Summer League Roster

[KB21]

Some notes:

• Kobe Bufkin went from shooting 22% from 3 on 1.3 attempts per game as a freshman to 36% from three on 3.7 attempts per game as a sophomore.
• AJ Griffin shot almost 45% from three as a freshman at Duke on 4.1 attempts per game.  
• Tyson Etienne was a career 36% three point shooter on 6.9 attempts per game at Wichita State.
• Jarkel Joiner shot 35% from three on 5.1 attempts per game at NC State.
• Mfiondu Kabengele was a 37% three point shooter on 1.3 attempts per game at Florida State.
• Seth Lundy was a 37% career three point shooter on 5.3 attempts per game at Penn State.  He shot 40% on 6.4 attempts per game as a senior.
• Brady Manek was a 38% career three point shooter on 5.4 attempts per game.  He shot 40% on threes at North Carolina.
• Tyrese Martin shot 43% on three point shots as a senior at UConn.  
• Miles Norris shot 39% from three at UCSB.  
• David Singleton shot 43% for his career from three point land at UCLA (505 attempts).

The Hawks have some distance shooters in summer league.  Some of them are bigs as well.  

[KB21]

LOL!!

 

[KB21]

 

[JeffS17]

4 minutes ago, KB21 said:

 

That was a nice move.

[JeffS17]

1 hour ago, KB21 said:

 

The iso ball... the push off while driving... the beard... this dude is Nordic Harden

[NBASupes]

Part 2

10 - Jarkel Joiner - https://www.on3.com/db/jarkel-joiner-142415/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jarkel-joiner-1.html

Lightly recruited zero star who signed with Cal-State Bakersfield out of HS and transferred to Ole Miss then NC State. 

Played for one year at UCSB, two years at Ole Miss and NC State. Improved every year at all of his colleges. Really turned himself into a professional Basketball player. 

Strengths: Ball handling, vision as a passer, scoring instincts, shooting

Weaknesses: Needs to add strength, lower-end tools, shot selection, PG skills

Special Notes: See video

Upside: Reminds me of a rich man Chris Smith (J.R.'s brother). Definitely a potential AAAA guy. I think he can stick professionally for 10-15 years, just not sure he could be in the NBA longer than a 10-day. 

14 - Griffin - https://www.on3.com/db/aj-griffin-2171/scouting/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/aj-griffin-1.html

An RSCI top 100 player (18) whose highest HS ranking was 12 (247). 

Played one season at Duke. One of the better freshman years, he ended the draft and was selected 15th overall. 

Not going to do strengths and weakness on current Hawk players who played games for us.

How he profiled as a HS recruit: 

A lengthy, well-built frame. A smooth scorer who can create and finish at three levels. A smooth shooter off the catch has range and a repeatable stroke. Attacks closeouts with control can pull up or finish all the way at the basket. NBA body already. Has had an injury history; ankle, knee, shoulder, etc...Like to see tighten the handle, create better in the half-court. Needs to be stronger with the ball in traffic. Has good length and IQ as a team defender has some questions laterally defending the ball. Reputation as a relentless worker. Self-motivated. Dad played in NBA, both brother and sister were highly regarded recruits. Will only be 18 years old at the time of 2022 NBA draft.

18 -Gueye - https://www.on3.com/db/mouhamed-gueye-90493/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mouhamed-gueye-1.html

An RSCI top 100 player (72) whose highest HS ranking was 15 (On3). 

Played for two years at Washington State. A finesse offensive-minded big with tremendous natural talent who's much better suited for the NBA than college basketball. Improved each season. 

Strengths: Vision on both ends, Playmaking actions for bigs on the perimeter, screening - generally makes clean contact and isn't afraid of contact while screening, spacing after screens, the ability to play the PnR, the potential to play the PnP, handles for his size, ability to pick-up high-level skill quickly, good athlete that can attack closeouts, flashes the ability be switched onto guards in stationary situations, Can shoot over closeouts, extremely toolsy and traitsy, runs the floor well and is good in transition, decent overall first step and quick first step for a big, has a bag in the post and perimeter but struggles to use it without space, good second jump, can have a mean streak, particularly as a shot-blocker and slasher when confident.

