Isaiah Collier, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) 6-3 G
Although he missed some critical free throws at the end of the game, Collier led all scorers with 25 points. At 6-foot-3 or so, Collier has a unique combination of burst and force as a lead guard. He can blow past you or power his way to his spots. The important part is that Collier gets there routinely either way. And he also seems to be a natural playmaker. So in a class with very few "sure things," Collier is probably about as close as it gets. However, if he can tighten up his outside shooting, it would open up the whole floor, providing him with even more upside. So count on me heading out to Los Angeles to see Collier at USC next season, early and often.

Cody Williams, Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.) 6-7 F
Sometimes you have prospects where it's easy to see how they'd translate to the NBA because they're closer to being finished products than others. For example, I see a 6-foot-8 point forward with a near-infinite amount of upside in Colorado signee Cody Williams. Sure, he needs to get stronger and be more efficient with his shooting. Still, considering his size and versatility and how the NBA values positionless multi-talented players like him, I think Williams' potential is through the roof. Think about the success Scottie Barnes found early in his NBA career -- and although they're not exactly the same, Barnes is similar to what I'm hoping for with Williams. So now, it's up to him to take care of business once he gets to Boulder. And I'll be watching closely.

Ron Holland, Duncanville (Texas) 6-8 F
When I started evaluating Holland several years ago, I struggled to grasp who he was as a player. At first glance, he's a little unorthodox and somewhat mechanical. I remember asking myself, is he fluid enough to be a wing or big enough to play inside? I've seen him a lot since then, and I think he's improved his fluidity, giving me more confidence in his ability to play as a big wing. But probably even more importantly, I believe Holland to be one of those players where you probably shouldn't overanalyze it too much because he's just a player that gets it done. He's a winner. After a great season in Austin, head coach Rodney Terry and the Texas Longhorns should be excited to get Holland to town. So is he going to be a one-and-done? I think so.

D.J. Wagner, Camden (N.J.) 6-3 G
Of course, we all know his name now; he's Dajuan Wagner's son. And he's been categorized as one of the top players in this high school class for years. But I'll admit, I have mixed feelings about Wagner. On the one hand, he's super quick, great to the hole, and has a knack for getting buckets. And it's also worth noting he seems to be a great, unselfish teammate that plays the right way. But on the other hand, he's more of a scorer than a point guard, and he's not that big; he has a slight frame. Wagner shot the ball well in this game, knocking down several threes. However, I've questioned the consistency of his outside shooting overall. For example, per Cerebro Sports, in 51 games, Wagner has shot just 28.8% from three-point range on 260 attempts, which worries me. So yes, I have some questions: Can he get stronger? And can he become a more consistent outside shooter? I hope Wagner does answer these questions, but only time will tell.

Aaron Bradshaw, Camden (N.J.) 7-0 C
I've watched Aaron Bradshaw for years, and tracking his progression has been interesting. He's come a long way. At 7 feet plus, Bradshaw has intriguing physical tools, as he's exceptionally long but also mobile. I can see Bradshaw doing many of the blue-collar types of things asked of big men in the NBA: rebounding, protecting the rim, finishing, etc. However, perhaps the most pleasant surprise at the McDAAG was seeing his progression as a shooter. If Bradshaw can add physical strength, be more consistent with his motor, and continue developing his shooting, I could see his value at the NBA level significantly rise.

Justin Edwards, Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) 6-8 F
It's easy to see why Edwards has been so highly touted. At 6-foot-8 and with an apparent long wingspan, Edwards possesses a well-rounded skillset; he does a little of everything. And although he needs to get stronger, I say that about most players at the same stage. So to put it simply, Edwards has all the tools necessary to become a big-time player at the next level, and there are not necessarily any glaring weaknesses. If Edwards can synergize all his tools and produce next season consistently, I don't think he'll be in Lexington for long.

Ja'Kobe Walter, Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) 6-5 G
Last summer, I had the opportunity to spend time with Walter at Damian Lillard's inaugural Formula Zero Elite Camp. Lillard shared Formula Zero's motto, "Character. Hard Work. Accountability." And the thing is, Walter embodies those characterizations very well. He certainly has talent, but I wouldn't say he does anything that blows you away. However, I'm not sure I've seen a player at the same stage with the motor that Walter possesses. He plays extremely hard every second he is on the floor -- and that's something special. Walter is a player that I would not bet against. Head coach Scott Drew and the Baylor Bears have a good one coming.

