Peach Jam Sunday 7/17 | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Peach Jam Sunday 7/17

@Candyman34 you've changed my mind some. 1st team et al wasn't on the website I was using for the Livestreams I don't believe. I saw and posted here about Team Melo's 6pm game on 7/8 vs Team Takeover where Ball went 4-12 with 8 pts and 3 RB and didn't make his plays in the last minute with the game on the line. Then I watched his game vs BABC Sunday where he went 2-7 for 6 points with 3 rebounds. Then his game yesterday vs Brad Beal with 11pts and 4 RB. In those 3 games he was 1-10 from 3pt. Your post caused me to go through the effort to find the other box scores in KC to see what he could have done to be first team. He got 35, 22, 16, and 32 in the other games I didn't see. Goes to show why you have to watch a prospect a bunch of times.
 
Watched another couple games this weekend... here's my notes. FWIW Team Melo is coached really poorly. Some of these AAU games are just embarassing to watch.

Solo game 2:
  • Too left-hand dominant. Can’t go right very well in the half-court.
  • Smooth on the drive and kick, uses the jump stop well.
  • Not a lead guard… doesn’t have the skill to be a steady presence, even if he is a moment away from a 30 point outburst at any point. High potential… just not always manifesting itself.
  • Looks better in man defense
  • Uses jump stops in the post well
  • Straight line drives to his left he is VERY good. Super fast with the ball.
  • Not a big fan of the iso crap he tries to do. Very low % and messes up team dynamics
  • Okay game for him... 16/3/0. 5/10 from the field. 1/2 from deep. 5/6 from the FT line.

Ross Game 2:
  • Better rebounder than you’d think considering his frailty… Rebounding surprised me all 6 games I’ve watched.
  • Not a good man defender against people of any size. Keeps getting benched. Can’t keep anyone in front of him, and gets bodied in the post.
  • Passing better this game. I think his issue passing isn’t the ability, just that he’s really tense/unbalanced with the ball in his hands. Not comfortable yet. He looks better today because he isn’t being pressured much at all.
  • Shot all sorts of bad today from FT line and 3, but he’s getting it done on the boards and passing it. Good to see him be flexible.
  • Had one really nice athletic block.
  • Kind of sneakily athletic… he’s quick, but doesn’t have the hip mobility or strength to do much with it if anyone’s near him.
  • Great game this morning... 11/6/5. 4/8 from the field. But only 1/5 from deep and 2/6 at the line.
 
Team Melo with the early game today -- missed the 1st half.
  • Nice Ross --> Ball alley-oop early in the 2H
    • They attempted a second on with Ross as the inbounder, sailed over Ball's head (it was a tough pass/angle however)
  • Really like Ross' feel for the game even if he isn't the most talented -- his biggest strength will ultimately being a glue guy/doing a lot of the little things, filling up the box score in non-scoring ways (which of course is his scouting report anyways). I could definitely see him turning into a lockdown defender due to his motor/IQ, even a 3&D guy (hit a nice corner 3 as the shot clock was expiring as well)
  • Ball had a nice downhill layup with his (dominant) left hand -- very fluid moving with the ball -- I would say he's quick rather than fast if that makes sense
  • Ross bricked 2 FTs after getting foul hard on a fast break -- form looks solid though
  • Huge NBA range 3 by Ball at the end of the 3rd as time was expiring -- cut the lead from 11 to 8 (to end a Mac Irvin 7-0 run)
  • Both really do play hard, neither really had a bad shot selection today (apparently this was an issue in previous games). Ball definitely forces some things, but more so due to circumstance (being down late and lack of help). Nothing that wouldn't be solved with better teammates.
Final Score: Mac Irvin 66, Melo 62 | A bad end to the 2nd and 3rd quarters really kept Melo from winning the game, though they kept fighting and kept chipping away, just never could get over the hump

Ball: 16 pts, 5-10 FG, 1-2 3P, 5-6 FT, 3 REB, 0 AST
Ross: 11 pts, 5-8 FG, 1-5 3P, 2-6 FT, 6 REB, 5 AST


Nothing new that hasn't been said in this thread already. Team Melo is a flawed AAU team (size/rebounding/lack of a true PG). Ross will be a great role player on a good UConn team. Ball's ceiling is probably the #2/#3 player on a good UConn team. Brewster will definitely work wonders for Ball he has a great baseline of skills/talent already. Ross will be a great, fan-favorite 4-year player and will make the program a better place then when he joined.
 
Team Melo loses again. It really kills this team and kills Solo Ball's game that this team doesn't have a point guard. Ball needs to get better creating in the half court, he doesn't try to take his man off the dribble much and frankly he doesn't get the ball much because the "point guard" and everyone else on the team seem to shoot whenever they get the ball. It's a team with no point guard, no big man and a lot of guys who shoot too much.

Ball is a freak athlete but is rarely ever rewarded when he makes cuts to the rim in the half court or out on the break.

