NBA Comparison: Nic Claxton

Strengths: 7’0 big man … Good size and length with a reported 7’4 wingspan … Athletic with good mobility and fluidity. Consistently runs the floor well. Finishes dunks above the rim that other players can’t contest … Has shown improvement and confidence facing up to knock down the midrange/elbow jumper. Has expanded comfortable shooting range to the 3PT line over his senior year. Shows a jump hook with either hand and fadeaway in the post, uses glass well … Averaged 12.8 points per game on 59.6% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good free throw shooter with reliable mechanics. Shot 80% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 and 74.6% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good rebounder, secures the ball well with both hands. Averaged 7.8 (2.4 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2022. Had many double-digit rebound games but had a few below 5 as well, ultimately averaging 7.3 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Instinctive shot blocker with natural timing. Walls up well and contests without fouling. Finished 5^th with 2 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Alert and ready for the pass, reads opportunities to finish oops. Keeps the ball high and passes well out of the post, doesn’t force up the quick/bad shot … Plays within himself and doesn’t try to do too much or play outside his game … Despite lack of strength, he isn’t afraid of contact …

Weaknesses: Has gotten stronger over his senior year but still has a way to go in both his upper and lower body … Isn’t always heavily involved offensively. Still finding consistent ways to score. Can expand post-game and work on consistency with his jump hook/fadeaway among other finishing techniques. Lacks the base to establish position in the low post. Needs to be found in the right spots as a scorer and can be limited to rim running, simply catching and finishing or cleaning up offensive rebounds for his points … A bit slow moving his feet and changing direction when getting out on the perimeter defensively. Hips are a bit stiff … Has to be stronger with the ball. Struggles putting the ball down, handling double-teams, and tends to be turnover prone. Mishandles passes at times … Older for his class, turned 19 right before graduating high school …

Outlook: Kentucky freshman … Currently sidelined with a foot injury, may miss a few games at the start of the season … Scored 18 points (10-13 FT) and grabbed 8 rebounds (6 offensive) at the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game … Named to the Naismith High School Boys All-American 3^rd Team …

Evan Tomes 7/30/23

Strengths: 7’0 center … Good size and length … Athletic with good mobility and fluidity. Consistently runs the floor well. Finishes dunks above the rim that other players can’t contest … Flashes ability to faceup and touch to knock down the midrange jumper. Shows a jump hook with either hand and fadeaway in the post, uses glass when appropriate … Averaged 12.8 points per game on 59.6% FG% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good free throw shooter. Shot 80% FT% at the NBPA Top 100 and 74.6% FT% over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Good rebounder. Averaged 7.8 (2.4 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2022. Had many double-digit rebound games but had a few below 5 as well, ultimately averaging 7.3 rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Instinctive shot blocker. Finished 5^th with 2 blocks per game over the Nike EYBL in 2022 … Alert and ready for the pass, reads opportunities to finish oops …

Weaknesses: Has much room to get stronger in both upper and lower body … Still raw and isn’t always heavily involved offensively. Doesn’t have a consistent way to score. Can expand post-game and work on consistency with his jump hook/fadeaway among other finishing techniques. Lacks the base to establish position in the low post. Can be limited to rim running, simply catching and finishing or cleaning up offensive rebounds for his points … Flashes shooting ability and has the foundation but isn’t able to stretch the floor yet … A bit slow moving his feet and changing direction when getting out on the perimeter defensively … Has to be stronger with the ball. Struggles putting the ball down, handling double-teams, and tends to be turnover prone. Mishandles passes at times … Older for his class, will turn 19 before high school graduation …

Outlook: Raw but gifted big man. One of the highest potential 2023 high school prospects …

Evan Tomes 10/10/22