The Iverson Classic brought 28 of the best players in high school basketball together in Memphis, Tennessee, for three days of intense practices, scrimmaging and other live competition. The NBA allowed each team to send one representative to evaluate the two days of practices, with no restrictions on the number of evaluators allowed for the actual game. This provided an opportunity for teams to start building out their scouting files on a class that has been almost invisible to them due to mass cancellations of camps, tournaments and other exposure events over the past 14 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
With the normal all-star circuit -- the McDonald's All-American game, Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic -- all on hiatus, the Iverson Classic filled the void, reeling in a huge swath of talent, including 12 of the 22 players currently classified as five-star prospects in ESPN's recruiting rankings. Several other prospects outside that range made compelling cases over the week for why they are deserving of one-and-done consideration.
While we've scouted many of these prospects live over the high school season, it was very useful to see this group through the eyes of the 30 or so NBA scouts who were evaluating these players for the very first time and getting their raw initial impressions of the class, which were largely extremely positive.
Note: While the 2022 NBA draft is too far away to reasonably predict the order, we're using ESPN's Future Power Rankings to help show which traded picks might convey in 2022.
Banchero or Holmgren? Holmgren or Banchero?
Duke-bound Paolo Banchero and Gonzaga commit Chet Holmgren had already established themselves as the early favorites for the No. 1 pick in 2022, with Jaden Hardy -- who is likely headed to G League Ignite but wasn't in attendance this weekend -- also in the picture. The Iverson Classic did nothing to dissuade that notion.
The two big men embraced the opportunity to match up head-to-head on many occasions in the practices, scrimmages and game, largely playing to a draw in competitive fashion. The two will meet again on Nov. 26 in Las Vegas for a heavyweight battle that will help decide who has the upper hand for being the top pick, but for now, NBA scouts seem split.
"If I needed someone to throw into a NBA game tomorrow, Paolo Banchero could give my team 15 and 8 and fit in perfectly with our group in terms of skill, feel and competitiveness wise," one executive from a NBA finals contender remarked. "He has everything you look for at his position and plenty of room to grow too.
"But if I'm a lottery team picking who I think will be the best long-term prospect five years down the road, though, I'm taking Chet. There's just more downside there."
While somewhat quiet offensively in the first two days of practices (he didn't score a single point in the opening scrimmage) Holmgren exploded in the actual game, posting 18 points and 11 rebounds to win co-MVP honors and help his team win. He was a calming presence for his team all week, not forcing the issue in the slightest and setting the tone with his unselfishness and competitiveness, while being virtually impossible to score on inside the paint.
At his best pushing off the defensive glass or creating off the dribble in the half-court, Holmgren's court vision and passing creativity stood out every time he looked to make things happen off the bounce. He's extremely natural handling the ball, changing directions and slithering his way to the rim at his own unique, fluid pace. He always keeps his head up and is ready to throw well-timed bounce passes to teammates on the move if the defense rotates.
Holmgren also displayed some extremely impressive versatility offensively in the practices and scrimmages thanks to his fluid ball-handling, passing and perimeter shooting ability. A taste of what we saw. More here: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY pic.twitter.com/69R4blraZg
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Holmgren was somewhat streaky with his jumper over the course of the event. Nevertheless, he sports exquisite mechanics, shot-making versatility and touch that gives him huge potential on this end of the floor, even shooting on the move. He's also one of the most impressive shot-blockers I've ever evaluated, sporting incredible length, timing, mobility and instincts.
The big concern scouts expressed revolved around his frame, which reminds scouts of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski. Holmgren does not appear to have put on much weight in the past year and a half since we last saw him live. He'll be 20 on draft night and there are some questions about how he'll be able to handle the physicality of NBA big men and how durable he can be. Holmgren has plenty of time to address those concerns, and can continue to build his candidacy as the No. 1 pick representing USA Basketball at the FIBA U19 World Championship, which he's currently scheduled to attend.
Banchero had more of an up and down showing over the course of the week, struggling to get going with his jumper in the game and appearing to force the issue and settle at times off the dribble. Banchero has done a great job of chiseling his frame over the past year and has added a huge amount of skill and versatility that makes him as complete a big man as you'll find.
With a clean stroke and terrific touch from anywhere on the floor, it's likely only a matter of time until Banchero becomes an excellent shooter from anywhere on the floor. He already makes impossible shots look incredibly easy, but will need to simplify the game and pick and choose his spots better in more organized settings based on what we saw in Memphis. The fact that he can handle the ball, pass on the move with outstanding vision and creativity, and also finish with impressive power around the basket drew some comparisons to All-NBA team candidate Julius Randle from scouts in attendance.
