SMU
Shake Milton6-7, PG, Sophomore
11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4-11 FG, 3-8 3FG
Shake Milton has some incredible measurements for a point guard. At 6-7 with a 6-11 wingspan, he towers over his defenders when he's bringing the ball up the floor. He struggled to shoot it in this game, but he's shooting 42.5% from 3 on 5.5 attempts per game this season. He should be able to finish in traffic given his size, wingspan, and athleticism.
Defensively, he left me wanting more. Didn't really see him utilize his length both the USC players as much. Late in the game, Melton was able to get to his spots easier than you'd expect. Milton has a pretty high handle as well, something that could be a problem if smaller guys try to get up into him and pressure him. He got himself in trouble with his decision making late as well, driving and taking bad shots in traffic. He settled for deep contested threes at times too. Milton has all the potential in the world to be one of the better point guards in a deep and loaded point guard draft, he just left me wanting more.
Sterling Brown
6-6, SF, Senior
17 points, 6 rebounds, 7-12 FG, 3-4 3FG
Sterling Brown has a nice frame at 6-6, 230 pounds. His athleticism and movements for a wing player at that size is nice. On top of that, he's an elite shooter who sprays from all over the arc. He doesn't have any dribble drive game outside of a straight line drive, which is a tad disappointing and might keep him from being a legit prospect. If you like big bodied wings who can guard multiple positions and shoot, then he might be worth a flier.
Semi Ojeleye
6-7, PF, Junior
24 points, 10 rebounds, 8-20 FG, 2-6 3FG
The Duke transfer has been a handful for opponents in his first season with the Mustangs. He is a thick 235 and can really get up. He's 6-7 with a 6-11 wingspan and attacks the glass with vengeance. He skied for a thunderous dunk in the second half. He doesn't look well moving laterally at times, which could hinder him defensively. He is long and plays hard, combine that with his body and athleticism and he might be able to hide some of that.
Offensively, Ojeleye looks to have the full package. His jump shot is automatic from mid range and even stretches out to three (42.8% from 3 on the season). The only reservation I would have with him is that he doesn't really look to pass, making him less enticing as a small ball four. He doesn't have the one on one scoring punch outside of bully ball to believe that he can get by with that in the league. He can be a floor spacer and a ball screen pop guy at the next level, and his toughness and body will help him compete with NBA athletes. He could win people over in the draft process this spring.
Ben Moore
6-8, C, Senior
5 points, 4 rebounds
Moore has been extremely productive in his senior season with SMU, averaging 11.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game on 56.7% shooting. The only problem is, outside of the effort level, it doesn't seem like there is much there to work with at the next level. He tries hard defensively but his feet are generally slow moving laterally. He had trouble with both Boatwright and Metu when he guarded them. Boatwright especially didn't have a problem creating shots against him. Offensively, he's pretty limited to lob dunks and soft spot catches. If he is going to succeed as a pro, it will have to be as backup small ball 5.
USC
Chimezie Metu6-9, C, Sophomore
14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 8-9 FT
Metu is the most enticing prospect on USC's team. He is slightly undersized for a center, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for it with his athleticism. He is a nice rim protector, although playing in the middle of a zone makes it easier to funnel guys towards him at the rim. He is kind of stiff moving his feet, but he gives effort on both ends and really embraces his role as a rim protector and a ball screener. He hustles to the glass and competes, despite only weighing 210 pounds.
The most impressive part of Metu's game that stood out was his passing. He was able to whip passes on a short roll right to the open man. In addition to that, his free throw line stroke has great touch, showing that he might be able to be a guy who can stretch the floor at some point. A late bloomer and already 20 years old, Metu is a guy who I would take a chance on if he comes out. Add weight, hone his skills, and really tap into his motor.
Bennie Boatwright
6-10, PF, Sophomore
14 points, 6 rebounds, 6-10 FG, 2-5 3FG
Boatwright is looking to shoot first, second, and third, and in this game, he had success with it. He has a nice one dribble pull up and his quick, high release helps him get it off no matter what the air space is. He's very aggressive in hunting his own shot, rarely looking to pass. He needs to embrace being a playmaking four, which could be deadly with how well he shoots the ball.
Doesn't look to give too much effort on defense, although he did have six rebounds in this game. His slight frame at 220 pounds needs to get stronger in order for him to be able to hold his own on the glass against bigger players. Boatwright could be a really good prospect that ends up making himself some money as a pro. Needs to improve a lot of the intangible things about his game in order to make that happen.
Elijah Stewart
6-5, SG, Junior
22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 8-15 FG, 6-13 3FG
Elijah Stewart has one clear translatable NBA skill: he can flat out shoot it. 13 of his 15 field goals in the game were threes. Every time he touched the ball, it was going up. His stroke is quick and he elevates well. He has some athletic tools that are enticing as well, including a stand still two foot dunk off an out of bounds play. Would've liked to see how he can guard in man instead of zone because he looks to have the physical tools needed to be a solid defensive player. Who knows whether he'll come back to school or not, but he is a guy who has a chance to impress in workouts.
De'Anthony Melton
6-4, PG, Freshman
4 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
Melton struggled to put his fingerprints on this game until late. He has some nice physical tools, especially with his long arms and lateral quickness. He showed off some decent vision at times, but its hard to showcase your offensive creativity when guys like Boatwright and Stewart are shooting it every time they touch the ball. Melton will be a guy who could look a lot better playing on a team where he can hound opposing ball handlers and play in a style that is conducive to sharing and ball movement. Looking forward to keeping tabs on him in his sophomore season.
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