Nigel Williams-Goss / G / Senior
Scouting Report: I got my first look at Nigel Williams-Goss in last years NHSI championship game against Kasey Hill's Montverde team. Williams-Goss had already committed to a major program at Washington, but he was largely overshadowed by a loaded Findlay Prep roster that included Anthony Bennett, Brandon Ashley, and Dominic Artis. However, Nigel stood out during the game for his steady point guard play and finished the game with 17 points, including a decisive floater that capped an incredible comeback headed by Ashley. The next time I watched Williams-Goss was , incidentally, another matchup against Montverde and highly rated point man Kasey Hill. With the departure of Bennett, Ashley, and Artis, Williams-Goss shouldered the offensive load for Findlay and put on a terrific performance. He scored 18 points in the 4th quarter (26 total) including a game winning three at the buzzer, while Hill struggled with foul trouble and was mostly ineffective (9 points). His performance at the McDonald's game raised his stock even more as he showed gorgeous shooting mechanics en route to winning the 3-point contest, and put his court vision and ball skills on display during the game, tallying 10 points and a game-high 6 dimes. He is not as good of an athlete as the top-rated Andrew Harrison, but his size (6'3") combined with his pure point guard skills make him the best floor general in this years recruiting class.
In a Word: Leader
NBA Comparison: Goran Dragic
Andrew Wiggins / G / Senior
Scouting Report: Wiggins occupied this spot on last years team when I wrote that the then-17 year old "has superstar written all over him", before it was all trendy. But seriously, Wiggins has garnered a lot of hype this last year; from jumping Jabari Parker as the nation's "top recruit", to NBA scouts saying that he would go #1 this year, to a prolonged recruitment process (he is still deciding between Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, and Florida State). After watching him this year in the McDonald's game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit, I can't say that he's lived up to the hype. Wiggins is clearly an incredible athlete, one that effortlessly bounds and glides across the basketball court like few I've ever seen. In the dunk contest portion of the McDonalds game, Wiggins missed an attempt, took two steps backwards, and, with no momentum or preparation, completed a behind-the-back dunk that's impossible to all but like ten people in the universe. These skills on a 6'8" frame make Wiggins a terror in the open court, where he scored most of his points on the all-star circuit. However, Wiggins' jump shot leaves much to be desired. He was highly inefficient from the perimeter and even struggled at the free throw line. Wiggins certainly has the skills and the pedigree to be a superstar as I once wrote, but the development of a consistent jumper will dictate his future as a wing prospect at the next level.
In a Word: Athlete
NBA Comparison: Tracy McGrady (in his prime, of course)
Jabari Parker / F / Senior
Scouting Report: I want to like Jabari Parker. I really do. The prodigy from Chicago's famed Simeon High School (Benji Wilson, Derrick Rose) will play his college ball for Coach K and Duke, reportedly for all four years (gasp!). Parker has a frame that is NBA ready (6'8" and 220), possesses a high motor and great fundamentals. He's been labeled as a versatile player, one that is "good at everything, but not exceptional at any one thing" in the mold of Grant Hill, Glenn Robinson, Carmelo Anthony, and the like. Although he obviously still has room to improve, he didn't show the athleticism or perimeter skills that made those players NBA all-stars. Though his future as an NBA wing prospect may be unclear, Parker's polished skill set and competitive spirit will make him a force in the new-look ACC.
In a Word: Complete
NBA Comparison: Michael Kidd-Gilchrest
Aaron Gordon / F / Senior
Scouting Report: I really don't have much bad to say about Aaron Gordon. Gordon will join rising sophomores Kaleb Tarczewski, Brandon Ashley, and fellow blue chipper Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on an Arizona Wildcat front line that will be absolute hell to score against and defend. Standing 6'8", Gordon is a jump-out-the-gym athlete with a relentless motor and a versatile skill set, even playing a pseudo point-forward at times during the McDonalds game with dazzling success. If he can continue to build onto his frame and develop a consistent mid-range jump shot, Gordon will become can't miss NBA prospect.
In a Word: Talented
NBA Comparison: Derrick Williams
Julius Randle / F / Senior
Scouting Report: Randle possesses great size and athleticism that allows him to dominate high school competition, but I'm not sure how his game translates at the pro level. As a left-hander that's not quite skilled enough to play the three but not big (or comfortable) enough to play in the post, watching the Kentucky commit evokes former Wildcat Terrance Jones and Sixers forward Thaddeus Young, not exactly an inspiring list for a guy who projects to be a top-5 pick in 2014. That said, Randle might actually be the best high school basketball player at the moment. Unlike Parker and Wiggins, Randle didn't try to do too much, instead playing to his strengths and imposing his will at times, including a dominating stretch during the Jordan Brand Classic that was one of the highlights of the all-star game circuit.
In a Word: Beast
Pro Potential: Josh Smith
