be a solid collegiate player and could potentially carve out a niche as a backup or third point guard in the league down the road.


Luke Kennard, 6'5, Shooting Guard, USA
Scout #19, Rivals #13, ESPN #31, 247Sports #16
Mike Schmitz

Strengths
-More than just a shooter.
-Excellent spot up shooter. Good mechanics, quick release. Can shoot on the move as well (coming off of screens).
-Not an explosive athlete but is very smooth.
-Can handle a little bit.
-High IQ on both ends.
-Good passing instincts. Very unselfish.
-Uses both hands around the rim.
-Plays hard.

Weaknesses
-Not the most explosive athlete.
-Inconsistent shooter off the bounce.
-Short arms
-Struggles containing quicker guards
-Low release point on his shot

Outlook Sharp-shooting guard with potential to develop into more of a playmaker due to his above average handle, basketball IQ and passing instincts. Kennard figures to be a contributor at the college level right away due to his shooting ability and effort level. Kennard may not have a ton of NBA potential due to his average physical tools, but expect Kennard to be a solid collegiate player.


Allonzo Trier, 6'4 Shooting Guard, USA
Scout #15, Rivals #38, ESPN #19, 247Sports #12
Jonathan Givony

Strengths
-Sneaky athlete. Quick jumper
-Impressive scoring instincts
-Very aggressive player
-Very effective in transition
-Can make an outside shot but doesn't look great right now.
-Attacks closeouts effectively
-Gets to the free throw line at an extremely high rate
-Crafty finisher. Uses both hands around the basket
-Competes on defense

Weaknesses
-Somewhat undersized for a shooting guard at around 6-4. Doesn't have great length to compensate
-Has somewhat awkward shooting mechanics. Low release, push shot
-Inconsistent shooter (33% 3P% 2014 EYBL, 32% 2013)
-Doesn't contribute enough in other areas yet besides scoring
-A little old for his class

Outlook Prolific scoring shooting guard who is currently leading the EYBL averaging around 30 points in 30 minutes per game. Has terrific scoring instincts, particularly in transition. Was extremely highly touted at a very young age, then fell off the radar somewhat, and recently reemerged as a top-flight player in his class. First player to participate in four seasons of Nike EYBL action.


Isaiah Briscoe, 6'4 PG/SG, USA
Scout #16, Rivals #19, ESPN #20, 247Sports #19
Jonathan Givony

Strengths
-6-4 in shoes with a 6-9 wingspan and a very strong frame
-Skilled and creative ball-handler and passer
-Excellent court vision
-Makes simple passes with tremendous ease
-Finishes with both hands around the basket, often through contact
-Gets to the free throw line at a high rate
-Great instincts and anticipation skills, allows him to rebound very well from guard position

Weaknesses
-Smooth athlete, but not overly explosive
-Plays with a very lackadaisical approach
-Poor defender due to average lateral quickness and low intensity level
-Average perimeter shooter (32% 3P% in EYBL this season, 34% last season, on limited number of attempts)
-Low 2P%. Settles for some tough mid-range jumpers. Can have a difficult time gaining separation at times due to average first step

Outlook Intelligent player with an excellent feel for the game. Body, athleticism, conditioning looks much improved over past year. Combo guard who appears to be a good enough ball-handler and passer to spend some minutes at point guard in college. Needs to continue to work on outside shooting and defensive prowess.


Tyler Lydon, 6'9, Power Forward, USA
Scout #75, Rivals #59, ESPN #59, 247Sports #85
Jonathan Givony

Strengths
-Has a nice frame that should fill out in time. Big shoulders
-Good wingspan
-Solid athlete. Fluid and mobile
-Decent skill-level on the perimeter
-Very nice shooting stroke. Can make catch and shoot 3-pointers when left open
-Can create off the dribble a bit in straight line
-Rotates for blocks
-Crashes offensive glass. Competitive guy
-Intelligent player. Plays within himself

Weaknesses
-Still filling out physically. Lack of strength affects him in every facet of the game
-Cannot utilize his size inside the paint
-Struggles to finish around the basket
-Poor defensive rebounder
-Lacks a degree of toughness
-Little bit upright on perimeter defensively

Outlook Stretch four with a nice skill-level. Still raw in many facets of the game but shows a solid framework to improve as he gets stronger and matures. Was not particularly productive in this year's EYBL. May be better suited in more structured settings playing alongside other good players. Plays a coveted position in today's basketball. Looks likely to outplay his current recruiting ranking.

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