NBA Draft

A Scout’s Take: Pre-G League Elite Camp Questions

The NBA combine is right around the corner as the G League Elite Camp offers a taste of what's to come over the next week. What are some the questions we should consider this weekend during Elite Camp?
Jam Hines|
A Scout’s Take: Pre-G League Elite Camp Questions
A Scout’s Take: Pre-G League Elite Camp Questions

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USC TrojansDayton FlyersMissouri TigersWeber State WildcatsCincinnati BearcatsClemson TigersVanderbilt CommodoresArizona WildcatsOle Miss RebelsTCU Horned Frogs

We enter an exciting stretch of what seems like little holidays along the final month or so of the scouting and basketball calendars before the 2023 NBA Draft. This weekend (May 13 and 14), the G-League Elite Camp, the prelude to the NBA combine, kicks things off as a field of invitees gather in Chicago for testing and scrimmages in front on NBA evaluators and decision makers. 

Here are a few questions that are on my mind as Elite Camp gets underway. 

Will the big wing playmakers shine?

Drew Peterson (6-foot-9) and Mike Sharavjamts (6-foot-8,) are two skilled big wing playmakers that should draw plenty of attention. Their size, ball skills and connective traits are clear fits in the modern game.

Three-point shooting, a key swing skill for both, is trending in the right direction. Peterson brings a larger sample size with a 35% 3-point mark (562 attempts), which would make him about a league average 3-point shooter. If he can convince teams throughout the pre-draft process that he’s closer to the 38% 3-point shooter seen over his past two seasons at USC, then he’s a top-60 type of prospect. 

In his lone season at Dayton, Sharavjamts connected on just 31% of his 92 attempted threes. Per Cerebro Sports’ database that tracked 55 games, including his 32 collegiate games, Sharavjamts connected on 35% of his threes on 151 attempts. 

An increased percentage on a larger sample size plus mechanics that pass the eye test offer, both provide strong reasons to believe he’ll develop into a reliable shooter.

Could Dillon Jones be a quiet riser?

Listed at 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, Jones was one of the most versatile and productive players in the country. The double-double monster averaged 16.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 36 minutes per game.

Jones’ mix of skill, feel and strength are ingredients for productive scrimmage games that can showcase his versatility. He's already got scouts talking in the in pre-draft process after impressing during Nike Hoop Summit scrimmages as a member of the Portland Generals. 

Additionally, keep an eye out for his athletic testing and measurements, particularly if he records a notable plus wingspan number that could help ease some concerns about his height and lack of ideal athleticism.

There’s reason to believe Jones could see improvement as a 3-point shooter, the clear swing skill for him (career 31% shooter on 217 attempts). His mechanics aren't broken, he shot 35% on 2.5 attempts the prior season and had the confidence to up his attempts each season (16, 82 and 119).

Is D’Moi Hodge an elite shooter in the class?

I’m still trying to figure out what level shooter Hodge is. The 6-foot-4 guard shot at an elite level in his only year as Missouri, connecting on 40% of his 7.1 attempted threes per game. The SEC's leader in 3-point percentage furthered his case at the PIT with a 50% mark, knocking down 14-of-28 from deep.

There's a stark difference in projected gravity and production between Hodge's 40% clip from deep at Missouri and the 32% clip (318 attempts) in his two seasons at Cleveland State. If teams believe he’s an above average 3-point shooter to pair with his disruptive defense (3.1 stocks), he should be considered in the second round and would be a priority undrafted free agent.

Is Landers Nolley II the camp’s best scorer?

The scrimmage environment is a perfect place for a shotmaker and shooter like Nolley to thrive. He’s a confident and aggressive scorer with tough shotmaking ability and positional wing size at about 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds.  

Although Nolley operated as the primary scoring option with shot selection freedom at Cincinnati, there is translatable upside as a valuable off-ball player because of his catch-and shoot prowess and glimpses of off-ball movement and screen navigation. 

The All-AAC First Team selection averaged 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting a career high 41% from deep (230 attempts).

Can Tyler Burton and Hunter Tyson regain momentum?

Burton and Tyson will be looking to regain momentum, but took different paths to reach this point.

Burton emerged on the draft scene over the last few seasons at Richmond because of his NBA ready physical tools, off-ball skills and 3-and-D role projection. The major cause for concern is his 3-point percentage drop from 36% over his two prior seasons to a career-low 29% on a career-high 5.7 attempts per game this past season, which included moments where he appeared to have lost some confidence.

The down shooting season could simply just be an outlier that Burton will be out to prove over the course of the pre-draft process. A strong overall Elite Camp showing could propel him back on track to being considered in the mid to late second round. 

Tyson took full advantage of his fifth year, earning All-ACC first team honors with a team high 15.3 points and 9.6 rebounds while draining 40% of his threes (6 attempts per game). His hot start at the Portsmouth International was cut short due to an ankle injury as it seemed like he was turning heads with his translatable size (6-foot-7) and 3-point shooting. He's a shooter that thrives off movement and spot up attempts. 

What players could return and boost their stock for the 2024 class?

Tyrin Lawrence (Vanderbilt), Pelle Larson (Arizona), Matt Murrell (Ole Miss) and Emmanuel Miller (TCU) all stand out as prospects that could absorb NBA feedback and return to college to boost their stock. 

Published
Jam Hines
JAM HINES

Jam is a scout with nearly a decade of evaluation experience through his time with former NBA scouting and consulting services, EV Hoops and BPA Hoops. From the high school to NBA level, he brings a wealth of knowledge on prospects.

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