Omaha Biliew, Waukee (Iowa) 6-9 F
Although he didn't have a standout game, I walked away from the McDAAG impressed by Billiew. At 6-foot-9 and a muscular 210 lbs., Biliew is an impressive and physical athlete that shows promise as a high-energy and versatile big man. I see some shades of likely 2023 NBA Draft prospect Jarace Walker or the Toronto Raptors' Precious Achiuwa. Iowa State doesn't typically sign McDonald's All-Americans, but they have Biliew coming, and I expect him to make some noise next season.

Stephon Castle, Newton (Ga.) 6-6 G
Sometimes I feel like a broken record these days. The NBA has never valued versatility quite like it does currently. So Castle, who's around 6-foot-6 with a solid and athletic build and seemingly can play three different positions on both ends of the floor, naturally intrigues me as a prospect. However, the NBA has never valued floor spacing and outside shooting like today. So Castle checks the boxes for size and versatility, but he has a lot of room for growth with his outside shooting. So to make a long story short, Castle needs to improve as a shooter. And if he does, watch out!

Bronny James, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) 6-3 G
Undoubtedly the most famous player at the McDAAG this year, the amount of buzz and media attention Bronny James demands is unprecedented. And although I don't think the expectations set are necessarily fair for James, he keeps improving. At 6-foot-3, James is an undersized off-ball guard that has become a terrific shooter from outside, especially off the catch-and-shoot. He's also an excellent on-ball defender and extremely explosive like his dad. However, I have questions regarding his lack of point guard skills and feel, and considering his size, it could create some long-term limitations, which is where I'm left thinking some of the lofty expectations from an NBA perspective might be a little much.

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So fast forward to this week, and I arrived in Houston, Texas, to attend the 2023 McDonald's All-American Game.

Throughout my life and career of growing up in and around the game and my various involvement working in basketball, I've had the opportunity to attend many high school All-American events. And typically, there's a lot of fluff, as there are always a lot of top young prospects playing for the cameras rather than playing the game to win, similar to this year's NBA All-Star Game.

So anyway, I got to town a few days before the McDonald's All-American game. In doing so, I was able to attend both the East and West teams' practices. And as soon as I stepped foot in the gym, I could tell this would not be your typical All-American event or all-star game. Contrarily, this year, it was apparent that the players and coaches meant business; no fluff.

As a self-proclaimed basketball purist, Tuesday night's game was refreshing; it was incredible! The kids really got after it from start to finish. They competed as if their careers were on the line. And considering the number of NBA scouts and people like myself that were in attendance this week, that might be the case to a certain extent.

There might not be any prospects in this year's class that are sure to become NBA superstars. However, this group is unique. As an NBA Draft Analyst and scout, naturally, I gravitate to talent as it's a prerequisite to playing at the highest level of basketball. Nothing frustrates me more than evaluating talented players who don't approach the game correctly — to win.

It's been a common narrative that this year's senior class is down in talent. And although that might be true, this group is filled with some ultra-competitive players that I believe are on the right track to maximizing their potential. To name just a few specific players that stood out to me that fit that bill of being high achievers are Isaiah Collier (USC), Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State), Ron Holland (Texas), Sean Stewart (Duke), and Ja'Kobe Walter (Baylor).

Also, another thing that stood out to me is that the prospect in my eyes that might have the most untapped long-term potential is Cody Williams from FAB 50 No. 18 Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.). And although Williams' stock and value have sky-rocketed over the past year, and he could have gone just about anywhere he wanted, he didn't choose to go to a blue-blood. Instead, he decided to sign with Colorado to play for head coach Tad Boyle, who, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated coaches in the country. Boyle doesn't typically sign 5-star recruits. Instead, he makes the most of the talent he does sign. So to see such a highly touted prospect like Williams choose a school like Colorado makes me like him that much more. And it tells me chances are he will embrace Coach Boyle's coaching and subsequently improve as a player.

Of course, the basketball world is changing dramatically with the emergence of NIL, a polarizing topic. But I'm hopeful that this group of McDonald's All-Americans represents a change in the tides for the basketball industry at the grassroots level, despite the amount of negativity surrounding the new way of operating. I have hope that, although these young prospects now have the opportunity to be paid to be influential basketball players, legally, it has changed their general approach. These young prospects are essentially professionals now, not amateurs. And this class has given me hope that the new age of NIL might be breeding young players who approach the game as just that: professionals.

So to all of the players in Houston this week, congratulations on this outstanding recognition and honor of being named McDonald's All-Americans; it's a big step in your careers. But I'd also like to sincerely thank you for approaching the game the right way, representing the game the right way, and leading the young players that will come after you in the right direction.

