Hoops Habit
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Dear NBA, Get Ready For An Infusion Of Elite Talent

By Aaron Mah

Oct 9, 2014; Lithonia, GA, USA; The NBA logo is shown with basketballs as the Atlanta Hawks conduct an open practice at Miller Grove High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2014; Lithonia, GA, USA; The NBA logo is shown with basketballs as the Atlanta Hawks conduct an open practice at Miller Grove High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Honorable Mentions

Dennis Smith Jr., 6’2″ 180, Point Guard, Trinity Christian (NC) 

Before tearing his ACL at the Adidas Nations camp in early-August, Smith was enjoying a summer circuit performance that rivaled the aforementioned big five (Giles, Jackson, Tatum, Maker, and Monk).

Smith is a rare ultra-athletic point guard built in the mold of a Derrick Rose or Steve Francis. However, the North Carolinian not only has the ability of getting to wherever he wants to on the floor with his bevvy of knee-buckling hesitation moves, he can also adequately run an NBA-style spread-and-roll offense at the tender age of 17.

While his outside shot still remains his sore point, and his decision making in the half court can be questionable at times, most teams salivate at the thought of having a nuclear athlete who’s unstoppable in the pick-and-roll game run their offense.

If Giles serves as any indication, Smith — given his ripe age — should bounce back promptly from his unfortunate injury setback and continue his journey towards the NBA.

DeAndre Ayton, 7’0″ 235, Center, Balboa City School (CA)

Many consider Ayton to be the best prospect in high school basketball regardless of class.

So, while the 7’0″ gazelle is slated to graduate from high school in 2017 — born in 1998 — Ayton has the option of reclassifying and joining the stacked class of 2016. In such an instance, the giant hailing from the Bahamas would likely catapult over Giles and Jackson as the undisputed top prospect of the class.

With a wingspan spanning across 7’4.5″ and a standing reach of 9’4.5″, not since the days of Greg Oden has a center garnered such unconditional acclaim. The big man is not only a gargantuan human being, he also runs the floor like a wing, has Giles-like hands, and an adroit shooting stroke. Think Hassan Whiteside with LaMarcus Aldridge’s shot. Scary, I know.

But, as with all seven-foot plus teenagers, Ayton is still painfully raw offensively, outside the occasional catch-and-shoot or turnaround jumper, and defensively, he still has a ways to go in terms of recognizing his rotation responsibilities.

If everything breaks right, though, Ayton can truly put the 2017 NBA Draft over the top with his potential reclassification.

Next: Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal Poised For Breakout Season

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