Weaknesses: Needs to add strength and weight, Defensive awareness/team defense abilities need to improve, must reduce foul trouble, needs to improve shot mechanics consistency as well as reps; guide hand/release combo isn’t always fluid; ball can come out flat with no arc at times, can force up bad shots too often when forced to make a decision, very raw; teams will have to be patient with him as he learns the game from a more strategic perspective, passing needs work, feel for the game, especially on defense needs work, shot selection.

Special Notes: Insane natural skill level for someone with just 5 years of Basketball under his belt. 61% FG% around the rim which isn't mad considering his size. 

Notes from his HS days: 

Prolific Prep has produced some incredible talent over the years.  Just last year, they had the likes of Jalen Green who is headed to the G-League, Nimari Burnett, Saba Gigiberia, Coleman Hawkins, and others that were must-see TV for fans and coaches.

With those names leaving, naturally, new names will step up to the challenge.  2022 6’11 Mouhamed Gueye could be that guy.  With his intriguing skillset and 7’4 wingspan, Gueye is already looking like a prospect that coaches will be swarming around quickly.

He played limited minutes last season but did have some impressive moments.  However, he looks to have plenty of opportunities to showcase his game. 

So, what does he exactly bring to the table? Phenom Hoops spoke with assistant coach Anthony Gonzalez from Prolific Prep to help answer that.

“I think a huge part of what has set Mouhamad apart is his work ethic and desire, and ability, to learn,” Gonzalez told Phenom Hoops.  “He is a sponge and a gym rat.  He’s very intelligent, does great in school, and speaks four languages.  He’s got great length, athleticism, coordination, and a smooth stroke.  I believe he has all the making to be a high-major recruit.  As long as he is able to continue to improve his shooting, he has a very smooth 15-20 foot jumper along with very soft hands and touch around the rim.  If he can continue to be consistent with knocking down threes, he will be a 7-footer high-major player who will be able to play 2-5.  I wouldn’t put the possibility of a 1-guard past him if he continues to develop at the rate that he is.  Very excited for his future.”

He certainly has caught the attention of many and should be a national name quickly once he showcases his development and hard work on the court.

Upside: He literally has three arcs

Home Run (Quin and Spo): Dynamic offensive 4 who can score on 3 levels consistently, create for others and himself efficiently, and become a top offensive PF in the NBA. Needs to be around 225-235. Defense is clearly a swing for all three levels and I am not sure how high that can get. We have seen JC really improve his team defense and he's further along on defense than Gueye as a big.

Single (Nate and normal coaches): Rotational Athletic 4 PnR/PnP big with the potential to be a threat at all three levels 

His own worse enemy (Cam Reddish mindset): Unique tools stay theoretical, and he doesn’t put his combination of size, athleticism, and budding skill together. Additionally, if his shot never develops consistency, he will be difficult to maximize.

22 - Martin - https://www.on3.com/db/tyrese-martin-118650/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/tyrese-martin-1.html

A top 100+ player whose highest HS ranking was 136 (247). 

Played for two years at Rhode Island and then two seasons at UCONN. Improved yearly. Hard worker. 

 

Vit didn't play ball in America. 

[NBASupes]

28 mfiondu kabengele, 32 tyson etienne,33 Uros Plavsic,34 David Singleton,35 Yves Pons,42 Marcio Santos,45 Brady Manek, and TyTy Washington and Usman Garuba will be covered later in Part 3-4

[terrell]

3 hours ago, ShooterSays said:

Wonder if we’ll see TyTy and Garuba once that trade is official?

TyTy

Kobe

Griffin

Gueye

Garuba

This would be fun to watch!

Didnt Garuba just finish playing his season for Real Madrid?

He might need a break.. lol

[JayBirdHawk]

1 minute ago, terrell said:

Didnt Garuba just finish playing his season for Real Madrid?

He might need a break.. lol

Garuba, Usman played with the Rockets this past season.

[terrell]

2 hours ago, JeffS17 said:

The iso ball... the push off while driving... the beard... this dude is Nordic Harden

Didnt he play with Trae in College? lol

[terrell]

11 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Garuba, Usman played with the Rockets this past season.

Yeah my bad....