The future of our game is in great hands. Thank you!

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Rob Dillingham, OTE (Hickory, N.C.)
6-1 | 170 | Guard | College: Kentucky
Game 1: 12 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST
Game 2: 22 PTS, 7 AST, 4 STL

I've been saying a lot lately that traditional big men and undersized guards are losing value at the NBA level at an alarming rate. So, at first glance, Dillingham doesn't necessarily scream "big-time NBA prospect," as he's not tall and has a slight build at 6-foot-1, 170. Once the ball is tipped, however, it's easy to see why Dillingham is highly touted. First, his speed, shiftiness, craftiness, and knack for getting to his spots and setting up his teammates by dishing the ball with perfect timing and feel are uncanny. And Dillingham is already a capable shot-maker, typically shooting off the dribble after constantly changing his pace and zig-zagging around the court while regularly getting up to speeds that seem like 100 miles per hour and stopping on a dime. Then, there's Dillingham's floor presence. There's no ignoring Dillingham while he's on the court, as he exudes an amount of confidence and swagger that's rarely seen in a player his age (18 years old). He talks a lot of trash and walks a fine line between having confidence that creates a competitive edge and being just a little too much. I think his approach can be effective if utilized properly. Still, again, he's walking a fine line, and I'm keeping a pulse on these elements of his game.

As I've collected my thoughts after my most recent exposure to Dillingham, I can't help myself to think of two players that I've had the opportunity to spend a lot of time around: T.J. Ford and Brandon Jennings, both players who were lottery picks selected by my dad's team, the Milwaukee Bucks. (My dad, Dave Babcock, is the Bucks' director of player personnel, and has been with the team for more than 25 years.) Dillingham possesses Ford's jet speed and water bug quickness and Jennings' craftiness, shot-making, and swagger.

So the big looming question remains: is Dillingham special enough to be an exception to this newly unwritten rule about undersized guards in the NBA and become a top-tiered NBA prospect? Well, I think so, but I'm not entirely sure yet. So I'll watch him closely next season as he's set to head to Lexington to play for coach John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.

Tyler Smith, OTE (Houston, Texas)
6-10 | 214 | Forward/Center | College: N/A
Game 1: 21 PTS, 7 REB, 4-7 3PT
Game 2: 26 PTS, 8 REB, 3-6 3PT

Like Dillingham, I've seen Smith play many times before my latest trip to Overtime Elite. And actually, I remember precisely the first time I saw him play in person. It was at an AAU tournament in Dallas a couple of years ago. Then shortly after, in Houston, when he switched squads to team up with 2023 NBA Draft prospect Keyonte George (Baylor). Smith was probably around 6-foot-8 when I first saw him, and he showed flashes of versatility and an ability to stretch the floor by shooting the ball from outside.

I was intrigued.

Fast forward to now, and Smith is every bit 6-foot-10, and his body has begun to fill out. So at his current size, Smith is a lefty stretch big, as he typically plays faced towards the hoop outside on the perimeter. And he's capable of shooting from deep, which was evident in these two recent games I watched as he shot 7-of-13 from three-point range. Smith is also a capable finisher at the rim, utilizing primarily straight-line drives. However, he can also put it on the floor for a big guy and finish using some crafty finishes, euro steps, and different moves around the basket. I wouldn't say Smith is exceptionally explosive. Still, he's coordinated, skilled, and a good athlete, making him a well-rounded and versatile big on both ends of the floor.

Per Cerebro Sports, they have aggregated metrics from 45 of Smith's games at Overtime Elite and the high school level. Smith has made 62-of-192 three-point attempts (.322). Of course, those metrics don't necessarily suggest he'll become the next Dirk Nowitzki or Karl-Anthony Towns. However, I heard a veteran NBA coach once say, "we need our big men to shoot it well enough so that they keep the defense honest by having to guard them on the perimeter, providing necessary floor spacing." Well, I think Smith is already at that point in his development. Also, considering that he's developed a reputation for being one of the biggest gym rats in the Overtime Elite program, tells me he'll keep improving.

So over two years, my interest in Smith as an NBA prospect has transitioned from intrigue to excitement. And at this rate, I suspect the next characterization in my evaluation will be "promise."

Regardless, I'll be keeping close tabs on Tyler Smith moving forward.

If you read this, keep grinding, big fella!

