New Faces: 2019 Prospects
With the tailend of the spring AAU circuit about over, we are ready to take a look over some of our notes and dive into some names. This round is all about new faces. Who have we discovered? Who is worthy of bringing their name to light? Here are some guys in the class of 2019.
Avery Paddock – 6’3 | SG | Alexandria (IN) | IE Force 2019 – Paddock is a long, skinny guard with pretty solid handles and can create along the wing. Can overplay his hand at times against athletic wings but could be a really productive scorer with time. Love his upside if the frame can fill out.
Nathan Childress – 6’6 | SF | Zionsville (IN) | IE Metro 2019 – Childress was a guy we saw a bit during the high school season but he’s impacting the game way more now and you can see what he is going to be. High energy, tons of strength, and able to play away from the rim a bit. Has the versatility you love and can bring some offense on the boards.
Justin Hensley – 6’4 | SG | Cathedral (IN) | IE Metro 2019 – Hensley is a lean forward who showed that he can light it up from distance. Has a great release and with his size and length, he is really hard to defend. Was doing most off the catch but will create on the arc to get a shot off. Was also able to put the ball on the floor and drive when he got a good matchup. Could become a really good option as a guy who can play the 2/3 with size and shooting ability.
Travis Sturm – 6’5 | C | Avon (IN) | Indiana Faith 2019 – Sturm is a big, thick forward who can play faced up but is tough enough that it is hard to stop him in the post. Really physical at times and showed good hands in the post for rebounds and dumpoffs. Can finish with either hand in the post and will battle for position. Interesting player if he can add more size. Assertive enough to be productive.
Connor Jones – 6’2 | SG | 2019 | Danville (IN) | Indiana Faith 2019 – Jones is a big guard with tons of versatility. Like his skill on the wing with his ability to handle the ball, distribute, shoot, and drive the lane. Maybe not a lead guard but plenty capable of helping on the ball and adding just enough offense to make him an intriguing guard option.
Ryan Segall – 6’10 | C | 2019 | Homeschool (IN) | Indiana Faith 2019 – Segall is a lean, tall forward with a little bit of skill in the post. Still pretty raw in terms of post scoring but has the length and decent enough footwork to learn the skill. While thin, he is still pretty strong in the post. Like his upside if he can really add weight in the next year.
Richard Lang – 6’8 | C | Brownsburg (IN) | Indiana Elite Fastbreak 2019 – Lang is a skinny post player with some decent mobility but still learning his body a bit. The 6’8 prospect has really good length and can rebound okay and block shots with some time. Just really lacks strength and skill on the offensive end but has the height to be interesting.
David Ejah – 6’4 | SF | Fort Wayne Carroll (IN) | Team Teague 2019 – Ejah is a lanky wing with a raw skill set and plenty of room to grow. He did show he can make a jump shot but form looked weak and will need cleaned up. Good athlete that can make plays near the rim and on defense. Has good lateral quickness and can defend 1-3 right now. Really long in the arms, not so much in the torso and legs which makes me think he should grow a bit more.
Dawand Jones – 6’6 | C | Ben Davis (IN) | Team Teague 2019 – Jones is a massive 6’6 center who looks like he could be a great defensive lineman. While very large, he’s extremely mobile and quick in the post. Also, he’s pretty athletic and has shown multiple times the ability to finish above the rim at well over 280 pounds. Good power moves in the post when he gets the ball but plays best in transition because if he gets the ball he isn’t going to slow down and will draw a ton of fouls.