Prospects to Stars in 6 Months?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A smart thing to do when evaluating prospects is to focus just as much if not more on projecting what a player can become in the next six months as to where they are now. Too often, especially with social media, there's a focus on what a player is right now. Without understanding how much growth is needed to become an impact college player, but also to keep pace with emerging prospects. It's a delicate balance between optimism (seeing the path to success) and pragmatism (understanding how difficult the path is).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six months is a good window to project out growth and measure improvement. The best recent example of this is [player_tooltip player_id='1367221' first='TO' last='Barrett']. Last year in late November he was only making his first varsity start and looked like a developmental point guard prospect. Good athlete. Some flashes of playmaking. But needing refinement as ball handler, shooter and decision maker. Fast forward six months and he was a state champion and starting to gain college momentum. Now another six months, or a whole year, later he has grabbed a fistful of Power 5 offers and last week closed out a game in a way that no one would have projected a year ago, or possibly even six months ago. He did so with a barrage of three pointers that looked effortless and natural to his game. His path has accelerated, with room to still grow. But he serves as a great example of how player's games can changes over a relatively short matter of time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So now, let's take a look at a group of prospects who have the opportunity to grow in similar ways over the next 6 months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1391441"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Projecting a rapid rise for [player_tooltip player_id='1391441' first='Roman' last='Miller'] comes down to him growing into his at times gangly body and fully harnessing his advance skillset. The framework for him to be one of the best scorers in the state is there. His biggest calling card is that he's an exceptional shooter, with DEEP range.rnrnToward the end of the summer the physical maturation and coordination looked to be starting to catch up.  Highlights from this season of Miller indicate his strength and explosiveness are starting to come in, as he now finishes fast breaks with above the rim finishes. With his basketball pedigree and obvious dedication to improvement, Miller looks poised to make a huge leap over the next 6 months.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1367218"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Last season Carl Albert broke in 5 starters and it was many of the new members of their backcourt that made big production waves as the Titans would make a run to the Class 5A State Semifinals. Still there was a lanky 6 foot 6 sophomore in the starting line up that showed enough flashes, especially with his light on the feet movement to hint that he might have the highest ceiling of the bunch.rnrnNow at 6 foot 8 and with a filled out frame to match his height and athleticism, Mott has a the opportunity to be a D1 level recruit. So far this young season that has been most noticeable when he protects the rim with blocks or finishes with thunderous slams. He also has a sneaky knack to excel as a passer, which helps open up the Titans offense with passing out of the high post or kicking it out to open shooters. An important growth benchmark for Mott in the next 6 months will be his finishing through contact and improving his touch on scores.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1367222"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"After a promising sophomore year, Combs-Pierce looks ready to become a consistent two way force. He's blessed with amazing natural gifts through his size, wingspan and athleticism that made him standout as a sophomore. But in multiple viewings last year, he was an up and down performer.  There were times he was an absolute game changer, especially on the defensive end. While other times he was a bit too anonymous for a player of his talent.  His best ticket to stardom is to lean into being a defensive whirlwind and use the production from that end of the court to provide the energy needed to produce on offense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1552068"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Size. It's something that can't be taught. It immediately stood out when watching the eastern Oklahoma product at a couple teams camps last June. He was up and down in those showings, but the highs Terrell had in those games were enough to put a big star next to his name for further viewings. He's still incredibly raw, and frankly playing a Class 2A schedule might not always be the most challenging.  But he's started his season on the right note with some impressive numbers. And it'll be exciting to watch Terrell and his teammates in Mustang Holiday Classic at the end of the month.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1475983"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The last name on the list is just getting his feet wet in varsity basketball with Edmond Memorial. It was obvious the talent Hancuff showed while playing with Team Trae Young Elite's 15U team this past Spring and Summer. He already has next level height and the movement to be a bigger wing. This currently is most noticeable with his ability to cover smaller guards. There's also a fearlessness to his game, as during an early season scrimmage he attempted to put a 7 footer on a poster.  The physical framework is there, it will come down to how he adds layers of skill and feel for the game to it as he adjusts to varsity competition and continues to work on his effectiveness in the halfcourt.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-638791d10dc92"} /-->