Team Griffin 16U Nike EYB Indy Evaluations
This weekend Prep Hoops was in Indy to get a look at the Nike EYB 16U Circuit. Although Team Griffin 16U did not have the record they had hoped for heading into the weekend it was still a productive weekend. They ended up with a 1-2 record as their players saw the national circuit for the first time. Get evaluations on each of the players below.
Camryn Dennis 2019 Point Guard
At 6’1 Dennis shows a lot of promise at times in Indy. He is a very up and down player depending on the game. When he was on in Indy he was extremely tough to stop with a great handle and a three-point shot that can catch fire quickly. Dennis is a flashy Point Guard with a lot of upside. The biggest thing he has to do to take his game up a notch is take care of the basketball, see the floor better and make defense a priority each time down the court. Dennis is getting Low to Mid Major Division I looks.
Kobe Burgess 2019 Combo Guard
Burgess is the most ready player at this stage in his high school career on the Team Griffin 16U squad. He gave Team Griffin the most consistent minutes of any player on the team providing them with good play on both ends of the floor. This weekend Burgess was a defensive pest. The thing that makes Burgess the top rated 2019 Oklahoma prospect at this time is his play on both ends of the floor. He might be a better defender than he is on offense not to say his offense is bad at all that is just how good he is defensively. Burgess must develop a better three-point shot and get stronger to take his game to another level. After watching Burgess this weekend I am convinced he is better suited at the 1. At this time Burgess projects to the Mid Major Division I level.
Julian Smith 2019 Point Guard
Smith had an up and down weekend in Indy. When he was on offensively opponents could not stop him. The three-point shot of Smith is what makes him a prospect people are projecting as a top five Oklahoma 2019 prospect. He did a good job of getting separation to get his shot off. One thing Smith will always fight is his size at 5’11. Things Smith should work on include shot selection, seeing the floor better and making defense a priority at all times. Smith has a bright future with the offensive fireworks he can provide. If he can improve on those three things his game will skyrocket to another level. Smith project to the Low to Mid Major Division I level.
Jacob Germany 2019 Post
Germany was active on the glass throughout the weekend in Indy. Team Griffin 16U squad looked for Germany to be a force around the rim on both ends. He did a good job of competing against national competition for his first time seeing it. Germany is still very young in his basketball career and is still learning. The upside of Germany is through the roof with his 6’10 height and solid frame. Germany scored the ball well around the basket. Areas of improvement for Germany consistent of continuing to learn the game, develop more offensive post moves and work to hit his jumper more consistently. Germany projects to the High Major Division I level with his size and upside. He is not there yet, but when looking at his projection over the span of the next two years Germany has a high ceiling.
Isaiah LeBlanc 2020 Guard
LeBlanc is a young Guard out of Houston playing up on the 16U Nike EYB Circuit. He saw minutes off the bench this weekend in Indy. At times LeBlanc gave a solid boost of scoring from the outside. For seeing the circuit for the very first time and playing up, LeBlanc had a solid weekend. He hit some three-pointers from distance. The biggest things LeBlanc has to improve is settling into the national scene, shot selection and on-ball defense. By the looks of his play so far this spring LeBlanc has a bright future out of Houston on the hardwood.
Ben Smith 2019 Wing
Smith is an intriguing Wing that is maturing with Team Griffin on the national level. He had some really good moments this weekend and had some not so good moments. That is all apart of growing up and developing as a player on the national circuit. Smith shot the ball very well from three-point range. He made the most of his touches. The athleticism of Smith catches your eye instantly on the court. Smith has some good upside. The key for Smith to rise up the 2019 Oklahoma Class is continued development from ball handling, defense and learning the game. The size and athleticism of Smith make him a prospect to keep a close eye on.
Jaylen O’Connor 2019 Wing
O’Connor had the most productive weekend for Team Griffin’s 16U squad. He made the most of his minutes on the floor. The biggest things O’Connor did that was so impressive is letting the game come to him, not forcing shots and when the opportunity arose for him to score putting the ball in the hole over 50%. He also played solid defense. Look for O’Connor’s role on Team Griffin and at his high school, Edmond Santa Fe to keep growing. O’Connor should look to improve his three-point shot and work on his drives to the hoop. After this weekend O’Connor’s stock rose in the Oklahoma 2019 Class.
Kristian Khoury 2019 Guard
Khoury saw limited minutes in Indy for Team Griffin. He is a three-point specialist from the outside as a catch and shoot guy. To take his game to another level Khoury should work on his ball handling skills and shooting off the dribble. Khoury shows good leadership for Team Griffin 16U.
Drew Tennial 2019 Wing
Tennial struggled offensively this weekend in Indy, but found ways to effect the game in a positive manner. He was really tough defensively making opposing Guards work hard to score on him. He did a nice job of moving his feet laterally to keep his man in front of him. Tennial did not get a ton of offensive touches. Going forward Tennial has to work to make the most of his touches. Things Tennial can work on to take his game to another level is being more aggressive on offense and adding the three-point shot to his arsenal.
Josh Crutchfield 2019 Forward
Crutchfield showed great leadership and a high basketball IQ for Team Griffin. He provides them with a great hard work ethic coming off the bench for Team Griffin. Things Crutchfield can continue to work on include his quickness, ball handling skills and jumper. The development of Crutchfield over the next couple of years will be fun to watch with Team Griffin and Norman North.
Antonio Gordon 2019 Forward
Gordon was up and down this weekend in Indy for Team Griffin. He is seeing the national circuit for the first time and you could tell he had some jitters to begin the tournament. There were some big moments he stepped up to help Team Griffin to a win against Meanstreets hitting a key corner three-point shot and making a big block on the defensive end. The length of Gordon at 6’7 makes him an intriguing prospect to watch. Gordon must work on the mechanics of his jumper and continue to gain more knowledge of the game. He could be a prospect that is a late bloomer and flies up the charts.
Julian Cockrell 2019 Post
Cockrell is a big body who is growing up leaps and bounds with Team Griffin this spring. He provided them with a good rebounding presence and had some impressive blocked shots over the weekend. What I was most surprised by was the way Cockrell did not back down on defense. The biggest areas Cockrell can work on is his offensive game. From developing post moves to a nice mid-range jumper, and learning how to get his shot off at the national level. Cockrell similar to Gordon could be a late bloomer.
For more information email Matt@prephoops.com