There are many that consider Nate Davis to be the best high school basketball player in South Dakota right now. If that is something you believe, or don't believe, there is no arguing that he is an outstanding talent. Today PHD checks on his junior year video to see what makes him the player he is.
Notes
- The first thing you notice in his video is how well Nate moves. If a defense isn't in the right position this is a guy that is going to burst into space before defenders can react routinely. That was seen immediately when he cut behind his man for a catch and assist as well as an attacking score.
- Range, man does Nate seem to have some range. Defenders have a hard enough time being motivated to defend out to the arc much less a step outside of the arc so if Nate routinely can hit that with a good percentage he's a weapon at the next level in his early years.
- When Davis is coming down hill at a defender they seem frozen. He has a little hesitation fake that freezes guys and then he either blows around them at top speed or easily dumps off to a teammate.
- Definitely has more vision on the move than I have seen before. He has a feel for where his teammates are going to be and is able to draw in the defense and then zip away an assist at the perfect timing. Loving the creation on the attack for teammates.
- Would like to point out the shooting range again. Contested or not, Davis seems to have serious range.
- There are some flashy assists too my goodness. The behind the back early was high quality as have been a couple of the no-looks. Don't want to get caught up in flare but these are pretty plays made against a fully rotating defense.
- Right handed but has no issue finishing with his left around the rim it seems. That's big because at the next level he's going to have to score over size when he's transitioning on the break and if you can extend with the left you have a big advantage.
- So many zips and dump offs on the move after getting into space going at the rim, this is a guy that you have to move with because in the end he will reward you for moving without the ball.
- Not big on the wind-up starting at the waist but I really love the form and touch at the arc. Oh, and did I mention the range?
Bottom Line
This junior year video shows the shooting touch we've seen, it shows the attacking athlete we saw over the summer, and it shows a guy that can push the pace with some of the best. What the video also shows that was somewhat knew to PHD was the range on the perimeter touch and definitely the court vision and playmaking when attacking the paint. Nate is an outstanding creator on the move.
