Draft Dreams: HoopsHD interviews draft prospect Jairus Lyles

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Jon Teitel

There are only 2 weeks left for the college kids to impress the scouts before the NBA Draft takes place on June 21st. We will spend that time talking to the stars of tomorrow as they prepare for the next phases of their careers. Jairus Lyles attended a couple of different schools before arriving at UMBC, but he finished his college career with a pair of memorable performances including a buzzer-beater to win the American East tourney and 28 PTS to help upset Virginia in the NCAA tourney. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Jairus about winning a game as a #16 seed, having a 20 REB game as a guard, and what it would mean to get drafted.

You played 58 minutes as a freshman at VCU in 2014, then transferred to Robert Morris but did not play for them, then transferred to UMBC in 2015: why did you leave the Rams, and what made you choose the Retrievers? I left VCU because I did not feel that I was getting the opportunity I wanted and they were bringing in some more guards the following year. UMBC was 1 of the only schools that could offer me a mid-semester scholarship. It was close to home and they welcomed me with open arms.

In December of 2016 you had 32 PTS/20 REB in a 9-PT 2-OT win over the Citadel: how on earth were you able to do that as a 6’2” guard?! That game was funny: I did not realize I had 20 REB until someone told me afterward. Rebounding was an area of our team that was a weakness so all of our guards tried to focus on that.

You received your undergraduate degree from UMBC with a double major in psychology/sociology in May of 2017, then enrolled in graduate school and had a 4.0 GPA in your 1st semester while continuing to play for the Retrievers: how much importance do you place on academics? There is always life after basketball and if you are not 1 of the top players like LeBron/Steph/KD there is no guarantee of how long you will play. You could get hurt tomorrow and you need something to fall back on.

In the 2018 America East tourney title game you were named tourney MVP after scoring 27 PTS including the game-winning 3-PT shot with 0.5 seconds left in a 3-PT win over Vermont: did you think the shot was going in, and what was the reaction like when you got back to campus? Once the ball left my hand it felt good. My coaches/teammates had confidence in me and it is a shot that I had been working on all season. There was real love all over campus: we had not beaten Vermont in almost a decade so it was a big deal.

In the 2018 NCAA tourney you scored a game-high 28 PTS/9-11 FG (despite cramping up in the 2nd half) in a 20-PT upset over Virginia: how on earth were you able to become the 1st #16-seed to even beat a #1-seed, and how has that game changed your life (if at all)? I could tell during our practices leading up to the game that we had a different level of focus. Virginia was a great defensive team but struggled offensively, so we knew that if we pressured them we would have a chance. Their ACC Sixth Man of the Year (De’Andre Hunter) was injured and our confidence showed on the floor. Winning that game was bigger than just me: our school has undergone a change and the program going forward will have a bigger platform to showcase what it can do.

Your 20.4 career PPG is #1 in school history and you finished #1 or #2 in the conference in STL during each of the past 3 seasons: what is the secret to being a great scorer, and how do you balance your offense with your defense? I have been a scorer all of my life: I think it was something I was just born with. I took some of my moves from my teammates’ games and have watched a lot of video of players whose styles I like. I love scoring so I take a lot of pride in that. We made it our mission last season to lock down and make it tough for our opponents when they were on offense. Sometimes it is about being at the right place at the right time when your teammates deflect passes.

You played high school basketball at DeMatha with guys like Quinn Cook/Victor Oladipo and AAU basketball for Team Takeover with guys like Josh Hart: have you had a chance to speak with any of them about what it takes to make it to the NBA? Everyone says it involves putting in hard work every single day because everyone at the next level is good. You need something to separate you from the rest of the players: how good is your defense, are you willing to watch film with the coaches, take care of your body, stay out of trouble, be a good man off the court, etc.

You turn 23 next month: what are your plans for the big day? Hopefully I will be busy in the gym playing on someone’s team in the summer league: that would be a great birthday blessing!

Your father Lester played 7 years in the NFL and your sister Symone played basketball at Ohio University: who is the best athlete in the family? I would say I am! My brother does not play football/basketball any more but he was a tremendous athlete: he could dunk back in the 7th grade. I have the edge in terms of longevity.

What would it mean to you to get drafted? That is what we play the game for when growing up. I have dreamed about getting drafted and hearing my name called. Just to have the opportunity is humbling so it would be a dream come true.

