By Harry Turner
Early takeaways and player comparisons from week one at Summer League so far…
Corey Chesley #11 (Good Counsel) – Andrew Wiggins (Golden State Warriors)
- Corey Chesley has the build and skill of a division one hooper. Chesley dropped 22 points and corralled 9 rebounds on day two of summer league. The 6’4” guard has leaping ability while being graceful with the ball around the perimeter, much like Golden State Warriors small forward, Andrew Wiggins. With a smooth jumper and powerful elevation, Chesley can get shots off even with a defender in front of him.
Rajuan Grey #40 (Takoma Academy) – Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons)
- Standing at 6’7” with a wiry/lanky build, Rajuan Grey for Takoma Academy resembles former NBA Champion, Tayshaun Prince. Like Prince, Rajuan finishes hard at the rim despite his lean frame and is efficient with his handle on the perimeter.
Micah Samuels #15 (Takoma Academy) – Patrick Beverly (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- In his first game of Summer League, Micah Samuels put the clamps on St. Mary’s Annapolis’ guards. At 6’3”, Samuels was able to poke away three steals and block a shot. His relentless pressure when picking up full court and vocal enthusiasm resembles Patrick Beverly’s of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both players take pride in their defense.
Malcolm Day #32 (Takoma Academy) – Greg Brown (Texas Longhorns, Portland Trail Blazers)
- When Malcolm Day goes up to finish at the hoop, he makes sure to purchase a one way ticket to the rim. With 17 points against St. Mary’s Annapolis, Day used his effortless leap to impose his will on the rim. Just like former Texas Longhorn forward, Greg Brown, this 6’7” wing player uses his long legs to levitate above his defenders and the rim.
Khalil Williams #2 (Potomac School) – Stanley Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers)
- While Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward, Stanley Johnson, is not a lefty, he might want to consider switching once he sees Khalil Williams hoop. At 6’5” the lefty guard is two inches shorter than Johnson, but makes up for those inches with his assertive handle. Khalil seeks body contact when attacking the hoop as if he views the court with thermal vision seeking out opposing players he can use as a body bag.
Tre Stott #5 (Churchill) – Isaiah Wong (Miami Hurricanes)
- Churchill took a tough L against Landon, but Tre Stott looked unphased. Stott is two inches taller than Miami Hurricanes guard Isaiah Wong, but shares the ability to be dynamic in half-court scenarios and on fastbreak opportunities. Stott’s final stat line against Landon was similar to the averages Isaiah Wong finished with at the end of last season.
Aiden Harris #33 (St. Mary’s Annapolis) – Kyle Kuzma (University of Utah/Washington Wizards)
- Aiden Harris controls the backboards and has the ability to conduct the fast break. The forward does not settle for threes, as he has no problem with showcasing a series of dribble combinations that lead to a midrange pull up or physical finish at the basket. Much like Kyle Kuzma during his time at Utah, Harris has a strong right to left spin move that he experimented with against Good Counsel.
Sebastian Dokum #32 (Good Counsel) – Adama Sanogo (UConn Huskies)
- Standing at 6’11”, Sebastian Dokum has the potential to impact a game the way Adama Sanogo did for the UConn Huskies against their Big East competition this season. Coming off the bench, Dokum has height along with a solid build that he uses to help seal his defender and simply drop-step them into submission. Dokum displayed a soft shooting touch at the free throw line, going 3-4 in his second game at DeMatha. With good hands and quick feet Sebastian Dokum has Adama Sanogo intangibles.
Rieco Hellams #3 (Good Counsel) – Kay Felder (University of Oakland)
- Rieco Hellams and former Oakland University standout Kay Felder’s similarities don’t stop at their 5’9” height. Both have the luxury of keeping their dribble low which instills a confidence that no one can take the ball from them. Hellams was able to defend full court and run the offense, while not being afraid to look for his own shot. Much like Felder, Rieco Hellams successfully guards his opponent and is just as much of a pest on defense as he is on offense.
Anthony Fountain #2 (The Heights) – Dejounte Murray (San Antonio Spurs)
- In a loss against The Potomac School on Day 2 of Summer League, The Heights’ Anthony Fountain was a bright spot. With a lengthy, skinny frame similar to NBA All-Star point guard, Dejounte Murray, Fountain was able to pull off left-handed passes to trigger fast break opportunities. Finishing with 15 points, 9 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a block, Fountain stood out, even when running a 2-3 zone. Both Murray and Anthony Fountain are currently on struggling teams, but have the intangibles that a lot of coaches would love to build around.
Bryson Wilson #15 (St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes) – Justise Winslow (Duke University, Portland Trail Blazers)
- To say Bryson Wilson is dynamic would be an understatement. The 6’6” wing player for St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes showcased vision with the ball in his hands. Paired with a sturdy build and quick jump, he defends at a high level. Wilson has a three-point shot in his arsenal, but earns his stripes attacking off the dribble. Much like former Duke star and current Portland Trail Blazer, Justise Winslow, Wilson can get his team a stop on defense and make the correct decision on offense.
