NCAA Basketball recruiting: Winners and Losers of 2019 Nike Hoop Summit

USA – Winner

James Wiseman – Memphis

At the Hoop Summit Wiseman came in as the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation. He lived up to that hype as well. He posted 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 blocks during the event in just 22 minutes. He shot a very efficient 6/8 from the field while attempting as 3 in that as well. Cole Anthony also had a very good game for the team as well, but he was far less efficient shooting 8/19.

After watching Wiseman at the Nike Hoop Summit I really thought that he will be able to help the Tigers and Penny Hardaway. He is coming in along with D.J. Jefferies, and I think the 2 of them will make a dynamic pair. Wiseman is the number 1 recruit in the nation for a reason, and I think he could very easily be the number 1 overall pick come next summer as well.

USA – Loser

Isaiah Stewart – Washington

Although Stewart was very efficient from the field it was a very small sample size. He was just 2/3 from the field and a porous 1/4 from the free throw line. Going along with that he is a big so if they do not shoot the ball well they are still getting rebounds right? Wrong Stewart even struggled to do something, someone, his size should easily be able to do, only grabbing 2 rebounds during the game. He played 22 minutes and just was not a difference maker on the court, and sometimes I even forgot he was even in it.

You look at his teammate in the game, and how I referenced Wiseman being a program-changing recruit, I do think Isaiah Stewart has that ability to be one as well. However, Mike Hopkins and Washington will have a lot to replace this season, and Stewart needs to play a whole lot better than he did at the Nike Hoop Summit.

Overall view

I love sitting down and watching all of the All-American games and the Nike Hoop Summit is yet another one of the best. This season did disappoint a little because there is no prospect that just grabs your attention, like Zion or some of the other top prospects, but it still had its high points.

To start we got the chance to see who is truly ready to play at the next level and really contribute. I do not blame some of the players that did not get a lot of run during the game, but some just flat out did not play well. I think that most looked tentative because they are not playing their normal competition nor is there a weak spot on the entire court, even one slip of because of a missed defensive rotation these kids are making you pay.

I hope that all of these kids go on to the next level an really put on a show, but what we have learned from the past is that there is usually a handful that never put it truly all together.