McDonald’s All American- More insight
The McDonald’s All American game practices are attended by every NBA team with each team sending a minimum of 3 scouts with most sending 4. They are on hand to evaluate the best 24 boys players in the nation. As they evaluate they shared the top things that they are looking for. Here are three of the top things that the NBA scouts said they were looking for:
#1- Can you pass? This has been a change in the NBA from 20 years ago when the emphasis was on players being able to get their shot. The new emphasis is on a player being able to get the team an open shot. Teams want the most passes they can get each possession in order to get the open shot. Why is this important? Players that take contested shots see their Field Goal percentage go down 10% vs. players who take open shots. Passing is vital to be able to get open shots.
#2- Do you love to play? How hard do you work in the individual drills, do you compete for every rebound, do you sprint back on defense. This can sometimes be referred to us a high motor. Cheick Diallo played hard throughout the practices and games and showed a high motor! The NBA scouts want players who love to play because they can get better.
#3- Does a player make others around him better? Does he make the right basketball play? Many good players can dominate the game by getting others involved, controlling the boards, defending…coming up with steals, and pushing the ball on the break. They do so much before they score that they make their team better. Ben Simmons, headed to LSU, ranked high in these three categories. He can really pass the ball, makes others around him better, and he loves to play.