NBA Draft: Grading the Top Prospects from the Nike Hoop Summit
NBA scouts and executives traveled to Portland, Ore. on Friday night for the annual Nike Hoop Summit that features basketball's top prospects eligible for the 2019 and 2020 drafts.
The World Team got the best of USA with an 89-76 win that wasn't even that close. However, unlike the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic, which were more of All-Star exhibitions, the participants at the Summit competed to win.
Canada's RJ Barrett, Bleacher Report's projected No. 1 overall pick in 2019, stole the show. It's worth noting that USA's Zion Williamson, Keldon Johnson, Louis King and Romeo Langford missed the game due to injuries.
RJ Barrett (Duke, SG/SF)
1 of 10
Draft eligible: 2019
Stat line: 8-of-20 FGM-A, 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists, five steals
RJ Barrett entered the Nike Hoop Summit viewed as a potential No. 1 overall favorite for 2019.
He looked the part Friday night. Barrett led all scorers with 20 points while showing off his impressive athleticism and body control in the lane on a number of drives and finishes, including a pair of alley-oops.
From a scouting perspective, his highlight basket came off a pretty fallaway jumper out of the post, a tribute to his scoring versatility.
But the most encouraging takeaway from Barrett's performance involved his passing. Along with nine rebounds, he picked up six assists, showing impressive vision and the ability to use the attention he draws as a way of setting up teammates.
Playing active defense all night (five steals), Barrett did more than just showcase talent. He competed, which speaks to his style of play and demeanor on the floor.
Hoop Summit Grade: A
Cameron Reddish (Duke, SF/PF)
2 of 10
Draft eligible: 2019
Stat line: 2-of-8 FGM-A, seven points, zero assists, four rebounds
Those watching the Nike Hoop Summit may have forgotten Cameron Reddish was invited. And if he reminded viewers, it was with a bad shot.
Talent-wise, Reddish pops with size, athleticism and face-up ball skills. But his shot selection leaves a lot to be desired, as he resorted to hero ball Friday night and never got going.
Reddish made 2-of-8 shots and none of his four three-point attempts. And though it was just one game in an All-Star setting, it wasn't the first time scouts have seen this side of him.
Motor and concentration have been and will continue to be major talking points with Reddish, who has No. 1 overall upside that doesn't always translate in terms of impact.
Hoop Summit Grade: D
Bol Bol
3 of 10
Draft eligible: 2019
Stat line: 6-of-11 FGM-A, 12 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks
Bol Bol helped himself Friday night with scouts, who saw more than just high activity.
Naturally, the 7'3" center presented himself as an easy-basket target and clean-up man on the offensive glass. And he put on a shot-blocking clinic, a sign of more to come at Oregon. He's a presence defensively just by standing in the paint thanks to his enormous size and length. He's a threat to reject any shot in his vicinity, whether he's defending the ball or lurking on the weak side.
But we also flashes of unique skill. He opened eyes early with a pump fake, dribble and pull-up jump shot around the key. And he showed soft touch off the backboard on angled finishes around the block.
Bol must continue improving his body, as well as his concentration to prevent from floating. Too often he'll make no effort setting screens or pretend he's Kristaps Porzingis around the perimeter. But it's obvious that Bol has both unusual talent and skill for future coaches to unlock.
Hoop Summit Grade: A
Darius Garland
4 of 10
Draft eligible: 2019
Stat line: 6-of-13 FGM-A, 16 points, five assists, four rebounds
Darius Garland was the main reason the World Team didn't blow out USA.
He kept his squad in it with three-point shooting, having hit 4-of-7 triples. Garland showed the ability to spot-up, release quickly in transition and pull up, both inside and behind the arc.
And he used his hesitation dribble to beat defenders, break down the defense and set the table for teammates.
At 6'2", Garland has fine size for a point guard, and though not the most athletic player on the floor, he compensates with change of speed, skill and footwork. He's climbing up the ranks and will leave the Hoop Summit as one of its big winners.
Hoop Summit Grade: A
Josh Green
5 of 10Draft eligible: 2020
Stat line: 5-of-10 FGM-A, 11 points, three assists
Josh Green brought more attention to himself Friday night by adding 11 points off the bench for the World Team.
