PrepHoopsTN Combine Evaluations Part XX

Andrew Force September 18, 2021 @ 03:23 PM

Drew was a scrappy player with decent athleticism. His jumper was a strength, especially from 8-15’. Drew needs to develop his body for contact in the lane and continue training the legs. With the 3.42 time in the 3/4 court sprint, Williams proved that he is naturally fast. Now he must use that to dominate defensively and attack more dynamically. Williams should spend time training on plyometrics and sprints/ladders. His physical gifts are noteworthy, but speed needs to be applied effectively or it is wasted.

Williams is an average ball-handler for his age and currently he plays like a combo guard. Will he mature into a lead guard with the dribble? Maybe. The shooting touch suggests he will be capable of contributing as a shooter, if not as a double-edged sword of a guard.

Though the skill is close to high school starting point guard, Williams needs to grow as a leader. More vocal. He needs to carry himself with more confidence, to be a team leader.

Lateral mobility is something I introduce with almost every evaluation. And Drew needs to improve this too. Can a guard defend his position? If the answer is ’not really’, then he simply can’t play. The coach must be able to rely upon every guard to defend capably and Drew is on the cusp of defending well, but must continue to work on the legs, the speed laterally, and the defensive focus. He is an intense player. Ideally, Drew will be able to channel that into focus after learning and absorbing many teamwide defensive principles.

Hard worker. High energy.

Keelan Jackson Keelan Jackson 6'4" | SF Tyner Academy | 2023 State TN | 6’5" PF/SF | Tyner Academy

How did he measure against the competition?

Class of 2023
6’5"
@PrepHoopsTN All-Star
Standing Reach - 8’6"
Wingspan -- 6’11" or 83"
Height w/ shoes -- 6’5"
Hand Span -- 9.0"
Hand Length -- 7.0"
3/4 Court Sprint -- 3.53, 3.36
Lane Agility -- 13.2, 13.3
Camp Ranking -- #9
State Ranking -- #30

NBA Stylistic Comparison: 2021 Suns Mikal Bridges

[player_tooltip player_id="1028862" first="Keelan" last="Jackson"] (Tyner Academy)

Keelan Jackson Keelan Jackson 6'4" | SF Tyner Academy | 2023 State TN rattled the cages of 15u teams regionwide years back. That 15u summer run helped him garner PrepHoopsTN attention and admiration early and continues to prove he belongs revered statewide.

Keelan landed in the All-Star Game.

Strengths of Keelan’s game are shooting touch, size for position, and versatility. Keelan, though 6-foot-5, projects as a college 3. If you watched Mikal Bridges (Phoenix Suns) in the NBA playoffs or before, then you have a passing concept of what Keelan can do. Mikal is an exceptional perimeter defender and Jackson is not close to that yet, but both Mikal and Keelan are strong outside shooters, much stronger than you would suspect given their body type and height.

Jackson devoted much of his basketball upbringing to shooting the basketball and that is an invaluable skill. What he must maintain and certainly improve upon is his quickness and agility. The Lane Agility times were ok. To vault himself higher up the prospect lists, Keelan must focus on the lower body and quickness even more.

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