Draft Sicko Confidential: Jeremy Elyzee
Stephen sat down with one of the best young players you haven't heard of: Jeremy Elyzee!
Digging for Diamonds in the Rough
There are a lot of ways for draft evaluators to “discover” talent. You can hear about a highly-touted player coming out of high school. You can watch players in a live gym setting. A player may pop off the screen when you’re watching another prospect play. Or, if you’re like many, you can “dig” for them. This is something that I like to do.
Thanks to innovations in statistical databases, you can easily type in any number in any field you choose, and a list of players will appear before you. Another way I liked to find players to watch is box score hunting. Sometimes, it’s nice to break away from staring at databases and typing in the same numbers in the same fields on database sites, and see who is putting up some numbers on a nightly basis. Towards the end of last November, I was digging through box scores, and saw Southeastern Louisiana vs. Gardner-Webb, and saw someone put up 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting, four rebounds, three steals, two blocks, an assist, shot well from deep, and put up 11 free throw attempts.
Now, when this happens for low and mid-major teams, normally those numbers are produced by some upperclassman guard or “big” man that is about 6’8”. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this player was listed at 6’6” and was a freshman. Because I am who I am, I decided to watch the game. To put it bluntly, I was amazed at the player I was watching. He was not a perfect prospect by any means, but there was clearly skill and talent.
I dog-eared his name (meaning I listed him in my player database) and kept tabs on him as time went on. Over the next few months, I noticed continued growth on offense, as well as some VERY nice defensive plays. In February, I decided to write a piece for No Ceilings about some under-the-radar players that stood out to me, which was the perfect time to share my infatuation with Jeremy Elyzee.
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A scout’s work is never done—at least, that’s how I feel. There are big boards that constantly require tinkering. There is the research on who players are beyond what the numbers say. Oh, you have to look at the numbers, too. Which prospects are performing well? How does a prospect compare to past successes? You have to look that up. Which draft picks h…
When the season ended, I desperately wanted to reach out to Jeremy to find out more about his game—and get to know him a bit more as a person.
Who is Jeremy Elyzee?
Jeremy Elyzee is a do-it-all wing/forward who plays for the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. As a freshman, Jeremy averaged 10.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.7 BPG, with shooting splits of 50/25/72. Prior to playing for the Lions, Jeremy played his high school ball in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where he averaged around 18 PPG, 8 RPG, and 8 APG while being the team captain.
“Basketball wasn’t my first sport. I first tried soccer—it didn’t work out with soccer. Then I tried swimming—it didn’t work out with swimming. Then I was like ‘Okay, let’s try basketball.’ From that point on, I really just fell in love with the game. It was my third choice, but it was my best choice.
Seventh Grade, I took it very seriously, because I was a competitor. I just saw that people were better than me and I didn’t like to lose. That’s why I took it as serious as I did.
My play style was more like a slasher, because I was bigger than everybody, pretty much, and I was more athletic than everybody. So, nobody—or, not much—could stop me from going to the rim. I had a pretty decent mid range, but I think the three [pointer] kind of held me back, because I didn’t really shoot it much. But I was a slasher—a pull up from mid range type of person.
I liked to guard—I think it’s fun to guard. In high school, I kind of did this thing—if I couldn’t be my guy to his first three slides, I would let him drive by, and I would just go and get it off the glass. That worked my whole Junior and Senior year. I just think that was pretty fun, and it translated to college a little bit.”
After a strong senior season in Florida, Jeremy began his recruitment process. As is the case with so many players, he wouldn’t get a lot of offers from the blue blood schools. However, that didn’t deter Jeremy from trying to find his way to be an impactful college player right out of the gate.
“That process was actually pretty smooth. I wasn’t recruited very highly; I think I flew under the radar a little bit. But, I just went to the school I felt just wanted me the most. And Southeastern [Louisiana] was a school that talked to me the most. They pretty much called me every day. I was like ‘Okay, this school really wants me and this is what’s best for me.”
