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BioSteel All Canadian High School Basketball Game Scouting Reports

BioSteel All Canadian High School Basketball Game Scouting Reports
Apr 13, 2016, 03:54 pm
Scouting reports on the top prospects seen at the BioSteel All Canadian High School Basketball Game in Toronto.

Shai Alexander (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), 6-6, PG/SG, Toronto, 1998

Strengths
-Excellent size and length for a guard prospect – 6' 5.5” with a 6' 9” wingspan.
-Tremendous defensive potential. Quick feet, active hands, long arms. Has the tools to defend both guard positions if he's able to fill out.
-Quick first step. Doesn't need a ball screen to beat his man off the bounce. Shows an ability to play at different speeds.
-Able to drive both right and left. Will occasionally use his off hand to deliver passes.
-Length helps him finish around the rim despite his slight frame. Doesn't shy away from contact as much as you'd expect.
-20.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 3.0 turnovers per 40 minutes on 73.3 2P% and 42.9 3P% in five 2015 Adidas Uprising games.
-Not a great shooter at this stage but his shot isn't broken. Gets solid rotation.

Weaknesses
-Very thin at 171 pounds. Fairly narrow shoulders. Will most likely always be on the lighter side. Struggles to finish through contact. Gets overpowered on defense at times.
-Raw offensively. Lacks advanced combo moves at this stage.
-Not a great decision maker on the move. Can get tunnel vision. Still figuring out how to mix scoring and playmaking. Struggles with the simple play at times. A ways away from being able to run an offense with any consistency.
-Struggles to make shots from the perimeter. Very low release point. Misses left and right. Shot isn't broken but it isn't a weapon at this stage. Turns down jumpers. Not very comfortable pulling up off the dribble.
-Would benefit from adding a floater.

Outlook With his physical attributes, quickness and defensive versatility, Gilgeous-Alexander was one of the most intriguing long-term prospects on the BioSteel All-Canadian roster. The late bloomer is far from polished offensively, but Gilgeous-Alexander has enough potential on that end to eventually develop into a slashing guard who can find teammates on the move. The future Kentucky Wildcat isn't an instant-impact player, and he has to improve his shooting and decision making, but he has the tools to develop into an intriguing prospect after a few years in the SEC.


Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 6-5 PG/SG, Toronto, 1998

Strengths
-Very good size and length for a guard prospect – 6' 5” with a 6' 8.5” wingspan.
-Completely ambidextrous. Doesn't do it in games but is capable of shooting jumpers with either hand. Passes and finishes with both hands.
-Fluid athlete.
-Plays with a level of creativity. Makes an effort to change speeds and directions. Uses spin moves. Fairly instinctual scorer.
-Impressive vision. Able to thread the needle to cutters in traffic. Can play pick and roll. Uses his size to pass over the top. Unselfish player.
-Has some craft around the rim. Attempts scoop layups.
-Slow getting into his jumper but gets solid rotation. Has some touch from the perimeter. Can make a hesitation pull up.
-Has potential defensively thanks to his tools. Good instincts.

Weaknesses
-Light at 180 pounds. Average frame.
-Lacks a degree of toughness. Doesn't like contact on either end of the floor. Gets caught on screens. Opponents go right at him. Not always strong with the ball offensively. Could stand to play with more edge. Can be a bit emotional. Sat out of some drills.
-More smooth than explosive. Doesn't always turn the corner or get up around the rim.
-Still more of a combo guard than point guard right now.
-Fairly slow release on his jumper. Gets pull ups blocked. Can do a better job of creating space and getting into his jumper more quickly.

Outlook Alexander-Walker struggled in the BioSteel Game but it was easy to see his talent in a practice setting. His combination of tools, ambidexterity, feel and shooting potential make him an intriguing long-term prospect. He'll have to toughen up, make the transition from combo guard to point guard, and become a more consistent shooter to reach his full potential and eventually develop into a legitimate NBA Draft prospect.


Andrew Nembhard, 6-4 PG, Toronto, 1998

Strengths
-Good size for a point guard prospect. Solid frame for a 16-year-old.
-Fluid in the open court.
-Outstanding feel for the game. Plays with a level of poise you don't often see from a guard his age. Super smooth game.
-Talented passer with excellent vision. Delivers the ball from different angles. Makes the simple play. Very unselfish.
-Fairly tight handle. Can operate at different speeds. Comfortable operating in ball screens.
-Needs to improve his jumper but his shot isn't broken. Made 5-of-11 threes and 6-of-7 free throws in five games at the 2015 FIBA U16 Americas.
-Good instincts defensively.
-Could very well still be growing (just turned 16 on January 16th).

