Nike Elite 100: Breaking down the class of 2017
ST. LOUIS -- After looking at the 2014 Nike Elite 100 camp overall top performers and then notables from the class of 2016, Rivals.com finishes off coverage of the event with a look at the rising sophomores from the class of 2017. Led by the likes of Cody Riley, Brian Bowen and Michael Porter, it was an impressive group.
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Brian Bowen: A 6-foot-6 (measured bare foot) wing from Saginaw (Mich.) Arthur Hill, Bowen is dripping with potential. He lacks strength at this point (at just 178 pounds) but he compensates with a good looking jump shot, smooth athleticism and a natural feel for scoring the ball. It is still very early in his development, but he has tools to develop into an elite prospect if he keeps working.
Wendell Carter: Standing 6-foot-8 and weighing in at a solid 242 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Carter already has high major size for a power forward. The product of Georgia has high major game as well. He runs the floor, is a good scorer in the low post and has soft touch to about 12 feet.
D.J. Harvey: Make no mistake, Harvey is thinking score more often than not and overall that's not a bad thing. At times he will take a questionable shot but the 6-foot-5, 209 pound wing has excellent range and mechanics on his shot to go along with what is already a man's body. Given that he is already so big and strong, Harvey will have to work to be a little more flexible, but he's also a strong transition finisher and good rebounder to go along with his ability as a jump shooter.
Ira Lee: At 6-foot-6 and 224 pounds, Lee is a bouncy and relentless athlete. His strength is rebounding and he works the glass tirelessly on both ends of the floor. He can run with the best of them and looks to have relatively soft touch on jump hooks and short jumpers.
Michael Porter: Measuring in at 6-foot-8 and 188 pounds, the skinny wing from Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton may have been the most naturally gifted player in camp. His jump shot is an absolute thing of beauty and he can already sling it out to 23 feet. He glides in the open court, handles the ball well and has a high basketball IQ. Maturity should make him stronger but given his size he will become unstoppable by adding a dose of physicality to his game. His upside is pretty immense and he looks like a potential top five in his class type of player.
Nicholas Richards: Even if he stops growing and only gets stronger, Richards already has outstanding size at 6-foot-10 and 217 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. Not only is he big, he can really move that frame of his up and down the court. Richards sprints from rim to rim and beats his opponent more often than not. He has to work on his catching the ball while on the move but is quick off the floor and easily passes the initial look test as a potential high major.
Cody Riley: Even though he is just finishing his freshman year of high school, Riley has been a staple on Rivals.com since the summer before his eighth grade year. A southpaw who wields a nice jumper, Riley is as physically impressive as they come at 6-foot-7 and 242 pounds of muscle. He's a young combo forward cut out of the mold of a Deshaun Thomas or possibly even a Rodney Rogers (going back) because of his athleticism and inside/out game. The key is that he doesn't forget how good he is around the basket because he can settle for jumpers at times.
Jermaine Samuels: A high flying wing who already packs 204 pounds onto a well built 6-foot-4 (in socks) frame, Samuels has been impressive all throughout the grassroots season. He uses his strength and athleticism on drives, is a pretty good spot up shooter and plays both sides of the ball. Right now he is very straight line with his game and adding some wiggle to his game will be a priority as he moves ahead.
Jeremiah Tilmon: The product of East St. Louis (Ill.) High is understandably raw on the offensive end. But, he sure knows how to use his 6-foot-10, 234 pound frame to play with some physicality, alter shots and be a factor on the glass. He moves very well given his size and youth, has good bounce and his hands look more than sufficient. All of the physical markers to be a big time prospect are there.
Jordan Tucker: The 6-foot-5, 196 pound wing was every bit as good as advertised. He can shoot a bit from deep, has good athleticism and plays a balanced floor game featuring drives, smart passes and sneaky rebounding on the offensive end. Too early to tell if he projects as a small forward or a shooting guard long term but either way he has tools to work with.
Victor Uyaelunmo: Interns in high major basketball offices are going to get a workout perfecting the spelling of the 6-foot-10, 198 pound center from Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep's last name. Uyaelunmo doesn't yet have a lot in the way of skills but he is a swift big man who can really move up and down the floor and has excellent quickness in tight quarters.
Tremont Waters: Checking in at 5-foot-11 and 164 pounds, Waters is still small but has grown a bit since Rivals.com first saw him last November. One of the top floor generals in camp, Waters is a very dangerous jump shooter from deep. Because he is such a threat as a shooter, defenders are in bad position because he can send them flying with shot fakes and after that he becomes a very good decision maker. His feel for the game is advanced beyond his years and he looks like one who could develop into a national level recruit.
Austin Wiley: A solid big man from Alabama, Wiley reminds Rivals.com an awful lot of class of 2015 standout Ivan Rabb at the same age. He doesn't have quite the same polish Rabb did as a rising sophomore but at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan he is every bit as big and athletic and actually a bit stronger. Wiley plays hard, made jump hooks and always goes strong to the glass. He was amongst the upper echelon of bigs in attendance.
Trae Young: The son of former Texas Tech standout Rayford Young, the six-footer from Norman (Okla.) North is an offensive minded combo guard. At times his shot selection is a bit questionable (he lives by the "if it feels like leather" requirement for whether to shoot or not) but he has a gorgeous looking stroke and is a very clever offensive player. Would rather a player be a little too aggressive than too passive and this kid has a skill set to go along with his confidence.
Eric Bossi is the national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
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