The athletic, 17-year-old slasher put pressure on USA with his quick first step in the half court and athleticism in the open floor.
He also drilled a three-pointer and dished out three assists, encouraging signs for a guard who needs to improve as a shooter and playmaker.
A competitor at both ends, Green opened eyes for those who hadn't seen much of him prior to the Summit. He's a potential riser and an intriguing prospect to monitor for the 2020 draft.
Hoop Summit Grade: B+
Quentin Grimes (Kansas, SG)
6 of 10
Draft eligible: 2019
Stat line: 7-of-17, 15 points, six rebounds, four assists
Quentin Grimes was a standout Friday night, finishing with 15 points working as a complementary scorer and playmaker.
He showed off his slashing ability, first step and body control in the lane on multiple takes to the basket. And he knocked down a catch-and-shoot three-pointer, though he missed five-of-six from behind the arc.
Grimes' highlight moment came off a fallaway out of the post. He did struggle around the perimeter, though, and scouts will want to continue seeing progress with Grimes' shooting and shot-creating.
But on a night when most of USA looked half asleep, he was one of the bright spots.
Hoop Summit Grade: B+
Charles Bassey
7 of 10
Draft eligible: 2020
Stat line: 6-of-13 FGM-A, 13 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks
An eye-test standout with 6'10 ½", 234-pound size, a 7'3" wingspan and explosiveness, Charles Bassey put his tools and athleticism to use against USA.
He finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds (five offensive) manning the paint for the World Team as its 17-year-old center.
Bassey had a number of powerful finishes that made the hoop and rim look small. He blocked three shots as well, showing the ability to quickly get off the ground.
He also added two baskets over 7'3" Bol Bol with a short jumper around the foul line and back-to-the-basket hook shot.
One of the elite recruits from the 2019 high school class, Bassey is still raw without a great deal of skill. But he has the foundation of an NBA big with plenty of room to grow as a player.
Hoop Summit Grade: B+
Jaylen Hoard (Wake Forest, F)
8 of 10Draft eligible: 2019
Stat line: 4-of-10 FGM-A, 11 points, 15 rebounds
A 6'8" forward, Jaylen Hoard was an impact player Friday night working the paint for the World Team.
He really came to life in the fourth quarter to close out USA. Hoard made energy plays in the paint with seven of his 15 rebounds coming on the offensive glass. He won battles around the basket all night, and though not overly skilled, scouts should have come away impressed with his ability to use his tools and athleticism.
Hoard finished the plays that came to him at the rim, and he made a few high-IQ passes that didn't show in the box score as assists.
We're likely talking about a multiyear college player at Wake Forest, but NBA scouts will be monitoring his offensive development. He'll need to keep improving his jump shot and ability to put the ball on the floor.
Hoop Summit Grade: A-
Andrew Nembhard
9 of 10
Draft eligible: 2019
Stat line: 1-of-3 FGM-A, five points, four assists
Without flashy athleticism or scoring ability, Andrew Nembhard doesn't stand out under the NBA scouting lens. But he's likely to make an immediate impact next year at Florida as Chris Chiozza's replacement.
Despite the five points, he finished Friday night at a team best plus-18 in the box score. He played under control in 22 minutes off the bench, showing the ability to run an offense and set the table, which he did for RJ Barrett, his high school teammate, on a pair of alley-oops.
The floor general for National Champion Montverde Academy, Nembhard continues to strengthen his identity as a winning plays-over-flash type prospect.
Hoop Summit Grade: B
Tre Jones
10 of 10
Draft eligible: 2019
Stat line: 2-of-9 FGM-A, four points, five assists
Tre Jones didn't do himself any favors in front of NBA scouts.
He finished 2-of-9 and his lack of explosiveness was exposed as he displayed an inability to threaten defenses around the perimeter.
Jones did pick up five assists, and like his brother Tyus for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tre has a sound feel for the game in terms of making smart plays and passes.
But Friday night he was badly outplayed, both by the World team and teammate Darius Garland, who came off the bench and looked like the superior point guard prospect.
Hoop Summit Grade: C-
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