The G League Elite Camp Preview
The G League Elite Camp Preview
G League Elite Camp kicks off this weekend! Maxwell is here with a preview of the entire field!
G League Elite Camp is kicking off this weekend! So today, I’ll be giving my quick thoughts on every single player in the field! I’ve also noted my ten highest-ranked prospects in the field with an asterisk.
Mark Armstrong, 6’2”, Villanova: A gritty guard who has gone all-in on the draft process, Armstrong pressures the rim and he’s an excellent mid-range pull-up shooter. However, his overall efficiency (46.3 eFG%) and playmaking inconsistency will need to improve. Given how competitive the market is for small guards at the moment, he’s going to have to blow this week out of the water to generate real traction.
Taran Armstrong, 6’6”, Cairns: Armstrong has an argument as the best and most creative passer in this class. His feel is out of this world. I also thought he looked a bit better defensively this year, and his size will always help him at the guard spot. He’s long been an unwilling and inconsistent shooter, only making 25.7% of his 1.5 threes per game in the NBL this past season. As it stands, his lack of athleticism and jumper are a major problem. A team will have to find a creative more way to utilize him effectively if the jumper doesn’t come around.
Adama-Alpha Bal, 6’6”, Santa Clara:
After two quiet seasons at Arizona, Bal exploded at Santa Clara. He’s a polished three-level scorer who had multiple great outings against high-major opponents. Bal dropped 23 points in wins over Stanford and Washington State, along with 25 points in a win over Oregon. He sees the floor well and averaged 3.1 APG to 2.3 TOV. His defense and physicality are still behind the curve. He does little on the defensive glass, too. There’s a lot to like on offense, but teams will want to see Bal compete on defense and on the glass. If he’s up to that task, he could greatly improve his stock.
Keion Brooks Jr., 6’7”, Washington: A physically imposing wing, Brooks long struggled as a shooter. However, this year, he knocked down 38% of his threes on 4.1 attempts per game. He can finish and rebound, and he’s a tough defender. It’s easy to imagine him guarding up and down the positional spectrum. His 7.7 AST% on high usage does raise red flags about his offensive feel. That lack of passing prowess makes it a requirement that his shooting leap holds. There’s a path for him to physically outclass guys at Elite Camp, but I’ll be monitoring his decision-making more than anything.