McDonald's Nuggets: New rule proposal, Ryan Mutombo, Illini, more
Dan McDonald is back with his weekend primer, McDonald's Nuggets. This week’s edition proposes another new rule, includes a couple updates on post players to watch in the Atlanta area and names the Team of the Week.
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2020 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2021 Rankings: Rivals150 | Position
WHAT’S ON MY MIND: The G-League Rule
If you have spent any significant amount of time at top high school tournaments or any of the three major shoe company events during travel season, you have absolutely been watching a game and heard somebody in attendance say, “He’s a pro” about one or more of the players. With some players, such as Zion Williamson, it’s a pretty easy statement to make. With many others, it’s a pretty ridiculous comment (assuming by “pro” we’re talking about the NBA and not overseas).
I was on the phone with a high-major assistant earlier this week who is at a school that has had some players make it to the NBA in the past few years. They have also had some players leave early only to end up in the G-League. Earlier this month, this coach’s team had a game in a city nearby where a former player happened to be playing in a G-League game, so this coach went to watch his former player. Among the players in the game were former five-star prospects Trevon Duval (Duke), Keldon Johnson (Kentucky) and Lindell Wigginton (Iowa State), along with other college stars such as Kelan Martin (Butler), Dedric Lawson (Kansas), Tyus Battle (Syracuse), Barry Brown (Kansas State) and Matt Farrell (Notre Dame). Take a glance at the G-League's leading scorers and you’ll see Josh Jackson (Kansas), Jared Harper (Auburn), Jaylen Nowell (Washington), Luguentz Dort (Arizona State) and Kyle Guy (Virginia).
I’m quite certain all of those players probably had people telling them they were “pros.” Most of them left school early to be a “pro.” Now, I understand as much as anybody that school isn’t for everybody and that can be a reason for guys leaving early as much as being ready for the next level, but we need to be more responsible in how we label “pros.” It’s REALLY HARD to make it in the NBA and there are really good college players that never make it there.
This is why I would like to implement a new rule. The rule states that any prospects invited to USA Basketball minicamps, NBA Top 100 camp, the McDonald’s All-American Game or the Jordan Brand Classic must attend one G-League game before playing college basketball. By seeing just how good some guys are that get stuck in the G-League and never make it to the NBA – while also becoming aware of some of the highly ranked prospects in recent classes that play there. That can help educate the upcoming classes on what exactly a “pro” is.
FROM THE ROAD: Big night from Mutombo
I first saw Ryan Mutombo, the son of former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, a couple years ago, but it wasn’t until this summer when I started to look at him as a Division I prospect. At the Memorial Day Classic in Atlanta, I wrote this about him: “The offense is still a work in progress, but definitely coming along, as he’s making some mid-range jumpers and free throws.”
Fast forward to Tuesday night, when I watched him against St. Pius X, one of the better programs in Atlanta the past few years. To say his offense has continued to progress would be an understatement. He scored 43 points and added roughly a dozen rebounds and a few blocks in a double overtime win. He was dominant. I’m not trying to be a prisoner of the moment, but it’s been awhile since I’ve left watching a big man in a high school game more impressed than I was on Tuesday.
Aside from the numbers, what impressed me most was that despite playing all but a few minutes in a double-overtime game he never really wore down. He was the difference in overtime. St. Pius X tried to press and speed the game up but he didn’t let that take him out of the game.
Usually when I’m leaving a game and one of the coaches calls me to chat, he wants to know about his own players. St. Pius X coach Aaron Parr called me to talk about, among other things, how impressive Mutombo was. No matter what they tried to do or how they tried to defend, he had an answer for it.
As for his recruitment, Georgetown and Georgia Tech are the two high-major programs to offer. Florida State, Georgia, North Carolina, Rutgers and Virginia are some of the other schools that have either watched him or plan to see him soon. Look for Mutombo’s stock to rise in a big way, as he’s not just a great prospect but a great student as well.
RECRUITING NOTE: Meet Kai Sotto
Kai Sotto, a 17-year old native of the Philippines, came over to the United States this year to play for The Skill Factory in Atlanta on the post-grad team. Last month at the National Prep Showcase, he impressed everyone in attendance with his all-around talent level and started to attract the attention of college coaches. At 7-foot-2, Sotto has a smooth jumper out to three-point range, great hands and soft touch around the rim, and he’s a really good passer operating out of the high post. Defensively, he’s an impact player because of his length.
Earlier this week, Sotto made a trip up to Lexington to visit Kentucky. He also made the short drive over to Georgia Tech on Wednesday for a quick visit. DePaul’s coaching staff came down to meet with him on Wednesday night. Along with those schools, Auburn, Nebraska, USC and Vanderbilt have been involved. If he continues to play at a high level for TSF, don’t surprised to see schools such as Duke, Michigan State, North Carolina and Virginia jump into the mix.
Before coming over to the United States, Sotto was a standout in FIBA tournaments for the Philippines. In the U-19 World Cup this summer in Greece, he averaged 11.7 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
TEAM OF THE WEEK: Illinois
The Big Ten didn’t do Illinois any favors by asking the Illini to start the conference schedule with No. 4 Maryland and No. 5 Michigan, but that’s the hand they were dealt. After coming up just short against Maryland 59-58, the Illini came back on Wednesday night and knocked off the Wolverines for a really impressive win. Freshman big man and former four-star prospect Kofi Cockburn had a monster game with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. It looks like Brad Underwood has the type of team that will get the Illini back to the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday.