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  • Peach Jam Report

    Let me start with a standard warning that you might read several reports by several people watching the same games and get totally different reports. These "evaluations" are opinions and opinions only. Different people look for different things based on their experience level and expectations. No one persons opinion is superior to another's so while my evaluation might be different from somebody else's it is by no means meant to devalue any opinion that they have. The reader should take each post for what it says and place their own value on it based on how comfortable you are with the authors previous posts.

    Antonio Blakeney- if you saw this kid at the park and were looking for a pick up game, I'm not sure he would be the first kid you would grab. If you didn't and your opponent did, odds are you would be sitting next game! He looks frail but looks can deceive. His shot isn't a classic smooth stoke but the results more than make up. His release point is at the absolute apex of his jump. He can really get up and throw down solid dunk. He isn't a slasher to the basket but has phenomenal range. When he does go to the rim he gets up quick but his game is the perimeter jumper. He can put up points quick, and put up a bunch. Based on who was watching his games, UK is clearly interested

    Chiek Diallo-I'm convinced I caught him on a bad game followed by a bad game. I love his energy but he is raw and no way is he a top tier player. Last night he was the third best big man on the floor in the game, behind teammate Thomas Bryant and Michigan State commit Deyonta Davis. No doubt he gets from end to end as well as anybody but offensively he is limited. I was disappointed to say the least

    Tyus Battle- I liked him quite a bit. Solid SF, strong build and can mix it up a bit. He lit it up yesterday (6 of 7 and 3 of 4 from long range). I'd like to watch more of him tonight

    Stephen Zimmerman - A player I'm not all in on yet. I've seen him play way better than he did today. He isn't raw like Diallo so I don't think his ceilling is were Chiek's is nor does he have the energy but he does have far more range and control of the game. Zimmerman is more rounded and versatile so there are more options.

    Harry Giles-it would be amazing to see him on a team that utilized him. He showed all his skills except pass catching because he never had one thrown to him. I'll leave it at that. He is one of those players who always looks in control, where everything is easy and there is no panic or frantic to his game.

    Jayson Tatum- Wow is all I can say. This kid can play the 2,3 or 4 and is a legit 6'8". He can shoot with range or use his length on the drive. Has great body control and uses it, especially with his arm extension in the lane. He seems to be the best player I've seen here.

    Heading back for the night sessions but like Malik Monk who I've seen several times over the years, and Melvin Frazier. Also impressed with Ben Simmons who I wasn't a fan of. He has stepped up his game more than I expected.
    Comments 63 Comments
    1. Hoss's Avatar
      Hoss -
      Quote Originally Posted by KeithKSR View Post
      ESPN's Fran Fraschilla said Diallo is playing with an injured back.
      There...you...go
    1. KeithKSR's Avatar
      KeithKSR -
      Quote Originally Posted by Hoss View Post
      There...you...go
      One of the announcers, might of been Bianchardi, said they would pick Diallo first on an "all octane" team.
    1. KeithKSR's Avatar
      KeithKSR -
      Tyus Battle having a nice second half.
    1. Doc's Avatar
      Doc -
      Quote Originally Posted by KeithKSR View Post
      Tyus Battle having a nice second half.
      Tyus had a great event. Was the best player on the team for the week followed by Bryant. I've become a big fan of Battle. I'd be happy with him or Tatum, or both


      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    1. Doc's Avatar
      Doc -
      Quote Originally Posted by KeithKSR View Post
      ESPN's Fran Fraschilla said Diallo is playing with an injured back.
      I'd expect that to affect his jumping and running more than anything. Neither of those are in question.

      People want to make him out to be a great player, fine. It's no skin off my ass. There are several other player I was far more impressed with


      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    1. Philly Cat's Avatar
      Philly Cat -
      Thanks for the write-up, Doc. After watching the Lee/Johnson/WCS adventure at the FT line, I think I'm not yet ready to add another big who can't shoot very well. I thought we were consciously breaking away from that mold with Towns/Lyles. In any event, all trust in Cal-- I'll just sit back and enjoy whoever we get.

