Here is a look at Elias Sbiet (NorthPoleHoops.com)'s Player Evaluations from last weekend's Tri-City Top 40 Camp. We've cut and paste the information over to make things easier; however, please check NorthPoleHoops.com for their original post as well as some other information/posts from the camp!
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WATERLOO,ON–The breakdown of a player’s game at the
junior level is a tricker process than that of a senior level evaluation
for the reason that younger players are still growing into their
bodies, learning new skills and developing at different speeds. Whereas,
senior prospects have likely committed to playing a position and would
be expanding upon the skills necessary to excel and becoming a
legitimate prospect at their position. The Tri-City Top 40 camp featured
a selection of the top juniors from the Kitchener, Waterloo and
Cambridge areas as well as a few surrounding cities. This evaluation
will focus on the young prospects that made an impact at camp.
Jamal Murray | 2016 | 6’2 | SG | Grand River CI
Before
Jamal had even touched a ball, the NPH team sensed that he would be
among the top prospects at the Tri-City Top 40 camp based off of his
height, length and body structure. Jamal is coming off an incredible
grade 9 year having hit six game winners for Grand River.
Throughout the camp he demonstrated consistency with a mid range
jumper and handled the ball quite well. When double teamed, which was
often, he was able to find the open man for an easy two. He solidified
himself as a top prospect on day two and three by picking up his
intensity and attack the hoop more often. Jamal is a good on ball
defender and does not back down from bigger and stronger opponents.
As he enters his junior year, he will be looking to become more
explosive and become a permanent threat with his perimter shooting.
Settling for jumpers instead of attacking in certain situations will be
an area of his game that he should revise.
Murtada Khamis | 2015 | 5’10 | PG | Grand River
Murtada (left), Mike (right)
In a camp full of guards, this PG had the most complete package for
his position. Murtada brought a great deal of energy on the defensive
end, picking up a minimum of two steals per game, was a distributor for
his squad and scored in many ways.
He has a well rounded arsenal of offensive moves to beat his man
including; a nifty crossover, hesitation moves and a step back jumper.
Physically he is blessed with a wiry yet strong frame that helps him
pick up on deflections. While assessing him defensively one could tell
how aware he is of certain help side principles and spacing. Murtada can
read play clearly and is good at anticipating cuts, screens and rolls.
He was by far the most impressive prospect at camp which earned him MVP
honours.
Mike Blumel | 2015 | 6’5 | F | St. Mary’s
Luckily for the recipients there would be two MVPs for the Tri-City
Top 40 because had their been only one it would have been very difficult
to decide between Murtada and Mike. Each of them played different
positions yet brought the same intensity to the floor. Mike came up big
for his team in the rebounding category as well as points in the point,
whether off the drive or in a post up.
Mike is a very well conditioned and strong athlete with a body fit
for this game. He used his strength to power his way into the lanes and
establish good scoring positions. Mike made the game easy for his guards
by getting in the right spots for the entry pass while protecting the
ball by forcing defenders to reach over him. His poise throughout the
weekend took his stock up immediately.
A pleasant surprise came on day two wear he extended his game 15 feet
away and showed that he can dribble and hit the mid range. On a few
occasions he forced a heavier and larger defender to guard him away from
the basket and then handled around him for the finish at the rim. We
are looking forward to seeing more of an above the rim game from Mike.
Josh McEacheren | 2015 | 6’3 | SG/SF | Centre Wellington
Josh
had an advantage on his opponents this past weekend with his size and
strength coming into play. Although we have him listed as a shooting
guard he is a player that would be considered a “tweener,” meaning he
has yet to decide on position. Considering that he will gain a few
inches in height there is the possibility of ending up as a small
forward. Regardless, he will need to strengthen his ball handling and be
able to break down defenders as well as be able to get off shots
without using screens. Josh showed signs of consistency with deep
shooting on day two.
Josh
had an advantage on his opponents this past weekend with his size and
strength coming into play. Although we have him listed as a shooting
guard he is a player that would be considered a “tweener,” meaning he
has yet to decide on position. Considering that he will gain a few
inches in height there is the possibility of ending up as a small
forward. Regardless, he will need to strengthen his ball handling and be
able to break down defenders as well as be able to get off shots
without using screens. Josh showed signs of consistency with deep
shooting on day two.
Jermaine Lyle | 2015 | 6’0 | PG | St. Mary’s
On day one of the three, Jermaine almost went unnoticed. He caught
our attention in some footwork drills where he was going through them
fluidly. It seems that once he gained comfort with his feet this
translated into the rest of his game. Jermaine displayed very strong
dribbling skills and showed aptness in being a play maker.
Jermaine is a shifty PG with a good level of athleticism that allows
him to adjust to the defence after freeing himself by crossing over his
first defender. His strengths are displayed when he is left to play in
isolation situations.
We were thoroughly impressed with one of Jermaine’s intangible
traits, which was the will to continue by refusing to sit out after a
minor sprained ankle in the first half of the Championship game.
TJ Lall | 2015 | 6’3 | SG | Galt
TJ has a wingspan of approximately 6’6 which he used to relentlessly
swat away shots. Defensively he was an absolute beast for his team and
if he wasn’t blocking shots he was terribly altering them. We got to see
glimpses of his offense where he shot a few from mid range and finished
well around the basket. As he continues to adapt to his growing body it
would be beneficial for TJ to increase his flexibility and get lower to
the floor when the ball is in his hands to make himself more of a
threat.
Mitchell Marquis | 2015 | 5’9 | PG | St. James
In a pool of guards you stand out by having the speed of Mitchell in
the open court. If his team finds him off of a defensive board they
better run the lanes with him because he’s not waiting for no anyone;
almost all of this PG’s points came in transition.
Mitchell should work at improving at finishing with the left hand
instead of turning his body while attacking the left hand side. When
defenders began to notice that it was harder to finish with his left
they started to force him that way and made him put up difficult shot
attempts. If he can work on this as well as becoming an offensive threat
from deep than opponents will have a problem on their hands.
Spot Up Snipers
The following names are of some guards who shot the ball from beyond
the arc efficiently, as of right now all three of them are catch and
shoot guys. To really set an impression they will need to show more of a
dribble drive/penetration game. Furthermore, they will need to gain
confidence in their ball handling by drilling all summer. A transition
into a true PG (with perhaps the exception of Adi) will be the sign of a
successful summer.
Austin Tlustos | 2015 | 5’10 | PG | Assumption
Adi Trtovac | 2015 | 6’1 | PG | Grand River
Matt Minutilo | 2015 | 5’10 | PG | North Park
Honourable Mentions
These young guns below were absolute work horses in every moment of
the weekend. They fought for second chance opportunities and contested
on every possession when they were on defence. Each of them have
different elements of their game to take into account and improve on
throughout the summer.
Mo Hussein | 2015 | 6’0 | PG | J. F Ross
Nedim Hodzic | 2015 | 6’3 | SF | Sir John A. Macdonald
Greg Swann | 2015 | 6’5 | PF | J. F Ross
George Demitru | 2015 | 5’9 | PG | St. David’s