 

 

[terrell]

4 hours ago, KB21 said:

 

AJ is a month older than the youngest player on the summer league team.  lol

[TheNorthCydeRises]

It'll be nice to see 2 of my Vols play on the squad for a few games. 

Not sure how much Pons has improved since his days in college. He was an excellent defensive piece in Rick Barnes man to man system.  Not much of a shooter at all.  Weak side help defensive demon. To me, he should've been a much better rebounder, given his athletic ability.  Grizzlies didn't keep him around long when they had him season before last.

Uros was disappointing as hell to be honest.  To be that big, you'd think he'd be a much better offensive threat, but he wasn't.  He got exposed big time by athletic bigs and forwards.  He'll get minimal play in SL with the Hawks.

[NBASupes]

28 - mfiondu kabengele - https://www.on3.com/db/mfiondu-kabengele-141996/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mfiondu-kabengele-1.html

A top 200+ player (216) in HS

Played two seasons at Florida State. Really improved as a Soph. Drafted mainly due to his prototype in 27th overall in 2019. Outside of his first year with the Clippers, offensively, he just hasn't translated to the NBA. The defense has been fairly solid. He's been a pretty good G-League player but it seems like he's stuck in the AAAA category. He's really going to have to shoot like he has in 21/22 while finishing like he did in 22/23. Finding a good development home is critical for Mfiondu Kabengele. If not, I think needs to go to Europe or Asia. He's out of two-way so he's going to be an E-10 guy moving forward. 

Strengths: Finishing, scoring instincts, shooting

Weaknesses: Athleticism, traits, mobility, finding a role for the NBA. Aiming for the Naz Reid prototype.  

Special Notes: See video

Upside: An AAAA guy. I think he has to shoot more 3s and shoot them exceptionally well to stick. Otherwise, he just doesn't have a place in the modern NBA. 

32 tyson etienne - https://www.on3.com/db/tyson-etienne-119018/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/tyson-etienne-1.html

A top 100+ player (142) whose highest HS ranking was 142 (247). 

Played three years at Whitcha St. Regressed his Jr year when the team was terrible. Signed an E-10 contract last year with the Hawks.  Didn't really play well, rotational player. 56% of his shots were 3s at 36%. Looking forward to his summer league impact which was decent for his minutes last year. 

Upside: AAA who's trying to establish himself as a pro in the G-League. I think the upside is there to do so. I don't see NBA potential with Tyson as some might have when he was a prospect. 

33 Uros Plavsic - https://www.on3.com/db/uros-plavsic-119224/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/uros-plavsic-1.html

Played 4 years at Tennessee, nothing about this guy looks like an NBA player. Looks like a summer league practice body. I am sure he's hoping to have a decent showing and get signed in a lower-tier European league. AA guy. 

34 David Singleton - 

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/david-singleton-2.html

An RSCI top 100 player (83) whose highest HS ranking was 66 (247). 

Always an excellent shooter, he took a massive leap in his 5th year as a senior at UCLA which is reasonably why he has an E-10 deal. 

Strengths: shot selection, 3pt shooting, getting steals, defensive impact, BBIQ

Weaknesses: Tools, overall ability, skills, athleticism

Upside: Closer to an AA player but his skill-set is NBA ready. I honestly think he can skip AAAA to NBA if his shot, off ball movement, and defense translates. 

 

35 Yves Pons - 

 

An RSCI top 100 player (18) whose highest HS ranking was 12 (247). 

Played one season at Duke. One of the better freshman years, he ended the draft and was selected 15th overall. 

Not going to do strengths and weakness on current Hawk players who played games for us.

How he profiled as a HS recruit: 

A lengthy, well-built frame. A smooth scorer who can create and finish at three levels. A smooth shooter off the catch has range and a repeatable stroke. Attacks closeouts with control can pull up or finish all the way at the basket. NBA body already. Has had an injury history; ankle, knee, shoulder, etc...Like to see tighten the handle, create better in the half-court. Needs to be stronger with the ball in traffic. Has good length and IQ as a team defender has some questions laterally defending the ball. Reputation as a relentless worker. Self-motivated. Dad played in NBA, both brother and sister were highly regarded recruits. Will only be 18 years old at the time of 2022 NBA draft.

