Nike Hoop Summit Recap

What top prospects for the 2015 NBA Draft and beyond made the best impression at the Nike Hoop Summit?

Among all of the All-Star games involving the top high school players in the country, none have more significance (as it relates to the NBA Draft) than the Nike Hoop Summit.

Each year, the world’s top players, 19 years of age or younger, travel to Portland, Oregon, to take part in the event, split up into a USA vs. the World setup. Most prospects will be selected in the 2016 and 2017 drafts, but a handful of international players of each year choose to become eligible for selection the year of the event. As it relates to the 2015 Draft, three players could (realistically) put their names in for selection: George de Paula, Nedim Buza, and Zhou Qi.

What prospects made the most of their attendance?

George de Paula | PG | Brazil

The 6-6 point guard has a 6-11 wingspan and is among the top prospects that could declare for the 2015 NBA Draft from a strictly physical standpoint. He looks menacing and has a lot of potential, but failed to get involved in the offense playing for the World team. He connected on his first 3-pointer of the game, and airballed his other attempt, and finished with three points and two turnovers. He is a good draft and stash prospect late in the second round if he declares in 2015.

Nedim Buza | SG | Bosnia & Herzegovina

A sharpshooter from Bosnia, Buza stands at 6-8 with terrific size for an NBA shooting guard. He is an average athlete by NBA standards, and he does most his work as a set shooter. Buza finished with six points on 2-for-2 shooting from 3-point land, but struggled with his ball handling against the more athletic USA wings. He is a second-round option for teams in 2015 if he declares.

Zhou Qi | C | China

Qi has terrific size and is currently the top prospect in China. He measured 7-2 during the practices leading up to the event, but is rail thin at just 209 pounds. He finished with two points, three rebounds and two blocks, but struggled in the paint against more athletic and physical opponents. He has to get stronger, especially in the lower body, to expect to make any sort of contribution in the NBA. Qi would be best off waiting until 2016 to declare.

Jamal Murray | SG | Canada

Murray was one of the stars of the game, showcasing his ability to create his own shot from the perimeter and get to the rim. He ended with 30 points on 12-for-23 shooting, including 3-for-7 from downtown. A combo guard, he also finished with five assists. His ability with the ball in his hands is impeccable, and he will be a terrific coup for any college coach that can get his hands on him. Expect Murray to be strongly in consideration for the first round in 2016.

Skal Labissiere | PF/C | USA

Labissiere was, reportedly, the star of the open practices leading up to the Hoop Summit, and he continued his strong play with 21 points, six rebounds and six blocks in the game against the USA prospects. Wearing Haiti on the front of his jersey, Labissiere has a game reminiscent of Karl Towns, who similarly played very well in the Hoop Summit a year ago. Skal is heading to Kentucky to play for John Calipari next year, and he will be firmly in the discussion for the No. 1 pick in 2016.

Ben Simmons | SF/PF | Australia

Simmons is known for stuffing the stat sheet, and he is also the best passer among all high school prospects despite his size and position. The Aussie ended the game with a near triple-double, posting 13 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Heading to LSU, Simmons is a strong contender to be taken No. 1 overall in 2016, as he plays with a style that could fit any NBA system. If he can develop a consistent 3-point shot, watch out.

Jaylen Brown | SF | USA

Brown is the other favorite to be taken with the top pick in 2016; he’s a wing with long strides, great length and superb athleticism. He had the dunk of the night with a two-hand tomahawk driving down the right side of the lane. Brown finished the game with eight points and two rebounds, struggling from the field at 2-for-9 from the floor. Brown is still contemplating his college decision and will likely be the highest scoring freshman in the country in 2015-16.

Other Notes:

• Cheick Diallo plays hard and shows an incredible knack for blocking shots (ended with three in the game). His offense is a work-in-progress, but he is shaping up to be a great prospect.
• Thon Maker struggled on the offensive end, as he wasn’t strong enough to get the shots he wanted from the block. A terrific athlete with NBA length, he ended with a game-high 10 rebounds. He is another candidate to be a very high pick.
• Broadcasters raved about the week Frederico Mussini had, loving the shooting and court vision of the slender Italian points guard. He plays just like Kevin Pangos; you reading Mark Few?
• Allonzo Trier is going to score a lot of points for Sean Miller at Arizona next year. The combo guard has some Jamal Crawford sizzle to his game – can he learn to play under control?
• Duke commit Luke Kennard and uncommitted Brandon Ingram played well in the game. Both should be terrific on the hardwood as freshmen in 2015-16.