adidas Invitational: Standout 2021 Forwards
Indianapolis hosted the adidas Invitational to kick-off the July Live Period in the Midwest. Although events in Chicago, Louisville, and Atlantic City pulled various teams from the Great Lakes region away from this typically-strong event in 2018, plenty of coaches found recruiting gems.
Unlike the college coaches who primarily evaluated 17U all weekend, we came in with the goal of watching anyone who we didn’t see this spring. That will reveal itself later in the 2019 and 2020 recaps more than anything. However, full disclosure, we are lacking in our knowledge of the 2021 class going into July. So, we began adhering to that problem by watching nearly every Ohio 15U team in the event.
David Larkins, 6’5” F, All Ohio Wolves / Elder
Larkins is a wide forward with a body suited for the football field and physical rebounding battles at the rim. While Larkins mostly impressed with his scoring touch on post-ups, he also has upside as a face-up four that can put it on the floor on a straight-line move. Everything was very efficient offensively.
We also were impressed with his effort on defense. He closed out with hustle and showed above average feet for a big man on switches in the pick-and-roll. A couple inches in height would Larkins’ bruising below-the-rim style, but he’s an intriguing forward regardless.
AJ Braun, 6’6” F/C, Cincinnati Royals – Blue / Bishop Fenwick
In an earlier evaluation, we applauded Braun for his ability to finish through contact. But, it turns out he brings a lot more to the table than we first realized. Sure, Braun is still a bruiser when necessary and created post entry lanes with his size this weekend. But Braun also pushed the ball on defensive rebounds and hit a 3-pointer for CRB. His activity and skill are signs of good things to come.
Nolan Loring, 6’6” C, Cincinnati Royals – Blue / Seven Hills
The CRB back-up big man came in and played with a ton of energy on Thursday afternoon. His chippy style of play and eagerness to throw a bow frustrated his matchup while Loring finished second chance opportunities. Loring isn’t a vertical athlete by any means, but his strong body gives him an advantage. Needs to improve his body control and shooting touch.
Jack Pugh, 6’5” W/F, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite 16U / Hilliard Bradley
Pugh continues to get better as time goes on. Friday afternoon was by far the best we’d ever seen out of the D-I prospect. The powerful combo forward always plays with a sense of aggression — an attribute coaches can be excited about, given the consistent fire inside of him. He was attacking the defensive passing lanes and came away with three interceptions in the first half alone. Pugh turned those into a two-hand dunk, a reverse dunk, and a crossover into a behind-the-back assist. As he consistently shows this level of skill, Pugh will demand the attention of MM/HM coaches.