The Maui Invitational is among the greatest possibilities for scouts to guage future NBA expertise throughout the NCAA males’s basketball common season.
This yr, the groups competing are: Auburn, Colorado, Dayton, Iowa State, Memphis, Michigan State, North Carolina, and UConn.
This can be a nice alternative to guage some potential one-and-done prospects together with Ian Jackson, Tahaad Pettiford, and Jase Richardson. There are additionally some notable non-freshmen akin to Alex Karaban, Johni Broome, and Elliot Cadeau.
Right here is who followers and evaluators ought to pay further shut consideration to throughout the event in Hawaii between November 25 and November 27.
1. Liam McNeeley
TEAM: UConn
Maybe probably the most notable prospect taking part on this event is Liam McNeeley, a former McDonald’s All-American who performed alongside Cooper Flagg and a number of other different notable NBA prospects at Montverde Academy final season. McNeeley is having an environment friendly freshman season to this point and initiatives as a possible lottery decide because of his skills as a catch-and-shoot risk.
2. Drake Powell
TEAM: North Carolina
One other former McDonald’s All-American value watching throughout this event is Drake Powell, who’s coming off the bench for the Tar Heels and beginning off his collegiate profession as extra of a task participant to this point. Regardless of not enjoying a large think about North Carolina’s offense, he has already had some spotlight performs on the defensive finish of the ground the place has proven large flashes.
3. Ian Jackson
TEAM: North Carolina
One more former McDonald’s All-American value watching on this event in Ian Jackson, who performed for Extra time Elite final season. Very like Powell, the freshman will not be within the first unit for UNC proper now however he can proceed to show heads by enjoying laborious and aggressive on protection.
4. Alex Karaban
TEAM: UConn
Already a two-time NCAA nationwide champion enjoying for head coach Dan Hurley, that is trying like the very best season but for Alex Karaban. He appears to be like able to play within the NBA as a spot-up shooter who may also use off-ball screens to attain in opposition to the professionals.
5. Milan Momcilovic
TEAM: Iowa State
One of many extra attention-grabbing gamers who determined to return for his sophomore season of collegiate basketball is Iowa State ahead Milan Momcilovic. He made the Huge-12 All-Freshman workforce final season and whereas he hasn’t taken the general leap ahead some might have anticipated fairly but, his 3-point share has gone up regardless of an elevated capturing quantity which is kind of encouraging for a 6-foot-8 sophomore.
6. Johni Broome
TEAM: Auburn
One of many main contenders for the NCAA collegiate participant of the yr is Auburn massive man Johni Broome, per KenPom in addition to EvanMiya, his statistical profile at present suggests he ought to win the award. He’s averaging 20.0 factors and is main all gamers with 11.3 rebounds and three.3 blocks per sport.
7. Elliot Cadeau
TEAM: North Carolina
Sweden’s Elliot Cadeau is at present having fun with a breakout sophomore marketing campaign, at present averaging 16.0 factors and a league-high 6.8 assists whereas including 2.5 steals per sport as properly. He’s enjoying very properly each within the pick-and-roll and in transition, displaying confidence and fast fingers within the course of.
8. Tamin Lipsey
TEAM: Iowa State
There’s arguably no higher defensive level guard in faculty basketball than Tamin Lipsey for the Cyclones. For the second yr in a row, he’s main the NCAA in steals, at present averaging 3.0 per sport. He’s additionally averaging 13.7 factors per sport, which is his personal-best in faculty to this point.
9. Jase Richardson
TEAM: Michigan State
Jase Richardson is the son of former two-time NBA slam dunk contest champion Jason Richardson, who gained an NCAA title whereas in faculty. He’s at present flying underneath the radar a bit regardless of enjoying massive minutes off the bench for head coach Tom Izzo. Already troublesome to cease when ending in transition, he has exceptional athleticism and will standout on this surroundings.
10. Tahaad Pettiford
TEAM: Auburn
One ultimate former McDonald’s All-American value understanding is Tahaad Pettiford, who’s a sleeper one-and-done candidate for Bruce Pearl. He had 21 factors off the bench in opposition to Houston, and he shot 5-of-8 on 3-pointers in that sport. The purpose guard has additionally recorded at the least 3 or extra assists in every efficiency as properly.
This text initially appeared on For The Win: 10 NBA prospects on the Maui Invitational to look at, together with Liam McNeeley
