Wroten bests Ross in maquee matchup
The 2009 Rose City Showcase, held at Lewis and Clark College, was definitely one of the more eventful stops on the summer evaluation tour. Coming into the elite-level division, I was very intrigued by the much-anticipated match up of 2011 standouts Tony Wroten (Seattle, Wash./ Garfield) and LaQuinton Ross (Jackson, Miss./ Murrah).
However, it wasn't much of a contest; Wroten took Ross completely out of his game. Wroten's strength and quick hands hindered Ross of any possibility of getting into any offensive rhythm. Wroten, on the other hand, handed out some Jason Kidd-like passes as Seattle Rotary routed MBA Elite 75-50.
Some other standouts included 2011 sharpshooter 6-1 Gary Bell (Kent, Wash./ Kentridge), 2011 scorer deluxe 6-5 Ryan Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind./ Lawrence North) and an Oregon prospect that may stake claim as the No. 1 point guard in the West in 6-2 Steven Holt (Portland, Ore./ Jesuit).
Standout Players
Ryan Taylor (6-5, 205,WF)
Derrick Rose All-Stars, 2011, Indianapolis/ Lawrence North
Taylor wasted no time establishing himself as a top-flight prospect. He has a solid looking frame with nice length and his overall athletic package is quite good. He has continued to develop his game, and it now looks like he'll mold himself into a wing for the next level. He is a versatile player who can go inside and out to get his points. He has the strength to overpower defenders in the post where he possesses a nice up-and-under move. He can knock down the 3-point shot as well. He gets nice lift on his shot and his release is smooth. His ballhandling has improved in the past year, and he can get to the basket in transition -- not too mention he shows hints of a developing mid-range game.
Rodney Hood (6-6, 175,WF)
MBA Elite, 2011, Meridian, Miss
Hood has an intriguing skill package for the Division 1 level. His game is similar to former NBA player Jalen Rose. He is a point forward type that can get his own shot as well as find the open man for the assist. He is quite fluid with the ball and his handle is very tight for a player his size. He has a nice burst off dribble and if the defense adjusts, his pivot work is sound enough to avoid contact -- and eventually, get his shot off. He can knock down the 3-point shot, but he is much more consistent in the midrange area. Hood needs to continue to hone his skills and get much stronger, but there is no doubt he is a unique talent.
Tony Wroten Jr. (6-5, 205, PG)
Seattle Rotary Select, 2011, Seattle, Wash./Garfield
Although Wroten was projected as a shooting guard for quite some time, point guard appears to be his ticket for the next level and beyond. His frame has really filled out since last summer, but he isn't quite as explosive as he once was. He can still blow by his opponent -- he changes speeds very well -- and get to the rim. It's also worth noting that some of the passes (with either hand) he dished out were definitely high-level. In addition, he is beginning to understand how to manage a game. He's one of the few point guards around that tries to get his bigs, such as his teammate Josh Smith, involved. One of the confusing aspects of his development has been in the area of shooting. Last summer he appeared to get much more lift on his shot and as a result it was much more consistent. However, in less than a year, he is grown accustomed to shooting a set shot. His rotation is decent, but he needs to get his legs into his shot, especially in the midrange area. Defensively, when his mind is focused he can be a tough defender.
Gary Bell (6-1, 175)
Seattle Rotary Select, 2011, Kent, Wash./ Kentridge
Bell is an undersized 2-guard, but he can really fill it up from the perimeter. He has a chiseled physique with long arms and he's a solid athlete. He is potent in a catch and shoot situation where he can rise and nail the shot in transition. He gets great lift on his shot and his rotation is smooth. In addition, he displayed some burst off the dribble (slick crossover) while maneuvering his way to the baskethe uses his strong upper body and bounce to finish in the paint area consistently. While he appears to be strictly a scorer at this stage, it was nice to see him not force the issue. He was far from a volume shooter as he allowed the game come to him. If he can develop his passing skills off the bounce that will certainly help his value with coaches in the coming seasons.
Cole Dickerson (6-5, 190)
Team A.C.C.E.S.S, 2010, Federal Way, Wash.
Dickerson is one of the better scorers in the west. Unfortunately he has a very mature frame with average length and athleticism. He has a tremendous knack to score and his fundamentals are quite solid. He faces-up very well and gets into the triple threat position to open up his options. He has a solid 1st step and he uses the pump fake well, but he struggles beating his defenders off the dribble -- and as a result he relies too much on spinning in the lane get separation. He has a nice touch around the basket and has the ability and strength to post up his defenders as well. His 3-point shot is decent, but there are times when he drifts to the left before releasing the shot. Defensively, he may struggle guarding quicker wing-types at the next level, but he is a gamer (loves to compete).
Stephen Holt (6-2, 175,PG)
I-5 Elite, 2010, Portland, Ore./ Jesuit
Holt is developing into the No. 1 point guard prospect out west for the class of 2010. He has ideal size, strength, speed, and quickness to play at the highest level. Most importantly, he is a true point guard who gets his teammates involved and he's fundamentally sound. He has a deceptive burst in transition where he can get to the rim or deliver the assist to the open teammate. He never leaves his feet while passing and his decision-making bodes well for the next level. His passing is crisp and always on the money. He understands angles while feeding the post and he can deliver the pass with either hand. Although his shot is a tad inconsistent, his release and stroke, overall, is more than solid. Overall, I'd be shocked if Holt didn't end up in the Pac-10 or some other high-major conference.
