#OTRHoopsReport: Naismith Watch from NBPA – July 1, 2015

Class of 2016 post Udoka Azubuike of Jacksonville, Fla., solidified himself as a Naismith Award Watch-list player after the NBPA Camp. Read about him and other standouts here.  Photo cred — Jon Lopez/Nike

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., – Although the high school season is still months away, the summer time is the perfect moment to see which players will control the winter months. Last year’s NBPA Camp serves a great example as Ben Simmons dominated the camp, which helped propel him to a Naismith Trophy award in March. Here is a look at the top of this year’s NBPA camp.

By:  @JLHemingwayPSB

Naismith Watch Performers from NBPA Camp

 

Currently the No. 2 power forward in the class of 2016 per BrandonClayScouting.com, there a lot of things to love about Edrice ‘Bam’ Adebayo of Plymouth, N.C. The 6-foot-10 high energy prospect brings IT on every possession. He is a physical grinder in the lane who pursues every rebound. Yet he is skilled enough with his back to the basket to score with touch. Adebayo also showed poise by passing out of double teams and executing the hi-lo feed to perfection. The 5-star forward recently picked up an offer from Louisville. As quoted in a Jeff Greer article in the Courier-Journal last week, Adebayo says “I think it’s a real good offer, because Montrezl Harrell was there.” Cardinal fans should be excited at the prospect of getting an impact player who could play himself into the Naismith Award this year.

In a class dominated by guards and versatile forwards, Udoka Azubuike of Jacksonville, Fla., sets himself apart by dominating the lane. The No. 1 center in the class of 2016 turned in another consistent performance at the camp. You could summarize his game in three words: Defend, Rebound, Dunk. Yet the impact that Azubike brings is much broader than that. He can anchor a team on the block and change how opponents have to play, because of his physical and efficient style of play. Watch for the 6-11 center to rattle more backboards and swat shots this July with the Georgia Stars. Per Shun Williams, owner of OntheRadarHoops.com, he has been a top priority of Florida State University for many months.

Dewan Huell of Miami, Fla., turned in a 5-star performance at the NBPA Camp. The 6-10 forward played toe to toe with his peers and showed a diverse skill set. Huell has the length to be a rim protector, yet he has the footwork and agility to defend the arc. His productivity in isolation situations on either side of the ball caught our eye. He was able to force players such as Thon Maker (ONT-16) into tough jumpers defensively. At the same time, he is great in the ball screen action on offense, because he is alley-oop away from forcing the defense to change their coverage. What ultimately rounds out his skill set is the touch on his jumper, which he hits with terrific accuracy in face-up situations. Per @InsideCarolina, North Carolina is the latest to offer Huell. Expect the No. 32 prospect in 2016 to trim his list after July.

 

 

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 at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on  twitter @JLHemingwayPSB