As we approach the end of the high school basketball season, the biggest and most prestigious events will be played. The future stars will be on full display between the McDonald's All American Game and GEICO Nationals.
The McDonald's All American Game on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App) will pit tomorrow's college stars head-to-head, following a slate of practices and scrimmages over the three-day event.
GEICO Nationals, which tips off on Thursday and will crown a champion on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN/ESPN App), consists of the best eight eligible teams in the country competing for a championship.
Here are 10 prospects that will be exciting to watch over the course of the next few days.
C Dereck Lively
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 1
Signed with: Duke
Participating in: McDonald's All American Game
Lively has modern NBA center talent, as he protects the rim with an enormous wingspan and standing reach. He is one of the best in the class at catching lob passes and converting before he hits the floor.
At 7-foot-1, Lively has dominated games with some impressive double-doubles. What makes him special is his ability to change direction with mobility and outrun most opponents. Defensively, he is agile and nimble to hedge ball screens and recover or rotate quickly. Lively also possesses a face-up game that includes a capable 3-point shot, and he is a nifty post passer.
SG Keyonte George
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 3
Signed with: Baylor
Participating in: Both
George will compete in the McDonald's game and represent IMG Academy (Florida) at GEICO Nationals. He is among the nation's best when it comes to scoring points. He is super effective shooting pull-up jumpers from anywhere or finishing at the basket with body control and toughness to take contact.
For a player with a big reputation for scoring, he fits in very well to any offense. A coachable and a clutch performer, the Baylor signee can light up a scoreboard, as he dropped 40 in a game this season. He is noted for making timely and pressure shots, and IMG will need big performances from him to win it all.
SG Nick Smith
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 6
Signed with: Arkansas
Participating in: McDonald's All American Game
Smith does everything with urgency. He is wired to score points first and look to pass second. His jumper displays great elevation along with tight, compact mechanics, including a high release and multiple rotations. With a series of pull-up shots, floaters and transition points, he is hard to guard one-on-one.
An electric scoring guard, Smith has just enough playmaking ability and ball screen effectiveness to be a distributor. As a 6-foot-5 defender, he could be disruptive and intriguing with his 6-foot-9 wingspan. He led North Little Rock High School to an Arkansas state championship and was named the finals MVP. Some NBA scouts have been impressed with his play.
SF Dillon Mitchell
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 7
Signed with: Texas
Participating in: Both
Mitchell's abilities make him stand out among the other elite players in his class. He excels in the conversion game and has NBA-level elevation with a quick second jump. He displays lateral quickness to stay in front of the ball along with keen off-ball anticipation reads that lead to steals.
His ball skills are there and have improved. He scores with a straight-line drive or from a rhythm pull-up jumper, and he will splash the occasional open 3. Defense is his calling card, and he is no stranger to making momentum-changing dunks and blocks. The Montverde Academy (Florida) star could be the next Miles Bridges.
PF Jarace Walker
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 9
Signed with: Houston
Participating in: Both
Walker has made great strides in development and improvement over the years, especially in his final season. His game produces all kinds of problems for opponents, as he is serious mismatch at the forward spot. Strong, powerful and now cut up, the 6-foot-7, 220-pound Walker can punish smaller defenders inside, drive bigger but less mobile players from the outside or face up from distance against either.
He can be ferocious on the glass, and the IMG Academy (Florida) big is also a gifted passer from the power forward spot. He cracked the top 10 in our most recent update from January because of his consistent impact in games.
SF Brandon Miller
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 18
Signed with: Alabama
Participating in: McDonald's All American Game
At 6-foot-7 and 190 pounds, Miller has great length and skill as a combo forward, which fits right into today's game. He has a good blend of smoothness and explosiveness with a long stride and quick elevation. He handles the ball nicely for his size and can see the floor well to deliver the assist on the move.
Miller's shot-blocking and deflection rate is rapidly improving, as well. His potential is very promising if he commits to the weight room and to playing lower for better leverage on both ends.
SG Judah Mintz
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 35
Uncommitted
Participating in: GEICO Nationals
The master of the midrange shot, Mintz can rhythm dribble and shot fake his way into a bucket. His cleverness with footwork and shot fakes to draw fouls will be on display when Oak Hill Academy (Virginia) takes the floor.
Mintz is getting closer to his college decision, with DePaul, NC State, Wake Forest and Syracuse being his final choices. His game is exceptionally efficient, as he finished the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) regular season shooting 50% from behind the arc and 50% overall. Mintz wants to give Oak Hill and Steve Smith a championship before the coach retires.
SF Mookie Cook
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 5
Uncommitted
Participating in: GEICO Nationals
There are few prospects in the Class of 2023 who combine a positive flow and high-level talent while being a great teammate. Cook is versatile on both ends of the floor. For having star-type talent, he blends in extremely well within the offense. On defense, he is capable of taking on an assignment either on the perimeter or the post.
Cook, who will play for AZ Compass Prep (Arizona) this weekend, is getting closer to making his college decision. He will choose between Kentucky, Oregon and Gonzaga.
PG Aden Holloway
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 31
Uncommitted
Participating in: GEICO Nationals
Holloway is one of the best long-range jump shooters in the Class of 2023 and might be one of the greatest shot-makers I have seen in my coaching and scouting career at this stage. His shooting numbers jump off the page from the NIBC, as he makes 59% of his field goals, 62% of his 3-pointers and 87% of his free throws.
The La Lumiere School (Indiana) star is focusing his recruitment on Auburn, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Wake Forest and Michigan. Holloway already has made official visits to Auburn and Wake Forest, and he is in the process of setting up visits to Michigan and Tennessee.
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March 29, 2022 at 06:35PM
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10 men's college basketball recruits to watch at McDonald's All American Game and GEICO Nationals - ESPN
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