Adidas Gauntlet: 2019 Wings
The first live period is over and now comes the notes. We are searching through our book and seeing who stood out and made a name for themselves. Here is our evaluations from Adidas Gauntlet Gold this past weekend. These are our notes from the best wings from what we saw.
Matt Hurt – 6’9 / SF / 2019 / John Marshall (MN) / DI Minnesota 2019
Matt is an elite wing with great size and skill along the wing. He’s extremely versatile and can play inside just as well as outside but his ball handling and shooting is so good that it is hard to pull him away from the ball. However, he’s got good footwork in the post and the length and athleticism allows him to finish around anyone, even against size/length. The motor is what drives everything and he’s not going to have an off game because of it. At 6’9, he’s more of a guard than a forward.
Patrick McCaffery – 6’8 / SF / 2019 / Iowa City West (IA) / DI Minnesota 2019
McCaffery is a tall wing with good handles but a thin frame that will need to add more strength to. He is a very active player, willing to attack the boards and be physical and using his length well. As he adds strength more, his production should go up. Didn’t shoot the ball particularly well but was much better off the bounce. Good handles for his size and the skill will eventually play up once the strength comes.
Ben Fort – 6’5 / SF / 2019 / Reynoldsburg (OH) / EG10 2019
Ben is a tall wing with tons of length and quite a bit of athleticism. He’s pretty solid with the ball in his hands and he can create offense from the perimeter with it. Best when he can get into the midrange as he pull-up off the dribble is solid. He’s pretty solid in the half court but will need to clean up the jumper from distance just a bit. However, the combination of his driving ability, mid-range game, and his athleticism provide an intriguing prospect.
Michael Moreno – 6’6 / SF / 2019 / Scott County (KY) / Indiana Elite 2019
Moreno is a big, bruising wing with the shooting ability and athleticism to stay and produce. While he’s a really big wing, the mobility and ball handling will transition to college and defensively, he gives you options to where he can defend 2-4. His jumper has really improved and is near deadly when he’s rolling. Playing with a little more physicality as others have caught up physically. Big strides over the last year.
Mattia Acunzo – 6’8 / SF / 2019 / Kennedy Catholic (PA) / ITPS Wildcats 2019
Mattia is a big forward with a strong lower half and has the ability to shoot well from the perimeter. He’s probably built more as a small ball four but is pretty mobile and can play around the wing. He has handles and can create a little bit from the arc but isn’t particularly quick right now, more physical. Best in the mid-range where he shoots off the catch or creates space to get a shot off.
Maceo Austin – 6’5 / SG / 2019 / Kennedy Catholic (PA) / ITPS Wildcats 2019
Maceo is a tall guard with really solid handles and tons of length. Defensively, he’s really good and will give you lots of options with switching. He’s really adept as a creator and can shoot it pretty well on the perimeter and with consistency. High energy kid that plays well against athleticism as he can keep pace and disrupt their game. Really good rebounder as well that isn’t afraid to mix it up inside.
Akol Arop – 6’6 / SF / 2019 / Creighton Prep (NE) / OSA Crusaders 2019
Akol is a thin wing with tremendous athleticism and bounce. He’s a little raw with the skill but ball handling has allowed him to develop at a quicker pace. He’s not a great perimeter shooter yet, getting a bit better than last year. However, he’s very efficient in the paint. Ball handling has allowed his creation ability in the 15’ and in range to grow. Solid wing prospect now but if that jumper finally catches, he’s going to rise up boards quick.