College Basketball: Junior Evaluations Part 3

Livers is the go-to scorer for Michigan and has really good size. He brings good versatility and can post up smaller defenders effectively and really shoot well from the perimeter. Also, he does an effective job of attacking in transition with his size and ability to finish at the rim. Furthermore, he does a very solid job of attacking in isolated situations with his ability to shoot and drive. Next, he does a pretty good job of moving without the ball and getting in a scoring position. He’s a dependable scorer who brings really good consistency for Michigan. Now, defensively he moves well and has the solid length to do a solid job on the ball. His physicality makes drives more difficult and protects the basketball well. Livers will be one of the best wings in the country next season.

Brooks had a very good season and was a really good scoring threat for North Carolina. Next, he’s really effective as a rim runner and gets very good positioning in the post. Furthermore, he’s a solid rebounder and contributes effectively to the glass and finishing second chance opportunities. Also, he has good touch around the basket and is pretty good with his footwork. He’s not very quick and has some limitations athletically. Additionally, he had very solid hands and will force double teams on a consistent basis. The drop step is his best move and will be in a really good frontcourt with Armando Bacot. As for defensively, he’s not very solid with his inability to move that well. Next, he doesn’t have great positioning and strength to be a solid defender. Brooks will be one of the best big men in the country next season.

Smith has really good athleticism with the ability to move very well on the offensive end. Next, he can make plays off the dribble and has the athletic ability to finish at the rim. Furthermore, he does a solid job of cutting around the baseline to get plays at the rim and he does a good job of making mid-range jumpers. Also, he can be really good out in transition as a rim runner. Additionally, his skill work and finishing around the basket really elevates his game, as well as making improving his shot from the perimeter. His ability to face up players and rebound the basketball is his biggest strength. Smith has the ability to have a more consistent senior season for Indiana. Now, defensively his size and athleticism allow him to guard multiple positions and he does a very solid job on the perimeter. He brings good activity and moves well on the ball. Smith has an opportunity to be apart of one of the best frontcourts next season with Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Perkins has really solid size and brings good shot-making for Saint Louis. He does a good job of spotting up on the perimeter and makes threes on a consistent basis. He’s a very effective mid-range shooter and cuts effectively to get open. Additionally, his physicality can allow him to create space and make shots effectively. He’s a very consistent and solid player with the ability to create off the dribble being in control. Perkins brings a steadiness to Saint Louis and is one of the best players in the A-10. He could create more effectively to get to the basket using his size and strength. As for defensively, he moves well with very solid size and length on the basketball, as well as having the versatility to guard multiple positions on the perimeter. His effort and energy on the defensive end is very good and is vital for Saint Louis. Perkins will try and help Saint Louis live up to expectations as the A-10 favorite.

Young brings really good toughness and energy that is very important for Ohio State’s success. He is always active and plays really hard with the ability to contribute very well on the boards. Furthermore, he’s a tough screener who has the ability to open up to the basket and finish around the basket going hard. Also, he’s a tremendous glue guy knowing his role and maximizing it with his size, effort, and toughness. He’s athletic to make plays happen at the rim and will clean up other’s misses. Next, he’s not very skilled but for Young, that doesn’t affect his production with his maximized effort. Defensively, he brings good effort and does a solid job of containing the ball. Furthermore, his size can be an issue against post-ups in the Big Ten especially. The effort and ability to contribute on the boards is there consistently. Young will continue to play his role in the success of Ohio State next season.

Grady is a go-to scorer with the ability to make shots at a high level. He’s got good size and can move well without the ball with the ability to make shots on the move. Further, his physicality helps him get to the basket and have the ability to finish at the rim. Next, the cutting ability of Grady is very solid and gives him opportunities from the perimeter and at the basket. The ability to hunt his shot with getting good shot selection is a key to Grady’s success. The ability to make jumpers off the catch and dribble with his size makes Grady a very difficult matchup for teams. Now, defensively he has solid size and moves well guarding the ball. His effort is consistent and can contest shots well. Grady will be in contention to be A-10 Player of the Year next season.

Morretti brings very solid play for Texas Tech with the ability to be a big shot maker. He brings very good footwork and the ability to create his own shot. Next, the ability for him to move off the ball gets him in really good scoring positions. He is always ready to be a knockdown catch and shoot player from deep, as well as cutting backdoor off his defenders getting open for opportunities at the rim. Furthermore, he’s really good at making runners in the lane. He’s a really efficient player with the ability to make good decisions. Morretti has solid toughness but he doesn’t have the size to penetrate to the basket well. Defensively, he does a very good job of drawing charges. Also, he doesn’t move that well and lacks great size, but gets good positioning. Morretti will be one of the best players in the Big 12 next season.