He led them with 16 points this morning. Ross filled up the stat sheet. He had a bad stretch at the end of the first half and screwed up the pass on what would've been a monster alley oop to Ball but it wasn't an easy pass to make. His best basketball is clearly ahead of him but he needs to make ft's and tighten some things up.
 
superjohn said:
Team Melo loses again. It really kills this team and kills Solo Ball's game that this team doesn't have a point guard. Ball needs to get better creating in the half court, he doesn't try to take his man off the dribble much and frankly he doesn't get the ball much because the "point guard" and everyone else on the team seem to shoot whenever they get the ball. It's a team with no point guard, no big man and a lot of guys who shoot too much.
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Just a horrendously coached team IMO. The fact that these kids are allowed to iso, chuck up bricks, and turn the ball over without consequence is disappointing... but not uncommon in AAU.

Ball was missed on half a dozen or more off-ball cuts today.
 
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husky429 said:
Just a horrendously coached team IMO. The fact that these kids are allowed to iso, chuck up bricks, and turn the ball over without consequence is disappointing... but not uncommon in AAU.

Ball was missed on half a dozen or more off-ball cuts today.
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I watched this team in person in Orlando and losing Isaiah Coleman has been the difference. While he isn't that true PG that they need, he was more than capable and not only was their best pure scorer but leader. Don't really see a true leader on this team -- and 100% the coaching is subpar.
 
husky429 said:
Just a horrendously coached team IMO. The fact that these kids are allowed to iso, chuck up bricks, and turn the ball over without consequence is disappointing... but not uncommon in AAU.

Ball was missed on half a dozen or more off-ball cuts today.
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This makes me miss coaching AAU, and not miss coaching AAU at all whatsoever at the same time
 
ThabeetDown said:
I watched this team in person in Orlando and losing Isaiah Coleman has been the difference. While he isn't that true PG that they need, he was more than capable and not only was their best pure scorer but leader. Don't really see a true leader on this team -- and 100% the coaching is subpar.
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Have you watched Stephon Castle play? If you have and you could sub out Isaiah Coleman with Castle in your mind and give us your impression of how that might look we’d have a clearer picture of what our coaching staff is thinking with their selection of players.

My minimal contribution is based on the last two periods of yesterday’s game. Both Ross and Ball were hustling on defense. Ross would lose his player on occasion and would get bodied from rebounding but he didn’t quit and used his length to rebound better than I expected based on his build. Ball was switching constantly covering opposing players who got open. They both take defense seriously.

Imm this effort plus the lack of a decent distributor and sub par coaching for Melo allows me to overlook a negative offensive effort by both players during the time I watched.
 
huskymedic said:
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In their Peach Jam opener on Monday, Team Melo lost to Brad Beal Elite, which is led by Scotty Middleton, a highly-touted wing who will make his college decision on Aug. 5. It appears Middleton is deciding between UConn, Seton Hall and Ohio State. A week ago in Kansas City, Ball did his best to encourage him to join him in Storrs in a couple of years.

“I was like, ‘UConn’s the move,’ ” Ball reported.

He didn’t try the same tactic on Monday.

“I was trying to win,” Ball reasoned. “I only did that before because we were winning by, like, 15. So I was trying to get in his head about it.”

Lol
 
fleudslipcon said:
Have you watched Stephon Castle play? If you have and you could sub out Isaiah Coleman with Castle in your mind and give us your impression of how that might look we’d have a clearer picture of what our coaching staff is thinking with their selection of players.

My minimal contribution is based on the last two periods of yesterday’s game. Both Ross and Ball were hustling on defense. Ross would lose his player on occasion and would get bodied from rebounding but he didn’t quit and used his length to rebound better than I expected based on his build. Ball was switching constantly covering opposing players who got open. They both take defense seriously.

Imm this effort plus the lack of a decent distributor and sub par coaching for Melo allows me to overlook a negative offensive effort by both players during the time I watched.
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I have not watched Castle play -- I'd imagine he's closer to a purer PG than Coleman. Coleman just makes the offense flow more than being a true PG if that makes sense? Regardless, both Ross and Ball would benefit from a true PG that can run an offense and set up his teammates. I'd have to imagine Castle would be that guy.

Ross was the assist leader for the team with 5 this morning. The two things I would take away from that is 1) Ross should never be the guy leading your team in assists but 2) The fact that he did lead the team in assists (and tied for leading the team in rebounds) shows you the type of player you're getting who will go outside his comfort zone/skillset to help his team win.

You're spot on with the effort and defense -- that's what I saw as well. It kept a Melo team in the game and that effort didn't let big leads get bigger. Sure, they're going to make some mistakes on D at times, but that can always be corrected with better coaching. It won't be due to a lack of effort, that's for sure.
 