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As an NBA Draft analyst, I routinely travel to evaluate top prospects worldwide. Although I usually focus on prospects likely to be eligible for the upcoming NBA Draft, I make a concerted effort to get ahead by evaluating younger prospects, too, which leads me to my latest trip. This past weekend, I visited a special place: Springfield, Mass., the birthplace of basketball. I attended two high school events: the Spalding Hoophall Classic, which was held at Springfield College, and the HoopHall Prep Showcase, held at MassMutual Center.

I evaluated top players in the Class of 2023, who will be college freshmen next season, and some who could become one-and-done at that level before entering the 2024 NBA Draft. I also evaluated many top prospects from the Class of 2024. I believe there were a lot of future NBA players in those buildings and playing in those games. However, several prospects especially caught my eye, but they weren't in either of those classes; they were even younger. The players I'd like to highlight today are three of the top young prospects in the country: 2025 forward Cameron Boozer of FAB 50 No. 6 Columbus (Miami, Fla), 2025 wing forward Cooper Flagg of FAB 50 No. 2 Montverde Academy (Fla.) and A.J. Dybantsa, of St. Sebastian's School (Needham, Mass.), a 6-foo-7 wing from the Class of 2026.

One thing I find interesting about Boozer, Flagg, and Dybantsa is they are somewhat similar. All three players are just 15 or 16 years old, 6-foot-7 or taller (and likely still growing), athletic, and possess well-rounded skill sets. They play inside and out, shoot threes, put it on the floor, perform highlight finishes above the rim, and have the potential to defend multiple positions effectively. They generally play faced toward the hoop, and they're incredibly versatile. They're positionless. Their physical builds, body movements, athleticism, and overall physicality are different. Still, they're pretty much the same: they are do-it-all players with size and versatility. And most importantly, they're dynamic and, subsequently, elite prospects.

Another player that would fit a similar description is the No. 1 pick from the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero from Duke, who is currently playing well in his rookie season for the Orlando Magic. Banchero is listed at 6-foot-10 and 250 lbs -- he's an absolute brute. And despite his physical size and tools, he's a versatile, do-it-all player without a strict penciled-in position, just like the three high school prospects I mentioned.

And this year's No. 1 NBA prospect is a player from France, whom everyone's likely heard of now, Victor Wembanyama, as he has seemingly set the world on fire this season with his talent and play. Wembanyama is an extreme version of this type of do-it-all player, as he's 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot-wingspan. Still, despite his size, he shoots threes and crosses guys up off the dribble, in addition to dunking and blocking everything in sight. He's a unicorn as an NBA prospect.

So after spending several days in Springfield, getting to know these young prospects better, I couldn't help think about Dr. James Naismith, who invented basketball in Springfield in 1891. I thought about the origin of the game and the game's evolution. Basketball has come a long way, and the game is changing rapidly, especially at the NBA level.

The days of predictable isolations on the low block, hand checks, and rough physicality are long gone, as today's game is much more predicated on spacing, skill, and finesse. It's often discussed that small guards and traditional bigs are a dying breed in the NBA. Due to extreme spacing in today's game, NBA coaches prefer flexibility on the defensive end, with switchable players that can defend multiple positions and players that can shoot the ball with range on the offensive end. So players with size and versatility on both ends of the floor generally hold much more significant value across the board in the NBA. So naturally, Boozer, Flagg, and Dybansta check all the right boxes for what NBA scouts are looking for in young prospects.

So I left Springfield asking myself, "are Cameron Boozer, Cooper Flagg, and AJ Dybantsa future NBA stars?"

Well, I'm not going to make any bold statements about 15 or 16-year-olds. I think that would be reckless. However, I will say this: all three have the potential to become great and are on the right track. And although I'm admittedly being a bit vague, I can say one thing for certain; they are high-priority prospects for me to monitor, and I will track their progress very closely moving forward.

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Editor's Note: The City of Palms semifinal matchups are FAB 50 No. 1 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) vs. No. 12 Columbus (Miami, Fla.) and No. 10 Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) vs. No. 14 Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.).

Elliot Cadeau, Link Academy (Branson, Mo.)
6-1 | 165 | Guard | Class of 2024
I first saw Elliot Cadeau at Pangos All-American Camp in Las Vegas, Nev., and thought he was great! He's certainly on the smaller side, which is a problem from an NBA standpoint on some level or another, and he's on the older side in age for his grade. (He's already 18 years old). However, aside from those things, there's not much else not to like about Cadeau: he's quick, explosive, has a high basketball IQ, seems mature and composed, and is just a terrific floor general overall. In the game I watched, he scored 12 points on 6-12 shooting and impressively dished out 9 assists while only turning the ball over once.

