Adidas May Classic 17U Saturday Recap

Today I attended the Adidas May Classic in Bloomington where I saw games played at Assembly Hall, Cook Hall, and Twin Sportsplex. Over the course of a 10-hour period I watched team after team sand saw at least 2 dozen division one prospects. I saw games in the 17, 16, and 15U divisions. Below is my Saturday 17U recap.

17U:

Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell Indiana Elite Team Indiana 5'10 PG- Ferrell looked great today, running the team and knocking down jump shots. Ferrell is on a loaded AAU team, so his scoring role isn't as big as it is during the high school season. Ferrell ran the break, played good full-court defense, and found open teammates, things all great point guards should do. You can really tell his jump shot is improving as he progresses throughout his career.

Cody Zeller Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'11 PF/C- Zeller had a typical productive day at the office this afternoon. He ran the floor well, receiving good passes from Ferrell and Jeremiah Davis, which led to easy baskets. He showed good touch around the rim, scoring out of the post and while facing the basket. Cody also rebounded the ball very well, pulling down boards with toughness.

Jeremiah Davis Indiana Elite Team Indiana 6'3 PG/SG- Davis was pretty quiet scoring-wise when I saw him, but along with Kevin Ferrell he ran his team quite well. You can tell Davis is starting to improve as a passer, making smarter plays with the ball and not forcing any action. Davis did have a nice breakaway dunk, showing off above-average athleticism to make the play. As usual, he played good defense and didn't give his man any easy opportunities.

Mitch McGary SYF Players 6'9 PF/C- With Branden Dawson playing elsewhere this weekend, McGary had an increased role for his SYF team. In his first game of the day McGary did a good job scoring around the basket and roaming the paint. McGary perhaps had the "ooh" moment of the day when he grabbed a defensive rebound, took the ball down the floor past several defenders, and threw down a one handed slam from the volleyball line. In his second game McGary showed off excellent shooting touch, knocking down four 3-pointers and several mid-range jumpers. He scored 23 points in that game, while pulling down 11 rebounds.

Travis Trice SYF Players 5'11 PG- Trice impressed me last weekend at Franklin, and cemented himself to me as a quick lead guard with the shooting touch and athleticism to score all over the court. He will need to add strength to his frame, but Trice is proving to be a realiable scorer, defender, and passer game in and game out. In the two games I saw today he hit seven 3-pointers and did a great job drawing fouls in the lane. Trice has the quickness and ball-handling to break down defenses, finding the open man for a shot or scoring at the rim. He had games of 17 and 15 today.

Slight Editors Note- D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera played both 17U and 16U for Indiana Elite. I will put him in my 16U recap.

Player Profile: 2012 D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera

Name: D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera
Graduation Year: 2012, Rising Junior
Height & Weight: 6'3 210
High School/AAU: North Central/Indiana Elite
Position: Point Guard
2009-2010 Season Stats: 19.5 ppg
Schools Considering: North Carolina, Georgetown, USC, Xavier, IU, Tennessee, Purdue, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Louisville
Timetable for Decision: Smith-Rivera has no deadline, but has said he would like to end his recruitment relatively soon.

Scouting Report:
An advanced, physical guard, Smith-Rivera (DSR) uses his strength and ball-handling to get to the rim and finish tough baskets. His ability to drive and attack allows him to get to the foul line and also create 3-point plays. DSR is improving his jump shot, and will need to be a solid shooter as players in his class continue to catch up with him physically. Smith-Rivera is a capable, but not explosive vertical athlete, and he has the quickness to keep up with the ball-handler on defense. As he continues to develop his shooting touch, Smith-Rivera should also be able to play the shooting guard position in college.

Player Profile: 2011 Cody Zeller

Name: Cody Zeller
Graduation Year: 2011, Rising Senior
Height & Weight: 6'10 200
High School/AAU: Washington/Indiana Elite Team Indiana 17U
Position: Power Forward/Center
2009-2010 Season Stats: 20 ppg 10 rpg
Schools Considering: Butler, IU, Michigan, UNC, Ohio St., Purdue
Timetable for Decision: Undetermined, Spring of 2011 at the latest.

Scouting Report:
A skilled big man, Zeller can score in a variety of ways. He'll take slower opponents off the bounce and to the rim and even extend his jump shot to the 3-point line. His back to the basket game is still developing, but his good footwork and nice touch will certainly help him in that regard. Zeller has a keen ability to get to the foul line and shoots free throws at a high percentage. Defensively, his athleticism and timing make him a great shot blocker and rebounder, as he also possesses strong hands. On offense, these qualities also allow him ample attempts at second chance points and extending possessions. Zeller could stand to add some strength to his frame, giving him the ability to finish better after contact and guard larger opponents. Ideally, Zeller is a skilled power forward, but possesses the tools to play some center as well.