A taste of the versatility Paolo Banchero showed NBA scouts in practices and scrimmaging at the Iverson Classic. Full analysis/scouting report here: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY(scrimmage📽️via @SUVtv) pic.twitter.com/wJkz8qiHpI
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Teams say they'd like to see him do a better job of using his huge frame to set physical screens, dominate the defensive glass and draw fouls, areas he was inconsistent at.
Perhaps the most notable takeaway from the week was just how good of a defender Banchero can be when he's locked in and fully engaged on the task of shutting down his man. He gets in a deep stance and can really slide his feet and contain smaller players off the dribble, coming up with several impressive stops switching on the perimeter. He has good timing using verticality to contest shots around the basket as well. His intensity does waver on this end, though, and there were several occasions where he didn't box out and was flat-footed allowing the much-taller Holmgren to snatch offensive rebounds away from him in the game.
With some similarities in terms of their modern fit, but also stark contrasts in appearance and approach, the Banchero versus Holmgren debate will surely continue to rage over the next 13 months.
Peyton Watson: Emerging top prospect
While Banchero and Holmgren were considered top-shelf prospects almost immediately upon enrolling in high school, it's been much more of a slow burn for Watson, who only recently cracked the top 10 of the ESPN recruiting rankings. If the Iverson Classic was any indication, that will likely still prove to be far too low. Some scouts in attendance felt Watson is a candidate to emerge as one of the top prospects in the 2022 draft over the next 13 months.
Part of Watson's modest ranking is due to limited exposure. Watson plays at Long Beach Poly (California), which is somewhat under the radar. The school's season was pushed back to April and the Jackrabbits do not play a national schedule. Watson was also only 6-foot-1 when he entered high school but has since sprouted up to over 6-8 with a 7-foot wingspan.
UCLA-commit Peyton Watson went from 6'1 high school freshman to one of the top prospects in the 2022 NBA draft. Here's a little taste of why. Full analysis: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY(scrimmage📽️via @SUVtv) pic.twitter.com/5sJ8J77Gj0
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Watson's physical profile helped him stand out this weekend. He's an oversized wing player with a lanky 197-pound frame that will fill out impressively over time. He also moves smoothly and has demonstrated two-way versatility. He was one of the best defenders at the event, regularly blocking shots on the perimeter or rotating to protect the rim thanks to his long arms and quickness getting off his feet, while showing toughness putting a body on stronger players.
Offensively, Watson does a little bit of everything, showing good potential as a passer, slasher and shooter. He's not terribly consistent in any one area, only scoring four points in the actual game. The flashes he shows changing speeds out of hesitation moves, finding the open man unselfishly off a live dribble and getting to the basket with long strides are impressive. The fact that he's not afraid to take contact in the paint despite his thin frame is a good sign. Watson sports a somewhat slow release on his jump shot but is capable with his feet set and even shows some potential shooting off movement as well.
Watson still has room to improve his ballhandling ability in the half-court and frame. He struggles to create his own offense at times and still isn't the most consistent shooter around. Like a lot of late bloomers, he's still figuring out the extent of his talent and understanding of how to be consistently aggressive. It will be interesting to see how his physical ability evolves as his frame fills out, but there's little doubt that Watson has all the ingredients scouts look for. Like Holmgren, Watson is slated to be on USA Basketball's FIBA U19 World Championship training camp roster, and should he make the team as expected, will be one of the most anticipated prospects along with Holmgren, fellow top-10 recruit Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Purdue freshman Jaden Ivey.
Daimion Collins: Boom or bust prospect
Collins had one of the more extreme contrasts in terms of what scouts saw over the course of the week, looking like one of the best long-term prospects in attendance in some moments while being a complete non-factor in others.
In transition drills, featuring 3-on-2 and 2-on-1 action, Collins looked like a potential No. 1 pick candidate, putting his head on the rim with incredible ease, while handling the ball and executing complicated step-backs, showing soft touch and range. He protects the rim impressively just by virtue of his length and the sheer quickness in which he gets off his feet as well, showing outstanding timing and mobility rotating from the weak side.
Kentucky-bound Daimion Collins looked like one of the best long-term two-way prospects in attendance at times. Full analysis on ESPN: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY(scrimmage footage via @SUVtv) pic.twitter.com/x1Sn6Gtqlf
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
However, in competitive 5-on-5 action, including the actual game, Collins struggled. He looked a step slow in terms of awareness reacting on the fly and showed a distinct lack of strength and physicality inside the paint. His limited understanding of team concepts revolving around spacing and half-court execution that showed just how far he is in terms of high-level basketball experience. This isn't a surprise considering how much of a late-bloomer he is, hailing from the small town of Atlanta, Texas, where he played against low-level competition. But it's clear that he's much further away than most players in attendance, even if it could be argued that he had arguably the highest long-term upside of anyone outside Holmgren.
