Nike Elite One Hundred recap
ST. LOUIS -- The annual Nike Elite One Hundred provides a rare look at many of the nation’s best underclassmen as top prospects from the classes of 2016 and 2017 were on display this weekend.
Best Player
Miles Bridges
Small Forward
6-foot-6, 225 pounds
Class of 2016
From the moment the first ball went up to the time the last ball stopped bouncing, Bridges was the best player in the gym this week. His combination of power, athleticism, and skill made him a nearly impossible matchup, as he took defenders off the dribble and overpowered them around the rim. He was a threat from the arc with his southpaw stroke and also showed off a previously undervalued part of his arsenal with some terrific passes. He was even impressive in drill work, setting the tone with his work ethic and winning sprints with a smile on his face.
Most Potential
Troy Brown Jr.
Point Guard
6-6, 187
Class of 2017
Brown combines an incredibly high understanding of the game at such a young age with equally impressive physical tools and long-term upside. He has a 6-9 wing span and is capable of playing three different positions. He handles the ball, sees the court, snaps his passes with two hands, makes high-level plays in the open floor, and yet understands the value of not dominating the ball. He’s still growing into his body and is just scratching the surface of what he could become.
Michael Porter
Small Forward
6-8, 188
Class of 2017
His combination of size, length, and skill on the wing is almost unprecedented at this stage. He has a 7-9 wing span, an effortless stroke with a high release, and can score over top of defenders from anywhere inside of 25 feet. He made deep 3s, came off cuts in the middle of the lane to splash fade-aways, handled the ball adequately, and scored with both hands around the rim. He still needs to get stronger and more comfortable with contact, but his natural tools are absolutely off the charts.
Best Big Men
Omari Spellman
Center/Forward
6-8, 272
Class of 2016
The wide-bodied big man was already well-known for his skillset and agility coming into this week. What most people didn’t realize was just how athletic he is. He had all aspects of his repertoire working, as he shot the ball to the arc, created space to score over top of defenders with a series of turn-around jumpers and threw down a variety of bouncy dunks at the rim. He brought the “wow” factor with a couple of big finishes on Friday, going to the offensive glass for one tip-dunk and then going along the baseline to jump from one side of the rim, cup the ball with one hand and finish on opposite side.
Udoka Azubuike
Center
6-10, 268
Class of 2016
It’s one thing to be long. It’s another to be powerful. To be both is unusual. To be both with incredible sheer force is something totally unique altogether. His frame is equally massive in his upper and lower body, and he’s dominant around the rim on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he’ll physically punish any driver from challenging him at the rim, while opposing defenders bounce off him as they try to prevent him from getting to point-blank range, where he is virtually unstoppable. Best of all might be the way he’s able to stride out and motor up and down the floor at his size.
Derek Funderburk
Center/Forward
6-9, 201
Class of 2016
Funderburk showed a good understanding of how to play in the post, he knew how to establish position on the block, showed good footwork both with and without the ball, and was athletic enough to pump fake his man and still explode through contact to dunk. He also has some clear face-up abilities with touch at the elbow and a good handle for a guy his size. He’s efficient when playing an inside-out style and utilizing his face-up tools as a complimentary part of his arsenal. He can get too enamored with the perimeter at times.
Zach Brown
Center
7-0, 260
Class of 2017
The best of the 2017 big men, Brown’s game is neither pretty nor polished, but it is undeniably productive. He’s got great size and no problem throwing his body around inside the paint. He plays hard, has catcher’s mitts for hands and is virtually guaranteed to be high volume guy in buckets, blocks and rebounds every game. Given some time to refine his low-post package, we’ll see an elite post prospect in the rising sophomore class.
Austin Wiley
Power Forward
6-9, 230
Class of 2017
He’s got the type of up-and-coming build that catches your eye. He’s already long and strong but still has plenty more room to continue adding muscle mass in the coming years. He’s likely to have a big-time body when it is all said and done. He runs well for his size, has a jump hook on the block, and goes to the glass consistently. Wiley also has a no-nonsense style to his game that is going to appeal to coaches. His effort doesn’t waver and he appears to be very low maintenance on the floor.
Marques Bolden
Center
6-10, 236
Class of 2016
You like this ESPN 60 big man not just because of what he’s able to do now, but what he could develop in to. He’s got a great combination of length, mobility, and dexterity inside. He makes a big target in the post, plays through contact, uses his length to get up around the rim as an offensive rebounder and scores equally well with both hands around the rim. Best of all, he’s got a long way to go before he becomes a finished product. He’s got the type of shoulders that are going to support more muscle mass. When added to his game, it gives him a very intriguing upside.
Dewan Huell
Power Forward/Center
6-10, 215
Class of 2016
This kid has made a huge jump in his productivity in the last 6 to 12 months. Huell has great size and length. He has solid skill and all the pieces that you look for in a big. He scored very well inside on jump hooks over either shoulder and drop steps in the paint. He is productive inside and has enough skill to score facing the basket out to 17 feet. Huell is good now and still has solid upside. He is a true up-and-comer that should see his profile grow in the coming months.
Best Forwards
Cody Riley
Forward
6-8, 242
Class of 2017
Only a rising sophomore, Riley is an obvious early bloomer who is already big and strong for his age and consequently able to more than hold his own against older kids. He has the natural build of a four-man but appears to intent to prove himself on the wing. The southpaw handles the ball well for his size, can cross up his defender en route to the rim and is very proficient at taking the ball off the defensive glass and pushing out to start the break. He’ll need to continue developing his total game, both inside and out, but right now he has all the markings of a potential mismatch forward.
Lamar Stevens
Forward
6-6, 215
Class of 2016
Typically a combo forward with a powerful body and aggressive style, Stevens has historically done his best work with a bulldozer driving style, especially in the open floor. What was noticeable about his performance this week was that he was able to be equally productive against a higher degree of competition with that same style. He also began to show a more dependable shooting stroke than we’ve previously seen, knocking down pull-ups and threes alike. If that perimeter skill becomes a consistent part of his arsenal, he’ll climb the ESPN 60 rankings.
Best Wings
Brian Bowen
Small Forward
6-7, 178
Class of 2017
The rising sophomore swingman is extremely versatile and full of upside. He already has great size and length for the wing, but based on the size of his shoes and lanky frame he could possibly still be growing. He can handle the ball, knock down rhythm shots with range, take smaller defenders to the post and even rise up to catch lobs. Give him a year or two to fill out his frame, add a can of polish to his game, and he’ll be a big-time talent.
D.J. Harvey
Small Forward
6-6, 209
Class of 2017
He’s an intriguing long-term prospect because of his combination of size, incredible length (7-8 wingspan) and athleticism. His productivity has been up and down at times this spring as he continues to develop his skill and understanding of the game, but he showed some positive signs this week. He was a consistent threat with his jumper and also able to rise up to get it at virtually any point. He made some nice plays in the open floor and also showed potential on the defensive end.
Amir Coffey
Small Forward
6-7, 175
Class of 2016
Meet Tayshaun Prince part II. Coffey is a long lefty wing that can do a little of everything on the basketball court. He is a solid rebounder and defender that can make shots to 20 feet. He did whatever his team needed in order to win and is an effective scorer. His ball-handling and decision-making skills are good enough that he can initiate offense like a point forward. His versatility is his main asset. It makes him hard to guard and a true asset for any team. Coffey has a very bright future ahead of him.
