Originally Published: July 6, 2009
Sullinger shows well on Day 1Comment Email Print Share By Reggie Rankin
Scouts Inc.
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AKRON, Ohio -- About 80 of the nation's top high school basketball players are on display at the University of Akron's James A. Rhodes Arena this week for the LeBron James U.S. Skills Academy. The coaching staff is energetic, and has set the tone with intense drill work in all facets of the game. The players are learning the fundamentals of ball handling, passing, shooting, scoring moves off the dribble, coming off screens and the footwork that will help them take their games to the next level. Team offense was a primary emphasis, and the coaches made it a point to show the players how to move without the ball and help them understand the importance of floor spacing. There was limited live action on Day 1 Sunday, but during the short scrimmage at the end of the session, 6-foot-8 power forward Jared Sullinger (Columbus, Ohio/Northland) made his presence felt with his rebounding and finishing around the basket. Not to be outdone, Guo Ailun (Liaoning Panoan club team), a point guard from China, was impressive with his ballhandling and ability to pass.
Les Bentley for ESPN.com
Jared Sullinger should be an instant impact freshman at Ohio State.
Standout player
Sullinger went right to work, rebounding on both ends of the court with strength and power. If there is a better area rebounder in the Class of 2010, I have not seen him yet. Sullinger moves opponents out of the way with his big body, and snatches the ball with two hands as he clears out all incoming traffic in the lane. The Ohio State commit also is effective in the post. Sullinger spreads out in the post by getting low and wide, giving the passer a target to get the ball inside. He does a great job sealing his man with at least one foot in the paint. Sullinger is terrific at maintaining contact before making his scoring move. He loves to bang the defender with his body to get looks at the basket and improve his shooting percentage. He can score through contact, after getting deep in the lane, with a power drop step or jump hook over his left shoulder. Sullinger also passes well out of the post after drawing the double-team. He kicks out to open shooters, and hits players cutting through the lane. Sullinger seems to be more explosive than in the past; he took drop-off passes created by guard penetration and finished above the rim with ease. The big man was impressive in the short period of time he had to show off.
Sullinger shows well on Day 1Comment Email Print Share By Reggie Rankin
Scouts Inc.
Archive
AKRON, Ohio -- About 80 of the nation's top high school basketball players are on display at the University of Akron's James A. Rhodes Arena this week for the LeBron James U.S. Skills Academy. The coaching staff is energetic, and has set the tone with intense drill work in all facets of the game. The players are learning the fundamentals of ball handling, passing, shooting, scoring moves off the dribble, coming off screens and the footwork that will help them take their games to the next level. Team offense was a primary emphasis, and the coaches made it a point to show the players how to move without the ball and help them understand the importance of floor spacing. There was limited live action on Day 1 Sunday, but during the short scrimmage at the end of the session, 6-foot-8 power forward Jared Sullinger (Columbus, Ohio/Northland) made his presence felt with his rebounding and finishing around the basket. Not to be outdone, Guo Ailun (Liaoning Panoan club team), a point guard from China, was impressive with his ballhandling and ability to pass.
Les Bentley for ESPN.com
Jared Sullinger should be an instant impact freshman at Ohio State.
Standout player
Sullinger went right to work, rebounding on both ends of the court with strength and power. If there is a better area rebounder in the Class of 2010, I have not seen him yet. Sullinger moves opponents out of the way with his big body, and snatches the ball with two hands as he clears out all incoming traffic in the lane. The Ohio State commit also is effective in the post. Sullinger spreads out in the post by getting low and wide, giving the passer a target to get the ball inside. He does a great job sealing his man with at least one foot in the paint. Sullinger is terrific at maintaining contact before making his scoring move. He loves to bang the defender with his body to get looks at the basket and improve his shooting percentage. He can score through contact, after getting deep in the lane, with a power drop step or jump hook over his left shoulder. Sullinger also passes well out of the post after drawing the double-team. He kicks out to open shooters, and hits players cutting through the lane. Sullinger seems to be more explosive than in the past; he took drop-off passes created by guard penetration and finished above the rim with ease. The big man was impressive in the short period of time he had to show off.