Rail-thin, with a massive wingspan, and possibly the most impressive combination of mobility and explosiveness of any prospect in the class, Collins has a unique physical profile. He'll need a lot of work in the weight room and significant coaching to become a consistent contributor for John Calipari in the SEC, but the flashes he's almost certain to show as a 3-point shooting, lob-catching, shot-blocking jumping jack are sure to pique the interest of NBA scouts if he makes progress as the season moves along.
Big stock boosters
The clear-cut leaders and best guards on their respective teams, Nolan Hickmanand J.D. Davison both made their case as being two of the best floor generals in the class and strong one-and-done candidates.
Davison was one of the revelations of the week. Few knew what to make of the internet sensation and highlight reel machine who played his basketball in the second lowest of the Alabama high school conferences, where his team finished 16-9 and lost in the playoff semifinals.
Davison quickly showed that he's much more than a YouTube sensation, proving to be one of the top all-around basketball players at the event. Featuring good size, a huge frame and an explosive first step, he was very difficult for opposing guards to contain when he went to the lane in transition or created out of isolation, finishing aggressively through contact.
Alabama-commit JD Davison quickly showed that he's much more than a YouTube sensation, proving to be one of the top all-around basketball players at the Iverson Classic. Highlights from practice and scrimmage (via @SUVtv)Full analysis: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY pic.twitter.com/4DJT4XyX6r
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Davison is also a willing passer who shows nice vision out of pick-and-rolls, being capable of rejecting screens powerfully and finding teammates on the move. Still, learning to value the ball and cut down on turnovers will also be a priority moving forward, as Davison did have some wild moments.
Where Davison impressed the most was on the defensive end, using his outstanding physical tools to get up on opposing guards, block shots on the perimeter and crash the glass. He plays with impressive toughness and intensity, looking more than happy to do the little things to help his team win games.
Davison's swing skill is his jump shot, once known as a significant weakness but clearly an area in which he's made strides. He struggled to make shots in games, at times passing up open looks, but has projectable mechanics and soft enough touch as a finisher to indicate there's plenty of room to grow long term. Davison looks like he'll be a great fit at Alabama, which sports one of the most wide open and efficient offenses in the country.
Hickman, a player we had seen earlier this season at both the St. James Invitational and Geico Nationals, looked even better when surrounded by talent, quickly proving to be one of the best ball handlers and passers in attendance. Always under control thanks to the unique pace he operates, Hickman is one of the more advanced pick-and-roll players in this class, stringing out his dribble changing speeds out of hesitation moves skillfully and getting to the rim and finishing with impressive craft.
Nolan Hickman was one of the big stock boosters of the Iverson Classic thanks to the impressive combination of ball-handling, passing, shooting, defense and all-around IQ he displayed. Full analysis/scouting report here: https://t.co/qLqorkmmq7(scrimmage📽️ via @SUVtv) pic.twitter.com/vXQ4JWn2SA
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
While his frame might prove to be somewhat of a hindrance moving up a level to the college ranks, the fact that he's such a capable shooter both spotting up or pulling up off the dribble should help his transition significantly. He's a smart and highly competitive defender on top of that. He recently decommitted from Kentucky, and Gonzaga and Auburn appear to be the favorites to land his services based on the chatter we heard in Memphis, with the in-state Bulldogs rumored to hold the advantage currently.
A.J. Griffin: Shades of Patrick Williams?
It had been more than 17 months since anyone had seen Griffin play in competitive action, after he injured his knee at the beginning of 2020, sidelining him through the onset of the pandemic. Then, with the New York state high school season canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Griffin elected to spend the past nine months in Tampa, Florida, working out daily with his father Adrian Griffin, a highly regarded assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors, who played in the NBA for a decade. Griffin appears to have made good use of his time development wise, showing impressive versatility on both ends of the floor which suggests excellent things to come down the road.
Griffin is one of the most physically gifted prospects in the class, standing around 6-8, with a massive wingspan (rumored to be in the 7-foot-2 range) and a chiseled frame that wouldn't look out of place in a NBA game. He has explosive power and uses his strength to get to the rim, where he can finish creatively.
Despite his high school season being canceled, AJ Griffin has made strides after spending the past nine months in Tampa working out privately with his father Adrian Griffin, a long-time NBA player and Toronto Raptors assistant coach. Full ESPN analysis: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY pic.twitter.com/Udep0XPQBi
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Like his father, Griffin is at his best on the defensive end. His huge frame allows him to put a body on big men, while he has the length and mobility to defend on the perimeter as well. He put in good effort all week and looks big enough to guard power forwards, giving him the type of multi-positional versatility NBA teams covet.