Growing Up Quickly
If you talk to enough basketball players, they will almost always tell you that leveling up in competition is one of the more challenging things to do. Whether it be an adjustment to coaching philosophy or to the speed of the game, it can sometimes take some time for a player to get comfortable in a new setting. For Jeremy, he would have to adjust to playing college hoops—and he would have to do so at a rapid rate.
“I had to adjust [to college hoops]. Fast. I had to do a major adjustment. When I first got here, I was, low key, getting worked. I had a whole bunch of Seniors around me, who had been around the college game—which is definitely faster than high school. And I was no longer the best person on the court, because I was just coming out of high school. In high school, I was like ‘I’m that guy—nobody can hang with me’, but coming into college, everyone was ‘that guy’.
Just everything [was more challenging]—the speed. Just staying in front people. That was pretty hard. In college, everybody can actually make tough shots, or they need fewer dribbles to get to their spots. I had to adjust to that. With scoring, the moves I used in high school definitely did not work when I first came here.
They [my teammates] were bigger and stronger. So, I couldn’t get through them the way I got through people in high school. There were definitely some frustrating nights when stuff wasn’t working out. I was like ‘How am I going to change?’, or ‘What do I have to do?’, but I got the hang of it pretty fast.”
Getting More Offensive (In the Best Way)
In terms of figuring things out over the course of his freshman season, Elyzee really took the most time to figure out how to be effective offensively at the college level. While this may be disheartening to some, you can take heart in knowing that Jeremy made consistent and incremental improvements as the season continued.
“I’m working on reactions because I want to go to whatever the defense is giving me. I ain’t even going to lie, last year, if I was having a great game I could just ball out. When things went south, I kind of just went to what I know. And that was probably just back-to-the-basket, or scoring off of a rebound or something.”
If there is something that I have grown to appreciate in my time speaking with athletes, it’s when a player shows a high level of self-awareness. Jeremy is right in the sense that his offense during his freshman season came from pure instincts on a number of plays. Don’t get it twisted, though; Jeremy showed a higher level of feel than his assessment of his offense could lead you to believe.
This clip highlights how Jeremy grew to read the defense and make them pay with timely cuts and keen spatial awareness. As his teammate is navigating his way around the defense and working through his progressions, Jeremy makes a fantastic baseline cut and throws down a two-handed dunk.
Because Jeremy has a background of being a slashing-type player, these types of cuts aren’t anything new. Neither is getting to the free-throw line. As a freshman, Jeremy had a free-throw rate of 35.1. Last season, Jeremy was fourth on his upperclassman-laden team in free throw attempts. He was also third in and-ones. His assertiveness is something that he uses to his advantage.
“Oh yeah [I’m always trying to get to the rim]. Especially because I have good touch around the basket. So I try to utilize that as much as possible.”
No Nonsense on the Boards
One of my favorite aspects of Jeremy’s game last season was his rebounding. As a freshman, he was able to come in and pull down five rebounds per game. He also pulled down 10+ rebounds on four separate occasions. He recorded an Offensive Rebound Percentage of 7.5—while ranking in the 77th Percentile on Putbacks. He also posted a Defensive Rebound Percentage of 13.9.
“On offense—I think I’m a better offensive rebound than a defensive rebounder. At least, coming in that’s how it was, because I’ve always been able to tip in the ball around the rim.
On defense—early in the season, my Coach [David Kiefer] was like ‘Jeremy, you’re 6’6", 6’7”, and you’re grabbing like three rebounds. That’s not enough; we’re not going to win like that. So in this next game, try and get 10—I want you to get at least 10.’
He was just telling me to attack the glass—when the ball goes up, attack the glass. That was one of the main focuses on the whole season.
The Best Defense is the Best Defense
While the offense was something that took time for Jeremy to improve over the course of his freshman season, his defense was stellar from the start. When watching him defend, it’s easy to envision the type of player Jeremy can be once he reaches the best version of himself on the court. He has the sort of size that the NBA covets—long frame and wingspan—as well as the athleticism, timing, and nastiness on defense that make life difficult for his opponents.
