NBPA Top 100 Camp- Lakers & Magic Scouting Reports

by Alex Schwartz

The 2010 NBPA Top 100 Camp featured some of the most highly-touted and highly-recruited players in the country, with prospects coming from coast to coast. Even some of Canada's finest made the trip to the University of Virginia's John Paul Jones Arena for the prestigious event.

The players were broken down into 10 teams for the camp, each squad being named for an NBA franchise. In addition to my articles with school lists (Day One, Day Two, Day Three, and Day Four) and Top Scorers/Award Winners post, I will also have five separate pieces with scouting reports and evaluations from the NBPA Top 100 Camp. Each article will be for two of the 10 teams, going in alphabetical order (the two finalists will be together regardless) for the posts.

This third post is on the Lakers and Magic, and will include players' heights, weights, wingspans, reaches, scoring output, and an evaluation. Here is the third installment of Northstar Basketball's NBPA Top 100 Camp scouting reports. To view my scouting report post on the Cavs and Celtics, click Here. To view my scouting report post on the Hornets and Jazz, click Here.

Note: Height is without shoes on and all players played in six games unless otherwise noted.

LAKERS

Marcus Paige ’12, PG, Linn-Mar (IA)
Height & Weight: n/a (was not measured)
Wingspan & Reach: n/a
PPG & High: 4.2, 5
One of just a handful of 2012 guards at the event, Paige had a solid showing, though he was a bit over matched against older, bigger guards. Nonetheless, the Hawkeye State star did show that he has the ability to effectively run a team from the point guard spot. He needs to bulk up, but Paige has a chance to be a quality floor general down the road, as he plays hard at both ends as has a nice basketball IQ.

Levi Randolph ’11, SG, Bob Jones (AL), Alabama
Height & Weight: 6’4, 179lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’9, 8’3.5
PPG & High: 4.2, 8
Randolph was given one of the Workout Warrior awards, and he showed why when he was out on the floor, as he plays the game hard. A combo guard with a good handle and a solid frame, Randolph has the length to play the two at the next level. His jumper is solid, but could use some work. All said, it was a stellar week for Randolph, despite his relatively low scoring output.

CJ Barksdale ’11, PF, George Washington (VA), Virginia Tech
Height & Weight: 6’7, 214lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’11, 8’8
PPG & High: 8.5, 11
Barksdale was attending his second consecutive NBPA Top 100 Camp, but he did not get to show his skills much last year after suffering an injury. This time around the future Hokie did not disappoint. A sturdy, but slightly undersized power forward, Barksdale uses his bulk to score around the cup. He also rebounds the basketball and can run the floor. He went for double-digits four of his team's six games.

Cedrick McAfee ’11, SG, Melrose (TN)
Height & Weight: 6’2, 176lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’5, 7’11
PPG & High: 6.5, 15
There is no question that McAfee is undersized for the two spot, but there is also no question in his ability to shoot the ball from beyond the arc. McAfee has a smooth stroke from long range, and that is the forte of his game. He can bring up the ball if needed as well, as he can handle is pretty well. If he continues to work on his point guard skills to go along with his lethal jumper, McAfee could be a real offensive threat at the next level if he is able to slide over to be a scoring one. Even as a two, though, he is a surefire high-major player, though he would benefit from a bit of added bulk and improved consistency.

Mikael Hopkins ’11, PF, DeMatha (MD)
Height & Weight: n/a (was not measured)
Wingspan & Reach: n/a
PPG & High: 6.8, 13 (5gms)
Even though his points per game was not particularly high, Hopkins had a superb showing at the camp. A long power forward listed at 6'9 in the media packet, Hopkins has a nice inside-outside game. He can score around the hoop and is a good rebounder, but he is also adept and shooting the ball, with his range extending beyond the arc. Hopkins need to add weight, but his ceiling is quite high.

Rodney Hood ’11, SF, Meridian (MS)
Height & Weight: 6’7, 187lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’8, 8’8
PPG & High: 9.3, 21
Even though he did not quite average double-digits, Hood had a great performance at NBPA Top 100 Camp. He is a versatile wing who can score the ball in a variety of ways, including off the bounce and beyond the arc. He handles well and also does well on the glass.

Sheldon McClellan ’11, SG, Bellaire (TX), Texas
Height & Weight: n/a (was not measured)
Wingspan & Reach: n/a
PPG & High: 8.0, 11
The main thing that stands out about this future Texas Longhorn is his effort level. McClellan goes hard at all times, chasing down loose balls, running the floor, and frankly, playing all out. In addition, he can score the ball and has a good handle to go along with it.

Branden Dawson ’11, SF, Lew Wallace (IN)
Height & Weight: 6’5, 202lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’11.5, 8’5
PPG & High: 10.3, 14
Dawson had some phenomenal moments while at NBPA Camp, but at other times he was silent. His skill level, length, and physicality are all outstanding. Dawson is a big-time rebounder who can also score the ball in a number of ways, including off the bounce, via the dunk, and even hit a jumper. He did not display much range, but showed that he has a good enough handle. Dawson has a great deal of potential and could be great when he puts it all together.

Bernard Sullivan ’11, PF, Davidson Country Day (NC)
Height & Weight: 6’7.5, 216lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’9, 8’7
PPG & High: 10.0, 12
Sullivan is another one of the guys who seemingly came to NBPA Camp with something to prove as he was not one of the more well-known guys in attendance. The Tar Heel State standout did not disappoint, putting on a quality display almost each time out. Sullivan scored double-digits in four of his six outings and was consistent, not dropping less than seven in any game. He also put his rebounding ability on display, showing that he can clean the glass at both ends. He has developed into much more of a true four, which is not a bad thing, but if he adds more of a jumper he could play some three as well.

