I will have the other 2 questions I asked typed up later on.
Q: Any follow up thoughts on the G League and top prospects exploring options of going Pro rather than going to college?
A: “Honestly, all of this has been a whirlwind for all of us. I can’t imagine how flexible and accommodating college coaches have to be now; not to mention, how creative they need to be. I do not see the G League going away. In fact, I have heard that they might be turning it up another notch for the 2021 recruits. I do feel that we will soon see maybe half of the top 15/20 players opt for the G League. Now where will this will really impact college basketball will be when kids can go straight to the NBA Draft out of HS. Then those top 20 players will enter the draft and that next tier of 20-35 may take a long look at the G League. “
Q: Do you have any tidbits you might have heard about any of the Duke 2020 commits.
A: “Well, all any of us do (scouts) is watch more and more clips and video on the players. So this has become our new “norm”. As far as the Duke players:
Q: Any follow up thoughts on the G League and top prospects exploring options of going Pro rather than going to college?
A: “Honestly, all of this has been a whirlwind for all of us. I can’t imagine how flexible and accommodating college coaches have to be now; not to mention, how creative they need to be. I do not see the G League going away. In fact, I have heard that they might be turning it up another notch for the 2021 recruits. I do feel that we will soon see maybe half of the top 15/20 players opt for the G League. Now where will this will really impact college basketball will be when kids can go straight to the NBA Draft out of HS. Then those top 20 players will enter the draft and that next tier of 20-35 may take a long look at the G League. “
Q: Do you have any tidbits you might have heard about any of the Duke 2020 commits.
A: “Well, all any of us do (scouts) is watch more and more clips and video on the players. So this has become our new “norm”. As far as the Duke players:
- Jalen Johnson: “The few guys that I have spoken with about him seem to be very high on him and how he has handled his development during this pandemic. I’ve read reports that he has grown to about 6-9 and one of the guys I have spoken to confirmed that it might be accurate. The biggest thing I have heard on him is that he has filled out and might be 220+ and he appears to be more athletic or at least displaying his athleticism more in his game when he attacks the basket.”
- Henry Coleman: “I’ve heard he has been working out in VA with some of the other guys from the area that are already in college. One of the guys I know said he is around 250 and chiseled. Very strong base and upper body. It will worth watching to see if he gets a role this coming season.”
- DJ Steward: “I’ve heard the most about him. This kid has an edge about him. Always working to improve. Another Scout said that if he is a 14-15ppg player this year and can show he can at least facilitate an offense, that he could be an AOD player and potentially taken in the late 1st round.”
- Jaemyn Brakefield: “All I’ve heard is he is on a mission to prove him-self and that he feels he was undervalued in the rankings. I’ve see some of his videos and he sure is talented for a kid his size. Not sure how he will be used at Duke because he has the mentality of more of a wing player than a 4, but he has all of the necessary skills to be a 4 in college.”
- Mark Williams: “First word from one of the Scouts is that he is extremely long. A legit 7-0/7-1 and pushing 240. But what was also mentioned was his 7-6 wing span. The Scout said that Williams moves really well and looks to have put it all together where he has finally figured out how to use his body.”
- Jeremy Roach: “This is the guy that I feel most might kind of be overlook, but he is a true talent. One of the Scouts recently told me, that Roach is going to be the next loved PG at Duke. The Scout saw a pick up video where not only was Jeremy being Jeremy the PG but also throwing down thunderous dunks and playing with a nastiness to him. If he brings that to Duke, watch out. I know he gets a lot of comparisons to Tre Jones and even Chris Duhon, but Roach is a major alpha dog and is a fiery competitor, so he won’t back down from any challenges. Seeing him battle Love (from UNC) in at least 2 games will be a lot of fun to watch. “
I do have some news that might excite Duke fans. I was able to catch up with a guy that saw Patrick Tape’ a few times since COVID-19, and that scout walked away very impressed. He told me that Patrick is very clean in the post offensive and was pretty much automatic scoring the ball when in the paint. He said that he is much bigger than he thought because he is at least 20-25lbs heavier, in a good way, as in more physically developed, than his 220 listing. He said Patrick moves very well, plays under control and just seems to read the game so well.”