      Curious to hear more on Harry Giles. He is someone that has always intrigued me. How are our chances?
    1. BarristerCat's Avatar
      BarristerCat -
      Quote Originally Posted by Philly Cat View Post
      Thanks for the write-up, Doc. After watching the Lee/Johnson/WCS adventure at the FT line, I think I'm not yet ready to add another big who can't shoot very well. I thought we were consciously breaking away from that mold with Towns/Lyles. In any event, all trust in Cal-- I'll just sit back and enjoy whoever we get.

      Curious to hear more on Harry Giles. He is someone that has always intrigued me. How are our chances?
      IMO, Cal just gets the best players that he can and worries about how he can adapt to their games later. The fact that Towns/Lyles are from a different mold than our recent big men is incidental.
    1. Darrell KSR's Avatar
      Darrell KSR -
      Can't wait to read this whole thread instead of skimming while grabbing a bite of lunch. Thanks, guys.
    1. Doc's Avatar
      Doc -
      I'm very much sold on Antonio Blakeney. I'd take him over anybody in the class there. Explosive scorer who can light it up quick. Can be unstoppable at times. Nearly impossible to block his shot around the perimeter as he gets off the floor so quick and so high plus he shoots it at the top of his jump. His shot looks odd because his legs fly around a bit but who cares as long as the ball goes in. He can also get to the rim, quick off the floor with a great handle. Not a point but has point skills, more a combo. I've used the Brandon Knight comparison because it works well. Great fit for our system. Him or Newman, either is fine, neither is a consolation. I think I like AB a bit better.

      Zimmerman-I hate evaluating big men at this age. Hardest thing there is. So much depends on their team and how they are used. Also are they done growing. I don't look at "potential" as much as others because I think all player have potential. Stephan is smooth and he moves well. Footwork is adequate to good. He runs the court well. Good range in the lane which is something I like in big men meaning he can hit a 6 to 10 footer. He isn't a kid that will dazzle you with quickness or a high flyer but he is a grinder. Again, personal preference but I don't enjoy watching big men as much so its tougher for me to get as excited.

      Ivan Rabb, he or Simmons were the top big guys here. Didn't pay a lot of attention to him. Wish I had seen more of him but figured he is a long shot for UK at best.

      Diallo-not much to add. Been discussed at nauseam, won't change anybody's opinion and nobody who hasn't seen him will change mine, nor will a douchebag with the initial of JG.

      Tyus Battle-I was very impress. Kid can stroke it. Very similar to James Young except he can pass the ball. A solid 6-7 shooter who can play either the of the wing positions. Incredible shooter. Love to get him with Jayson Tatum in 2016 although both are listed as SGs.

      Jayson Tatum-IMO the best player in the 2016 class but I've not seen Maker. Hard to imagine a more versatile player though. This kid can do it all. Inside, outside, shoot, rebound..whatever it takes. Great frame, quick. Again, I tend to favor multifaceted players so I'm bias in his favor.

      Malik Monk-I've been on his bandwagon for over 2 years now and there is no reason for me to change that. Kid is a high flyer and brings an level of excitement to the game. Can sometimes lose focus but can also take over a game. More of a scorer than a shooter as he finds ways to score, just as happy going to the rim as he is burying a jumper. quick with the ball in his hands or looking to get the ball cutting to the glass.

      Deyonta Davis-I really liked this kid. Izzo got a keeper here. Long armed big man who works hard, and is tough. Fits nice in the Big 10 (I don't know if that is a compliment or not) and Izzo will make this kid into a big time player.

      Ben Simmons-another kid who impressed me. I hadn't been in love with his game over the years. Felt he was over rated and still do to a degree but he definitely is going to be a force for LSU. Kid has developed the 6-10 foot game that many big men lack. He is well built and ready for the college game now. Won't be pushed around even as a freshman.