“I’m not trying to get scored on. At all. But I’m pretty sure everybody says that. I take pride in staying in front of people.
As far as blocking shots go, growing up, they [my coaches] told me ‘Protect your house’. I had a travel coach in like 10th grade, and he would come up to me and say ‘How would you feel if somebody came in your house and ate your chips.’ He was like ‘Don’t let nobody come in your house and score.’
And, plus, it’s fun blocking shots.”
Jeremy led his entire team in blocks last season, but was only third in fouls. If you’re curious about the foul rate, Jeremy committed just 61 fouls while also drawing 61 fouls. I like to look at this ratio as a representation of a player’s holistic feel for how to play the game.
To go along with his great Block Percentage of 3.1, Jeremy recorded a Steal Percentage of 2.8. He also had the second-most steals on his team. His ability to leave his fingerprints all over the defensive side of the floor was spectacular to witness over the course of last season.
“That’s just me being long and playing the gaps, to be honest. I don’t think I was always a great on-ball ‘stealer,’ but I’m better at playing in the gaps and getting steals. It’s because my arms are long, I have big hands, and I think I can move pretty quickly. So, as long as I’m in the gap, I feel like I can shoot the gap and get the steal.”
The Man Off the Court
One of the coolest aspects of speaking to players is finding out what interests they have outside of basketball. Typically, most athletes will somehow drive the conversation back to the game—so you have to sometimes steer the conversation outside of basketball a couple of times. I expected to hear something about music or 2K when I asked Jeremy about his interests, but I was blown away to hear that the young man likes to dominate the kitchen when he isn’t dominating the court.
“I am a big food person. So if I can find a good place to eat, I’ll go try it out. I try to get into the video games, but I am a big food person. I cook, too. Anything you want, I can do. And I mean that.
I knew coming up here [Hammond, Louisiana], I was going to be on my own—and my mom cannot cook for me. So I was like ‘Okay, mom. You’re going to have to teach me how to do what you do. That’s what she did, and it’s working out.
I’m originally from Florida, and my parents are Haitian. So I had to try and take the culture that they put in their food, and I had to learn that so I could put it in my food when I’m cooking.”
Jeremy also shared with me that he is typically an adventurous person.
“I’m adventurous person. I like to do everything—except heights. I can’t do it. And people will be like “Oh, you’re tall,’ this-and-that. I just don’t like heights. I can’t do it.”
What to Watch For This Season
While his freshman season showed a lot of promise, Jeremy hasn’t minced words on what aspects of his game need work. The offseason is where improvement happens the most for the majority of young players. Sure, subtle strides can be made during the season, but most coaches and players will tell you that the summer is when players can lock themselves in the gym and put in the time to reach the next development milestone. For Jeremy, there are several areas of his game that we should all be excited to monitor during his sophomore campaign.
“Offensively, I’m trying to up my game—to like a guard/forward type of style. To where, if I could beat you off of the dribble, now I can. If you would beat me to the spot, I can just rise up over you. Because I feel like I’m tall and long enough. That’s my approach to offense this [coming] season. Also, that three ball—that three ball has to hit. It’s coming.
I had the opportunity to speak to Coach David Kiefer prior to speaking with Elyzee. Coach told me that Jeremy isn’t allowed to go home after practice until he gets up 500 three-pointers. A hard and motivated worker, Elyzee is excited to show off the hard work he has put into his shot, and to improve on the 28% mark he had last year. He’s put in time to take the reps, but also smooth out some shot mechanics.
“It’s a little bit of both [in terms of the confidence in his shot coming from either reps or cleaning up his mechanics]. Last season, I kind of shot with a high set-point—kind of over my head. This season, I’ve kind of lowered it and made it a bit quicker so I can get my shot off. I think it’s working, because in practice I’m more comfortable and confident in my three pointer. I think that’s the biggest thing. If I’m more confident to shoot it, and I know I’m going to make it, then I’m going to make it.”
