The college basketball world’s eye shifted to Portland this past weekend as 16 teams ascended on the rainy city for the PK85 and Phil Knight Invitational, in honor of Nike founder Phil Knight’s 85th birthday. It was a great measuring stick for where college teams are at right now. Purdue and Uconn took home their respective tournaments in what was a loaded field.
It also served as a great scouting trip with so many prospects playing in proximity of each other in a short period of time. A handful of NBA scouts and decision-makers were in attendance to soak in the action. I, too, was lucky enough to be there and a handful of players stood out to me.
Alabama
Brandon Miller – Alabama – Wing – 6’9, 200 lbs – November 2002
The prospect I was most interested in seeing this weekend, Miller has been a hot name in draft circles this season with his impressive start to the season. Miller saw three very different matchups. Against a Michigan State team with limited to no actual wings, Miller thrived. His spot-up shooting looked deadly, and Nate Oates was running him off a ton of actions to get him jumpers. Factoring in the size (he’s a legit 6 ‘8), Miller has a real case to be the best shooter in this class.
But, Alabama and Uconn presented different kinds of challenges. The Huskies are a tough, physical team that did a good job of running him off the line and putting him in uncomfortable positions. North Carolina threw Leaky Black on him, who is one of the best wing defenders in the country and Miller predictably struggled, but it was good to see him in those kinds of games.
I still really like him. The shot-versatility and prep from the mid-range and three is so valuable and easily translatable. His rim-finishing numbers are not good and will need to improve, but even being a poor finisher, he can still fill it up, while guarding wings and some fours on the other end.
As some top freshmen have struggled early, Miller’s production stands out. The season-long debate of him v. Dariq Whitehead and Cam Whitmore will be fascinating to follow. Those two were noticeably better at the grassroots level, and are both 20+ months younger. We still need to see Whitmore play, but I doubt he will be as productive as Miller. I’d rank them: Whitmore, Miller, Whitehead right now.
Miller’s NBA fit seems rather easy to me. I doubt he’s ever a go-to guy, but wing-sized off-ball scorers that are exceptional shooters fit into almost any team. He’s a lottery level-talent to me, the question will be how high.
Noah Clowney – Alabama – Four – 6’10, 210 lbs – Freshman
One of the bigger eye-openers this past weekend, Clowney showed some impressive flashes to plant himself on my radar. He’s an agile four/five that still looks raw, but promising. He excelled best as a roll-man showing some good leaping off of two-feet to finish. He even hit a three in the Michigan State game.
Still not entirely sure what he is. But to work his way into the starting lineup for a top-25 Alabama team and be an important piece with his frame is intriguing.