NBPA Top 100 Scouting: East Coast/Midwest Underclassmen (Part 1)
The NBPA Top 100 camp took place last week from Wednesday through Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA. The goal of the camp is to take some of the best talent around the country and have them compete in a controlled environment, all while learning from current and former NBA players what it takes to make it to the NBA and what it’s like once you make it there. The atmosphere was great, as there was tons of talent throughout the gym, national scouts everywhere and competitive games from the beginning to the end. It was a great place to evaluate, and over the next few days I will be giving my take and breaking down the game of some of the top performers I saw (there was no way I could see everyone). Here’s a look at part one of the best underclassmen from the east coast and midwest.
Armando Bacot | 6’9” PF | Trinity Episcopal 2019 (VA)
The closest prospect to Charlottesville, Bacot didn’t get off to the best start because like many big men, he struggled to get involved when others weren’t throwing him the basketball. However, once he started running the floor and hitting the glass, his teammates started seeing how talented he was and he started cooking in the low post! He finished the camp tied for the best rebounder at 7.7 per game, and despite not scoring in double figures on the first day he still managed to average 11.2 points per game in nine games. He saved his best for last too, scoring 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting, grabbing nine rebounds and blocking two shots in the championship game even though they lost. While he may not be the new school big man that’s a crazy athlete, there may not be a more skilled big man in the 2019 class offensively. Bacot is so patient in the post, he scores with both hands, has good feel against double teams and everything seems to come so natural to him that I have to explain to people that he is playing hard it just looks easy. Despite his slow start, Bacot was still named to the All Star team because of his stellar play down the stretch.
Scottie Lewis | 6’5” WF | Ranney School 2019 (NJ)
Lewis made me a fan when I saw him a few years ago, and the more I watch him the more I think he’s a future pro. He has great length for a wing, and what makes it even better is that he’s a freak athlete and he knows how to use his athleticism on both ends of the floor. He’s a versatile defender that can sit down and guard the ball, and he’s also a smart and heady off ball defender that jumps passing lanes and always makes the right rotations when he’s in help side where he’s athletic enough to come over and block shots on driving guards. He’s a blur in transition, plays with pace in the half court set and he’s an efficient shot maker from all three levels that takes what the defense gives him. What’s most impressive is how well rounded he is. He makes the right play with the ball in his hands, rebounds on both ends of the floor and even if he isn’t getting the ball he’s finding a way to impact the game, which is why he was named to the All Star team and was possibly the best wing defender at the camp.
Cole Anthony | 6’2” PG | Archbishop Molloy 2019 (NY)
One of the most dynamic and exciting point guards at the camp, Anthony was a favorite for everyone to follow, especially the highlight guys who couldn’t get enough of his athleticism and playmaking abilities. Son of former NBA star Greg Anthony, Cole wasted no time making his presence felt, going for 19 points, nine assists and six rebounds in the second game of the event. He has natural ability off the bounce, is an athletic and strong finisher and is a walking highlight in transition and in downhill scenarios. He gets in the lane effortlessly in both isolation and pick-and-roll situations, and because he’s such a gifted scorer from all three levels he draws the eyes of defenders and he can make plays for others when they come over in help side. He’s not only dynamic with the ball in his hands, but he’s also a lock down defender when guarding the ball, as he was named the EYBL defensive player of the year. He finished averaging 13.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, and was named to the All Star team.
Matthew Hurt | 6’9” F | John Marshall Rochester 2019 (MN)
Talk about a new aged hybrid forward, Hurt is exactly that in an athletic 6’9” frame. He runs the floor well, can guard players on the perimeter and in the post, and he’s an efficient and talented scorer from all three levels that doesn’t need many shots to fill it up. He shot it extremely well across the board, going 55.4% from the field, 43.3% from deep and 93.3% from the line. He was consistent throughout the camp, but really stepped it up on Saturday for the playoffs despite his team being knocked out in the semifinals. He was arguably the best player on the floor in those two games, finishing with 19 points and 14 rebounds in the first game and 22 points and 10 rebounds in the second game. He’s immensely talented, unselfish and a high IQ player that should see interest from every big name school you can think of.
Christian Brown | 6’7” WF | AC Flora 2019 (SC)
Energy, energy, energy is the way to describe Brown. He’s a big, strong wing that plays fast in transition and bullies smaller wings in the paint. He’s super athletic and fearless with his athleticism, as he’ll play above the rim in traffic and isn’t afraid to step over or chase down to block a dunk attempt. He can handle in transition, shoot it from deep and is versatile enough to play all over the floor. He can get out of control at times, but you don’t want to stop the intensity and energy he plays with because it makes him the impact player that he is.