Friday was a busy day as teams started to enter the knockout rounds and some finished up pool play. That meant some intense games and a chance to see some solid match ups out in Las Vegas. Here is a look at who I watched Friday when it came to Arizona targets.
Andrew Jones: Sean Miller and Co. were in attendance watching the Arizona point guard target and he was once again impressive for his Nike Pro Skills squad. Jones really does a good job of moving up the floor in a hurry but always remaining in control. His speed helps him get out in front and that led to some easy baskets on Friday. Again, I was impressed by his feel for the game and his ability to make heads-up plays that you don't see from every player. He continues to end his summer on a high note.
Terrence Ferguson: The five-star guard is another Texas prospect Arizona is going after late in the summer, but Ferguson's team found itself an a rather easy game. That meant not a ton of court time for the big-time scorer, but he showed the skill set he's had since the time he was a freshman and we watched him. He can really shoot the ball and he has an ability to make plays in the open floor.
Billy Preston: The five-star wing has a versatile skill set that he knows how to use well already. By now Preston has become so consistent with his game that you know what you're going to get from the 2017 recruit and it usually involves a good show. He uses his big frame to post up smaller defenders and his ability to handle the ball helps him against bigger guys when he steps out on the wing. Like his teammate Ferguson the five-star recruit did not have a ton of time on the court Friday but he played well when he did.
Josh Jackson: Again, Jackson is looking to be conserving some of his energy this week after a busy month but even when he is not playing all out he is the best player on the floor. This week has been a week for Jackson to get a lot of his teammates involved and he was at it once again Friday in the game I watched. He was making cross-court passes for easy buckets and really just doing a solid job of drawing extra defenders before dishing it off down low. His defense was on display Friday as well as he made some tremendous plays on that end of the floor that ended up turning into transition buckets the other way.
Mitch Lightfoot: Friday night gave the in-state recruit a chance to go up against a five-star prospect from Houston Hoops in Jerred Vanderbilt. It was another nice game this month for Lightfoot as he had his full arsenal on display in the big-time atmosphere. Whether he was stepping out and hitting 3-pointers - what he did best Friday night - or making a play at the rim the energetic big man was all over the court for his Arizona Power squad. Lightfoot has just continued his consistent play this week and he remains a very good pick up for some program out there.
Jarred Vanderbilt: The 2017 five-star forward put together a nice performance for Houston Hoops on Friday night. Along with having the task of guarding Lightfoot he showed his high IQ throughout the game with his ability to make the right play in the right situations. Vanderbilt has drawn plenty of Lamar Odom comparisons already but his game is certainly unique in that he has a very good combination of size and skill that allows him to do a variety of things on the floor.
De'Aaron Fox: Hands down the best performance I - and many people in Las Vegas - watched Friday night was the one put on by the Katy, Texas native. Fox finished the game with 35 points against Arizona Power and there is no question he was the best player on the floor. Fox got things started right away with ability to knock down shots from deep, but the point guard was also effective at pretty much whatever else he wanted to do. He was getting after it on the defensive end with big blocks and steals to go along with a smooth stroke from beyond the arc.
Arizona has made its push for Fox, but after his big summer performances over the last few weeks he will have his options.
Andrew Jones: Sean Miller and Co. were in attendance watching the Arizona point guard target and he was once again impressive for his Nike Pro Skills squad. Jones really does a good job of moving up the floor in a hurry but always remaining in control. His speed helps him get out in front and that led to some easy baskets on Friday. Again, I was impressed by his feel for the game and his ability to make heads-up plays that you don't see from every player. He continues to end his summer on a high note.
Terrence Ferguson: The five-star guard is another Texas prospect Arizona is going after late in the summer, but Ferguson's team found itself an a rather easy game. That meant not a ton of court time for the big-time scorer, but he showed the skill set he's had since the time he was a freshman and we watched him. He can really shoot the ball and he has an ability to make plays in the open floor.
Billy Preston: The five-star wing has a versatile skill set that he knows how to use well already. By now Preston has become so consistent with his game that you know what you're going to get from the 2017 recruit and it usually involves a good show. He uses his big frame to post up smaller defenders and his ability to handle the ball helps him against bigger guys when he steps out on the wing. Like his teammate Ferguson the five-star recruit did not have a ton of time on the court Friday but he played well when he did.
Josh Jackson: Again, Jackson is looking to be conserving some of his energy this week after a busy month but even when he is not playing all out he is the best player on the floor. This week has been a week for Jackson to get a lot of his teammates involved and he was at it once again Friday in the game I watched. He was making cross-court passes for easy buckets and really just doing a solid job of drawing extra defenders before dishing it off down low. His defense was on display Friday as well as he made some tremendous plays on that end of the floor that ended up turning into transition buckets the other way.
Mitch Lightfoot: Friday night gave the in-state recruit a chance to go up against a five-star prospect from Houston Hoops in Jerred Vanderbilt. It was another nice game this month for Lightfoot as he had his full arsenal on display in the big-time atmosphere. Whether he was stepping out and hitting 3-pointers - what he did best Friday night - or making a play at the rim the energetic big man was all over the court for his Arizona Power squad. Lightfoot has just continued his consistent play this week and he remains a very good pick up for some program out there.
Jarred Vanderbilt: The 2017 five-star forward put together a nice performance for Houston Hoops on Friday night. Along with having the task of guarding Lightfoot he showed his high IQ throughout the game with his ability to make the right play in the right situations. Vanderbilt has drawn plenty of Lamar Odom comparisons already but his game is certainly unique in that he has a very good combination of size and skill that allows him to do a variety of things on the floor.
De'Aaron Fox: Hands down the best performance I - and many people in Las Vegas - watched Friday night was the one put on by the Katy, Texas native. Fox finished the game with 35 points against Arizona Power and there is no question he was the best player on the floor. Fox got things started right away with ability to knock down shots from deep, but the point guard was also effective at pretty much whatever else he wanted to do. He was getting after it on the defensive end with big blocks and steals to go along with a smooth stroke from beyond the arc.
Arizona has made its push for Fox, but after his big summer performances over the last few weeks he will have his options.
