2023-24 Scouting Notebook: Marquette Versus Georgetown

Headlined by Marquette's Tyler Kolek and Iso Ighodaro, the clash between Marquette and Georgetown didn't disappoint from a scouting perspective. Who and what stood out from my scouting trip?

Despite the game not being as competitive as I hoped for, the Marquette-Georgetown matchup provided an excellent opportunity for an in-person scout of two consensus top -40ish prospects in Tyler Kolek and Iso Ighodaro alongside a number of short and long term NBA prospects on both ends. Here are some of my scouting notes from my in-person scout.

Tyler Kolek | Lead Guard | 6’3 | 195 pounds | Senior | Marquette

• Kolek was everything I expected to see from my time watching him up close as a freshman at George Mason and throughout his journey as Marquette. Has all of the ingredients of a reliable backup lead guard at the NBA level.
• Effectively facilitated the offense, made good decisions in pick-and-rolls, turned half court and transition paint touches into playmaking opportunities with kick outs and drop offs.
• Was poised throughout the game. Seriously, it didn't look like he broke a sweat. Tongue out while knocking down threes and dishing the rock to teammates.
• Eight assists to one turnover. Lone turnover came on a miscommunication with Kam Jones on a baseline cut where they talked it out and Kolek asked Jones, “why did you stop.” Jones started to cut baseline then stopped, resulting in Kolek throwing the ball out of bounds.
• A couple of NBA caliber finishes stood out that he’ll need to have against NBA bigs. Extension scoop finishes around the contest and an off hand lay off the glass after a spin move on the helping big.
• Because of his defensive limitations, he’ll need to be a competitive, defensive playmaker on that end of the floor. Moments of that in this game, both on pick-and-roll possessions. Help strip on one and an on ball strip on the other, leading to a transition assist.
• If NBA teams don't view him as a starter, where do you draft a backup point/lead guard? Does the first round make sense if they are a top 5 backup? Top 8? Top 10?

Oso Ighodaro | Big | 6’11 | 235 pounds | Senior | Marquette

• Did usual Oso things. Connective passing, finding backdoor cutters, working dribble handoffs, skip passes, etc.
• Best pass was an assist to a baseline cutting Mitchell where Oso used eye manipulation to hold Massoud, who lost sight of Mitchell cutting behind the zone.

• Two of his three turnovers came on passes, a stolen backdoor attempt and a terrible cross court skip attempt.
• His passing is his top translatable NBA skill, but how valuable is it if he’s more of a connective passer/playmaker than someone that teams can rely on to be an offensive hub facilitator/playmaker?
• Good moments as a play finisher. Pick and roll dunk from Kolek pocket pass and a reverse finish from Kolek’s drop off.
• Had a nice off hand jump hook after facing up, attacking and spinning. This is the extent of what I expect from him as a self creator. Facing up in the mid post areas then attacking with his functional ball skills, strength and touch.

• The defense surprised me the most. He was active with his hands and length, contested and altered several shots despite not being a tremendous vertical athlete. Flashed quick leaping ability and his functional length to high point and block Epps’ runner.

• I was very interested in seeing how tall he really is. Listed at 6’11 and appeared to be more so in that 6-foot-9 range. His combine measurement will be on to watch.
• Despite being slightly undersized for a 5 man, he clearly has an NBA body. Broad shoulders, mature muscle, defined upper body and long arms.

Kam Jones | Wing | 6’5 | 200 pounds | Junior | Marquette

• Very loose during warmups. Smiling, dancing, laughing and joking with teammates. Seemed like someone that brings positive vibes to the Marquette locker room. Not sure if this is his usual mindset before games, but it was a prelude to him dropping a career-high 31 points (12-15 FG, 7-9 3PA) in one of the better shooting and shot making performances that I’ve seen in person this season.
• Showcased his blend of pure shooting and shot making ability, especially in the second half. Hit threes off the catch, standstill, movement, relocation, pullup and a tough pound dribble stepback. Didn't matter if it was contested or not, it didn't bother him at all.
• Hit back-to-back threes with some contact that should have been called. Talked to the ref about it. Nothing demonstrative.
• Couple of difficult rim finishes. First, attacked the closeout out of a pick-and-pop then scored on a scoop finish around the help contest at the rim. Later, right to left crossover out of a ghost screen for a strong hand finish around the help at the rim.
• Passing lane steal into a transition layup. More a defensive playmaker than a switchable, on ball defensive stopper.

David Joplin | Wing | 6’8 | 225 pounds | Junior | Marquette

• Impressive two-way outing as a shooter and defensive playmaker (two steals and one block).
• Continues to show that his 3-point shooting is legit. Confidently buried four of his nine attempts from distance, highlighted by a  pull-up three and multiple catch-and-shoot threes.
• Shooting 41% from three on 5.7 attempts per game.
• On ball block on Epps then gets the assist on a skip pass to a Jones three. Passing lane steal into an and one finish.
• Is he a NBA caliber 3-and-D prospect? What kind of defender is he?
• Listed at 6-foot-8, but appeared closer to 6-foot-6ish.

Roman Brumbaugh | Guard | 6’4 | 183 pounds | Redshirt Freshman | Georgetown

• Team high 12 points on four-of-six from the field, mostly coming in the second half.
• Talented, but plays too tentative. I want to see more aggression and confidence from him. I’m hoping he’s more aggressive and decisive during this last month and a half of the season. Understandable considering he’s a redshirt freshman still figuring out the collegiate game and is at a new school (Texas transfer).
• Notable plays: relocation catch-and-shoot three, pick-and-roll bump into drop off assist to Fielder, draws transition charge on Chase Ross then draws a technical foul later on Ross after Ross scores and has some words for Brumbaugh. 
• Brumbaugh didn't really engage with Ross, pushed him off slightly with a forearm and went to the other side of the floor to shoot the technical foul free throws. Didn't see any chippiness between them before, might have missed it. Nothing after the tech.

Drew Fielder | Big | 6’10 | 216 pounds | Freshman | Georgetown

• 11 points and 7 rebounds in 17 minutes. Most of his points came in the second half where the game was essentially out of reach, similar to Brumbaugh.
• Played hard during his time on the floor. Effort level was not affected by the lopsided score. Hit the glass, ran the floor hard, competed on both ends.
• Probably is Georgetown’s best long-term NBA prospect because of his blend of size, skill and toughness.

Dontrez Styles | Wing | 6’6 | 212 pounds | Junior | Georgetown

• I’m still trying to figure out his NBA path as he continues to make the most of his opportunity to play a significant role on the collegiate level (UNC transfer). Likely as a 3-and-D wing, but what kind of defender and shooter?
• Doesn't mind playing through contact, which is great considering he’s at his best as a slasher and play finisher. Snagged an offensive rebound in traffic then finished through contact. Later, another contact finish from a baseline catch. 
• Can he be a reliable self creator? Best move was a fake sweep through that got the defender leaning, leading to Styles' direct line drive finish. 

Jayden Epps | Guard | 6’2 | 187 pounds | Sophomore | Georgetown

• Rough outing for Georgetown’s leading scoring. Averaging 18.3ppg and was held to seven points on eight attempts.
• Misses in traffic around the rim and on a few decent looks on jumpers.
• Only makes came on a catch-and-shoot corner three and a floater.
• Is there an NBA skill to potentially hang his hat on? Likely will need to be his scoring ability, but needs to be more efficient and raise his 3-point percentage too (31% on 7.6 3PA).
• Best plays came on the defensive end. Quick hands to swipe two on ball steals with one of them occurring in transition. 

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