5 Takeaways: McDonald’s All-American Scrimmage #1
Sunday Prep Hoops took in the first McDonald’s All-American Game Scrimmage. Scouts and NBA personnel get much more out of the scrimmages and practices than the game itself. We dive into it all here in 5 Takeaways: McDonald’s All-American Scrimmage…
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Continue ReadingSunday Prep Hoops took in the first McDonald’s All-American Game Scrimmage. Scouts and NBA personnel get much more out of the scrimmages and practices than the game itself. We dive into it all here in 5 Takeaways: McDonald’s All-American Scrimmage #1!
East Wins Thriller
The 40 minute running clock game went back and forth with swings made by both teams. That held true until the very end. With the East squad down 66-62 with not much time left Ian Jackson hit a three to cut the lead to a point. Then after a couple of fouls Tre Johnson missed the first free throw and a lane violation called off the other. On a long pass that went out of bounds the game seemed to be over. Nope. Refs only put 0.3 seconds on the clock. You can’t technically catch and shoot in that length of time. Well Boogie Fland hit Liam McNeely in the corner for a three at the buzzer to give the East the win 68-66. The clock started late clearly, but oh well.
Flagg vs Bailey Round 1
The highly anticipated head to head matchup between the top two seniors in the class Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey went down on Sunday in the morning practices and afternoon scrimmage. Both are elite talents that are vying for the #1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Bailey probably gets the slight edge in round 1. The McEachern (GA) product who is headed to Rutgers stands at 6’8” with a great NBA frame. He started off with a blow by move past Flagg. Followed it up with an array of pull ups from two and three. The sickest move of the day was a baseline Kobe like turnaround over Flagg. Also hit the offensive glass and showed off elite athleticism. Flagg had his moments as well. The Montverde (FL) standout was at his best getting on the offensive glass using his quickness and burst off the floor for scores at the rim throwing multiple put back dunks down. The Duke commit pushed it off the defensive glass the length of the court for a dime.
Jackson Puts On Show Headlining Wings
The best wing on the floor in the scrimmage was North Carolina signee Ian Jackson. He was outstanding scoring 19 points being aggressive and efficient with his shot making. Made five triples in the game from all over the floor, but really likes the corners. Cuts well off the ball and can create with it in his hands off the bounce. Dylan Harper is a shooting guard from Don Bosco (NJ) that used his physicality pressuring full court and played some bully ball on takes along with hitting a corner triple. Montverde (FL) small forward Liam McNeely hit the game winner, but showed off much more than just that as he got fouled on several quick takes, was explosive taking it on the baseline, and pushed turning defense into offense. Closed it out with his elite shooting! Recently decommitted from Indiana and is the top uncommitted prospect in the country.
Fland Impresses Most of PGs in Scrimmage
Really liked what we saw from Archbishop Stepinac (NY) point guard Boogie Fland. The Kentucky commit is shifty with the rock in his hands. Plays so well off ball screens getting to the cup for soft touch finishes with either hand, pulling up in the mid-range, or using his crisp passing finding big men. Was electric with the rock! Tre Johnson had his moments as well. The Link Academy (MO) product will play in his home state of Texas for college. Hit an array of threes and showed explosiveness getting in the lane along with good feel passing in the paint.
Queen Continues to Shine Among Posts
Derik Queen might not be the most athletic big, but he might be the most productive. Throughout his entire career Queen has just produced no matter the setting. That continues here. The Montverde (FL) big man who is headed to Maryland stands at 6’9” and was dominant on the glass all day long. Very skilled from 15 feet in putting it on the deck and finishing in the pick/roll. Excellent rim runner, offensive rebounder, and finisher out of the dunker spot. Alabama commit Aiden Sherrell of Prolific Prep (CA) displayed his touch knocking down several fluid jumpers along with running the floor and being active on the offensive glass. Kansas commit Flory Bidunga out of Kokomo (IN) is the most physically and athletically gifted big in the class. He is a big time defender blocking and altering shots. A bit raw offensively he is good at playing within himself getting put backs for dunks, reverse layups, and finishing on dump off passes.