Nike Elite 100: 2021 Evals
The PrepHoops Network took in all four days of the prestigious Nike Elite 100 Camp last week. It was a great chance for us to see the premier young prospects in the country go head to head. Here are our evaluations of the 2021 players in attendance!
PF Caleb Furst (Blackhawk Christian HS, IN)
It’s hard to believe that Furst will just be entering his sophomore season of high school next year. Physically he is ready to play in college right now. Was impressed with his motor and getting on the offensive glass. He had multiple tip dunks cleaning up transition misses and was always in position for a pass that he could throw down a dunk. Defensively he didn’t back down one bit going after shots when opposing big men were trying to dunk on him. Quality skill level facing up being able to handle it some with a couple quick dribbles getting to the hoop. Potential on a mid-range jumper.
PG Jaden Hardy (Coronado HS, NV)
Hardy is trending as one of the premier guards in the 2021 class. The scoring point guard who is a native of Michigan can flat out get buckets. He did that scoring in a variety of ways with runners, dunks, and using his tremendous speed in transition. Also displayed he is more than just a bucket getter by throwing bullets to cutters and shooters during the event for assists.
PF Moussa Diabate (Florida Prep Academy, FL)
Diabate is a young big man from Florida that is super thin, but has broad shoulders. The center is a major shot blocking presence that protects the rim. Mostly upside at this point, but a lot to like down the line. The big man has great mobility on the interior as well as working in the pick and roll game with ease. He has a lethal right handed hook shot! Quick moves around the hoop. Will definitely have to add more strength, but he can really play right now and has a ton of developmental upside!
PF Jonathan Kuminga (Huntington Prep, WV)
The player that caught a ton of lobs over the weekend was Kuminga. The New York Rens post runs the floor extremely well for a big. This rim running post was rewarded consistently for his effort with passes on the money for dunks. Defensive presence with his length and timing. Huge ceiling as a prospect with his combination of athleticism and potential on both ends of the floor.
F Paolo Banchero (O’Dea HS, WA)
Thick bodied combo forward that excelled in transition. He has some scoring potential to his game for sure.
SF Pat Baldwin Jr. (Hamilton HS, WI)
Baldwin is one of my favorite 2021 prospects in the country and I think down the line has the potential to be the top player in his class. He measured in at 6’8” without shoes and has tremendous length. Smooth perimeter game that was shown in drills hitting jumpers and handling with ease. When the games started each day he struggled. Part of it was being played out of position at almost the five at times when he is clearly a perimeter threat. Only one big scoring game in the event. We are still huge fans of his ability as not just a scorer, but an all-around playmaker.
SF Terrence Clarke (The Rivers School, MA)
Clarke is trending as one of the premier 2021 prospects in the country. It is easy to see why with his projectable frame and athleticism. Tons of potential here! He has a smooth pull up jump shot that stretches out to three with ease. Effortless release from deep. Multiple quick finishes inside. Slippery slasher that slithers his way in through the defense for scores at the rim.
PF JT Thor (Huntington Prep, WV)
Thor is a thin and wiry 6’7” big man that will be at Huntington Prep next season. The big man displayed sound footwork and mobility in the drills. Was kind of quiet in the games, but there is a lot of developmental upside here.
C John Butler (Christ Church Episcopal, SC)
Butler is rail thin at 6’10” and only 165 pounds. Will need to add a ton of strength over the course of his career. Right now he is mostly a shot blocking presence and rim runner.
SG Adrian Griffin (Archbishiop Stepinac, NY)
Griffin is the son of a former NBA player and younger brother of Alan Griffin who is enrolling at Illinois this summer. He is a well built two guard with off the charts athleticism. Excels in the open floor while also showing flashes as a mid-range jump shooter. Tough rebounder for a guard and has the chance to be an above average on ball defender.
SF Obinna Anyanwu (Cathedral Catholic, CA)
Anyanwu is a high energy small forward at 6’6” that is super explosive in transition. He attacks with force and also drilled a top of the key three. Where he might have stood out the most however was defensively. Moves well laterally staying in front of his man and swats shots from the wing spot! Overall he is a high motor and physical perimeter player that drills mid-range jumpers for days, pounds the offensive glass, and is powerful scoring at the rim.
PG Zion Harmon (Marshall County HS, KY)
Harmon was a bit up and down throughout the week, but he helped lead his team to the championship game where he shined in the title contest. He is a scoring point guard that lacks size. Handles it very well creating space to get his shot off. Jumper started to fall and also won off the dribble and hit a few runners. Shot selection needs work and he over dribbles at times.
SG Aminu Mohammed (Archbishop John Carroll HS, MD)
This combo guard stood out to us with his ability to both pass and score. Sound perimeter shooter that connected on quite a few triples especially from the wings. He also threw some crisp passes and lobs on the money.
C Chuks Lucky Isitua (Cy Fair Learning Center, TN)
This 6’9” post has good length and is a plus rebounder in the paint. Cleared the glass on a regular basis. He converted several big dunks on dump off passes and even displayed a right handed hook. Also managed to tear the rim down in drills on Saturday morning with his powerful dunking.
C Franck Kepnang (The Macduffie School, MA)
Kepnang is a big time defensive presence! Protects the rim consistently game in and game out. Physical frame at 6’9” and 225 pounds. He is an elite rebounder as well snatching boards in traffic with his strong hands. Right now the defense is ahead of the offense, but it does show flashes. The best big in my opinion at Nike Elite 100. The post is built like a five year NBA pro with his upper body strength. He is college ready right now physically! Elite shot blocker with timing and he keeps the ball inbounds when he does swat them. Tremendous rebounder that grabs them both in and out of his area. Showed some skill with a couple hook shots and big dunks.
C Warren Kidd (The Rock, FL)
Kidd is a 6’8” 215 center that has brute strength in the paint. He competes on the glass with a high activity level. Very physical rebounder that can also swat shots. Most of his points came in the way of dunks.