Just got back from the Saturday night late show. Got to see Team Final live vs. a team from Oakland - then got to see Team Takeover against a team Boo Williams from Virginia. I don't get to see Generation Next very often with a bunch of young kids and most AAU tournaments not in the Northeast anymore. When I saw EYBL added a stop in Brooklyn, I had to get down for one night and then when I saw Team Final and Team Takeover were playing back to back - my interest peaked! The lifeblood for any college basketball program is it's recruiting. Coming off of a National Championship, it's important that there are some intriguing targets out there and in this class some of the key targets were on display in Brooklyn. Some thoughts on those targets:
Lonnie Walker - Team Final: What a stud. 6'4 and a pure guard. Plays the point about 1/3 of the game for Final and does a representative job. Plus handle for a big guard. Needs to work on his left as a weapon when he wants to do business. The thing that stands out with Lonnie is his athleticism. His athleticism evidences itself in tremendous acceleration on the court going to the cup and also his leaping ability as a finisher at the cup. He also is a plus shooter. Needs to polish up and tighten up his game - but the raw ability is significant and he profiles to me like a Top 30 player nationally. Stud.
DCR - Team Final: DCR gets a lot of play on the board and he was as advertised. Seems like a legit 6'7 or even 6'8 - he has a wiry strong frame. I've seen a lot skinnier. He's not frail - but not a tank (Omari) either. What I love is his motor on the glass - very willing rebounder offensively and defensively. He has better low post moves than I thought. He is crafty in the low box. Good hands, not great, but good. Dunks with ease. Seems to have a great attitude and appears coachable. Good defender. I would like to see him at Nova. I have a slight concern about him building the skills to be a face up player in the 4 out, 1 in - others don't have the concern I do.
Darren Russell - Team Final : Plays the game at full tilt the entire way. He gives you a full effort on both ends. Has a very good handle - a very good shot - has very good quickness. My problem with him is that for every positive play he produces a negative play is right around the corner. Phil Martelli was drooling on him courtside and with good reason. He has real upside to his game as he tightens it up. Likely will not happen wearing a white jersey on the Main Line.
Cameron Reddish - Team Final: Stud alert - only a rising junior. Will likely be a solid 6'8 by the time he's a senior. Very good catch and shoot guy. Can put it on the floor - hasn't leaned on that part of his game yet. Solid athele, with an amazing upside.
Chris Lykes - Team Takeover: You don't need an And one mix tape for this guy. He IS a walking, talking, breathing Mix Tape. Incredible acceleration and I mean incredible. Superb three point shooter. Exceptional handle. Very effective from midrange. Just an incredible offensive player. Little guys mentioned on this board (Linehan, Bogues) are nowhere near the offensive prospect that Chris is. Just an exciting - edge of your seat kind of player - amazing. Defensively, he plays hard pretty much every possession. He's quick, tough and plays with an edge. His size meant little to nothing to me. Future 1st team all BE performer. JT3, Sean Miller, Mike Brey and many others were courtside to watch. May I add that the coach of the National Champions was there and was a magnet to his peers all night.
DJ Harvey - struggled. About 6'6. Decent athlete, Didn't start. Played around half the game. Not a productive handle in that he struggles to use his handle to get to the cup or create space for his shot. He missed every shot he took - none were clean looks. Clunky looking shot. OK defender. For a Top 10 player in his class, DJ has a lot of work to do!
So there you have it. Give me Lykes, Walker and DCR and I'm thrilled about our future. Lykes and Walker are flat out studs and DCR has that heart and soul.
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