Nike Hoop Summit Notebook: Top Recruits Weigh In on Thon Maker's Draft Decision

PORTLAND, Ore. — The annual Nike Hoop Summit featured one of the most talented American teams the event has ever seen and the potential No. 1 player in the class of 2017, DeAndre Ayton, on the World Select team.

But many in the building were focused on one player who pulled out of the event: Thon Maker.

After the shocking announcement that Maker would declare for the 2016 NBA draft out of high school, NBA scouts, national talent evaluators and players in the Hoop Summit tried to sift through all of the information regarding the polarizing center and his decision.

Many players participating in the Hoop Summit have played with or against Maker in camps and on the grassroots circuit the last few years, so they were interested in the developments surrounding the NBA's future decision on Maker's eligibility.

Although other players in this class won't test the waters of the draft like Maker, they're still rooting for him to succeed.

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"I think he's doing what's best for him," Duke commit Jayson Tatum told Bleacher Report. "There's probably a lot of guys here where, if we could go out of high school and if we had the opportunity, we would.

"It all caught our attention. We're just waiting to see what happens."

Some of the players in the Hoop Summit also believe that the Maker decision could force the NBA to re-evaluate how the NBA draft process works—which could include letting high school players back into the equation if Maker is successful in making the NBA transition.

"If he wants to do it, he should do it. I think he's talented enough to leave and play," 5-star prospect Josh Jackson said. "[It could change some things], especially a decision like that. The smallest decisions can have the biggest effect on things, so we'll have to see how that goes."

"A lot of kids want to come out of high school and play in the NBA. It's going to prove that someone can go out of high school and play in the NBA. Doing that, maybe they'll change the rule one day for the kids when they're coming out of high school," Washington signee Markelle Fultz said.

Most of the participants in the Nike Hoop Summit were encouraging of Maker and his decision to test the NBA's process, but many of the players also stressed that Maker's decision was not for everybody. There is still the chance that Maker doesn't get into the NBA draft, and others stressed that the college experience is also a vital part of basketball development.

Tatum is excited about the prospects of playing on a Duke team that looks like the potential No. 1 preseason team for the 2016-17 season, while Jackson is planning on making his college decision between Arizona, Kansas and Michigan State on Monday. Fultz is also pleased with his decision to go to Washington.

"I like college. I want to have a college experience," Fultz said. "I know a lot of people talk about going out of high school, and I think you should be able to do it out of high school. It's just not for everybody."

Duke's Recruiting Class Excited for the Return of Grayson Allen

The Duke and Kentucky recruiting arms race is continuing into the 2016-17 college basketball season, as the two college basketball blue bloods both have megaclasses coming in. Both programs have multiple 5-star prospects joining the roster, and freshmen will be a huge part of the equation when it comes to overall success. Many expect Duke and Kentucky to be Top 5 teams in the preseason polls—if they aren't Nos. 1 and 2.

Duke got a huge leg up on Kentucky (and the rest of the country) earlier this week, though, when sophomore guard Grayson Allen announced that he will return for his junior season. As one of the ACC's best players this past season, averaging 21.6 points per game, Allen would have received some first-round buzz in the 2016 NBA draft, but his decision to return to Durham, North Carolina, means Duke is looking like the clear No. 1 team in the preseason polls.

It also has Duke's talented freshmen excited about playing with a proven weapon who has helped win a national championship.

"I love it. I love G, and I can't wait to go out and learn from him," Duke signee Frank Jackson said. "I've always wanted to play with him for a while, so now I'm stoked that he stayed."

"We were thrilled to hear that he was coming back. That just adds another weapon to the team that we will really need," Tatum said.

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"We can learn a lot from Grayson. He's been there for two years and knows what to expect. So he can really give us some guidance."

Many of the best recruiting classes in recent years haven't had the kind of returning experience that Duke will have next season, as Allen is back and senior forward Amile Jefferson will potentially be rewarded a fifth year by the NCAA for a medical redshirt. The combination of talented freshmen and veteran performers will give Duke a unique roster next season.

"It's Duke. It's a brotherhood, and we're not worried about coming together or anything like that," Duke signee Harry Giles said. "Being in practice with those guys, it's going to be exciting. It's going to push all of us to be great."

Local Standout Payton Pritchard Impresses in Portland

Many considered the Nike Hoop Summit's American roster to be one of the best groups ever assembled.

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Oregon commit Payton Pritchard was the afterthought of the team—the only member of the group not considered a 5-star prospect in the 247Sports national composite. In fact, Pritchard wasn't even considered a top-50 prospect entering the event. 

That should change after the week Pritchard had. Not only was the 6'0" guard the third-leading scorer in the USA's blowout win over the World Select team, but he also had a strong week of practices. By improving his strength and continuing to work on his skill level, Pritchard proved he belonged on the team.

A former practice player against the USA Hoop Summit team the last two years, Pritchard finally had his chance to shine as a member of the team. 

"It's a great feeling," Pritchard said. "From the other side, playing against these guys I looked up to, to actually being on the team is a whole different experience, and it was awesome."

Recruiting ratings via 247Sports.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.