Weaknesses
-Lacks great length with a 6' 4” wingspan.
-More smooth than explosive. Doesn't always turn the corner or get up around the rim.
-Not much of a scorer in the half court at this stage. Doesn't look for his offense. 11.3 points per 40 minutes at the 2015 FIBA U16 Americas.
-Caught between a set and a jump shot. Mechanics are a bit stiff. One of his biggest areas for improvement.
-Lack of length limits his defensive versatility.
-Nice frame but still has room to get stronger – 175 pounds.

Outlook Nembhard's feel for the game, vision, size for his position, and basketball instincts at age 16 should eventually allow him to play at any college in the country. It's very rare to see a 16-year-old play with the level of poise that Nembhard displays, making it easy for any college coach to potentially offer him the keys to their offense. Nembhard isn't loaded with upside, however, as he lacks length, isn't a high-level athlete and needs to improve as a shooter. With that said, he turned 16 years old three months ago, and has a fantastic foundation as a point guard prospect.


Jahvon Blair, 6-4 PG/SG, Brampton, 1998

Strengths
-Solid size for a combo guard at 6-4. Still thin but has added eight pounds since the 2015 BioSteel game.
-Can play on or off the ball.
-Went off for 31 points leading his team to a comeback victory in the BioSteel game.
-Shot-maker, especially off the catch. Low release point but gets good rotation. Nice touch.
-Operates at different speeds. Has some creativity as a ball handler. Uses stutter steps. Will use Rondo-esque fakes.
-Nice touch on floaters.
-Very capable playmaker. Has some vision.
-Willing to mix it up on the glass.
-Plays with a lot of confidence.

Weaknesses
-Lacks length with a 6' 4” wingspan.
-Average frame – 176 pounds at 18 years old.
-Not the most explosive athlete. Relies more on change of speeds and deception. Doesn't always turn the corner. Strides aren't overly long. Relies on tough floaters.
-Has a tendency to get a bit wild. Will drive into traffic and throw up off balance layups. Can improve his decision making.
-Streaky shooter with a low release point. More comfortable off the catch than the dribble at this stage. Shoots a set shot.
-Very left hand (his strong hand) dominant.
-More of a scorer than a playmaker at this stage.
-Doesn't have much defensive potential with his lack of length and frame. Can improve his focus and intensity on that end.
-A year old for his class – will turn 20 at the end of his freshman season in college.

Outlook Blair exploded in the BooSteel Game leading his team to victory while helping his stock as a college prospect in the process. The 6-4 uncommitted guard can really fill it up, mixing in jumpers and floaters, while showing potential as a playmaker. His long-term upside is a bit limited given his lack of length and elite explosiveness, but he figures to be a very productive college player who could develop into an NBA prospect in time.


Jaelin Llewellyn, 6-2 PG/SG, Toronto, 1999

Strengths
-Explosive leaper, especially off of two feet. Won the BioSteel dunk contest. Can finish above the rim in transition.
-Quick first step. Able to change speeds and directions quickly. Glides with the ball. Very shifty. Has potential as a ball handler.
-Nice stroke with his feet set. Low release, fairly easy to contest, but gets good rotation and has nice touch.
-Good footwork on his pull up jumper. Able to create space off the bounce.
-More of a scorer at this stage but has potential as a playmaker.
-Quick feet on defense.

Weaknesses
-Average size and length at 6' 2” with a 6' 4” wingspan. Frame has room to fill out but is very light at 166 pounds. Limits his defensive potential a bit.
-Still working to turn talent into production. Fairly raw offensively. Decision making and shot selection have room to improve. A bit too sped up offensively.
-Streaky shooter. Low release point. Very streaky when contested.
-Can add more craft around the rim. Could use a floater game. Fairly right-hand dominant.
-More of a scorer than a playmaker at this stage.
-A bit old for his class.

Outlook Explosive guard with some upside despite fairly average size and length. The 16-year-old Toronto native can get into the paint without a ball screen, should be able to make shots from the perimeter in time, and could develop into a capable playmaker as the game continues to slow down for him. Llewellyn needs quite a bit of polish on both ends of the floor, but his combination of explosiveness and developing skills make him a prospect to keep an eye on.


