COLORADO SPRINGS – Eighty-plus players (88 were invited; several didn’t play) were on display over three days and five practice sessions during the USA Basketball’s “mini-camp” this past weekend in the US Olympic Training Center.
What follows are my choices as the 15 athletes that most impressed me with the way they played when I watched them over the weekend. The choices are not tied into college or NBA “upside/or potential”.
If you wonder where a bunch of well-known names aren’t listed, Vernon Carey, Jalen Green, and James Wiseman, being prime examples, it’s because I only considered players who were in action the entire weekend and didn’t pack it up early with assorted ailment.
Here you go:
2019
Isaiah Stewart 6-9 (La Porte, IN, La Lumiere): Easily the best “true post” in this class.
Scotty Lewis 6-5 (Tinton Falls, NJ, Ranney School): If his jump shot was just a tad more consistently on target, he’d be a strong No. 1 in the class candidate.
Matthew Hurt 6-8 (Rochester, MN, Marshall): As many “3” skills as he’s got as a “4”. Easily got the best of Jaden McDaniels (Federal Way in Washington) Sunday morning. (PICTURED)
Armando Bacot 6-9 (Bradenton, FL, IMG Academy): Bound for North Carolina, no one has improved his body as much as he has over the past couple of years.
Wendell Moore 6-5 (Concord, NC, Cox Mill): He committed to Duke Monday.
2020
Evan Mobley 6-11 (Temecula, CA, Rancho Christian): The best prospect among the 2020s and 2019s here.
Scottie Barnes 6-8 (Ft. Lauderdale, FL, University): He looks to have added about 20 pounds of muscle since June.
Greg Brown III 6-8 (Austin, TX, Vandergrift): He’s spectacular while seemingly not attempting to be so; does that make sense?
2021
Palo Banchero 6-8 (Seattle O’Dea): Secured my top spot in this class by handling Michael Foster, head up, Sunday morning.
Max Christie 6-5 (Rolling Meadows, IL): I’ve got to think he’s a strong candidate for the No. 1 “shooting guard” spot in this national class.
Michael Foster 6-8 (Milwaukee Washington): Banchero used that Sunday matchup to get the nod over this guy who was very good up until that tussle.
2022
Dariq Whitehead 6-5 (Montverde, FL, Academy): He wasn’t the spectacular jump shooter that Emoni Bates but was more impactful overall.
Emoni Bates 6-8 (Ypsilanti, MI, Lincoln): I’d settle for a dime for each time someone calls him “the next Kevin Durant” over the next four years.
John Duren 6-9 (Philadelphia Roman Catholic): He’s a prospect in the mold of Isaiah Stewart and Armando Bacot.
Richard Isaacs Jr. 6-1 (Henderson, NV, Coronado): No one, regardless of class, had a better “feel” for PG play than this recently-turned 15-year-old.
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