Prep Hoops National Notebook: June’s Elite
Best of June. The Standouts from the U19 games and Elite 100 Camp plus the five national talents entering a new tax bracket.
Half of the Prep Hoops top dozen seniors are competing for the USA U19 team this winter and through two exhibitions Cade Cunningham has shined brightest.
Cade CunninghamU19 is 2-0
This year’s U19 World Cup (in Greece) opens play tomorrow against New Zealand but to get prepared for international basketball Bruce Weber’s team has played two exhibitions: vs Serbia and vs Greece. The American team rolled over Greece 72-58 but it took some late game plays from Cade Cunningham and Jalen Suggs to complete the 92-88 win over Serbia.
The U19 team is a mix of six college players and six 2020 talents that will be seniors in high school this fall. Those seniors are all Prep Hoops five star talents including Evan Mobley (ranked 1st in the nation), Jalen Green (3rd), Jalen Suggs (5th), Scottie Barnes (6th), Cade Cunningham (8th), and Ziaire Williams (12th). The individual results have been a mixed big.
Cade Cunningham was the exhibition series MVP scoring 31 points in two games on 14 of 22 field goal shooting. Throw in nine assists, five steals, and only a few mistakes turnover wise and you have the top performer heading into World Cup play. Cunningham had the late game basket versus Serbia that was essentially the game winner.
Jalen Suggs has not shot the ball well (6 of 22 from the floor) but overall he’s been the team’s second leading scorer (20 points in two games) and one of the most dependable players. Suggs was on the floor putting the game away from the foul line versus Serbia. Jalen Green has also been relied on as a scoring threat producing 17 points on 7 of 16 shooting in the two contests.
Scottie Barnes had an excellent game against Serbia producing 14 points on 7 of 9 shooting. Barnes struggled versus Greece but bounced back on Thursday. Evan Mobley and Ziaire Williams have been limited in minutes because their production has been minimal so far.
Emoni Bates
Nike Elite 100 Camp – Top 8 Performers
Prep Hoops National Analyst Scott Burgess has been in St. Louis this weekend for the Nike Elite 100 Camp (for 2021 and 2022 talents) and providing daily updates for Prep Hoops readers and followers. At this point eight names have stood out at the event with Burgess supplying a quick detail on each player. For that we go… Basketball in Bullet Points!
- Paolo Banchero (6-9 forward from Washington, ranked 5th).
“(Paolo) 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.” – Scott Burgess
- Emoni Bates (6-8 forward from Michigan, a 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.” – Scott Burgess
- Moussa Cisse (6-11 forward from New York, ranked 11th).
“Opened up showing a mid-range jumper which he banked in to begin the game. Crashed the offensive glass strong for rebounds. Threw down several thunderous jams and displayed quickness on the interior. Elite level shot blocker with great timing!” – Scott Burgess
- Zion Cruz (6-3 guard from New Jersey, 2022).
“At 6’3” (Cruz) 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. Works very well in the pick and roll.” – Scott Burgess
- Chet Holmgren (7-0 center from Minnesota, ranked 10th).
“(Chet) held his own against Kepnang who is over 50 pounds heavier than him. Maybe the best rim protector in the country. Blocks shots on the perimeter, recovers to swat shots, comes from the weakside, and can block shots straight up. Skilled offensive player who stretches the floor with his shooting and can drive off the bounce.” – Scott Burgess
- Franck Kepnang (6-10 center from Pennsylvania, ranked 19th).
“The physical 6’10” 230 pound center lived on the offensive glass getting second chance opportunities on a regular basis. Big time defender that protects the rim swatting shots left and right.” – Scott Burgess
- Jonathan Kuminga (6-8 forward from New York, ranked 3rd).
“(Kuminga’s) jumper has become much more consistent over the last year. Clean looking jumper. Such an explosive burst getting to the rim. When he gets his broad shoulders squared and going downhill he is an absolute force!” – Scott Burgess
- Langston Love (6-3 guard from Texas, ranked 10th).
“This kid just has a natural scoring ability with his ability to get to the hoop, but his jumper is a major weapon. Love drilled three after three on Thursday. He can hit them off the catch or pulling up for triples.” – Scott Burgess
Dawson Garcia
Qualifying for a New Tax Bracket
Major conference college basketball fans don’t like to acknowledge that certain scholarship offers are more coveted than others. However, those fans know a big offer when they see one. When players begin reeling in offers from a small handful of schools, they have hit that certified Five Star/McDonald’s All American category. What players have recently hit that level? Four guys ranked in the early 30s of the spring Prep Hoops top 250 ranking resort plus a Minnesota big hearing from all the blue bloods.
Caleb Love. Caleb is a 6-foot-3 guard out of Missouri ranked 30th in the nation when Prep Hoops last sorted the rankings. In the last month North Carolina and Arizona have offered Love adding to extensions from national champion Virginia, Kansas, Indiana, Louisville, and several others.
Cam’Ron Fletcher. Fletcher entered June with a Michigan State offer but in the past two weeks North Carolina and Kansas have offered as has UCLA. Cam’Ron is another Missouri backcourt competitor who is about to move up in national rankings with outstanding summer play.
Dawson Garcia. The Minnesota forward earned a college opportunity from Arizona in May but his performance at the NBPA Top 100 Camp and MBCA Showcase led to recent offers from Kansas, North Carolina, and national runner-up Texas Tech. Garcia is a 6-foot-10/6-foot-11 forward ranked in the top 25 but Prep Hoops and 247 Sports, with calls now also coming in from Kentucky and Duke.
Hunter Dickinson. A seven foot Maryland center ranked 32nd in the nation performed well at the NBPA top 100 camp. National champion Virginia offered the local big long ago but in the past week North Carolina, Michigan, and Tennessee stepped into the mix while other top programs are on the verge.
Jabri Abdur-Rahim. Jabri picked up early offers as a young talent from Michigan State, Kansas, and Arizona and two years later Villanova, UCLA, and national champion Virginia have stepped forward with recent offers. Jabri is a 6-foot-6 wing that’s currently ranked a top 35 talen.