A capable shooter with his feet set, or even shooting off movement, Griffin has a low release on his jumper but has soft touch, deep range and a nice looking stroke, which should help him develop into a good shooter in time.
Griffin's ballhandling ability appears to be a work in progress. He struggles when unable to overpower opponents in a straight line or when his initial move is cut off, looking somewhat clunky or predetermined with his moves. That is understandable considering the rust he's likely accumulated since his last competitive game. To his credit, he's a solid passer who usually plays within himself, looking more than happy to find the open man in this setting.
Scouts in attendance appeared to be highly intrigued with Griffin, with several saying he reminded them somewhat of Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams at a similar age. Like Williams, Griffin is young for his class, not turning 18 until the end of August, making him the youngest American player currently projected to be drafted in 2022. He'll be joining Banchero at Duke next season, making up one of the most imposing frontcourts in the country along with 7-1 Mark Williams.
Others of note:
Hunter Sallis, 6-4, SG/SF, Millard North High School, Nebraska (Gonzaga)
Tyrese Hunter, 6-1, PG, Saint Catherine's High School, Wisconsin (Iowa State)
Bryce McGowens, 6-6, SG, Legacy Early High School, South Carolina (Nebraska)
McGowens primarily looks to score but proved more willing to find teammates on the move out of pick-and-roll in this setting than he did in previous viewings. Defensively, he's not the most intense player around but did show some flashes of getting in a stance and containing opponents even if his lack of strength and at times apathy work against him in this regard. McGowens has the type of game that is both highly coveted and tailor-made for the NBA, making him someone teams will surely be monitoring at Nebraska, where he will likely have an important role from day one.
Daeshun Ruffin, 5-10, PG, Callaway High School, Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Ruffin is clearly wired to score; he finished second in the 2019 Nike EYBL at 26.1 points per game (behind potential 2021 lottery pick Cam Thomas, who is 18 months older than Ruffin). However, Ruffin is also a capable passer. He threads the needle on pocket passes impressively and can whip it around to shooters spotting up on the weak side. Ruffin's lack of size, as well as his fearless style of play, can work against him at times. He can do a better job of taking care of the ball and picking his spots inside the arc. Defense is always going to be a question mark for a small, slender, short-armed guard like Ruffin. He does show toughness and quickness getting up in opposing ballhandlers, but will likely always be dinged on that end of the floor. It's not out of the question that a player like Ruffin can play in the NBA, but he'll probably have to prove his mettle as a highly productive guard who consistently contributes to winning first, which he should be able to do over the next few years at Ole Miss.
Bryce Hopkins, 6-7, SF, Fenwick High School, Illinois (Kentucky)
Michael Foster, 6-9, PF/C, Hillcrest Prep, Arizona (G League Ignite)
Foster is capable of pushing the ball off the defensive glass or isolating from mid-post situations, using his strong ballhandling ability, polished footwork and body control to power his way through opponents and get to the free throw line. He also has some budding shot-making ability, knocking down several difficult turnaround jumpers and pull-ups from midrange or beyond the arc that suggest a very high skill level.
Where Foster struggles is when he gets tunnel vision and decides to break the offense; that happened somewhat in the second day of scrimmage, but not as much as it had in the past. He has a tendency to settle for the first shot he can find, living off a steady diet of tough two-pointers and needing far too many dribbles to get into his moves, leading to unnecessary turnovers. Foster delivered several interesting passes over the course of the event that hint at good things to come down the road, but he also struggled at times with shot selection and decision-making.
Defensively, Foster has a long way to go. He's prone to biting on every fake that is thrown his way and struggles to step outside the paint and sit down in a stance, things that aren't rare for players his age. While his lack of length (6-foot-11 wingspan) may be a hindrance, the fact that Foster is strong and competitive can surely work in his favor as he gains experience and learns how to play.
Foster is surely behind in terms of the amount of coaching he's received, but there's no question he has talent. There were similar questions about Isaiah Todd going into his G League Ignite experience, and he made progress in several of the areas scouts wanted to see, which could bode well for Foster's future.
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, 6-9, PF, Scotland Campus, Pennsylvania (Tennessee)
While not sporting the most traditional shooting mechanics, Huntley-Hatfield proved capable of spacing the floor effectively with line-drive 3-pointers as well as attacking closeouts. Defensively, he was inconsistent with his effort but appears to have real potential on that end when locked in, sliding his feet on the perimeter and using his strong frame to contain big men inside. Drawing some comparisons to fellow SEC-alum Reggie Perry as the week moved on, Huntley-Hatfield should be a productive piece for Rick Barnes at Tennessee next season.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and international teams.
