Practice and Media Day recap part II
2016 McDonald’s All American Games
Watching these McDonald’s all American’s practice and then being able to interview them created an unreal experience for me, here’s the second part of my interviews and analysis:
Marques Bolden
Bolden is one of the best complete big men in the entire class of 2016–he defends, he runs the floor and he has a more than solid post up game, but he still has a very big decision to make. The big man recently named his final three schools he’s considering, Kentucky, Duke and wait for it…TCU. Kentucky and Duke are very traditional schools for top prospects, but TCU is very unorthodox, so I asked Marques how TCU managed to sneak into his top three over other powerhouses that offered him such as Kansas and UNC. He replied “TCU has really been recruiting me since I was 15 or 16 and when I wasn’t that good, but they noticed me then so I stuck with them.” Marques also said that the Kentucky McDAA have been hounding him the most “I think just because there’s more Kentucky players here than Duke,” Bolden has a big decision to make but I am confident wherever he is next fall he will be very productive.
Zach Collins
Zach Collins himself is history at the McDonald’s All American Game, he is the first ever Gonzaga commit to play in the McDAAG. Collins was one of the most humble players I talked to yesterday, but he also has been producing well throughout the week. When I asked him why Gonzaga he said “I knew I wanted to stay on the west coast, but I also knew I needed to get out of Vegas and do my own thing, so Gonzaga made a lot of sense,” he also added that “They use their bigs a lot, and I think it is the best fit for me.” With star Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer graduating the playing time will be there for Collins, he also said that he hasn’t talked to sophomore forward Domantas Sabonis about returning to Gonzaga, Sabonis is projected to be a lottery pick on most draft boards, “I’ll be supportive of either decision he makes.” If Sabonis returns he and Collins will be one of the most dominant front courts in all of college basketball.
Alterique Gilbert
Gilbert was one of the most intriguing players to watch, he has a little bit of everything in him. He showed flashes of CP3 making no look passes to the bigs for easy layups and he also showed a little bit of Westbrook athleticism when he got up and glassed Lonzo Ball–keep in mind Gilbert is giving about 7 to 8 inches to ball. Gilbert as a prospect really came along last year, going from unranked to number 40 then 30 and now a McDonald’s All American. When I asked him what got him here he responded “Always working hard no matter what and always believing in myself.” He also reminds me a of Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas a little, both smaller guards and both have great elevation on their jump shot. Last but not least, I asked Gilbert what his go to move is with the shot clock winding down, he said “Probably and in and out cross or a hesitation to try to get to the basket, or maybe a stepback, maybe.” Watch for Alterique to have a big year at UCONN with Coach Kevin Ollie next year.
Dewan Huell
Huell was easily the most entertaining player at yesterday’s media day, always joking in front of the camera, he was was definitely a fan favorite. When RevoltTv asked Huell to impersonate one of his favorite rappers, he immediately pulls out his mini iPad and raps the first two minutes to Chief Keef’s Love Sosa…about 30 seconds in Kentucky commit Sacha Killeya- Jones joined in providing some entertainment for the media. After that I got a chance to catchup with Dewan, he told me that he chose Miami because “First, the school is 25 minutes from my house and second, I just felt it was the best fit for me.” Huell was not touted as one of the top prospects at the McDAAG coming in, but he certainly left a good impression on me during the practice. At one point, he faced up on his defender and hit a three in their face, keep in mind Huell is 6’10”. When I asked about it he told me “When the defense saggs off you gotta be able to knock it down.” Expect Huell to make a solid contribution to a young Miami team next year.
Frank Jackson
The Utah native was the talk of the town after completely dominating the dunk contest during Monday nights Jamfest. When I got a chance to catch up with Jackson he told me that “I practice those dunks a lot, like after practices and workouts and I knew exactly which dunks I was going to do.” Jackson is a big piece in Duke’s recruiting class this year that is stacked with big men and forwards and wings, Jackson is the only guard. I asked Jackson what it meant for Coach K to come out all the way to Utah, he said “It was really reassuring, he came out to my house, talked to my family and he’s one of the greatest coaches of all time, so it meant a lot to me.” With the possibility of Grayson Allen leaving for the draft, Duke will be short at the guard spot again, so look for Jackson to have a huge year in Durham for the Blue Devils.
Josh Jackson
Jackson showed that he was easily one of the top prospects there, dominating every drill at the practice especially the 2v2. He was doing it all, knocking down three’s, flushing down dunks and even a couple of blocks, Jackson might be the most complete player in the McDAAG. But, he still has a huge decision to make on his hands, everyone wants the number one player in the country (according to 247) but he told me the reason it’s taking so long is because “I want the school that’s going to make me a better man off the court,” he added that “I can’t go wrong on the court.” I also asked Jackson if knowing he’ll be able to play with Miles Bridges and Cassius Winston (Both Michigan natives like Jackson) will reel him to Michigan State he said “Obviously a little bit, I’ve known them both for a long time I’ve been playing with Cassius since fourth grade, but it doesn’t make the biggest impact.” I think Jackson will end up as a Spartan but we’ll see, I think it’s pretty safe to say wherever Jackson ends up he’ll make a very big impact in college.
TJ Leaf
TJ Leaf brings a lot to the table for a 6’11” big man, he’s very athletic and can run the floor very well for his size. TJ Leaf was first committed to Sean Miller and the Arizona Wildcats, but then last summer he decomitted and on ESPNU just a couple months later he called UCLA home for next year. I asked TJ what influenced his decision, he said that “I think I always knew I would end up at UCLA but when I committed to Arizona I just don’t think I knew it yet, but after I decomitted from Arizona I knew UCLA was the obvious place for me.” Leaf also has a very solid face up game that extends about 15 feet, and he also has very soft touch around the basket. I also asked Leaf what it showed him about UCLA coach Steve Alford when he gave back his one year extension in 2020 he replied “I think it showed a lot about his character and that he wants to win and obviously they had a bad year this year, but he wants to change that and I’m excited for it.” Watch out for Leaf and fellow UCLA commit Lonzo Ball to put UCLA back in the tournament and hopefully make a run.