Watson brings really solid toughness as an interior presence for Providence. He brings good athleticism around the basket contributing on the glass. He has a solid drop step move going to the left with his size and physicality. Also, he brings continuous effort on the offensive boards. His overall skill set with the basketball could improve and he could have a better touch around the basket. Further, on post touches he’s really patient and will not rush to make tough shots. His ability to face up and make short jumpers would help him elevate his game. As for defensively, he doesn’t move that great around the basket and can get caught in poor positioning at times. He has the athleticism and the ability to improve protecting the paint. Watson is a very solid player and will be a big part of the success of Providence next season.

For Clark, injuries ruined the potential for him to have a really good season and be a part of Baylor’s great success. Next, he brings the ability to be dominant in ball screens with really good mobility and touch around the basket. He’s in really good control attacking the basket and has very good footwork. Furthermore, he has the athleticism to make plays in transition and gets good positioning. Also, he has the ability to face up and attack with his feel and touch around the basket. He could improve his shot to extend his range more and be more versatile. Now, defensively he moves well and gets good positioning in the post. He could improve his strength to really be a factor defending the basket. The health is the ultimate key to Clark having a season that he is capable of having.

Frazier is a scoring guard with the ability to make big shots. He’s got the ability to play on and off the basketball especially being ready to shoot off the ball. Next, he can be a very effective player in transition with his shooting ability and can attack the rim well. Furthermore, he’s a guard who hunts his shot and that can lead to more shots at the time he needs to improve his shot selection next season. Additionally, he’s got the ability to create off the dribble for mid-range jumpers and doesn’t need much space to get a shot off. Frazier will be the lead guard if Ayo Dosunmu doesn’t return next season. On the defensive end, he brings good effort with really active hands. Also, he moves his feet well on the ball has solid physicality. Frazier will be one of the better guards in the Big Ten next season.

Simms brings really good versatility and athleticism for Clemson. He moves really well for a guy with his size and can be very effective in ball screen situations either diving or popping out to the perimeter, as well as have the skill to face up on the high post or baseline to shoot or attack effectively. Furthermore, he brings good toughness inside and finishes well on post-ups with the ability to go to different moves quickly. His 3-point shooting is a big aspect of his game as he forced other frontcourt players to guard him out on the perimeter. His athleticism and ability to make plays with the ball make him very difficult to contain and matchup against. He’s also an effective rebounder on both ends of the floor. Now, defensively he brings good size and toughness but he can struggle to close out on shooters at times. He moves his feet well and gives good length on the ball his versatility is key. Simms will be an all ACC player next season.

Manek is the ultimate stretch big with his shooting ability. He’s really good as a trail man in transition being able to get a quick open three. Also, he’s always in a really good position to shoot the ball with good form. Next, he’s dynamic in pick and pop situations with the ability to stretch the defense and his shooting. He also can take defenders off the dribble at times. In addition, he needs to improve his strength so he can operate more effectively inside the 3-point line. Further, he does a solid job with head fakes to attack the mid-range and basket. The touch around the basket is good the strength just needs to improve. Now, defensively he moves well on the perimeter and can stay in front containing drives. Manek is a knockdown shooter who will have a very good senior season at Oklahoma.

Thompson brings really good steadiness and tenacity for Butler defensively. He’s extremely active on the ball and has the size to be really good on the ball. He creates turnovers with his activity. Next, he has the inability to shoot the ball that great and is not a threat from the perimeter. Furthermore, he can get downhill on ball screens with toughness but can struggle to finish around the basket with size in the paint. Additionally, his first step is really solid and he can get by other guards. Also, he has really solid size and can make plays in transition off of turnovers. Continued, he moves very well off the ball and can come off of hands really well and finishes strong at the rim off of cuts. Thompson is a very solid player and one of the best perimeter defenders in the country.

Smith has a very good size and is a really solid scorer. He’s got the ability to attack in isolated situations with his overall length and ability to attack the dribble. Further, he spots up well on the perimeter to make threes effectively he could take the next to shoot it really well. Also, he can play on and off the ball bringing the versatility and attacking mismatches. He can operate well in the high post with the ability to shoot or drive with his size. Continued, the play of Smith could really elevate next season with his confidence growing. Furthermore, he’s really smooth with the ball and gets to his spots very well. Now, defensively he has solid size and length but lacks real energy and movement to defend at a high level.

Da Silva had a really good season and was extremely effective for Stanford this past season. Furthermore, he has good size and the ability to face up and attack effectively. Continued, he moves well and has good feel around the basket. Also, he can stretch out to the perimeter and make a three to be harder to guard. The ability to attack off the dribble is solid, as well as flashing to the high post and operating well with shots and drives. He’s a solid rebounder but could get stronger to be even more successful in post-ups and on the glass. Da Silva is really good interior presence and will have a lot of help with Tyrell Terry and Ziaire Williams on the perimeter. Defensively, he gets in really good positioning and reads the offenses very well. Next, he moves well to get out on the perimeter and can protect the basket. Da Silva will be one of the best players in the PAC 12 and leading Stanford to the NCAA tournament.