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Draft Dreams: HoopsHD interviews draft prospect Joel Berry II

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Jon Teitel

There are only 2 weeks left for the college kids to impress the scouts before the NBA Draft takes place on June 21st. We will spend that time talking to the stars of tomorrow as they prepare for the next phases of their careers. Joel Berry II finished his high school career as a McDonald’s All-American before making back-to-back NCAA title games as a player at North Carolina. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Joel about winning a title, being named NCAA tourney MOP, and what it would mean to get drafted.

In the 2012 FIBA U-17 World Championship title game you scored 2 PTS for team USA in a 33-PT win over Australia: what did it mean to you to win a gold medal, and what was it like to face a pair of future lottery picks in Dante Exum/Ben Simmons? It was a fun time. It is hard to be away from home for so long when you are so young, but we had a great group of players and we really battled.

In the 2014 McDonald’s All-American Game you had a 2-PT win over the East: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Devin Booker/D’Angelo Russell/Karl-Anthony Towns/other)? All of those guys impressed me. It was a blessing for me just to play alongside them but I knew that they would all become future NBA stars. I was not getting the same amount of hype as those guys but it was still an honor.

You played for Coach Roy Williams at North Carolina: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you ever learned from him? He knows how to get the full potential out of all of his players whether you are a 2-star recruit or a 5-star recruit. Some coaches can only get the best out of their best players. I knew that he was a great coach on the court but he helped me continue to grow as a man off the court. He taught me to always put others before myself and he is a great man behind the scenes.

In the 2016 NCAA tourney title game you scored 20 PTS/4-4 3PM but Kris Jenkins made a title-winning 3-PT shot at the buzzer in a 3-PT loss to Villanova: where does that rank among the most devastating losses of your career? I think that is at the top. I never had anything like that happen to me before but it was a life lesson. It was the craziest shot that I have ever seen.

In the 2017 NCAA tourney title game you scored 22 PTS in a 6-PT win over Gonzaga: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the reaction like when you got back to campus? Losing the year before made that title even more special. When we got back to campus there was a lot of excitement: the fans filled the Dean Dome and some players gave speeches to show our appreciation for them sticking with us. Everyone thought we would win it the year before but we broke their hearts.

In 2016 you were named ACC tourney MVP and in 2017 you were named NCAA tourney MOP despite having a pair of injured ankles: how were you able to play your best over and over when it mattered the most? Being confident in what I can do and knocking down big-time shots. Those are the moments you go to college for: that is the time for big-time players to play their best games. I put my ankle pain aside and just wanted to be there for my teammates.

You missed this year’s season opener with a broken right hand after punching a door: what do you say to scouts who question your maturity? They have not asked me about it but I do not mind discussing it a little if it comes up during interviews. It was a mistake and is something that I will never do again. I hope they see that it shows how competitive I am: it does not say anything about my maturity.

There are several ACC players projected to be picked in the 1st round this year (Lonnie Walker/Jerome Robinson/most of the Duke guys): do you think that playing in a conference with such other great players gives you an advantage or disadvantage? I think it is an advantage because every year I am going against the top guys in our league who end up as some of the top picks in the NBA draft. However, it can be a disadvantage if teams overlook people like myself who played well against those guys: I just want a chance to prove myself.

Your father Joel Sr. played football/basketball/track and field and your sisters Kourtnie/Kasie played college basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? I would say my sister Kasie: she loves basketball and was a great player but just got tired of it.

What would it mean to you to get drafted? It would mean a lot to me. I have dedicated a lot of time to my game but was always overlooked growing up due to my size. I do not have the flashiest game but if you look at who is winning games and getting the job done, I am 1 of those guys. I kept it simple because that is what wins championships. I just want them to see me for what I have done. I feel like someone will take a chance on me and I think it will be a testament to what I have done.

For Tar Heel fans everywhere: do you prefer a BLT from Merritt’s or a Chicken Biscuit from Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen? A Chicken Biscuit!

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Draft Dreams: HoopsHD interviews draft prospect Kendrick Nunn

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Jon Teitel

There are only 2 weeks left for the college kids to impress the scouts before the NBA Draft takes place on June 21st. We will spend that time talking to the stars of tomorrow as they prepare for the next phases of their careers. Kendrick Nunn started his career at Illinois as a member of the Big 10 All-Freshman Team and finished his career at Oakland as the Horizon League POY. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Kendrick about winning a gold medal, making the most threes in the nation, and what it would mean to get drafted.

You went to high school at Simeon Career Academy and then began your college career at Illinois: what did it mean to you to continue the tradition of wearing #25 in memory of Ben Wilson? It meant a lot to me to wear #25. A lot of great players wore that number at Simeon as well as at Illinois in memory of Benji Wilson: I wanted to show him respect and keep that tradition alive. Being from Illinois and playing at Simeon, I have a lot of pride in where I am from and a lot of respect for the past players who were the greats that came before me.