The Iverson Classic brought 28 of the best players in high school basketball together in Memphis, Tennessee, for three days of intense practices, scrimmaging and other live competition. The NBA allowed each team to send one representative to evaluate the two days of practices, with no restrictions on the number of evaluators allowed for the actual game. This provided an opportunity for teams to start building out their scouting files on a class that has been almost invisible to them due to mass cancellations of camps, tournaments and other exposure events over the past 14 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
With the normal all-star circuit -- the McDonald's All-American game, Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic -- all on hiatus, the Iverson Classic filled the void, reeling in a huge swath of talent, including 12 of the 22 players currently classified as five-star prospects in ESPN's recruiting rankings. Several other prospects outside that range made compelling cases over the week for why they are deserving of one-and-done consideration.
While we've scouted many of these prospects live over the high school season, it was very useful to see this group through the eyes of the 30 or so NBA scouts who were evaluating these players for the very first time and getting their raw initial impressions of the class, which were largely extremely positive.
Note: While the 2022 NBA draft is too far away to reasonably predict the order, we're using ESPN's Future Power Rankings to help show which traded picks might convey in 2022.
Banchero or Holmgren? Holmgren or Banchero?
Duke-bound Paolo Banchero and Gonzaga commit Chet Holmgren had already established themselves as the early favorites for the No. 1 pick in 2022, with Jaden Hardy -- who is likely headed to G League Ignite but wasn't in attendance this weekend -- also in the picture. The Iverson Classic did nothing to dissuade that notion.
The two big men embraced the opportunity to match up head-to-head on many occasions in the practices, scrimmages and game, largely playing to a draw in competitive fashion. The two will meet again on Nov. 26 in Las Vegas for a heavyweight battle that will help decide who has the upper hand for being the top pick, but for now, NBA scouts seem split.
"If I needed someone to throw into a NBA game tomorrow, Paolo Banchero could give my team 15 and 8 and fit in perfectly with our group in terms of skill, feel and competitiveness wise," one executive from a NBA finals contender remarked. "He has everything you look for at his position and plenty of room to grow too.
"But if I'm a lottery team picking who I think will be the best long-term prospect five years down the road, though, I'm taking Chet. There's just more downside there."
While somewhat quiet offensively in the first two days of practices (he didn't score a single point in the opening scrimmage) Holmgren exploded in the actual game, posting 18 points and 11 rebounds to win co-MVP honors and help his team win. He was a calming presence for his team all week, not forcing the issue in the slightest and setting the tone with his unselfishness and competitiveness, while being virtually impossible to score on inside the paint.
At his best pushing off the defensive glass or creating off the dribble in the half-court, Holmgren's court vision and passing creativity stood out every time he looked to make things happen off the bounce. He's extremely natural handling the ball, changing directions and slithering his way to the rim at his own unique, fluid pace. He always keeps his head up and is ready to throw well-timed bounce passes to teammates on the move if the defense rotates.
Holmgren also displayed some extremely impressive versatility offensively in the practices and scrimmages thanks to his fluid ball-handling, passing and perimeter shooting ability. A taste of what we saw. More here: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY pic.twitter.com/69R4blraZg
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Holmgren was somewhat streaky with his jumper over the course of the event. Nevertheless, he sports exquisite mechanics, shot-making versatility and touch that gives him huge potential on this end of the floor, even shooting on the move. He's also one of the most impressive shot-blockers I've ever evaluated, sporting incredible length, timing, mobility and instincts.
The big concern scouts expressed revolved around his frame, which reminds scouts of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski. Holmgren does not appear to have put on much weight in the past year and a half since we last saw him live. He'll be 20 on draft night and there are some questions about how he'll be able to handle the physicality of NBA big men and how durable he can be. Holmgren has plenty of time to address those concerns, and can continue to build his candidacy as the No. 1 pick representing USA Basketball at the FIBA U19 World Championship, which he's currently scheduled to attend.
Banchero had more of an up and down showing over the course of the week, struggling to get going with his jumper in the game and appearing to force the issue and settle at times off the dribble. Banchero has done a great job of chiseling his frame over the past year and has added a huge amount of skill and versatility that makes him as complete a big man as you'll find.
With a clean stroke and terrific touch from anywhere on the floor, it's likely only a matter of time until Banchero becomes an excellent shooter from anywhere on the floor. He already makes impossible shots look incredibly easy, but will need to simplify the game and pick and choose his spots better in more organized settings based on what we saw in Memphis. The fact that he can handle the ball, pass on the move with outstanding vision and creativity, and also finish with impressive power around the basket drew some comparisons to All-NBA team candidate Julius Randle from scouts in attendance.
