NBA Draft 2023: Standouts from Continental Tire Main Event games
UCLA
Jaime Jaquez Jr. – Wing/Four – 6’6, 220 lbs – February 2001
I’ve liked Jaquez, probably more than most, since their magical 2021 Final Four run. While last year was disappointing from a prospect perspective, it’s hard to knock how productive he’s been and also acknowledge he probably wasn’t 100% healthy.
The jumper will be a swing skill but I thought it was mechanically smooth in warm-ups and he was perfect from the line in game. He got into foul trouble early with two, but returned for a strong second-half. Jaquez is a mid-post assassin, with elite footwork and touch in that area. I thought he made some impressive passing reads as well.
Defensively, I think his foot speed can/and will need to improve to slide on the perimeter better. But he’s pretty strong and should be able to guard a few spots. He typically positions himself in the right spots, is a plus rebounder for his size, and is a loose-ball machine for whatever that’s worth.
At times, Jaquez plays like an undersized five whose game doesn’t look like it fits the modern NBA. But he’s cerebral, a decent athlete, and very skilled and I think an NBA team can extract the stuff that he’s good at and hone in on those skills. He helps a good team much more than a bad team right now and is someone I would target in the 25-40 range.
Jaylen Clark – Wing – 6’5, 195 lbs – October 2001
He cooled off a bit after his monster start to the year against bad comp. But man, I freakin’ love this kid. Clark plays incredibly hard, is tough as nails, is somehow always involved in a rebound or loose ball, and guards multiple spots.
The offense will be a bit of a challenge at the NBA as Clark is a non-shooter who mostly thrives in the dunker spot. I know his raw shooting numbers were good to start the year, but he was 0 for in Vegas from deep and I don’t trust the mechanics. He’s not bad as a straight-line driver and is a pretty decent athlete.
Defense will be the calling card as he is pretty strong, long, and quick. It feels like he’s in the top 3%(?) in the country in deflections. The offense is trickier but there are ways to scheme to his strengths, especially paired next to a shooting front-court. It’s wonky, but I love the way Clark plays and goes about everything and that makes me think he’s got a chance.