Nike Elite 100: Wednesday Standouts

Nike Elite 100 was another great day of action in St. Louis on Wednesday for the top 2021and 2022 prospects nationally. Here are the standout prospects from the day.   SF Kalen Etzler (Crestview, OH – 2021) Etzler is skilled small forward with solid athleticism. Plus three point shooter that rebounded well. Got on the offensive glass for a couple put backs. Etzler opened up a lot of eyes this week with his play!   F KJ Adams (Westlake, TX – 2021) Adams is a physical 6’6” combo forward that plays with an extremely high-motor. Does most of his damage on the interior getting on the glass and using quick takes from the mid-post. Good footwork and mobility on the interior. In the night game he showed off an explosive second jump and threw down a sick 360 dunk.   C Frank Anselem (Lincoln, GA – 2021) Anselem is an intriguing post at 6’8” with a strong frame. Runs the floor well. Finishes around the hoop. Tough area rebounder. Plays hard.   SF Bryce Hopkins (Fenwick, IL – 2021) Hopkins had a nice day on Wednesday. The thick bodied combo forward displayed his skill set in 3 on 3 work. Mid-range jumper was falling. Put it on the deck multiple times for scores. Just an all-around skilled floor game.   SG Luke Goode (Homestead, IN – 2021) Goode stands at 6’6” and is a big time perimeter marksmen. High level three point shooter that has a clean release. Decent athlete that competes on the defensive end of the floor.   G Zion Cruz (Hudson Catholic, NJ – 2022) Cruz has been one of the more consistent performers from the guard spot this week. At 6’3” this kid is a creative scorer that can get buckets from all three levels. Got to the rim at a very high rate where he finishes with athleticism. Capable shooter with deep range on his pull up out to beyond the arc. Shot got better as the week went along. Also flashes combo guard skills as he is an adequate distributor making quick passes on the interior. Works very well in the pick and roll.   C Moussa Cisse (Christ the King, NY – 2021) Cisse continued his strong showing at camp with another excellent outing on Wednesday afternoon. He opened up showing a mid-range jumper which he banked in to begin the game. Crashed the offensive glass strong for rebounds that he quickly put back in. Threw down several thunderous jams and displayed quickness on the interior. Elite level shot blocker with great timing!   PF Paolo Banchero (O’Dea, WA – 2021) Wednesday was our first extensive look at the top 5 2021 prospect from the Northwest. He has great size and strength at 6’9”. He is without question the definition of the new age four man. Plays inside-out with a ton of mobility. Gets to the rim from the mid-post with such an explosive burst off the bounce. His combination of quickness and power make him such a tough cover. Potential as a developing jump shooter.   F Jonathan Kuminga (Our Savior New American, NY – 2021) Kuminga continues to make a very strong case for the top spot in the country in the rising junior class. He is a strong combo forward with a terrific physical profile. Broad shouldered, strong, and is an elite level athlete. That along with his skill and high-motor make him such an intriguing prospect. When he slashes to the rim it is with a purpose and you are about to get put on a poster! Finishes very well inside. Can score from all three levels as his jumper is an evolving weapon. Potential to be a lock down multi-positional defender with the way he plays on that end of the floor.   PF Jalen Washington (Gary West, IN – 2022) Washington is a 6’7” four man with a 7’2” wingspan. Made a major impression on scouts and NBA personnel alike with his play on Wednesday. Pick and pop four who can stretch the floor with his shooting to out beyond the three point arc with consistency. Very comfortable and has good shot preparation. Defensively he competes inside despite his lack of strength and has shot blocking ability.   PG Kennedy Chandler (Briarcest Christian, TN – 2021) Chandler is a 5’11” floor general that is one of the smaller guards at the camp, but he pushes with speed and has athleticism. That was shown off when he got a steal and went the other way for a slam. Quick twitched athlete that makes plays with the ball in his hands.   SF Terrence Clarke (Brewster Academy, NH – 2021) Clarke got his first action of the camp on Wednesday and there is a lot to like with his skill and athleticism. Long and wiry small forward that has a high basketball IQ and an overall silky smooth game. He slashes from the wings and gets to the rim with relative ease. Plays hard and got some junk points on the offensive glass.   SG Chris Livingston (Akron Buchtel, OH – 2022) Livingston is a freak show athlete with great length that has a lot of long term potential. Just flat out explosive attacking the cup. Most effective at this stage getting downhill and playing in transition.   SG Dallan Coleman (West Nassau, FL – 2021) Coleman has an elite jump shot and man did he show it off drilling jumpers from all over the floor. His mid-range game was superb throughout the day. Also was a capable shot maker from beyond the arc.   SF Pierre Brooks (Detroit Fredrick Douglass Academy, MI – 2021) Brooks is a thick bodied wing that plays with a lot of toughness and can drill shots. Knocked down an array of threes moving well without the ball to get open. Did it in both the morning and night session on Wednesday. Plus shooter with a low release point.   SF Emoni Bates (Lincoln, MI – 2022) Bates is without question the top prospect in the country regardless of class. In my first extensive look at him he has about everything you could want in an elite prospect with his size, shot making, and ability to get to the rack on straight line drives. Explosive getting to the rim and makes feathery jump shots. Would like to see him pass a little more and better to round out his game.   C Enoch Boakye (Glen Harris Prep, CA – 2022) Boakye is a big and physical center that played with a lot of power on the interior. Carved out deep post position and finished with force. Good area rebounder.   PG Bobby Pettiford (South Granville, NC -2021) This point guard out of the state of North Carolina isn’t the tallest, but this kid has speed and athleticism. Pass first point guard that pushes. Burst with the ball in his hands and has some hesitation. Got to the hoop with consistency and showed off his athleticism with a pin block.   SG Kobe Bufkin (Grand Rapids Christian, MI – 2021) Bufkin is a silky smooth two guard and the lefty can score it. Smooth in transition. Angular body that has range on his shot out to three. Gets to the rim. Had a super explosive dunk. A lot of upside.