A taste of the versatility Paolo Banchero showed NBA scouts in practices and scrimmaging at the Iverson Classic. Full analysis/scouting report here: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY(scrimmage📽️via @SUVtv) pic.twitter.com/wJkz8qiHpI
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Teams say they'd like to see him do a better job of using his huge frame to set physical screens, dominate the defensive glass and draw fouls, areas he was inconsistent at.
Perhaps the most notable takeaway from the week was just how good of a defender Banchero can be when he's locked in and fully engaged on the task of shutting down his man. He gets in a deep stance and can really slide his feet and contain smaller players off the dribble, coming up with several impressive stops switching on the perimeter. He has good timing using verticality to contest shots around the basket as well. His intensity does waver on this end, though, and there were several occasions where he didn't box out and was flat-footed allowing the much-taller Holmgren to snatch offensive rebounds away from him in the game.
With some similarities in terms of their modern fit, but also stark contrasts in appearance and approach, the Banchero versus Holmgren debate will surely continue to rage over the next 13 months.
Peyton Watson: Emerging top prospect
While Banchero and Holmgren were considered top-shelf prospects almost immediately upon enrolling in high school, it's been much more of a slow burn for Watson, who only recently cracked the top 10 of the ESPN recruiting rankings. If the Iverson Classic was any indication, that will likely still prove to be far too low. Some scouts in attendance felt Watson is a candidate to emerge as one of the top prospects in the 2022 draft over the next 13 months.
Part of Watson's modest ranking is due to limited exposure. Watson plays at Long Beach Poly (California), which is somewhat under the radar. The school's season was pushed back to April and the Jackrabbits do not play a national schedule. Watson was also only 6-foot-1 when he entered high school but has since sprouted up to over 6-8 with a 7-foot wingspan.
UCLA-commit Peyton Watson went from 6'1 high school freshman to one of the top prospects in the 2022 NBA draft. Here's a little taste of why. Full analysis: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY(scrimmage📽️via @SUVtv) pic.twitter.com/5sJ8J77Gj0
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Watson's physical profile helped him stand out this weekend. He's an oversized wing player with a lanky 197-pound frame that will fill out impressively over time. He also moves smoothly and has demonstrated two-way versatility. He was one of the best defenders at the event, regularly blocking shots on the perimeter or rotating to protect the rim thanks to his long arms and quickness getting off his feet, while showing toughness putting a body on stronger players.
Offensively, Watson does a little bit of everything, showing good potential as a passer, slasher and shooter. He's not terribly consistent in any one area, only scoring four points in the actual game. The flashes he shows changing speeds out of hesitation moves, finding the open man unselfishly off a live dribble and getting to the basket with long strides are impressive. The fact that he's not afraid to take contact in the paint despite his thin frame is a good sign. Watson sports a somewhat slow release on his jump shot but is capable with his feet set and even shows some potential shooting off movement as well.
Watson still has room to improve his ballhandling ability in the half-court and frame. He struggles to create his own offense at times and still isn't the most consistent shooter around. Like a lot of late bloomers, he's still figuring out the extent of his talent and understanding of how to be consistently aggressive. It will be interesting to see how his physical ability evolves as his frame fills out, but there's little doubt that Watson has all the ingredients scouts look for. Like Holmgren, Watson is slated to be on USA Basketball's FIBA U19 World Championship training camp roster, and should he make the team as expected, will be one of the most anticipated prospects along with Holmgren, fellow top-10 recruit Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Purdue freshman Jaden Ivey.
Daimion Collins: Boom or bust prospect
Collins had one of the more extreme contrasts in terms of what scouts saw over the course of the week, looking like one of the best long-term prospects in attendance in some moments while being a complete non-factor in others.
In transition drills, featuring 3-on-2 and 2-on-1 action, Collins looked like a potential No. 1 pick candidate, putting his head on the rim with incredible ease, while handling the ball and executing complicated step-backs, showing soft touch and range. He protects the rim impressively just by virtue of his length and the sheer quickness in which he gets off his feet as well, showing outstanding timing and mobility rotating from the weak side.
Kentucky-bound Daimion Collins looked like one of the best long-term two-way prospects in attendance at times. Full analysis on ESPN: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY(scrimmage footage via @SUVtv) pic.twitter.com/x1Sn6Gtqlf
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
However, in competitive 5-on-5 action, including the actual game, Collins struggled. He looked a step slow in terms of awareness reacting on the fly and showed a distinct lack of strength and physicality inside the paint. His limited understanding of team concepts revolving around spacing and half-court execution that showed just how far he is in terms of high-level basketball experience. This isn't a surprise considering how much of a late-bloomer he is, hailing from the small town of Atlanta, Texas, where he played against low-level competition. But it's clear that he's much further away than most players in attendance, even if it could be argued that he had arguably the highest long-term upside of anyone outside Holmgren.