Surprise Players
LaQuinton Ross (6-7, 170)
MBA Elite, 2011, Jackson, Miss/Murrah
After watching Ross the last couple of years and speculating on his vast potential, I left Lewis and Clark College disappointed after his game. He still has that dynamite lengthy frame (extraordinary reach) and his athleticism is high-level as well, but the other aspects (skills and approach) have a ways to go if he is to reach that level that has been bestowed upon him since the 8th grade. Ross was very sloppy with the ball and had numerous turnovers while being guarded by Tony Wroten. He struggled breaking down defenders off the dribble and didn't possess the strength to finish plays off at the rim. In addition, when his lane to the basket got caught off he left his feet many times to either pass or throw up an off balance shot. However, the most haunting aspect of his game was his lack of fire to compete while his team was being crushed. On the other hand, he doesn't appear to get rattled as he allows the game to come to him. On the positive side he has an effortless stroke beyond the stripe and a tight handle (keeps it low) at times. Overall, Ross needs to continue to hone his skills and add strength and if he develops that "killer instinct" ala Michael Jordan, his game will certainly go to another level.
Josh Smith (6-9, 270)
Seattle Rotary Select, 2010, Kent, Wash./ Kentwood
Smith is the most promising post prospect in the west for the class of 2010. Although his game hasn't improved much since last summer his frame is enormous and he is quite quick off the floor as well. He is still carrying too much weight since I saw him last (Adidas Nations in April) and that is definitely affecting his game. There were many times he struggled at the rim and actually fell to the floor a quite a few times despite outweighing his opponent by a significant amount. He needs to have better leverage (bend his knees) and finish with a greater urgencyit's surprising he doesn't get more 3-point plays considering his size and agility. In addition, he needs to improve his free throw shooting. He has nice rotation on his release, but his shot is quite flat. Like most bigs, he does have much to improve on, but he has natural instincts for this game that can't be easily acquired. He is a very good passer from the post and usually makes great decisions and he despite his size he shot blocking ability is very impressive.
Joe Harris (6-4, 180, 2-guard)
Friends of Hoop, 2010, Chelan, Wash.
Harris was definitely a pleasant surprise at the Rose City Showcase. He has a terrific frame with long arms and it should fill out well in the coming years. He is a deceptive athlete with solid quickness and lift, but he's far from a high-flyer. He excels both in transition as well as in the half court set. He is a prolific jump shooter out to the stripe and his mechanics are flawless. In addition, he can hit the mid-range pull-up as well. However, he is much more effective in a catch and shoot situation and/or in transition. If he has to create his own shot he has a tendency to drift on his release. Harris has a high basketball IQ and should be a high-major recruit because of his shooting prowess and promising frame.
John Gage (6-9, 200, PF)
Friends of Hoop, 2010, Seattle, Wash/Vashon
Gage needs to get considerably stronger, but with his savvy and excellent stroke beyond the stripe, he'll definitely be a high-major priority. He has a long and rangy body and he's a solid athlete who runs well in transition. He projects to being a face-up 4-man at the next level due his ability to knock down the 3-point shot as well as his passing prowess. Out on the perimeter he's an outstanding passer and could be very effective in a number of offensive sets including "pick and pop" and or "high/low". At the elbow his ability to feed the post is high-level. He has a great feel for the game and he can deliver the nifty assist with either hand. Gage needs strength and bulk, but due to his unique skill set, he'll more than likely get recruited at the Pac-10 level.
Rose City Notes
• The most intriguing big from the event was 6-10 Michael Chandler (Indianapolis, Ind./ Lawrence North). This Louisville commit is a member of the class of 2011 and he has a significant upside. He is still very methodical in the paint area and still quite raw, but he has great length, good hands, and can elevate very well.
• Ryan Boatright, a 5-11 junior out of Aurora, Ill./West Aurora, is a terrific athlete with a tremendous burst off the dribble, but he is more of a two (hunts shots) than a one at this stage. There were many possessions where he looked to score early on in the shot clock instead of getting his teammates involved.
• Aaron Bright, a 5-9 point guard out of Bellevue, Wash, has a terrific handle and he changes speeds very well. He can knock down the 3-point shot with regularity as well. However, despite being a true point guard, his lack of size and burst will probably make him a mid-major prospect.
• Simi Fajemisin, a 6-8 center out of Lynnwood, Wash., has a smooth touch out to the elbow and a solid looking frame as well. The west coast class of 2010 is weak, especially at the four and the five, thus he'll probably get recruited at a high level. He needs to get in better shape to become more explosive around the paint, but with his size and soft hands, he may end up at the high-major level.
• The Big Sky Conference may want to check out blue-collar special 6-9 Kaj Sherman (Mercer Island, Wash.). He has a solid looking frame and a physical approach to the game that every college coach covets.
• J.T. Koonz, a 6-8 center out of Federal Way, Wash., is another low-mid-major target. He is a physical specimen who sets solid screens and is a tough rebounder. He post moves are a work in progress, but he did display a pretty solid looking jump hook.
• He is probably going to need a redshirt to bulk up, but 6-9 Jordan Railey (Beaverton, Ore.) has that ideal length that college coaches desire. He has become much more physical since the regular season and looks to be projected to the mid-major level.
• Stephen Madison, a 6-4 wing-type out of Vancouver, Wash./ Prairie, doesn't pass the look test, but he knows how to play this game. His shot still needs polishing, but he can dunk in traffic off the dribble and he plays with purpose on every possession. He may find himself garnering interest from the low-major level.
• He is a bit of a 'tweener, but 2010 product Garrett Jackson (Portland, Ore./ Westview) has a willowy frame and some bounce as well. His shot is a tad mechanical, but he rebounds well in traffic despite his slight frame and he makes the type of plays that may peg him as a glue-type.
