IMO Memorial Day Classic Recap & Player Insights!
IMO Memorial Day Classic Recap & Player Insights!
The 6'6 guard was very aggressive scoring the ball. He is very good with the ball in hands. Livingston used his mature frame to get in the paint and muscle through and over defenders. He also is pretty agile and can hang in there for acrobatic finishes. Livingston also showed solid shooting ability and a great handle that he used continuously to get passed defenders. Chris Livingston is definitely a high major recruit that has a shot at the NBA. He does need to improve on playing without the ball in his hands and getting others involved, but he has a chance to be an explosive offensive player that can create for himself and others, sort of like a Tyreke Evans type player.
Keyonte George 6'3 CG (2022)
This man is a straight bucket getter. He is a strong, skilled scorer, who seems to be transitioning to be a scoring point guard. He can score from all over the floor. I saw catch & shoot 3s, off the dribble 3's, pull-up mid range jumpers, floater, post fadeaways, layups, and dunks. Basically, he is a threat to score once the ball touches his hands. Similar to Livingston, I would challenge Keyonte to develop a serious moving-without-the-ball game. I think that would incredibly boost his offensive lethalness. Also, I do believe him developing a floor general aspect to his game will definitely increase his chances of being successful at the next level. He is a good athlete not a great one, so he'll have to use his skill and craftiness to set up offense and play make. He reminds of Bradley Beal, but with that strong build he has he also shows flashes of Dion Waters.
Adem Bona C 6'9 (2022)
ELITE SHOT BLOCKER! Bona had 6 blocks in the game I saw and probably had at least 5 goal tends also. He also did a really good job of rim running which enabled him to get a lot of easy baskets. Bona has a very high motor that helps him get a lot of rebounds. Bona has a very strong and mature frame that combined with his length and motor enables him to have an advantage defensively in the paint. Right now he is a defensive, dunker spot prospect, kind of in the mold of a Bismack Biyombo, but luckily he has a little time to develop some offensive tools. The game of basketball is moving towards a more open, space-the-floor type of game, so it is always great for bigs to develop an outside shot. In that case, maybe he can improve his shooting and become more of Serge Ibaka type of player. That would certainly boost his potential.
Sam Murray 6'7 F (2022)
Murray is a very long and athletic forward, that if he continues to work on his game could make a full transition to the wing. This dude has springs, so if he develops more guard skills, he can be scary. I'm not saying he is far from being a wing player either, but right now he is more of a tweener 3-4. this kid instantly reminded me of Jerami Grant and because of his athleticism, Hakim Warrick.
Hamahrie Bowers 6'5 SG (2022)
Bowers is also a long, athletic player who has a ton of potential. Bowers is a defensive monster that is extremely bothersome with his length and motor. He also possesses a ton of bounce that allows him to be a great rebounder and shot blocker for his position. If he continues to possess his tenacity on defense and improves his offensive skillset, he can be very good. He also may not be done growing. This kid reminds me of Jeremy Lamb if he improves his offensive skillset.
Reed Sheppard 6'2 CG (2022)
Sheppard was a pleasant surprise for me, and I think he also surprised his opponents. He is a competitor that gives his all to win. That boy can shoot it, and he gets hot in a hurry! He mostly played at the shooting guard spot, but at times brought the ball up the court or lead fast breaks. Sheppard does a great job moving off the ball to position himself for open spot ups. Also, he was able to get beneath the arch for mid range pull-ups or layups. He isn't a great athlete, but is able to get to his spots using his IQ and skillset. In order to be successful at the next level, he'll need to be able transition to being a guy who can effectively play make on the ball and off the ball. Sheppard reminds me of Seth Curry.
Mitchell Rylee 6'8 C (2022)
Rylee was very active all weekend getting rebounds and layups in abundance. Rylee has great size at his position. It was great watching him battle and hold his own and at times, get the best of Adem Bona. Rylee has a great a motor and was able to get a lot of opportunities with his hustle and frame. He is also a great finisher around the basket. If he can continue to grab a ton of boards, possibly become a good screener and extend his range a bit, he'll increase his chances of success. Rylee reminds me of Nick Collison.
Yohan Traore 6'10 C (2022)
Traore is a very offensively aggressive young man. He does a great job of commanding the ball in the post. He can turn over either shoulder for a layup or jump hook. Also, he stepped out to hit a couple 3s from the top of the key as well. If he continues to get stronger and become a better finisher, his ceiling is pretty high. I would like him to improve on his shot selection. The ball was dumped down to him a few times, and because of his talent and aggressive nature the opposing team was clogging the paint to make it tough on him. Instead of seeing that he was commanding so much attention and kicking it back to shooters, he would sometimes force it up for tough shots. I would compare Yohan Traore to Enes Kanter or maybe even Al Horford if he becomes a legitimate threat from 3.
Mike Sharavjamts 6'8 SF (2022)
Mike was a very intriguing prospect. The small forward from Mongolia is a long and athletic athlete that showed a lot of offensive and defensive versatility. He showed the ability to take an opponent off the dribble all the way to rim for a layup, and he shot from deep well also. Sharavjamts also had several nice passes that took me by surprise. On defense Mike blocked a lot of shots, was able to bother opponents with his length when playing on-ball defense, and possessed a high motor. I would like to see Sharavjamts improve his midrange game offensively, a mid post game and develop a stronger handle. Additionally, I think him putting on some more muscle would help develop that stronger handle and rebound better. Overall, I think he can a very good player with time and more improvement. Sharavjamts reminds me of Juan Toscano-Anderson if he puts on more muscle.
Mikey Williams CG 6'2 (2023)
Mikey has all the tools to be a really good guard. He is extremely athletic and he can get to where ever he wants to when he wants to. Williams can shoot it from 3 off the dribble and off the catch. He can navigate the pick and roll and can be really lethal in it because he probably has one of the best mid range pull-ups in the country and he can elevate over defenders at the rim. Defensively, Mikey has all the tools to be a tenacious on-ball defender. He has quick lateral speed and enough strength to bother defenders and consistently stay in front. Going forward, Mikey will need to improve his ability to run a team from the point guard position. Also, he settled for outside shots more than he needed to, instead of taking his time and getting better shots for himself or his teammates. At this time I would compare Mikey to Jared Bayless.
Tyler Smith 6'9 PF(2023)
Tyler Smith can be really good and I'm not being biased just because he is a Houston native. Smith is a long, versatile 6'9 do-it-all forward. I witnessed Smith shoot it from deep, make great passes, run the floor like a gazelle, and block a ton of shots. Smith definitely needs to add some strength to his frame, and if he does that watch out. Also, I would like to see him develop a back to the basket and/ or face up game out of the mid post. He has the potential to be a 6'9, 3 level scorer and playmaker. I would compare Tyler Smith to Jeff Green if he is able to put on more weight, which would in turn help him increase his athleticism.
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