Bossi's Takeaways: Saturday was a last look at Ball
LAS VEGAS - The last big weekend of summer basketball is almost over and on Saturday national analyst Eric Bossi got one last look at five-star point guard LaMelo Ball. Bossi gives his takeaways from the next to last day in Vegas
TOOK ONE LAST LOOK AT LAMELO BALL
When I left the Cashman Center for Canyon Springs High School on Saturday afternoon to see five-star UCLA commitment LaMelo Ball and the Big Ballers I wasn't sure what to expect. For the most part, it was a relatively quiet scene even though there were a few more cameras and fans than you would usually get at an off main location gym.
For the game, Ball went for 29 points and did a nice job of moving the ball around and getting his teammates involved. Now, he did let one shot fly from the halfcourt line (it rimmed out) but Ball played a nice controversy-free game. He's grown to about 6-foot-3 now and though he's very thin, he is playing through more contact and has gotten much more athletic in the last six months.
WATCHING ALONZO GAFFNEY WAS A PRIORITY
When I get together with the Rivals.com team to update the rankings in the next month or so, I know one thing is for sure with the 2019 rankings: Alonzo Gaffney is making a major move up.
I'm glad that we have the forward from Cleveland in the current rankings, but he's a much better player and prospect than his current ranking of No. 112. Gaffney shoots with range, runs the floor and makes it all look really easy.
Ohio State, Florida, Kansas, West Virginia, Cincinnati and more have offered during the month of July.
WILL BAKER LOOKS LIKE A FIVE-STAR PROSPECT
On Basketball University, Will Baker plays with five-star guard Quentin Grimes. Grimes is the team's main offensive option and for good reason. Baker has really come into his own, though, and will be in the mix to get bumped up from the four to five-star level in the next update.
Baker is a fluid athlete, can shoot out to the three point line and has a big frame to build onto. Hometown Texas is all over him and others like UCLA, Stanford, Tulsa, TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Auburn and Georgia Tech have now offered.
REGGIE PERRY IS A CERTIFIED BEAST
Arkansas' loss is definitely Mississippi State's gain when it comes to power forward Reggie Perry. He easily backed up his top 15 status -- and then some -- with his play in Las Vegas.
In my opinion, he's got some Julius Randle to him in that he's a physical and tough four man who likes to attack the rim off the dribble. Perry is a better jump shooter than Randle was at the same age but not quite as big or strong. Regardless of comparison, Perry looks like he'll be an instant impact player in Starkville.
SOME CLOSING SATURDAY NOTES AND KEEPING UP WITH COACHES
... The Compton Magic frontcourt duo of 2019 big men Isaiah Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu was very impressive on Saturday. They dominated the glass, sprinted the floor and converted on a lot of shots around the rim while playing with tremendous energy.
... Another 2019 who likely deserves a move up in the rankings is power forward Trayce Jackson-Davis. Davis has good touch, has good size at 6-foot-8 and he is going to be a skilled scorer. He had most of the Big Ten watching him play on Saturday and has offers from programs like Indiana, Xavier, Purdue, Butler and Clemson.
... On the coaching front, Bryce Drew and an assistant plus Oklahoma's Lon Kruger and an Oregon assistant were all on hand to watch 2019 four-star wing Majok Deng.
... Probably one of the biggest stock raisers of the week in Las Vegas has been forward Nate Laszewski of the New England Playaz. Roy Williams of North Carolina watched him multiple times, Bryce Drew of Vanderbilt and Mike Brey of Notre Dame dropped by as did Wisconsin's Greg Gard, Georgia Tech's Josh Pastner and many others.
... On Saturday morning, 2018's No. 2 player Zion Williamson was watched by head coaches from Duke and Clemson. Assistants from Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kentucky and South Carolina were also on hand to see either Williamson or his teammate, stud point guard Devon Dotson.
... Assistant coaches from Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan State and Clemson were among those watching Team Teague and Eric Gordon10's 16U teams. The main attraction was the previously mentioned Trayce Jackson-Davis.