Colorado Springs, CO – Approximately 84 players covering four classes made their way to the Olympic Training facility in Colorado Springs for the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Mini-Camp which was held from October 11-13. The event featured the vast majority of all the top prospects in the 2020 through 2022 recruiting classes.
The USA staff put the talented group of prospects into six intense practices and a highly competitive scrimmage which gives national media and scouts a chance to see the future of American basketball. The camp was split in two gyms with each group of prospects assigned to eight individual teams.
The older players were competing for a chance to make the 2020 Nike Hoop Summit team and for next year’s USA Basketball U18 team. The classes of 2022 & 2023 were competing for next summer’s FIBA U17 World Cup which will take place July 4-12 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Here’s a look at several prospects that impressed with their play at the camp.
Greg Brown III, 6-8, F, 2020, Vanderbilt HS / Austin, TX
An active open court player, Brown was impressive on both ends of the floor; He’s athletic but skinny. He showed well throughout the 3-day event. He scored the ball from all three levels and used his length to hit the boards and protect the rim. Brown played with an improved physicality. Brown is being recruited the hardest by Auburn, Kentucky, Memphis, North Carolina and Texas.
Jabari Smith, Jr., 6-8, F, 2021, Sandy Creek HS / Tyrone, GA
Smith is an athletic, long, rangy top prospect that impressed with his versatile inside/outside game. He showed the ability to score off the dribble with a nice form on his jumper. He can step out and make the deep 3; Smith rebounded well and provided rim protection. He has a very high upside. Smith brings a lot of the intangibles you are looking for in a skilled face-up forwards with a kill set that is being desired in collegiate and NBA play. Schools that are actively recruiting this skilled elite forward include: LSU, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Mississippi.
Chet Holmgren
Chet Holmgren, 7-0, C/F, 2021, Minnehaha Academy / Minneapolis, MN.
A long rangy pivot, Holmgren runs the floor extremely well. He’s comfortable putting the ball on the floor and was able to knock down the 17-19-foot jumper. He’s an athletic finisher and used his length to block shots and defend multiple positions. He has a wiry frame and Interior play is a work in progress. However that didn’t stop Holmgren from seeking contact to finish with either hand in the lane. He’s one of the top prospects in the 2021 class. It’s very rare you see a young prospect with this skill set in a 7-foot frame. He is oozing with potential, once his body matures and gets stronger, he should be a nightmare to guard. Schools that are actively recruiting this talented big include Minnesota, Gonzaga, Texas, Baylor, Purdue, Georgetown, Memphis, Maryland and Virginia.
Noah Batchelor, 6-7, WF, 2022, Gleneig County School / Glenig, MD.
Batchelor is a highly skilled big wing with upside and potential and is just 15 years old; Noah is a skilled 2/3 who plays the game with an edge, he doesn’t back down from anyone. He’s comfortable handling the ball out on the perimeter and creating off the dribble. He can knock down the 3-point shot consistently. Batchelor ia a high-octane athlete who finishes above the rim. He has the potential to be one of the better all-around wing players in the country regardless of class. His game reminds us of a more athletic Mike O’Koren, the former North Carolina star. Schools monitoring him at this point include Maryland, Clemson, Florida and Virginia Tech. Look for more high major programs to get involved over the next year.
This article was written by Van Johnson Jr., a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter. Thanks to USA Basketball for the photos.
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