Nike: Thursdays Scout

The Nike All-American Camp in Indianapolis swung into full gear Thursday. He are some observations from Rivals.com.

Note that all measurements were taken without the players wearing shoes.

Devan Downey, 5-foot-9, might be the quickest guard with the ball at the camp. He uses his speed to create scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates. In his afternoon game, he made a tough left hand lay-up over Brandan Wright for the win at the buzzer.

2006 prospect Demond Carter is another small guard who can both score the ball and run a team. Carter had several fantastic finishes where he absorbed contact and then got the ball in the basket with his left hand.

2006 prospect Brandan Wright displayed a variety of offensive moves to go along with his defense, rebounding, and passing in his afternoon game. During the first half, he hit a runner on the side of the lane going left (his dominant side). Then he hit a midrange pull up jumper going right. Then he sank a 17-footer off the pass.

Jevohn Shepherd was active and made a variety of plays in Thursday’s games.

Jamal Boykin produced points with a jump hook, which looks much smoother than it did in the spring, and mid-range jumpers. His game is not pretty, but he gets results.

Despite being only a 2007 prospect, Jerryd Bayless did a great job running the offense for his team. He definitely belongs out there with the older players.

Another 2007 prospect who does more than hold his own against the older players is 6-foot-8 post player Kevin Love. He might just have the most polished back-to-the-basket game on the circuit. He had no problem Thursday scoring over taller players with his lethal jump hook. He does need to improve his foot speed on the defensive end.

Remember the name Kyle Singler. He is a 6-foot-6, 2007 small forward who can make all the plays.

Speaking of making plays, Josh McRoberts picked right up where he left off at the Youth Festival. His team got numerous easy baskets off of outlet passes from McRoberts to guards on the other side of half court and off of McRoberts leading the break after his rebounds.

Another player who made play after play was 2006 prospect Jeremiah Rivers. As you would expect, the son of Coach Doc Rivers knows how to play the game. He has great size for a point guard at 6-foot-3 and a wing span of 6-foot-7. He hit runners, pull up jumpers, got to the basket, created openings for teammates, and created havoc on the defensive end. The bottom line is that Rivers is a big time prospect.

Tyler Hansbrough ran the floor well and attacked the basket in transition and on post moves. He did not show any type of face up game, however.

Richard Hendrix made some unbelievable catches in traffic that he then turned into points. He also sank a three-pointer when his defender played off him.

Chris Knight, 6-foot-7, 190-pounds, shot the ball very well from the three point line.

Another 6-foot-7 small forward and 2006 prospect DeShawn Sims was very impressive with his entire game and his ability to hit shots from behind the arc.

At 6-foot-5 J.P. Prince has a wing span of 6-foot-11. Prince specializes in gathering steals with his tremendous length and passing the ball in the open court. He did a great job Thursday of not over dribbling and passing the ball up the court.

2006 prospect Tywon Lawson looked very good running the point for his team. He shot the ball well from the arc also.

Kevin Durant was another 2006 Maryland prospect who looked very good. He is a true small forward at 6-foot-8, not a power forward working to become a small forward like so many players on the circuit. He is fast and skilled with the ball, has a nose for rebounding the ball, and can get the ball in the basket.

Micah Downs has a skill package that can make a scout drool. When he stays focused and plays physical, he is one of the best prospects on the circuit.

2006 prospect James Dews played well Thursday.

Semaj Inge, 6-foot-3, 174-pounds, had a very good day Thursday as well. He did a great job defending Louis Williams, and he handled the ball well at the point and scored. His most impressive move was a strong left hand drive from the wing to the middle, where he finished with a 7-foot left hand jump hook.

Andrew Bynum is a physical force in the paint. He is definitely one of the few quality center prospects in the class of 2005. He does need to work on his conditioning, however, so he can get to the paint to make plays.

At first glance Jeff Adrien appears to be an undersized power forward measuring only 6-foot-5, but he has a reach of 8-foot-7 and a strong body that makes him a legit power forward. He was active and productive Thursday.