Isaiah Collier, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.)
6-3 | 190 | Guard | Class of 2023
One would be remiss if they didn't point out Isaiah Collier's physical profile immediately. At 6-3 190 lbs., Collier is already built like a grown man. He's a physical guard, especially at this early stage in his career. Collier is most effective with the ball in his hands and has a similar playing style as Russell Westbrook. He's constantly pushing the ball north and south and is assertive, trying to make plays -- he's hard to guard. And Collier also seems to be a natural passer and playmaker. From my viewpoint, his outside shooting appears to be sporadic and seems to be his swing skill. He'll be a high priority on my watch list for next season when he suits up for the USC Trojans.

Justin Edwards, Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.)
6-7 | 180 | F | Class of 2023
The City of Palms Classic wasn't my first time seeing Edwards, but I have still been trying to gain a better grasp of him as a prospect. And considering he's one of the top-ranked prospects in the Class of 2023 and is committed to John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats, expectations have been high. However, when I evaluate prospects, especially in high school, I do my best to remove myself from the "hype" and form my own raw opinions. So regarding my evaluation of Edwards, first of all, his physical tools are impressive. His listed measurements of 6-7 and 180 lbs., are misleading because Edwards is big and long. As I project how he'll develop physically, I don't think he'll have any problem playing both forward spots. His game is predicated on slashing to the hole, with shooting from the perimeter being very much secondary. Edwards routinely uses his long wingspan and instincts to effectively make things happen on the defensive end, whether getting loose balls, rebounds, deflections, or blocks. I'm projecting Edwards to become a slashing hybrid forward that can be switchable on the defensive end. And I'm hoping he can develop into a reliable outside shooter because that will open up the game for him. At this point, I can see some resemblance to a young Thaddeus Young, who has had a terrific NBA career.

Boogie Fland, Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.)
6-3 | 165 | Guard | Class of 2024
Each time I watch Fland, I walk away even more excited about his future. He's only 16 years old, but he's already doing many great things on the court. His handles are tight as he has the ball on a string. He's a crafty scorer, creates off the dribble, and can finish effectively with both hands. Most impressively, though, he can shoot the ball with range and can make tough shots. Fland is currently being used as a combo guard, but long term, I project him to become a primary ball handler and on-ball creator. His combination of being a crafty creator and tough shot maker with range reminds me of a young Darius Garland. I'm excited about Fland's potential, but there's a lot of time between now and when I need to come to a conclusive evaluation. And he needs to take care of business. I'll certainly be tracking Fland closely.

Tre Johnson, Lake Highlands (Dallas, Texas)
6-5 | 180 | G | Class of 2024
Although I evaluate high school prospects, I'm not nearly as entrenched in the high school scouting and college recruiting scene as analysts that focus on that level as their primary responsibility. So I'm not quite sure how bold of a statement I'm about to make, but here we go: Tre Johnson is the top NBA prospect currently playing at the high school level. He has terrific positional size, can create for himself, has a bursty first step, and has a sweet stroke with range. All in all, Johnson is just a natural scorer. And although I think he's already an exceptional prospect, Johnson has a frame that can add functional strength and weight, and when he does, he will be an even bigger problem for opponents.

Karter Knox, Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.)
6-6 | 205 | Class of 2024
A scoring wing with a sturdy build, Tampa Catholic's star player has moved up the ranks for a good reason. Knox possesses several elements that translate well and are immensely valuable: he shoots the ball with range, scores the ball going to the hole, and is very explosive -- he'll throw it down at the rim. As a result, Knox is a high priority for me to continue watching and keeping a pulse on his progression.

Ja'Kobe Walter, Link Academy (Brandon, Mo.)
6-5 | 180 | Class of 2023
I had a chance to spend some time with Walter this past summer at Damian Lillard's Formula Zero, so I went to the City of Palms Classic, already familiar with him and his game. At first glance, Walter doesn't have any specific skills that blow you away. For example, his handles and shooting mechanics are okay but not worth writing home about. But the more you watch him play, Walter's value becomes clear-cut. He has a motor that doesn't ever stop. He competed on every possession in the one game I watched in Florida. Due to his hard work and athleticism, he's an effective defender. Walter is also an effective slasher. He is a capable outside shooter, but it needs to be his primary focal point for development moving forward. I think there will be a direct correlation between his growth as an outside shooter and his long-term success. Regardless, one thing is sure: Scott Drew and the Baylor Bears are getting a true competitor next season that will do many little things to contribute to winning.

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