Rail-thin, with a massive wingspan, and possibly the most impressive combination of mobility and explosiveness of any prospect in the class, Collins has a unique physical profile. He'll need a lot of work in the weight room and significant coaching to become a consistent contributor for John Calipari in the SEC, but the flashes he's almost certain to show as a 3-point shooting, lob-catching, shot-blocking jumping jack are sure to pique the interest of NBA scouts if he makes progress as the season moves along.
Big stock boosters
The clear-cut leaders and best guards on their respective teams, Nolan Hickmanand J.D. Davison both made their case as being two of the best floor generals in the class and strong one-and-done candidates.
Davison was one of the revelations of the week. Few knew what to make of the internet sensation and highlight reel machine who played his basketball in the second lowest of the Alabama high school conferences, where his team finished 16-9 and lost in the playoff semifinals.
Davison quickly showed that he's much more than a YouTube sensation, proving to be one of the top all-around basketball players at the event. Featuring good size, a huge frame and an explosive first step, he was very difficult for opposing guards to contain when he went to the lane in transition or created out of isolation, finishing aggressively through contact.
Alabama-commit JD Davison quickly showed that he's much more than a YouTube sensation, proving to be one of the top all-around basketball players at the Iverson Classic. Highlights from practice and scrimmage (via @SUVtv)Full analysis: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY pic.twitter.com/4DJT4XyX6r
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Davison is also a willing passer who shows nice vision out of pick-and-rolls, being capable of rejecting screens powerfully and finding teammates on the move. Still, learning to value the ball and cut down on turnovers will also be a priority moving forward, as Davison did have some wild moments.
Where Davison impressed the most was on the defensive end, using his outstanding physical tools to get up on opposing guards, block shots on the perimeter and crash the glass. He plays with impressive toughness and intensity, looking more than happy to do the little things to help his team win games.
Davison's swing skill is his jump shot, once known as a significant weakness but clearly an area in which he's made strides. He struggled to make shots in games, at times passing up open looks, but has projectable mechanics and soft enough touch as a finisher to indicate there's plenty of room to grow long term. Davison looks like he'll be a great fit at Alabama, which sports one of the most wide open and efficient offenses in the country.
Hickman, a player we had seen earlier this season at both the St. James Invitational and Geico Nationals, looked even better when surrounded by talent, quickly proving to be one of the best ball handlers and passers in attendance. Always under control thanks to the unique pace he operates, Hickman is one of the more advanced pick-and-roll players in this class, stringing out his dribble changing speeds out of hesitation moves skillfully and getting to the rim and finishing with impressive craft.
Nolan Hickman was one of the big stock boosters of the Iverson Classic thanks to the impressive combination of ball-handling, passing, shooting, defense and all-around IQ he displayed. Full analysis/scouting report here: https://t.co/qLqorkmmq7(scrimmage📽️ via @SUVtv) pic.twitter.com/vXQ4JWn2SA
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
While his frame might prove to be somewhat of a hindrance moving up a level to the college ranks, the fact that he's such a capable shooter both spotting up or pulling up off the dribble should help his transition significantly. He's a smart and highly competitive defender on top of that. He recently decommitted from Kentucky, and Gonzaga and Auburn appear to be the favorites to land his services based on the chatter we heard in Memphis, with the in-state Bulldogs rumored to hold the advantage currently.
A.J. Griffin: Shades of Patrick Williams?
It had been more than 17 months since anyone had seen Griffin play in competitive action, after he injured his knee at the beginning of 2020, sidelining him through the onset of the pandemic. Then, with the New York state high school season canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Griffin elected to spend the past nine months in Tampa, Florida, working out daily with his father Adrian Griffin, a highly regarded assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors, who played in the NBA for a decade. Griffin appears to have made good use of his time development wise, showing impressive versatility on both ends of the floor which suggests excellent things to come down the road.
Griffin is one of the most physically gifted prospects in the class, standing around 6-8, with a massive wingspan (rumored to be in the 7-foot-2 range) and a chiseled frame that wouldn't look out of place in a NBA game. He has explosive power and uses his strength to get to the rim, where he can finish creatively.
Despite his high school season being canceled, AJ Griffin has made strides after spending the past nine months in Tampa working out privately with his father Adrian Griffin, a long-time NBA player and Toronto Raptors assistant coach. Full ESPN analysis: https://t.co/zbDkohYcPY pic.twitter.com/Udep0XPQBi
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 11, 2021
Like his father, Griffin is at his best on the defensive end. His huge frame allows him to put a body on big men, while he has the length and mobility to defend on the perimeter as well. He put in good effort all week and looks big enough to guard power forwards, giving him the type of multi-positional versatility NBA teams covet.