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Ross seems like a guy that may not be a serious contributor until his junior or senior year, which is fine. It's good to have a roster balanced with some guys who are OK with developing a bit their first couple years, and then by the time they're ready to contribute, they really know the offense, what their role is expected to be, and are really good teammates.
 
superjohn said:
Best prospect in all of high school basketball.
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High BBIQ and maturity to his game for a young dude.. Among other attributes.. Has quick hands on D.. Obviously knows how to score.. Would be awesome to get him on campus before his indoctrination on the Duke OV
 
Umami Zen said:
High BBIQ and maturity to his game for a young dude.. Among other attributes.. Has quick hands on D.. Obviously knows how to score.. Would be awesome to get him on campus before his indoctrination on the Duke OV
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Almost 0 chance he plays college basketball unless someone can put together an NIL deal for 10 million or more
 
Umami Zen said:
High BBIQ and maturity to his game for a young dude.. Among other attributes.. Has quick hands on D.. Obviously knows how to score.. Would be awesome to get him on campus before his indoctrination on the Duke OV
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He uses his long arms really well. He has a twin brother who’s not as good but is still a big time prospect.
 
husky429 said:
Almost 0 chance he plays college basketball unless someone can put together an NIL deal for 10 million or more
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With what Silver has said, he may not even need to wait to enter the draft
 
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superjohn said:
Another local shooter who isn't coming here...
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yeah we shouldnt need to sugar coat it. everyone is happy w/ castle and ball but we missed on all of our other top targets from bowen to middleton and now it seems like we're scrambling.

to be clear a class of castle/ball/ross plus 2 more of stewart/carr/dilione would still be AWESOME but we wouldnt have waited to offer those last 3 guys until the summer of '22 if they weren't plans x, y, z.

i'm not being critical just making an observation. love hurley and the staff, especially when it comes to recruiting. sometimes the stars just dont align.
 
bendm said:
yeah we shouldnt need to sugar coat it. everyone is happy w/ castle and ball but we missed on all of our other top targets from bowen to middleton and now it seems like we're scrambling.

to be clear a class of castle/ball/ross plus 2 more of stewart/carr/dilione would still be AWESOME but we wouldnt have waited to offer those last 3 guys until the summer of '22 if they weren't plans x, y, z.

i'm not being critical just making an observation. love hurley and the staff, especially when it comes to recruiting. sometimes the stars just dont align.
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We don’t know if the staff “missed” on all those local kids. Seems we faded from their lists a long time ago so it just as easily could have been because the staff didn’t want them. They start with a huge list and then whittle it down during the spring and summer and then sometimes other kids emerge, like Ball. Only way we’ll know is if those local kids go on record and talk about UConn.
 
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Afternoon Peach Jam game for our Melo boys vs. Team United just tipped. Both teams are 0-2 so hoping for that first win for Ball/Ross.
 
Ball is such a crazy athlete. He's got some moves too, and can finish at the basket. Hasn't learned to compose or balance himself or his feet after making the moves for jump shots though. Just had a good baseline pass on a drive after he got triple teamed.
 
HooperScooper said:
We don’t know if the staff “missed” on all those local kids. Seems we faded from their lists a long time ago so it just as easily could have been because the staff didn’t want them. They start with a huge list and then whittle it down during the spring and summer and then sometimes other kids emerge, like Ball. Only way we’ll know is if those local kids go on record and talk about UConn.
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you can call it whatever you want; missed, faded, sold to the highest bidder, etc. etc. etc. the fact is we were actively recruiting a bunch of top 50 wings/forwards/bigs and didn't land any, for whatever reason.

now we seem to be down to 3 or 4 guys (dilione, stewart, carr, singare) that were all offered the summer before their senior years which is relatively late in the recruiting cycle. to an outsider that seems like a scramble as opposed to how staff planned it.

whether we fill out '23 with these remaining guys or with transfers next summer or a combination of both, i'll be excited and optimistic. but i think it's fair to say this class isn't coming together as nicely as hoped or as nicely as they have the last couple of years. and if it's not fair to say that then you can sue me for intentional infliction of emotional distress!
 
auror said:
Ball is such a crazy athlete. He's got some moves too, and can finish at the basket. Hasn't learned to compose or balance himself or his feet after making the moves for jump shots though. Just had a good baseline pass on a drive after he got triple teamed.
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His kickouts on drives are great. Has at least 4 or 5 a game that his teammates are bricking.

And yeah, he scissors his feet and sways on his jumper. He's shooting on the way down instead of at the apex of his shot. His upper body looks pretty clean though so it isn't a total rebuild with the coaching staff like Andre was.
 
Halftime:
  • Both Ross and Ball scoreless through the first quarter until the final seconds when Ball picked up a lose ball (probably gets credited with a steal) and took it straight to the hoop while Euro stepping through contact to get the bucket. Thought it was either going to be a travel or a turnover/brick as he took the shot, so credit to him.
  • Ross had an unfortunate series of bricking a wide open 3, getting a defensive rebound on the other end, and then turning the ball over pushing up the ball on the fast break
  • Ross than bricked another 3 after what might have been a set play off an out-of-bounds play...feet weren't set. 3s haven't been falling for him but I like his stroke -- I think with the right coaching he'll be able to figure it out enough to keep teams honest.
  • Really enjoy how Ball glides to the hoop. Not as smooth as Bouk but think lefty Jalen Adams but with almost the power of Rodney Purvis (but not quite). He's been at his best today when attacking the hoop off the dribble -- if he gets an open lane going left he's hard to stop.
  • Ross lets a fast break pass go off his fingers -- not a good game for him today at all.
  • 36-30 Team United at half, it was mostly tied up until the last few minutes. Ross scoreless, Ball with 6 on 3-7 shooting + 3 assists.
 
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