Emmanuel Akot, 6-7 SF, Winnipeg, 1999

Strengths

-Nice size and frame for a wing prospect at 6' 7”. Somehow weighed only 175 pounds but has a frame that should definitely develop in time.
-Fluid athlete. Very good in transition – can push himself or fill his lane.
-Really competes on both end of the floor. Likes to defend. Good feet, gets in a stance, communicates. Plays with toughness. Doesn't mind physicality.
-Good passer for a wing. Sees the floor well. Unselfish player.
-Solid straight line slasher. Fairly long strides. Good first step. Likes to drive left.
-Catch and shoot jumper is projectable. Streaky but capable. Gets solid rotation, on balance.

Weaknesses
-Lacks length with a 6' 8” wingspan.
-Good not great athlete.
-Not a great ball handler. Almost everything is in a straight line.
-Good passer but can improve his decision making. Tends to put his head down and drive left, right into traffic. Game still a bit fast for him.
-Streaky shooter. Slight pause at the top of his jump. Lacks the handle and footwork to get to his jumper off the bounce with consistency.
-Not overly crafty around the rim. Can improve as a finisher vs length.
-Old for his class – will turn 20 at the end of his freshman year of college.

Outlook The uncommitted 2018 wing has a nice foundation as a prospect thanks to his size, frame, motor, passing ability, defensive energy, and potential as a spot up shooter. Akot is still quite raw as a shot creator and decision maker, and his lack of length does slightly hamper his potential as a 3 and D prospect. He needs to become a more consistent shooter to unlock the ‘3' in 3' and D' but wings with size who can defend, pass, and make a shot don't grow on trees. Akot is worth keeping an eye on as he develops and his recruitment heats up.


Nate Darling, 6-2 PG/SG, Toronto, 1999

Strengths
-Big-time shooter. Doesn't have the most traditional mechanics but gets great rotation and has natural touch. Unwavering confidence.
-Range beyond the college 3-point line. Good footwork. Very good off the catch, as well as off the bounce. Showed the potential to create space off the dribble.
-Impressive basketball instincts. Very unselfish in drive and kick situations. Will mix in behind the back passes when necessary. Great vision for a two-guard.
-Good feel as a cutter.
-Solid ball handler. Super impressive spin move and ‘speed finish' with his right hand off of his right foot over length. Crafty. Isn't a stiff.
-Moves well laterally.

Weaknesses
-Average size, length and strength for a two guard – 6' 5” with a 6' 5” wingspan and 183-pound frame.
-Not overly explosive. Struggles to finish vs length. Doesn't have elite burst.
-Lacks upside and versatility defensively. Opponents go right at him. Has good feet but doesn't have a great frame or much length to bail him out.
-Can continue to become more and more versatile as a shooter.

Outlook Long-term upside aside, Darling was one of the best pure basketball players at the BioSteel All-Canadian Game. He didn't post big numbers in the actual game, but he impressed with his shooting stroke, feel for the game, and creativity in practices. With decent size for a college two-guard and a ready-made skill as a shooter, Darling should be able to carve out a role at UAB during his freshman year. Darling's physical profile doesn't scream ‘NBA prospect' but he could very well put together a Kellen Dunhan-like career at UAB.


Aher Uguak, 6-7 SF, Edmonton, 1999

Strengths
-Very good size and length for a wing prospect – 6' 7” with a 6' 10.5” wingspan and a 201-pound frame that still has room to fill out. Proportionate upper and lower body.
-Solid athlete. Can play above the rim in space.
-Nice touch on his catch and shoot jumper. Gets good rotation. Solid mechanics.
-Can straight line slash a little bit.
-Potential defensively thanks to his tools.

Weaknesses
-Good not great athlete.
-Fairly rigid ball handler. Limited to straight line drives. Struggles getting to his jumper off the bounce.
-Very basic offensive game. Not the most comfortable playmaker.
-Streaky spot up shooter. Doesn't catch on the hop. Release isn't all that quick. Needs to be able to make shots consistently due to his limitations as a shot creator.
-Has room to improve his defensive fundamentals.

Outlook Uguak has the tools and shooting potential to eventually develop into a 3 and D type of prospect after four years at New Mexico. He's not a very flashy player, as he isn't an advanced half court scorer or playmaker, but it's not easy to find wings with size and length that can make a shot and defend. Uguak has the ability to both; it's just a matter of how well that will determine his fate as a prospect.

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