Was just curious how our guys ranked back in HS (Rivals). We seem to have a lot of late bloomers. Dame -- 2008, unranked, 12 offers. CJ -- 2009, unranked, 1 offer Hood -- 2011, #16, 4 offers Collins -- 2016, #21, 18 offers Whiteside -- 2009, #87, 11 offers Simons -- 2018, #10, 17 offers Bazemore -- 2007, unranked, 1 offer Trent Jr, -- 2017, #18, 15 offers Little -- 2018, #2, 35 offers (including ivy league schools, higher than Zion!) Skal -- 2016, #1, 8 offers (higher than Ben Simmons/Ingram/Mitchell) Tolliver -- 2003, unranked, 3 offers Hoard -- 2018, #27, 9 offers Skal and Little were so hyped back in HS while entering college. Interesting nature v nurture kinda debate here to see how college affected their stocks. Simons must have reclassified or something to be in the class of 18 with Little/Zion/etc. He actually was ranked higher in his class than guys like Coby White and Darius Garland who just went higher in the lottery.
Good job. So difficult to predict which HS level talented players will develop NBA skills. This is the reason I strongly believe the draft age should be raised, not lowered.
I was hoping this was a thread about local high schools, just so we could all crack on @THE HCP's beloved Grant.
Yes we are very concerned about the GHS team this year. 2 seasons ago, state champs.....lost a ton of talent. Last season, nice run in the state tourney.....lost the Oregon state player of the year Aaron Deloney and his 27/6/3/2 to the University of Vermont of all places. His dad and I grew up together and the neighborhood is SUPER proud of him. And on the girls side we are losing my good friend's daughter Monka Hickok. 1st Team all state and headed to Weber State.....
I agree 2 years of college then draft eligible. It would give the NBA an extra year of evaluation and college programs don't rebuild every year. I think it would make both levels stronger. If they don't want to go to college they can enter the g league or go over seas.
But if we have a really good scout at the HS level, it would give us a massive competitive advantage to get on these guys early before they either boom or bust in college. I would bet anything that Neil et al knew of these guys well before they were 18/19.
There are over 350 NCAA basketball teams the NBA teams now scout. There are over 18,000 HS basketball teams, being scouted by the 350 College teams. When the draft age drops, the 30 NBA teams will have to scout 18,000+ high schools. The number of bad contracts given out to first round picks will skyrocket.
Agreed, but that also highlights the massive advantage if we're good at it. Just need to find more guys like Lou Willams and less like Martell Webster. I hope Jody and Neil develop an increased focus on scouting prep players over the next few years. Hell someone like Givony would be invaluable to add to the scout team, but it's prolly beneath him.