IndyBall.com Shootout 17U Saturday Recap

In what was a loaded day of AAU action, I got the chance to see 17U, 16U, and 15U action today. The majority of my day was spent watching the Indiana Elite teams. I also saw a few Spiece teams play today. Tomorrow I will get the chance to see the Eric Gordon All-Stars play. Several players were attending the Adidas Nation event and will be reuniting with their teams in the future.

Indiana Elite 17U

2011 Guard Matt Carlino- Carlino had an up and down day today, showing off great range on his jump shot but also committing small mental mistakes and turnovers. Carlino hit four 3-pointers in the first half of a game, and also showed the ability to slash and finish at the rim with the ball in his hands. Unfortunately Carlino also showed the tendency to get a bit too flashy, trying to throw passes behind his back and between his legs, leading to turnovers. Matt displayed nice athleticism, throwing down a one handed dunk in the lane, and hitting another off the back of the rim. The key for Carlino is to play within the game and not force any flashy passes or plays.

2011 Forward/Center Cody Zeller- Zeller had a game that mirrored his high school season. He made fluid and smart moves in the post, showing nice touch but struggled at times to finish through fouls. His active hands allowed him to get several tip ins and pull down challenged rebounds on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Zeller is one of the best free-throw shooting big men I can recall in recent history, shooting 6-7 from the charity stripe in his first game. If Zeller is struggling with his jump shot, the key for him is to get the ball in the post and score. All in all he had a good showing today, and I will be intrigued to see how he does this summer.

2011 Guard Jeremiah Davis- Davis did not have the best showing today, as he struggled to find his jumper. Davis does a nice job of breaking down his man off the dribble, but at times can hold onto the ball too long. He does a good job at getting into the lane, and if he concentrates on attacking the basket and finding his teammates instead of falling in love with the jump shot, he should be fine.

2011 Forward Austin Etherington- Etherington showed a little bit of everything today, playing well on both sides of the ball. In the first half of the morning game he struggled with his jumper but passed the ball well and took his man off the dribble for an impressive 2-hand dunk. In the second half he found his range, knocking down two 3-pointers. In his second game of the day he hit several mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers.

2011 Forward Vinny Zollo- This former Kentucky commitment impressed me in his first game. He was the most active player on the floor, pulling down 9 rebounds and using offensive rebounds to score second chance points. Zollo ran the floor very well and was the recipient of some good passes into the paint. He also buried a mid-range jumper and a 3-pointe. The one weakness to his game was that he struggled to finish some plays after contact, but still maintained aggressiveness. Zollo is a player I will be continually watching as the summer rolls on.

2011 Center Cheir Ajou- Ajou is a project in the true sense of the word, but is making strides as a player. A legitimate 7 footer, Ajou blocked multiple shots each game, and pulled down most rebounds in his vicinity. He hit a nice 15-16 foot jumper and a hook shot in his first game. When he got to the line Ajou knocked down both free throws, showing a nice stroke for a big man. Ajou needs to time his jumps a little better when rebounding and blocking, but certainly has the potential to be a difference maker on both ends of the floor.

Washington defeats Gary Lew Wallace 65-62 in OT to win 3A title

Led by Cody Zeller's 20 points and 26 rebounds Washington High School won the Class 3A State Championship in overtime. Zeller tied a state championship record by pulling down 26. Cody Zeller is now the 3rd Zeller family member to lead Washington to a 3A State Championship. This is Washington's 3rd title in six years.

Senior Guard Latroy Taylor hit a 3 pointer near the end of the 4th quarter to tie the game at 56. Washington failed to connect on a jump shot to win the game in regulation, and the game went to overtime. Washington led throughout overtime, and two 3 pointers by Branden Dawson did not connect in the final 10 seconds of overtime. Branden Dawson led Gary Wallace with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Scouting:

(2011) Cody Zeller, Forward/Center- Zeller absolutely dominated the glass throughout this game. He had 15 rebounds at halftime and used his size, positioning, and athleticism to pull down a state record 26 rebounds in the game. Zeller scored 20 points in this game, able to get many opportunities off second chance points. He also showed nice shooting touch knocking down a 3 pointer to close out the second quarter. Zeller did a nice job getting to the foul line, but had an off shooting day from the charity stripe. Zeller struggled to finish plays after contact, missing shots on potential "And 1's". Adding strength to his frame could definitely help Zeller finish more plays down low. Defensively he was solid, not allowing buckets and challenging many shots in the paint. All in all Zeller played a great game and showed his skills that make him a sought after prospect. This performance surely impressed the handful of college coaches at the game. As he moves forward, Zeller must add strength to his frame to help his game in the paint both offensively and defensively.

(2011) Branden Dawson, Wing Forward- Dawson showed off his high level athleticism and motor today, fighting for loose balls and finishing in the paint. Dawson is streaky shooting the ball but was able to score in the paint off offensive rebounds and fast breaks. Dawson had two rim rocking dunks in the open court, displaying good handles with the ball. Branden also used his leaping ability to pull down high arching rebounds and contest shots. Defensively Dawson's length bothered opponents, as he was able to disrupt plays and challenge shots with his wing span. Overall Dawson played well, putting on a show for the many college coaches in attendance. The key for Dawson is too improve the consistency of his jump shot so he can become a total offensive threat.

