There were approximately 50 NBA scouts in attendance at Saturday’s Alabama-Oklahoma men’s basketball game — the UA SID office issued 50 credentials but a handful of the scouts didn’t make it to Tuscaloosa. Those who did certainly got what they came for, a full look at Alabama’s Collin Sexton and Oklahoma’s Trae Young in a basketball environment, playing at a brisk if not breakneck tempo.
Here is a sampling of opinion from some noted NBA draft observers.
“(Sexton) made his money as a prep star by hurtling toward the basket, getting to the foul line and playing fearlessly,” wrote Jeremy Woo of The Crossover, a college-to-NBA feature of Sports illustrated. “He was composed and didn’t force too many shots Saturday, and his physicality showed.
“Sexton generates easy baskets… simply by being able to outrun defenders with a full head of steam. He’ll advance the ball and push it himself if he has to, rather than look to advance with the pass. He’s able to use both hands around the rim capably, and being able to keep up in the open court is more valuable than ever.”
Woo rates Young as a slightly better prospect than Sexton.
ESPN draft analyst Mike Schmitz had similar observations, comparing him to former Kentucky Wildcat (and Birmingham native) Eric Bledsoe.
ESPN draft analyst Mike Schmitz has likened Sexton’s measurables to Eric Bledsoe of the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Sexton thrives on “explosive downhill dashes to the rim” while profiling as a “physical, explosive athlete in terms of burst and leaping ability. Blur in the open court. Can finish above the rim.”
“He has an NBA physical profile,” Schmitz added on his Twitter account. “(He) plays both ends, (is a) hoops junkie who is going to continually get better, should live in the paint with NBA spacing. Not much downside.”
Schmitz was also impressed with another Alabama freshman.
“Herb Jones impresses me more and more every time I see him,” he said via Twitter. “Monster defender with elite tools. Super competitive. Continuing to improve offensively. Showing some budding playmaking ability in the half court. Still a ways to go skill wise but a bright future no doubt about it.”
