So I took some time to watch the mixtapes of all three guys announcing today.
Tyus Jones
Positives - A PG for sure. Plays under control. Can drive right or left, and doesn't mind going right or left. Can shoot well enough to demand attention, but doesn't just take jumpers to take them - he's willing and able to attack off the bounce. His shooting stroke is very clean, so I would imagine that he will continue to shoot the ball very well. Finishes at the rim with either hand. A willing passer. Always drives with his head up, looking to distribute. Has all of the standard PG finishes (layup, runner, floater, pull up J). He even showed some basic post moves. You press him at your peril because he finds openings and angles very well, and he sees the floor well to get the ball to the right place at the right time.
Negatives - There's only one highlight that really shows any sort of explosive athleticism, with him dunking on a guy that appears to be about 6-3. Other than that, he's a below the rim player. Similarly, he showed flashes of great quickness, but not a lot of WOW, that guy is quick plays in his highlight package. That may mean he's quick enough to handle HS guys, but won't blow by guys at the collegiate level. Has a tendency to finish off balance sometimes. That will be tougher against bigger, stronger players in college, although with the new emphasis on hand checking, that may not be an issue.
Overall - I like his game. He's a better shooter than either Naadir or Frank from the perimeter. I wonder how he will translate to the college game just because I don't see the natural physical gifts that will separate him at the college level. Skill wise, he is very talented.
Jahlil Okafor
Positives - He's a big guy. He dunks. A lot. That may not seem like its that important, but HS big men tend to not finish strong around the rim, and that gets them in trouble when they transition to college and encounter big guys that are physically gifted as well. Okafor has no such issues. He dunks on everybody. Also shows some nice footwork on spins. Has the ability to step out to 15. A highlight shows him hitting a three, but I doubt his range goes quite that far out. Protects the rim. Blocks shots at the high point. Will pass the ball (a rarity for a dominant HS big man).
Negatives - He's big, but he hasn't filled out yet. This could be a positive, because it usually means that there's more growing and maturing to do, but its also possible that the extra size/ muscle will never come. His non dunk/ layup finishes are a little wild sometimes. That could be a concern in college. He's very right hand dominant. I saw 1 left hand finish, no left handed blocks. Almost all of his dunks (75%-80%) were one handed (right) dunks.
Overall - I see why scouts are high on him. He's big but still very agile. Very powerful. Explosive for a man of his size, and probably still going to add size and muscle. I am concerned about him being so right hand dominant, but he's extremely talented, so that's just a minor thing.
Cliff Alexander
Positives - The first thing that stuck out to me is how long his arms seem. Sounds weird, but it was something that was noticeable. That wingspan makes him bigger than he is. VERY strong. Dunks a ton. Blocks lots of shots. His long arms allow him to high point the ball without jumping as high, allowing him to wait on the shooter. Finishes through contact with no real issues, mostly because he is violently dunking over that contact.
Negatives - Didn't see him shoot much, which is a worry. His mechanics look okay, but I wonder if he has the ability and confidence to step out to 15. Didn't see him really handle the ball at all. He's a post up PF, which is fine, but don't expect him to start knocking down 15-17 footers.
Overall - I don't know if he can hit jump shots with any sort of consistency. What I do know is that if you get him the basketball within 8 feet of the hoop, he's probably going to drop step and dunk. He also has a useful jump hook and a reasonable turnaround from that area, so its not all just power. But there is a TON of power. Like his defense more than Okafor. To me he's the better shot blocker. My only worry for him collegiately is that he won't be able to get the kind of position offensively that he gets in high school, so he will need to extend the range on his secondary shots (jump hook, turnaround).
Considering that we already have Oubre and may only lose Selden, Wiggins and Black, we don't have to get all three. It'd be nice, but not ultimately necessary.