1 of your high school teammates was Jabari Parker, who won a gold medal with you as part of team USA at the 2012 FIBA U-17 World Championship in Lithuania before getting drafted #2 overall in the 2014 NBA draft: have you talked to him at all about what it takes to make it to the next level? Jabari and I are very close: we call each other brothers. We talk all the time about being a professional at the NBA level. I have had the vision of playing on that level since I was a kid and he tells me to just continue being myself and that I have what it takes to make it.

In 2014 you were named to the Big 10 All-Freshman team along with 3 guys who made the NBA (Nigel Hayes/Noah Vonleh/Derrick Walton Jr.) and 1 guy who made the Elite 8 last March (Kendall Stephens): how were you able to make such a smooth transition from high school to college? The transition was not as smooth as it looked. I started off the season by not getting any playing time and I had to adjust to what the coach wanted me to do. Towards the end of the season I made my way into the starting lineup and the rest is history.

Why did you decide to transfer after your junior year, and what made you choose Oakland? I was dismissed from Illinois and I chose Oakland because I already had a relationship with a coach there who had recruited me out of high school (Coach Cornell “Corn” Mann). I did my research on the school/head coach Greg Kampe and saw how much success they have had with scoring guards, so I knew that I could also have a lot of success there.

In 2018 you were named conference POY: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? Receiving that honor was a great feeling: it was a goal that I had in mind since the 1st day I decided to attend Oakland. I did everything that I needed to do behind the scenes to accomplish that goal and it eventually happened: it was an awesome feeling.

Your 25.9 PPG last year was #2 in the nation to Trae Young and you led the nation with 4.47 3PM: what is the key to being a great scorer, and what is the secret to making shots from behind the arc? I believe the ability to score is a 50/50 thing: half is God-given talent and half is constantly working on your game. Knowing how to attack defenders and find a way to score is also key. There is not any secret to making shots from behind the 3-PT line. 1 of my favorite quotes is, “You grind, you shine,” and that is really what it takes. It is about the reps you put up and the muscle memory you build. Most people are not willing to spend an insane amount of time perfecting their shot, but that is something that I have done.

You also ranked 5th in the conference with 3.8 APG: how do you balance your scoring with your passing? My passing ability is a very underrated part of my game: I am an unselfish scorer. What I mean is that I always try to make the right play, which is how I create that balance.

Last month you participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament and were named to the All-Tourney team after leading everyone in scoring with 20.7 PPG: how satisfying was it to show the scouts that you could hold you own against high-major guys like Jaylen Barford (Arkansas)/George King (Colorado)/Desi Rodriguez (Seton Hall)? Honestly, it was just normal for me. I have played against high-major guys during my entire career and have played both with/against a lot of guys who are now in the NBA. I have always competed at a high level and played very well while doing so.

Your father Melvin/sister Kendyl both played basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? I am obviously the best athlete in my family at this point! However, growing up it was not always like that. My sister used to be better than me…but those days were over once I turned 11.

What would it mean to you to get drafted? It would mean the world to me to get drafted, not only me but for my family. My dad has done everything in his power for me to become the best player I can possibly be. It has been a dream of mine ever since I was about 6 years old. After all of the early mornings and late nights that I have been training, it would be an unbelievable feeling and something else that I can check off of my list of goals.

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Going for Gold: HoopsHD interviews 2018 USA Men’s U18 National Team finalist Quentin Grimes

Posted on June 4, 2018 by Jon Teitel

The final roster for the 2018 USA Men’s U18 National Team will be announced later this week before the team heads to Canada to try to win its 5th straight gold medal and qualify for the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.  This year’s coaching staff has a decidedly Kansas feel thanks to head coach Bill Self and assistant coach/Jayhawk legend Danny Manning.  The list of 18 player finalists includes many of the top teenagers in the nation such as Cole Anthony (1 of the best players in the Class of 2019), Tyrese Maxey (SG who committed to Kentucky last month), and Coby White (2018 McDonald’s All-American).  1 of the other McDonald’s All-Americans still in the running is Quentin Grimes, who committed to Kansas last November and played in the Nike Hoop Summit in April.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Quentin about choosing the Jayhawks, keeping up with his athletic family, and trying to win a gold medal this month.

You grew up in Texas and got scholarship offers from schools such as Arizona/Kentucky/Texas: what made you choose Kansas? Coach Self was real honest with me: I did not want to play for a coach who just told me what I wanted to hear. I know that I will have to work hard for the Jayhawks and that nothing will be handed to me.