Washington defeats Danville to clinch Semi-State Title

Led by sophomore guard Dylan Ervin's 23 points, Washington defeated Danville 57-38 Saturday afternoon. The victory advances Washington to the state finals where they will play a yet to be determined opponent. Highly regarded junior big man Cody Zeller added 14 points and 12 rebounds in the victory for the Washington Hatchets.

Washington only led by 3 points after the first quarter (15-12) but was able to hold Danville to just 4 points in the second quarter, leading 28-16 at halftime. Danville was led by senior guard Jordan Weidner who scored 19 points for Danville. Purdue-bound big man Travis Carroll added a double double, 14 points and 11 rebounds, for the Warriors.

Scouting:

(2011) Cody Zeller- Zeller had an up and down game today. He looked great in the first half, scoring 10 points, but struggled in the second scoring just 4 points. Zeller finished plays after contact, but struggled to convert from the free throw line, shooting just 3-8. He showed nice shooting range, knocking down his lone 3 point field goal attempt. Defensively, Zeller did a nice job and recorded 3 blocked shots. Zeller needs to add strength to his frame as he struggled at times guarding Carroll in the paint. Zeller rebounded the ball well, but struggled to control rebounds as many smaller opponents were able to tie him up for jump balls. He also passed the ball well and did not take any bad shots. All in all, Zeller had an alright game but could have done better. The main reason for his second half struggle was that Carroll switched and guarded him in the second half, as he was guarded by other smaller players in the first.

(2010) Travis Carroll- Carroll played a great game today, looking impressive on the glass and showing great effort on the defensive end. Offensively Carroll did most of his work on the offensive glass, pulling down 5 offensive rebounds and scoring several second chance buckets. He did display a good post presence, but was triple teamed at times, giving him almost no chances to score in the low post. Carroll was 4-4 from the free throw line, and also knocked down 2 deep 2 point shots. On the defensive end, Carroll held star junior Cody Zeller to just 4 points in the second half. Carroll had not matched up with Zeller in the first, so this was an impressive outing. Not an explosive leaper, Carroll used his strength and technique to rebound the ball very well and did not allow many second chance opportunities for his opponent.

(2010) Jordan Weidner- Weidner showcased his great shooting ability today, knocking down 4 3 pointers and 5-6 free throws. Defensively he played well, not allowing easy buckets and causing multiple deflections. Weidner showed good slashing ability as he was able to get to the rim and earn free throw attempts. All in all Weidner played a great game, showcasing great shooting touch and intensity on both ends of the court.

Packer leads Princeton to win over Washington and Zeller

Junior guard Jalen Packer led the host Princeton Tigers to a 61 to 59 victory over the visiting Washington Hatchets. Packer scored a team high 18 points leading Princeton to the win. Junior guard Rontray Chavis chipped in 11 points in the Princeton win. Junior forward Cody Zeller scored a game high 22 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Washington in a close loss.

Princeton led 34 to 32 at halftime with Zeller on the bench (with 3 fouls) towards the end of the 2nd quarter. Zeller also sat most of the second half with his 4th foul. Princeton trailed by six midway through the 4th quarter when Zeller recorded his 5th foul. Once Zeller fouled out, Princeton went on a run to regain the lead and hold off the hatchets, winning by a margin of two.

Scouting:

-(2011) Cody Zeller- Although he was limited during much of the game due to foul trouble, Zeller put on an impressive display in this game. A skilled 4 man with a good jumper, Zeller is very versatitle for his size. Cody knocked down a 3 pointer in the 3rd quarter, showing off his impressive range. Zeller excels scoring and passing out of pick and roll situations. His best damage is done when he faces the basket or puts the ball on the floor in the post. Zeller showed a good handle with the ball, putting the ball on the floor and creating shots out of the post and from the perimiter. Zeller knows when to pass and when to go toward the hoop, often using the bounce pass out of double teams in the low post. Although he only recorded 1 official assist, Zeller made several great passes, including a full court outlet pass to a teammate who missed a layup. Defensively he is solid, posing matchup problems to smaller opponents and altering many shots. As a rebounder Zeller has strong hands allowing him to pull down loose balls. All in all Zeller is a fantastic prospect as a skilled 4 man at the college level. He could stand to add a little bit of strength, and he has plenty of time to do so.

-(2011) Jalen Packer- This quick guard is the ultimate floor general at the high school level. Packer has tight handles and the quickness to get to the rim and score at ease. He also has great vision which allows him to find teammates on the perimiter when he draws double teams. Defensively his quickness allows him to keep up with ball handlers and put great pressure on the ball. Although he is not a great shooter, Packer can knock down the open jumper when given the chance. All in all Packer is a solid prospect who is truly a winner and can lead teams to the victory, scoring or not.