      Daniel Giddens-another Big 10 kid (tOSU) who has really matured into a much better player. Will fit well into the physically maulling that is the normal course of that league, although he is much more athletic than most of the plodding bigs. Of course he is a FL kid, not some corn fed plow boy.
    1. CitizenBBN's Avatar
      CitizenBBN -
      Great summary doc, I always look forward to your evals of these guys. Counts for a lot more to me than the talking head "gurus" who dont' seem to focus much on whether the guy can play, just how well he can dunk.
    1. Hoss's Avatar
      Hoss -
      I agree 100% on Blakeney!
    1. dan_bgblue's Avatar
      dan_bgblue -
      Terrific report Doc. I will echo CBBN's comment on the value of your eye witness, no agenda, no bias reports on these players. I have been reading your reports for years and look forward to them every year. Thanks again for taking the time to share your observations.
    1. UKFlounder's Avatar
      UKFlounder -
      What he said

      Quote Originally Posted by dan_bgblue View Post
      Terrific report Doc. I will echo CBBN's comment on the value of your eye witness, no agenda, no bias reports on these players. I have been reading your reports for years and look forward to them every year. Thanks again for taking the time to share your observations.
    1. kingcat's Avatar
      kingcat -
      Thanks Doc!
    1. Doc's Avatar
      Doc -
      Several more players seen but mental notes ain't what they used to be. I have gotten better over time though paying attention to younger kids coming up. In years past I'd never have taken the time to watch a soph or jr like monk or Simmons. Now these are kids who I have seen improve.


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    1. Padukacat's Avatar
      Padukacat -
      Here is what I had to say about Diallo when I watched him earlier in the year, I liked him the first night but not so much the second night:

      Night 1
      Cheik Diallo - The big foreign fella is only listed at 6'9" but he plays really long and reminds me of a Gogui Dieng type of player with a bit more offensive explosiveness. He made his presence felt on both ends of the court with several nasty blocks and dunks. He's a heck of a jumper and has very long arms. He's a five star guy with tons of offers and is only a JR. Prob the best offer sheet on either side. You want to hear some gossip thought right? Thought so... Before the game the guy behind me who doesnt seem to know much about prep hoops spits out that the kid with the arm band (diallo) is going to KY. After i acted like a fool by telling him nobody on that school was committed to KY he said his friend ate dinner with them last night and Diallo told him he was going to UK. So.....there it is. Im sure the guy thinks im a huge jerk and felt terrible after the exchange. According to Scout UK hasnt offered him, and honestly i doubt they will until they watch him for another year and are convinced. I wasnt convinced hes UK material.

      Night 2 -
      Cheick Diallo - the third person self proclaimed future Kentucky player had a solid game but really didnt turn it on. The guards dominated this game but Diallo didnt have any trouble with Thon Maker. I was a bit disappointed with Diallo in this game, but i just think he wasnt the focus of the offense tonight.


      Interesting the rumor about him telling someone at dinner he was going to UK isn't it, considering this is long before we were involved, or so it seemed...

      Also interesting that Diallo played Thon, and the game was dominated by guards and neither were impressive with Cal in the audience. I just remember thinking Diallo was a typical defensive specialist who seemed to miss opportunities for blocks because he didn't have that instinct of a shot blocker. I think he will be a good player but I agree very much with Doc.
    1. Darryl's Avatar
      Darryl -
      Doc, any thoughts on Caleb Swanigan; UK offered him tonight.

      Thanks, Darryl
    1. KeithKSR's Avatar
      KeithKSR -
      Doc, great stuff, as usual. Anxious for you to answer Darryl's question on Swanigan?
    1. Doc's Avatar
      Doc -
      Quote Originally Posted by Darryl View Post
      Doc, any thoughts on Caleb Swanigan; UK offered him tonight.

      Thanks, Darryl
      Surprised by the offer. Watched several of his games and would not have expected UK to offer. Big strong kid but not one who gets up and down the floor like Diallo or Zimmerman. More that big solid kid you can't move out of the lane kind of player. Is not "long" or terribly athletic. IMO he seems more big 10 type player, physically


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    1. Doc's Avatar
      Doc -
      And no disrespect intended but every time I saw him I thought Richard Roundtree and Shaft! Kid has the lambchop-ish sideburns and looks a little like 70's crime fighting TV ladies man


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