In February you scored a career-high 51 PTS in a win over Montgomery: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? In the 1st half I hit my 1st 4 or 5 threes and then they started fouling me a lot. I scored more than 30 PTS in the 1st half and just kept playing consistent in the 2nd half.

In the 2018 McDonald’s All-American Game you scored 14 PTS in 19 minutes in a 3-PT win by the West: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most? Probably Nassir Little, who was named MVP. He is a high-energy player and a terrific athlete.

In the 2018 Nike Hoop Summit you scored 15 PTS in a loss by team USA: how on earth did the World Select Team grab 60 REB?! I had to guard RJ Barrett and did a pretty good job on him, but they were shooting a lot of threes and getting lucky with all of those rebounds in the post.

What will it be like to play for Coach Bill Self (as well as assistant coach/Jayhawk legend Danny Manning) this summer on the U-18 FIBA Americas team and then follow him to Lawrence later this year? It will be great to get a head start in terms of learning what Coach Self is looking to help his players become successful.

You are part of an amazing freshman class for the Jayhawks along with Devon Dotson/David McCormack: have you had a chance to get to know either of them before you all arrive on campus? We got to know each other a few months ago at the McDonald’s All-American Game in Atlanta so the connection will be pretty strong by this fall.

Kansas is losing several important players from last year’s team (Malik Newman/Devonte’ Graham/Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk): what was your reaction to Udoka Azubuike’s announcement last week that he would be returning to school after declaring for the draft earlier this spring, and any idea if Lagerald Vick will also be back? I am really happy to have Udoka coming back: I have never played with a big man like that before and I think he will make me a better player. I have not heard anything about Lagerald’s situation.

You were a combo guard in high school: what position do you feel most comfortable at on the court? I feel comfortable at the 1 or the 2. I have good size for a PG so I can see over defenders if I have the ball, and if I am playing SG I can just find ways to get open for shots.

What does it mean to you to represent your country on the U-18 FIBA Americas team? There are only 12 players selected to wear the jersey with “USA” on the front so it is very special. We will try our hardest to win a gold medal.

Your brother Tyler Myers plays hockey for the Winnipeg Jets and your father Marshall played basketball at Louisiana Tech: who is the best athlete in the family? I think it is me: I have been measured with a 38” vertical and I also ran track during high school. My dad played football as well as basketball so we are just a pretty athletic family.

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Draft Dreams: HoopsHD interviews draft prospect Jordan Capps

Posted on June 3, 2018 by Jon Teitel

There are only 3 weeks left for the college kids to impress the scouts before the NBA Draft takes place on June 21st. We will spend that time talking to the stars of tomorrow as they prepare for the next phases of their careers. Jordan Capps won a national championship at Northwest Florida State College before finishing his career at SE Louisiana in Hammond as the team’s leader in PPG/BPG last season. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Jordan about winning a title, overcoming an injury, and what it would mean to get drafted.

You played in all 33 games as a freshman at Samford: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? As a freshman it was really a culture shock because you were the man in high school but everyone in college was a great high school player. I tried to play my role and do what I do best, which is score.

As a sophomore you transferred to Northwest Florida State College and won a NJCAA D-1 title: what did it mean to you to win a title? That team was really talented. I did not know my future path but we had a couple of guys who went to D-1 colleges. We gelled really well and nobody had a big ego that the team could not handle. Everyone is hungry at the JUCO level to get to D-1.

In 2016 as a player at SE Louisiana you were named to the Southland Conference All-Tournament Team: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? My role on that team was much larger: my world got bigger as I got older. I played both in the post as well as outside but during the tourney I just tried to step up for my team so we could make a name for ourselves.

You began the 2017 season by averaging 22 PPG (17-23 FG) during your 1st 2 games before missing the rest of the year with an ankle injury: how bad was it, and how were you able to get back onto the court? It was a very humbling experience. I never had that kind of injury before but fortunately I had the best doctor in the state. It was really tough because I was not sure if I would ever play basketball again, but I just stayed patient through 8 months of rehab and worked very hard to get back onto the court.

In January 2018 you scored a career-high 31 PTS/12-18 FG in a win over Houston Baptist: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? That game was a good 1 and the gym was pretty packed. I was very aggressive in the 1st half and just tried to keep up the energy by being aggressive.