Not only has Jeremy improved some of his skills, but he has also made improvements to his body. Coach Kiefer shared with me that helping improve Jeremy’s strength (which wasn’t terrible by any means last season) was a key focus of him and his staff this offseason. At the time of our conversation, Coach informed me that Jeremy has already put on ten pounds of muscle. With some newfound and improved strength, Jeremy is ready to put it to the test.
“I’m looking to guard much bigger people because, last year, they were much bigger and stronger than I expected. This year, I’m not trying to get bumped off of my balance. Instead of them bumping me off balance, now I can bump them off balance. When I’m crashing for a rebound, I’m not trying to get pushed under the rim. Watching that at times on film, that didn’t look too nice. So with this added weight—it’s not like ‘fat weight’. It’s muscle. I feel the strength; I feel stronger. I’m moving faster. I can jump a little higher. I think I’m having a good trend moving forward as the season is getting closer.”
The shot and body aren’t all that Jeremy has worked on, though. We could be in store for a major leap in Jeremy’s ability to operate along the perimeter more often and more comfortably.
“This season, I don’t think I’m going to be playing as a big as much since we recruited some bigger people. So I’ll probably be more of a wing player, than a four man.
I feel more comfortable [handling the ball], but it’s something I felt that I had to get better. That was another focal point during our exit meetings. [Our coaches were like] ‘Oh, you’re going to be more of a guard type of player. So I want you to handle the rock’. Coach may have me playing the point guard on some possessions here-and-there. So I have to take up that challenge and take care of the ball. With me being bigger, I feel like that’s an advantage for me. If I have a smaller guard on me, I feel like I can just go to the basket. If I have a bigger person on me, I feel like I can get by them easier. Ball handling has been another focal point over the Summer.”
Outside of Jeremy, the majority of contributions for Southeastern Louisiana came from the upperclassmen they had on the roster—notably Sam Hines, Jakevion Buckley, and Brody Rowbury. With a year of experience now under his belt, Jeremy is looking to take on a larger role to help his team win.
“My role is going to be more in a leadership role, since I’m a returner—even though I’m one of the youngest on the team. Just with me returning, I feel like I know how the system is. I also think I’m easy to talk to, and I can talk to other people more easily. So I feel like I can take on that leadership role.
Defensively, I think I’m going to be guarding more wing players. But I think I’m always going to be that 1-through-5 guy; that’s how i think Coach is going to use me sometimes. I like, for myself, to be more versatile than anything. So if he needs me to guard a guard, I can guard a guard. If I have to guard a big, it’s no problem for me.”
As a leader, it’s important to know your teammates and how they all assimilate together as a unit. Having an understanding of your team as a whole informs the coaches of how to best utilize players individually, so that the entire team best benefits from their efforts. Even though the work over the Summer hadn’t quite finished when I spoke to Jeremy, he was proud to speak on what he’s seen from the team to that point in the team’s training period.
“I like the team. This year, I think we’re a little more athletic. We’re probably a little more versatile this year. We have a lot of new people, so we still have some things to figure out. But, once we figure all of that out, we’ll be one of the better teams in the conference. I truly believe that. Since we’ve tasted the conference tournament, we’re trying to get back there and win that. It’s winning first—that’s the main thing. It’s winning over everything.”
Curtains
What stands out to me when speaking with Jeremy after watching him over the past season is that he has clear gifts, and he also has such awareness as to what he needs to do to reach his ultimate heights. Because he is already such an impactful defender at his size—and because he has already had such high-level flashes on offense—there is real reason to believe in Jeremy moving forward.
Hearing Coach Kiefer speak so highly of Jeremy only affirmed my assumptions that Jeremy is the type of player who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. With Southeastern Louisiana not having a player drafted in the NBA since 1968 (Charles Core, back when there were 14 rounds of players drafted), and only a few play in the G League, there is a real shot that Jeremy could be that breakthrough player for SLU.
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