Watched some of the action today, with plenty of Pitt targets in the mix. Just some brief thoughts on what I saw and have been hearing about these kids.
Cam Thomas - Maybe the best scorer in the class. He reminds me of Jamal Crawford. Thin but wiry. Has every scoring skill in the skill set already. Has so much bounce off of penetration. The one three in transition, he was near the elbow and took one dribble that allowed him to step back behind the arc. He has defenses on skates at all levels. Athletic enough to finish at the rim over larger defenders, and has the release to get whatever shot he wants. The most naturally gifted offensive player Pitt has recruited in years, maybe ever since I have been around. Would be shocked if Capel can get him in the end, but it is fun to watch him.
Gerald Drumgoole - Good size, legit wing prospect in every sense. Good shooter with range. He keeps his elbow under the ball and generates the range from his core with balance. Not just a shooter, as he is a pretty good athlete with a decent handle. If he can improve that and his strength, he will be a complete wing quickly. Would be a big time addition and round out an elite 1-2-3 perimeter for the next three years.
Christian Brown - Very good athlete. More of a power player than Drumgoole. About the same size and also a pure small forward. He is capable of mixing it up a little more inside. There is plenty of room for him, despite the fact that you could make the case that his game is similar to Toney's. Again, Capel has plenty of spots and needs to build the depth of this roster. There would be room and a way to make Brown and Drumgoole work. Don't think that is likely, just saying. The staff HAS to get one of these kids. From an immediate need standpoint, Drumgoole is probably the better fit since this team so desperately needs a shooter. With Brown though, we are talking about a top 30 talent in the class if he is healthy. Would be a huge boost.
Earl Timberlake - Really nice looking lefty wing prospect. His game looks to be very well-rounded. Not a great shooter yet but he did make a couple of jumpers. He is more of a play-maker from the wing right now than shooter. His game reminds me of DJ Kennedy from Schenley and St. John's. Can see him playing the point-forward role for someone at the next level. Still very young but he is a big time player.
Hunter Dickinson - Enormous kid. He is only a junior and went up against an NBA front line today that La Lumiere has. As a prospect, he looks like a thinner Aaron Gray type with more potential. He is still a step slow but that will come. He is solid at running the floor, he was just running with top 5 recruit Isaiah Stewart. Stepped out to the arc and took a few shots, and looked good doing it. Good touch, good hands, and a feel for the game. Solid passer as well. Everything is just a little slow right now. That doesn't discourage me at all. From a pace perspective, he was ahead of Aaron at same stage. In the paint, he is good at clearing space and using his body. Doesn't force the action or get out of control. If you take the long-term view, you can understand why he is being so highly recruited. A lot to work with there. Someone like Tim O'Toole could turn him into a late lottery pick in a few years.
La Lumiere is REALLY good. Alongside Stewart is Keion Brooks, who is an absolute stud. Think he is ranked somewhere in the 30's. He was probably the best player on the floor. DeMatha is ranked third in the country, and La Lumiere beat them by 23. The game was never close. A ton of talent on the floor today, and Jason Capel was baseline to take it all in.
Cam Thomas - Maybe the best scorer in the class. He reminds me of Jamal Crawford. Thin but wiry. Has every scoring skill in the skill set already. Has so much bounce off of penetration. The one three in transition, he was near the elbow and took one dribble that allowed him to step back behind the arc. He has defenses on skates at all levels. Athletic enough to finish at the rim over larger defenders, and has the release to get whatever shot he wants. The most naturally gifted offensive player Pitt has recruited in years, maybe ever since I have been around. Would be shocked if Capel can get him in the end, but it is fun to watch him.
Gerald Drumgoole - Good size, legit wing prospect in every sense. Good shooter with range. He keeps his elbow under the ball and generates the range from his core with balance. Not just a shooter, as he is a pretty good athlete with a decent handle. If he can improve that and his strength, he will be a complete wing quickly. Would be a big time addition and round out an elite 1-2-3 perimeter for the next three years.
Christian Brown - Very good athlete. More of a power player than Drumgoole. About the same size and also a pure small forward. He is capable of mixing it up a little more inside. There is plenty of room for him, despite the fact that you could make the case that his game is similar to Toney's. Again, Capel has plenty of spots and needs to build the depth of this roster. There would be room and a way to make Brown and Drumgoole work. Don't think that is likely, just saying. The staff HAS to get one of these kids. From an immediate need standpoint, Drumgoole is probably the better fit since this team so desperately needs a shooter. With Brown though, we are talking about a top 30 talent in the class if he is healthy. Would be a huge boost.
Earl Timberlake - Really nice looking lefty wing prospect. His game looks to be very well-rounded. Not a great shooter yet but he did make a couple of jumpers. He is more of a play-maker from the wing right now than shooter. His game reminds me of DJ Kennedy from Schenley and St. John's. Can see him playing the point-forward role for someone at the next level. Still very young but he is a big time player.
Hunter Dickinson - Enormous kid. He is only a junior and went up against an NBA front line today that La Lumiere has. As a prospect, he looks like a thinner Aaron Gray type with more potential. He is still a step slow but that will come. He is solid at running the floor, he was just running with top 5 recruit Isaiah Stewart. Stepped out to the arc and took a few shots, and looked good doing it. Good touch, good hands, and a feel for the game. Solid passer as well. Everything is just a little slow right now. That doesn't discourage me at all. From a pace perspective, he was ahead of Aaron at same stage. In the paint, he is good at clearing space and using his body. Doesn't force the action or get out of control. If you take the long-term view, you can understand why he is being so highly recruited. A lot to work with there. Someone like Tim O'Toole could turn him into a late lottery pick in a few years.
La Lumiere is REALLY good. Alongside Stewart is Keion Brooks, who is an absolute stud. Think he is ranked somewhere in the 30's. He was probably the best player on the floor. DeMatha is ranked third in the country, and La Lumiere beat them by 23. The game was never close. A ton of talent on the floor today, and Jason Capel was baseline to take it all in.