A capable shooter with his feet set, or even shooting off movement, Griffin has a low release on his jumper but has soft touch, deep range and a nice looking stroke, which should help him develop into a good shooter in time.
Griffin's ballhandling ability appears to be a work in progress. He struggles when unable to overpower opponents in a straight line or when his initial move is cut off, looking somewhat clunky or predetermined with his moves. That is understandable considering the rust he's likely accumulated since his last competitive game. To his credit, he's a solid passer who usually plays within himself, looking more than happy to find the open man in this setting.
Scouts in attendance appeared to be highly intrigued with Griffin, with several saying he reminded them somewhat of Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams at a similar age. Like Williams, Griffin is young for his class, not turning 18 until the end of August, making him the youngest American player currently projected to be drafted in 2022. He'll be joining Banchero at Duke next season, making up one of the most imposing frontcourts in the country along with 7-1 Mark Williams.
Others of note:
Hunter Sallis, 6-4, SG/SF, Millard North High School, Nebraska (Gonzaga)
Tyrese Hunter, 6-1, PG, Saint Catherine's High School, Wisconsin (Iowa State)
Bryce McGowens, 6-6, SG, Legacy Early High School, South Carolina (Nebraska)
McGowens primarily looks to score but proved more willing to find teammates on the move out of pick-and-roll in this setting than he did in previous viewings. Defensively, he's not the most intense player around but did show some flashes of getting in a stance and containing opponents even if his lack of strength and at times apathy work against him in this regard. McGowens has the type of game that is both highly coveted and tailor-made for the NBA, making him someone teams will surely be monitoring at Nebraska, where he will likely have an important role from day one.
Daeshun Ruffin, 5-10, PG, Callaway High School, Mississippi (Ole Miss)
Ruffin is clearly wired to score; he finished second in the 2019 Nike EYBL at 26.1 points per game (behind potential 2021 lottery pick Cam Thomas, who is 18 months older than Ruffin). However, Ruffin is also a capable passer. He threads the needle on pocket passes impressively and can whip it around to shooters spotting up on the weak side. Ruffin's lack of size, as well as his fearless style of play, can work against him at times. He can do a better job of taking care of the ball and picking his spots inside the arc. Defense is always going to be a question mark for a small, slender, short-armed guard like Ruffin. He does show toughness and quickness getting up in opposing ballhandlers, but will likely always be dinged on that end of the floor. It's not out of the question that a player like Ruffin can play in the NBA, but he'll probably have to prove his mettle as a highly productive guard who consistently contributes to winning first, which he should be able to do over the next few years at Ole Miss.
Bryce Hopkins, 6-7, SF, Fenwick High School, Illinois (Kentucky)
Michael Foster, 6-9, PF/C, Hillcrest Prep, Arizona (G League Ignite)
Foster is capable of pushing the ball off the defensive glass or isolating from mid-post situations, using his strong ballhandling ability, polished footwork and body control to power his way through opponents and get to the free throw line. He also has some budding shot-making ability, knocking down several difficult turnaround jumpers and pull-ups from midrange or beyond the arc that suggest a very high skill level.
Where Foster struggles is when he gets tunnel vision and decides to break the offense; that happened somewhat in the second day of scrimmage, but not as much as it had in the past. He has a tendency to settle for the first shot he can find, living off a steady diet of tough two-pointers and needing far too many dribbles to get into his moves, leading to unnecessary turnovers. Foster delivered several interesting passes over the course of the event that hint at good things to come down the road, but he also struggled at times with shot selection and decision-making.
Defensively, Foster has a long way to go. He's prone to biting on every fake that is thrown his way and struggles to step outside the paint and sit down in a stance, things that aren't rare for players his age. While his lack of length (6-foot-11 wingspan) may be a hindrance, the fact that Foster is strong and competitive can surely work in his favor as he gains experience and learns how to play.
Foster is surely behind in terms of the amount of coaching he's received, but there's no question he has talent. There were similar questions about Isaiah Todd going into his G League Ignite experience, and he made progress in several of the areas scouts wanted to see, which could bode well for Foster's future.
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, 6-9, PF, Scotland Campus, Pennsylvania (Tennessee)
While not sporting the most traditional shooting mechanics, Huntley-Hatfield proved capable of spacing the floor effectively with line-drive 3-pointers as well as attacking closeouts. Defensively, he was inconsistent with his effort but appears to have real potential on that end when locked in, sliding his feet on the perimeter and using his strong frame to contain big men inside. Drawing some comparisons to fellow SEC-alum Reggie Perry as the week moved on, Huntley-Hatfield should be a productive piece for Rick Barnes at Tennessee next season.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilized by NBA, NCAA and international teams.