Sidiki Johnson ’11, PF, Oak Hill Academy (VA), Arizona
Height & Weight: 6’8, 220lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 7’2, 8’10
PPG & High: 6.7, 16

If you want to see a guy who passes the looks test, check no further than Sidiki Johnson. The New York City native has a big, chiseled frame, which he uses to body defenders down low. Johnson, though, needs to his production to match his body and potential. Possessing a stellar face-up game, Johnson scored 16 in his first game, but did not go over eight from there on out, scoring four or less three times, so his consistency needs some work too. Overall it is clear that Johnson has a bright future and a chance to be really good as long as he puts in the necessary work to refine his game.

MAGIC

Michael Carter-Williams ’11, PG, St. Andrew’s (RI), Syracuse
Height & Weight: 6’4.5, 167lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’7, 8’4
PPG & High: 7.7, 18
Overall, it was not a particularly great week for Carter-Williams. He scored an impressive 18 points in his team's last game, but besides that did not go over eight. His basketball IQ and feel for the game were evident though and he also displayed a quality ability to distribute the basketball.

Aaron Brown ’11, SF, Penn Wood (PA)
Height & Weight: 6’4, 201lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’10, 8’2
PPG & High: 8.2, 13
Brown was yet another guy without that high-profile reputation, but who more than held his own. Brown finished top 40 in scoring, going for double-digits twice, despite not being a primary scorer on his team. Brown has solid athletic ability and superb length, but he is undersized for a three and needs to improve upon his jumper, as he is right now more of a slasher, albeit a good one.

Ryan Boatright ’11, PG, Aurora East (IL)
Height & Weight: 5’10, 152lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’0, 7’6.5
PPG & High: 13.0, 24 (5gms)
The undersized point guard from the Prairie State was, frankly, outstanding at NBPA Camp. Even though he is sub 6-foot, he has a strong frame for his size. Boatright has really good quickness, including a near lethal first step to drive past his defender and get to the cup. In addition, he is a stellar long range shooter, though he does need to be more consistent. An above-average athlete who can buckle down and defend, Boatright's distribution skills need some work, but he is a real playamker with the ball in his hands.

LaQuinton Ross ’11, SF, Life Center Academy (NJ)
Height & Weight: 6’6, 219lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 7’0.5, 8’8
PPG & High: 3.8, 8
Ross had flashes at the event, but as evidenced by his scoring output, they were not extremely common. A long and athletic wing who has been touted as a big-time prospect since middle school, the Mississippi native is still working to put together all of the physical tools that he has. A key piece of that will be improving his consistency and effort level, but if he is able to put the puzzles pieces together, he could be really good.

Jeremiah Davis ’11, SG, Muncie Central (IN)
Height & Weight: 6’1.5, 203lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’8, 8’2
PPG & High: 3.0, 5
Possessing phenomenal length for a combo guard, Davis is a strong, sturdy player with a good feel for the game and nice court vision. He was quiet at NBPA Camp and struggled to get going scoring-wise, but has a smooth playing style and has a shot to be quite good.

PJ Hairston ’11, SG, Hargrave Military Academy (VA), North Carolina
Height & Weight: 6’4, 229lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’9, 8’6
PPG & High: 15.8, 22
PJ Hairston led NBPA Top 100 Camp in scoring by over a full point a game, but that stat is deceiving. Yes, he scored in double-figures each game and went for 17+ four times, but basically did not pass the ball. Hairston is talented, a superb scorer, and a big-time shooter, but he must learn to fit within a team concept. When the ball gets in Hairston's hands, there is little chance of it leaving, though he deserves credit for creating his own scoring chances. He forces bad shots and needs to pass more, especially since he likes to bring the ball up. Hairston has great length and once he becomes more of a distributor and sheds some weight, he could be a prime player. Being at Hargrave for his final year should help in both areas.

Chris Bryant ’11, PF, Rickards (FL)
Height & Weight: n/a (was not measured)
Wingspan & Reach: n/a
PPG & High: 5.3, 8
No, Bryant did not fill it up in the scoring column, but he displayed some real nice potential anyway. A quality athlete who is listed at 6'7, Bryant needs to lose a few pounds, but he is an intriguing prospect. The big man is fairly mobile and does his damage around the rim.

Kenyatta Smith ’11, C, Flintridge Prep (CA)
Height & Weight: 6’8, 270lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 7’3, 8’11
PPG & High: 6.3, 10
The Golden State big man was the heaviest player in camp, and while he does need to trim some extra weight, he uses his frame to his advantage. Smith is able to bang down low with players taller than him, both because of his size and his outstanding length. Once he drops some weight and improves his mobility, Smith could be a force to be reckoned with, as he is a talented big man who could be a superb player at the next level.

Kyle Wiltjer ’11, PF, Jesuit (OR)
Height & Weight: 6’9, 226lbs
Wingspan & Reach: 6’11.5, n/a
PPG & High: 10.0, 26
Wiltjer had his two highest scoring totals in his final two games, including by far his highest total, 26, in his team's lone win. Wiltjer is a true inside-outside player, as he is 6'9, but can step out and shoot the ball. He is not afraid to let it go from deep, even if it is well beyond the three-point line. Wiltjer, a native of Canada, has a nice feel for the game and good overall skill set.

Note- photo on the top right is of Rodney Hood; all photos are from http://scouthoops.scout.com/
 

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