USA Basketball: Jackson shines
Advertisement
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Basketball's annual Fall Developmental
Camp kicked off on Saturday and the amount of talent assembled from the classes
of 2016, 2017 and 2018 is beyond impressive. With stars all over the gym, 2016's
No. 1 player Josh Jackson showed why he's currently in possession of the
top spot.
Jackson rules the
roost
There are some who disagree with Rivals.com's choice of 6-foot-7 wing Josh Jackson as the top player in the country. That's fair enough because the
class of 2016 is loaded at the top. On Saturday, though, Jackson reinforced why we see him as the top player in the class.
Jackson made plays off the dribble, scored in traffic, hit some deep jumpers and
was outstanding as a facilitator and a defender. What can always be counted on
with Jackson is that he is going to compete and in a gym filled with alpha dog-type competitors, he is the most
alpha of the alphas.
Jackson told Rivals.com that he's still working with his mother to figure out
official visit dates and that he would most likely be setting up trips to
taken notice of Michigan State's additions of Cassius Winston
and Miles Bridges and that those two being there could play into his
decision.
Pac-12 heavy with
Nowell
A four-star prospect from the class of 2017, shooting guard Jaylen Nowell
is a throwback kind of kid.
While he is a top shelf athlete, the 6-foot-4 product of Seattle (Wash.)
Garfield has a game that is built upon playing strong defense and hitting mid-range jump shots. He did both of those things on Saturday and he also got out
and flourished in transition.
Nowell said that he has had Washington, California,
so far this year. The Huskies and Bears have offered and he thinks more are on
the way soon.
Offers soon for
Johns
The No. 20-ranked player in the class of 2018, 6-foot-7 combo forward
Brandon Johns plays like a player that is someday going to make winning
plays for a very good college team.
In terms of fundamentals and natural feel for the game, Johns was one of
Saturday's standouts. He plays hard and he is a gifted passer.
Right now, Johns sees himself as a skilled four man and thinks he could
eventually play some at the three as well. It's a pretty fair self assessment.
Johns said that he has picked up his first offer from Alabama. Michigan
in to see Johns this fall.
More Saturday notes
from USA Basketball
The most
effective point guard on Saturday was De'Aaron Fox. 2016's No. 5
player, Fox was pretty much unstoppable off the dribble and his ability to be
scorer or playmaker at 6-foot-4 is big-time. As good as he is on offense, Fox
might be even better on the defensive end.
Clearly,
Duke commit Jayson Tatum is no slouch. The No. 3 player in
2016, Tatum has always been highly-regarded. However, he looks to have taken his
game to a new level. Tatum has always been quite skilled and his feel for
scoring the ball is refined. Now he's added a new level of athleticism and
become more dynamic off of the dribble.
Five-star big
man Marques Bolden said that after visiting Kansas next
weekend he would decide on whether or not to take his planned official to
Kentucky have had him on campus and appear to be in good shape with
him.
Another of the
improved five-stars is Washington-bound guard Markelle Fultz.
Fultz scored at all three levels and did so with lots of confidence. Watching
him in skill work, it's clear he spends a lot of time honing his craft.
The current
offer list for power forward Justyn Hamilton reads Northwestern State,
North Florida, College of Charleston, High Point and VCU. He will certainly earn
many more. A thin 6-foot-9 power forward, Hamilton shows promise on the glass,
as a transition athlete and he can also make some short to medium range shots.
The top player
in the class of 2017, Wendell Carter is always exactly where he is
supposed to be. The 6-foot-10 power forward has a great basketball IQ, polished
footwork, touch and he is a dangerous shot blocker. Carter said that he'll visit
Duke soon for their Countdown to Craziness event and that he may go to
Kentucky's Big Blue Madness.
A local
product, 6-foot-6 wing D'Shawn Schwartz looks like a potential high
major wing. He has a relentless motor, is active on both ends and makes a lot of
plays. Tad Boyle is expected to be in soon and an offer from
Colorado appears to be imminent.
Paired for much
of the night with Carter, 2017's No. 2 player Trevon Duval got wherever
he wanted to go off the dribble. He doesn't hesitate to attack and is a scoring
ConnecticutClick point guard with toughness.Here to view this Link.
fans won't need long to warm up to point guard Alterique Gilbert next
year. The four-star point guard was solid in every aspect of the game on
Saturday and made great decisions with the ball.
Another Duke
commitment in attendance, 6-foot-3 point guard Frank Jackson is another
scoring floor general. He can also play at the two, but he's at his best with
the ball in his hands. Jackson has an extra gear he can get to.
Last but not
least, Michigan State-bound five-star Joshua Langford had it
figured out on Saturday. Play tough, play defense, make good decisions on
offense and stand out. He had a strong all-around performance.