Last year you led the team in PPG/BPG: how do you balance your offense with your defense? Most college coaches will tell you that if you do not play defense then you will not play at all. I take pride in playing well on both ends of the court and I enjoy protecting the rim. I have good timing to get off the floor and have always been a good shot-blocker.

In the 2018 NIT you scored a team-high 19 PTS/9-15 FG in a loss at St. Mary’s: how satisfying was it to show people that you could play well against a top-25 team, and where does Jock Landale rank among the best players that you have ever seen? The Gaels were a top-10 team at 1 point during the season and Jock is a very good player. I wanted to show the scouts that I could play against anyone at the highest level. I use to think that mid-major players had a lower talent level but if you can consistently play well then you have a great chance to play at the next level. I also had a good game against Notre Dame last December (17 PTS) but scouts want to see that you played against the best opponents regardless of the outcome.

You played for the Southland team in the inaugural 3X3U National Championship on Final 4 weekend in San Antonio: how did you play, and was it weird to see guys like Shawn Johnson (Incarnate Word)/Joseph Kilgore (Texas A&M-CC)/Travin Thibodeaux (New Orleans) switch from opponents to teammates? People from the outside might think it is weird because we competed against each other during conference play but we all respected each other. They are all good dudes and I would play basketball with them anytime. We meshed really well and won 2 of our 3 games: they are low-maintenance guys who were just there to play basketball.

Your uncle Orlando Lynch played baseball at ASU and your cousin Jaylen Brown just helped the Celtics reach Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals: who is the best athlete in the family? I would always say me but I cannot hate on Jaylen because he is balling right now!

What would it mean to you to get drafted? It would mean everything. As a kid you work hard from day 1 to chase your dreams but there are always bumps in the road. It is humbling to see the end of the tunnel and hopefully I can make it and have a long career. Getting drafted also gives you opportunities to help your family, which is a pretty cool thing.

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2018 NBA Mock Draft (Version 1.0)

Posted on June 2, 2018 by Jon Teitel

The NBA Draft will take place on June 21st and until then we will do our best to predict where everyone will get selected. Some websites do their mock drafts based on “best player available” but we try to focus on team needs: for example, if a team like Dallas already has Dennis Smith Jr. at the 1-spot then they are probably not selecting a PG with the #5 overall pick. So, please see our 1st round predictions below and then tweet us your comments regarding what looks good and what might need a re-pick.

#.TEAM: NAME, POSITION (SCHOOL OR COUNTRY/YEAR)
1. Phoenix: DeAndre Ayton, C (Arizona/FR)
2. Sacramento: Marvin Bagley, PF (Duke/FR)
3. Atlanta: Jaren Jackson Jr., PF (Michigan State/FR)
4. Memphis: Luka Doncic, SG/SF (Slovenia/INTL)
5. Dallas: Michael Porter, SF (Missouri/FR)
6. Orlando: Mohamed Bamba, C (Texas/FR)
7. Chicago: Wendell Carter, PF/C (Duke/FR)
8. Cleveland: Trae Young, PG (Oklahoma/FR)
9. New York: Mikal Bridges, SG/SF (Villanova/JR)
10. Philadelphia: Kevin Knox, SF/PF (Kentucky/FR)
11. Charlotte: Miles Bridges, SF/PF (Michigan State/SO)
12. LA Clippers: Collin Sexton, PG (Alabama/FR)
13. LA Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG (Kentucky/FR)
14. Denver: Lonnie Walker, SG (Miami/FR)
15. Washington: Robert Williams, PF/C (Texas A&M/SO)
16. Phoenix: Zhaire Smith, SG (Texas Tech/FR)
17. Milwaukee: Khyri Thomas, SG (Creighton/JR)
18. San Antonio: Troy Brown, PG/SG (Oregon/FR)
19. Atlanta: Donte DiVincenzo, SG (Villanova/SO)
20. Minnesota: Aaron Holiday, PG (UCLA/JR)
21. Utah: Chandler Hutchison, SG/SF (Boise State/SR)
22. Chicago: Mitchell Robinson, C (USA/FR)
23. Indiana: Gary Trent Jr., SG (Duke/FR)
24. Portland: Keita Bates-Diop, SF/PF (Ohio State/JR)
25. LA Lakers: Anfernee Simons, PG/SG (Undecided/HS SR)
26. Philadelphia: Kevin Huerter, SG (Maryland/SO)
27. Boston: Moritz Wagner, PF/C (Michigan/JR)
28. Golden State: Elie Okobo, PG (France/INTL)
29. Brooklyn: Jerome Robinson, SG (Boston College/JR)
30. Atlanta: Melvin Frazier, SF (Tulane/JR)

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