The Nike Hoop Summit is an annual event where many of the best high-school players from the United States and across the globe compete against one another representing both their pride as individual athletes, and - unique to this event - their countries. It is with that pride, derived from nationality, that these athletes compete often with much more intensity than in any other “all-star” game because it is not just about the names on the back of the jersey, but about the countries represented on the front of them.
While the US prevailed in convincing fashion, winning 98-75 and pulling away late, my thoughts center around the individual performances of the players and what we should be looking forward to from the players that stood out to me as I sat with the film of the game.
Let’s get into it.
Cooper Flagg - You cannot have watched the game’s second half without admiring Cooper Flagg’s game. He led the US with a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds and was a key component of the USA’s victory while playing the entire second half with 3 fouls without picking up a 4th. Cooper’s improvement as a shooter was on full-display - particularly off-the-dribble. Cooper will continue to develop in catch-and-shoot scenarios. As Cooper also makes improvements with his on-ball defense, the defensive IQ to understand when to go for a block vs. when to stay on his feet to contest shots or block out, and tightening his handle, Cooper will be well on his way to being a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Nolan Traore - Surprisingly, the best offensive player on the court was not Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, or AJ Dybantsa — it was Nolan Traore. His ability to make threes off the catch and off the dribble, operate out of the Pick-and-Roll to make plays for himself and others, use his size, strength, pace, and angles to get downhill and finish through and around contact. He has poise and good footwork in the lane as he probes to wait for teammates to shake loose, or a small window to be open to take a shot. He showed off a complete offensive set of tools. The 17-year-old French guard is an obvious Tier-1 talent with offers from the likes of Alabama, Xavier, and Gonzaga; he’s also exploring professional avenues.
Dylan Harper - Dylan Harper’s positional size, strength, and skills were on display at both ends of the floor. Harper has the strength and ability to make good reads with a live-dribble and can make simple reads to get teammates open. Excels in transition. Developing shooter, but his form isn’t a primary concern. He is adept with getting to the rim to finish or pass. He will be a great lead-guard for Steve Pikiell’s Scarlett Knights and his fellow freshman Ace Bailey will garner the kind of attention that will benefit Harper’s game tremendously.
VJ Edgecombe - If Nolan Traore was the game’s best offensive player, VJ Edgecombe was the its most impressive defensive player. He stayed in a stance the whole game, cut-off players trying to get downhill, challenged shots from bigger defenders, got in the passing lanes with his elite athleticism. I think the most impressive defensive play happened in the first half when a broken play resulted in him being matched up with Cooper Flagg. The things that make him a great defender — lateral quickness, great contest, an understanding of an opposing player’s tendencies, and physicality — were all on display in one play. Yes, Cooper still scored on a tough fadeaway, but it wasn’t from a lack of sound defense by Edgecombe.
Asa Newell - Asa’s jump-shot wasn’t falling the way I would normally expect it to, but he confidently took several of them, proving that he has worked hard at extending his range past the three-point line. Asa did many other things throughout the game that made me excited about his future with the Georgia Bulldogs including his persistence on the glass, screening well; and, chief among his strengths, his physicality on the interior, often against Khaman Maluach. That physicality, strength, and positional quickness rendered Khaman less effective even when at a significant size disadvantage.
Isaiah Evans - Isaiah is the last player that really stuck out to me, even though Evans did not play significant minutes. Though only playing about 5 minutes, it is what Isaiah did during limited action that really raised my eyebrows. He was aggressive offensively and showed really good defensive instincts in that time. He hit a very contested layup in the first half, hit a side-step, a breakaway dunk, and a cone-drill jump shot in the waining moments of the game. As his efficiency and strength continue to improve, Isaiah Evans will continue to have a great basketball future. As Evans matriculates to Duke, the key to his effectiveness will be how much he is able to making winning plays no matter how much time he sees on the floor.
These six players stood atop the Summit and - quite possibly - will stand atop college basketball next season, as well.
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