#OTRHoopsReport: NBPA Recap – June 25, 2015

Thon Maker had a big week on and off the court at the NBPA Top 100 Camp. He earned MVP honors for the week and also announced his intention to stay within the class of 2016. Photo cred – NBPA Top 100 Camp

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., – The NBA Player’s Association hosts a camp annually that brings in some of the nation’s top prospects to compete and train. The elite atmosphere gives media and evaluators an idea of which prospects are on trajectory for future success. Here is a look back at which players elevated their play the most during the month of June.

 

By:  @JLHemingwayPSB

NBPA Camp Stock Risers

Some might find it curious that an already heralded athlete like Thon Maker makes our list of stock-risers. However, Maker made noise on and off the court by winning the camp’s MVP and announcing that he will stay within the class of 2016. The 7-foot forward played with his signature heart and hustle at the camp. He also got back to basics by embracing interior play and limiting the things he cannot do on the perimeter. This type of inspired play should make him a top five player nationally in his class. Maker finished leading the camp in both points (15.8) points and rebounds (7.9).

Another player who seemingly had an air-tight reputation coming into the camp was Tyree Crump of Bainbridge, Ga. The 6-foot combo guard gave his verbal commitment to coach Mark Fox and the University of Georgia nearly a year ago. All of those facts did not stop Crump from coming and establishing himself as one of the camp’s premier scorers. His go-to ability is his jumper that he can hit with precision from beyond the arc. In addition, the 2016 guard also proved that he can create with his handling ability to score in the lane. He finished by shooting an impressive 42% from 3-point range while averaging two 3-point field goals per game.

Speaking of dominant guard scorers, the biggest jump by any player at the camp came from Utah native Frank Jackson. The aforementioned Crump and Jackson actually teamed up with one another during this camp making the camp’s most deadly back-court duos. Jackson, in the class of 2016, will quickly run up the national rankings list because of his feel for the game and artful scoring skill. Standing at 6-3, look for Jackson to be a point guard long-term. However, he can do damage on the wing as he is a threat to nail threes from the arc, slash to the bucket and punctuate with alley-oops in transition. After averaging an impressive 15.4 points per game at the camp, you can expect to watch Highland, Utah, native on television in future years.

There were not too many power forwards at the camp who produced as consistently as Chris Lewis of Alpharetta, Ga. Standing at 6-8 and weighing in at 240 pounds, Lewis is a load around the bucket. What is most impressive about this young man is the fact that he embraces what he does well, which is to rebound, defend and score simply. He does not try to stray outside of that game plan too often. His mindset is reflected in his life goals as he made Harvard his choice for basketball after his he graduates. He made education a priority and his on-court game reflects his singleness of purpose in life.

 

College Coaches can get the full report by clicking here! 

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email