35 Yves Pons - https://www.on3.com/db/yves-pons-122432/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/yves-pons-1.html

The unrated player whose highest HS ranking was 63 (247). 

Four-year player at Tennessee, I always liked Yves and his legit defense and athleticism. Shooting has always been a crutch for Pons. 

Strength: Defense, Defensive versatility, off-ball movement. 

Weaknesses: Shooting, steals, and offensive BBIQ

Upside: AAAA player who really just a very decent jump shot to being legit player in the NBA. 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[Hawkish]

1 minute ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

 

Keep Bufkin… would we risk injury if he was in trade talks?

[NBASupes]

42 - Marcio Santos -

Played overseas with no college ball. Looks like a summer league body. 

45 - Brady Manek - https://www.on3.com/db/brady-manek-11882/

https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/brady-manek-1.html?__hstc=213859787.833cdd3c63d3cc99ed6f5dce54cebde6.1677208162261.1688416613550.1688441245635.12&__hssc=213859787.2.1688441245635&__hsfp=2393331666

A top 100+ player whose highest HS ranking was 143 (Rivals). 

Played one season at UNC and played four years at OU. Played his freshman season with Trae Young. Got better every year but regressed as a senior. Transferred to UNC and was key in their run to the national title game. Much improved at UNC and really had a good year overseas last year.

Strengths: High-end shooting stretch-four who hardly needs any space to knock down perimeter jumpers thanks to his size, quick release, confidence and inability to be fazed by close-outs and contests. Built for the modern game as a pick-and-pop shooter with incredible consistency as a 38% shooter with high volume in five collegiate seasons. Incredible stamina for a big man as he is averaging close to 35 minutes per game in his last 19 games. He is averaging 17 points per game on 51% shooting from the field and 42% from the perimeter in this time period. Vision. Feel for the Game. BBIQ

Weaknesses: Defensive liability, Defending in space, shot selection, average athlete, lacking strength, no ability to create off the dribble. 

Special Notes: Shot 7.8 3s with 35% from 3 in Turkey and shot 41% from 3 at 6.1 3PA in Australia

Upside: I see him as a bigger better shooting Ryan Kelly with less skill but more size. 

TyTy Washington - https://www.on3.com/db/tyty-washington-119094/scouting/

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/tyty-washingtonjr-1.html

An RSCI top 100 player (14) whose highest HS ranking was 14 (ESPN)

I'll just cover the upside with TyTy and Usman

Upside: Clearly an AAAA player right now who's one of the best players in the GLeague right now but he has to convert to the NBA. Easier said than done. The scoring isn't that bad but the playmaking could be better. Since the G-League team with the Hawks will be stacked, it's fair to say he can't try to be Westbrook in the GLeague as that's not going to be what does in the NBA. His upside is a scoring guard with decent playmaking and decent defending. Interested to see how his progress is. He might be our backup PG in the 2024-25 season. 

Usman Garuba

Played in Europe

One of the best defensive prospects in years. Shades of Draymond Green. 

I'll just cover the upside with TyTy and Usman

Upside: Defensive potential is through the roof. The offense is still raw and I haven't seen too much development outside of his range. He can play the 4 or 5. Excellent fit with a number of the bigs we landed outside of Kabengele. I can see him being the 3rd center in TC and being the 11th or 12th man for Atlanta during the season as well as splitting time in College Park. It will be truly scary if he hits how much he can be like our own Draymond Green but he's really far from that at this time.

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

 

[NBASupes]

Bufkin/(TyTy)/Joinel

(Griffin)/Martin/Singleton/Etienne 

Lundy/Martin/Vit

Gueye/Pons/Manek

(Garuba)/Kabengele/Norris/Santos/Uros

(Playing just a handful of games)

Griffin - 2 games

TyTy and Garuba - 3-4 games

Bufkin could move to SG when TyTy comes. 

I don't expect Vit or Martin to start since Landry didn't draft them. 

Kabs is here for a reason. He could have easily signed with Boston SL but he wants a chance to make the squad and Atlanta likely promised him a chance to make the squad. 

[gurpilo]

Usman can be a really good backup PF with some development on the offensive positioning. He was key with Hernán Gómez on latest Eurocup and played the PF position and C.