Jordan Brand Classic: 5 Takeaways

Scott Burgess April 21, 2024 @ 08:38 PM

Dylan Harper was flat out special! The Rutgers commit who is from New Jersey put on a show with his shot making from the perimeter. He drained seven from beyond the arc including the game winner in an elam ending style format! Can shoot it off the catch, but is also outstanding on step backs and creating on his own. Physical guard that brings toughness getting downhill, gets after it defensively, and is a solid passer. Plays with flair and pushes in the open floor. Went for 30 points.

Duke Commits Will Provide Instant Impact

There were Duke commits all over the floor and they each made impacts. Let's start with the headliner in top ranked Cooper Flagg. The Montverde (FL) product opened the contest with a sweet post up for a left-handed hook shot. Hit a pull up, explosive baseline take, and pushed off the defensive glass in transition. Threw down a nice transition jam from his high school teammate as well going for 17 points. Competitiveness, defense, rebounding, and passing were all shown in this one from the probable top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Kon Knueppel out of Wisconsin Lutheran (WI) can flat out shoot it, but in this game it was his athleticism scoring on sweeping layups and using his toughness scoring 8 points. North Mecklenberg (NC) small forward Isaiah Evans is a long and fluid shot maker that was draining tough shots with his feathery stroke all night from both two and three including a very difficult turnaround for 10 points. Big man Patrick Ngongba from Paul VI (VA) is a true five that is pushing seven foot. Physical on the glass and finishes through contact. Darren Harris is a shot maker that flashed some of that.

Rock Solid PG/Combo Class Shows Off Steady Play

The point guard/combo group has different types of guards, but all-around they are a solid group. Link Academy (MO) Tre Johnson is probably the top ranked prospect of the position. The future Texas lead guard has good size, fluid handles, and is a plus shot maker as he notched 11 points. Also headed to the Big 12 is Baylor commit Robert Wright from Montverde (FL). Compact lead guard that makes others better with his passing and feel for running a team. Can also knock down threes and has body control when attacking off the bounce as he had 10 points. Archbishop Wood (PA) combo guard Jalil Bethea brings elite explosion and athleticism to the position. He is an electric passer that accelerates with the ball in his hands. He is headed to Miami (FL). Uncommitted and former Kentucky commit Boogie Fland out of Archbishop Stepinac (NY) is the top unsigned lead guard on the board. Shifty ball handler that drops dimes in bunches and has speed going end to end. UConn loves their physical two way guards and they are getting one in Ahmad Nowell out of Imhotep (PA). Built like a running back he is a force in the open floor and getting in the paint. Scored 6 points.

McNeely's Shooting Display Leads Wing Group

Montverde (FL) small forward Liam McNeely was lights out as a shot maker in this one! The recent decommitment from Indiana did what he is best at which is his three point marksmanship. Drained five of them including several off movement. More than just a shooter he scored on sweeping layups, rim runs, and can also really pass for a wing netting 25 points. His high school teammate Asa Newell who is a Georgia commit had some flashes in the first half of what makes him special with his size, athleticism, and elite shot making from three notching 12 points. Baylor commit VJ Edgecombe from Long Island Lutheran (NY) showed flashes of what make him a top 5 player in the class. Plus athleticism and two way impact. Drained a pair of threes, burst to the cup, and had a put back for 10 points. Northwood (NC) shooting guard Drake Powell is one of the better shot creators for himself in this class. The North Carolina commit hit a sweet mid-range jumper, three ball, and had multiple scores around the basket with his athleticism for 13 points. Arizona commit Carter Bryant of Centennial (CA) is a favorite of mine. Big wing with a smooth game. He impacted defensively and flashed his smooth shooting stroke.

Big 10 Commits Queen and Johnson along with Uncommitted Quaintance Shine Inside

When it comes to the big men Maryland commit Derik Queen shined again. He is Mr. Consistency! The Montverde (FL) five man is an old school big that just gets the job done. So crafty around the hoop scoring in the post using elite footwork, touch, and can finish with either hand. Also runs the floor well, has solid ball skills, and is starting to stretch with his shot as he notched 20 points. Thornton (IL) big man Morez Johnson brought some intensity late just like he did in the Nike Hoop Summit. The athletic four man got on the glass for a pair of put backs and hit a couple turn around jumpers for 8 points. The energy that he brings is what is going to make him an instant impact guy in the Big 10 for Illinois. Word of God (NC) post Jayden Quaintance recently decommitted from Kentucky and is one of the best values in the class considering how young he is and he will have to play in college at least two years because he isn't eligible for the NBA Draft until 2026. Like the athleticism, fluidity, and energy he brings inside along with the bounce as a finisher going for 6 points.