TORONTO -- NBA scouts gathered in the greater Toronto area to evaluate the top young prospects in Canada this past weekend at the fourth-annual Biosteel All-Canadian game. Twenty-four of 30 NBA teams were credentialed to the game, with close to 10 scouting the practices, scrimmages and futures game at Athlete Institute an hour outside of Toronto.
The Biosteel alumni list is strong, with NBA youngsters Jamal Murray and Thon Maker having played in the 2015 game. While not in the same breath as the Nike Hoop Summit, McDonald’s All-American game or Jordan Brand Classic, the Biosteel game continues to churn out intriguing prospects from Canadian basketball, which is gaining steam on a global scale.
Some of the elite-level prospects, such as R.J. Barrett, weren’t able to attend because of Nike Hoop Summit and the rise of the Signature All-Canadian Showcase, but there were still at least a handful of players who project as long-term NBA prospects.
Note: We focused on the older group rather than diving into the futures prospects quite yet. Keep in mind that, historically, the measurements (especially height) tend to be a bit generous.
Luguentz Dort | 6-5, 224-pound SG | Age: 18.9
Class of 2019: Arizona State
For the second consecutive season, Dort took home MVP honors thanks to his aggressive downhill scoring and tremendous defensive motor, especially considering the pseudo all-star game setting. Dort is a 6-foot-5 power guard with a linebacker frame at 224 pounds, comparing favorably to Arizona sophomore Rawle Alkins from a physical perspective. The Montreal native was the top short-term prospect to compete in the 2018 Biosteel game, as teams are intrigued with his explosiveness in space, ability to put pressure on the rim with physicality and willingness to defend multiple positions on the other end of the floor.
“It’s where I’m from. It’s the way I learned how to play basketball from the people from Montreal,” Dort told ESPN. “It’s really how they taught me how to drive to the basket and play hard every time.”
Dort, who was once a non-shooter, has made slight improvements from the perimeter, no longer shooting on the way down as often as in the past. He’s still caught between a set and a jump shot at times and clearly needs to develop into a consistent threat, but he gets good rotation and showed the ability to get going for stretches both in practice and game settings. More power guard than combo playmaker, Dort can stand to improve his feel and handle as a pick-and-roll facilitator. He has relied on strength and powerful explosiveness at the prep level, but it remains to be seen what he’ll hang his hat on in the NBA once he’s no longer the most physically gifted player on the floor. Dort, who is slated to play for Arizona State next season if cleared academically, is technically eligible for the 2018 NBA draft, which is something he says he hasn’t closed the door to as the early-entry deadline approaches.
“It’s still an option,” Dort told ESPN. “It’s still in my head. I’m still working to see what I’m going to do.”
Coaches in Canada and members of Arizona State’s staff contest that Dort will be in Tempe next season, but the 18-year-old’s comments are noteworthy nonetheless.
Quincy Guerrier | 6-8, 207-pound SF/PF | Age: 18.9
Class of 2019: Uncommitted
Competing in the Biosteel game for the second consecutive year, Guerrier proved to be one of the most intriguing wing prospects to take the floor given his combination of physical tools, defensive versatility and shooting potential. At 6-8, 207 pounds with a 6-10 wingspan and 8-9 standing reach, Guerrier has the physical profile NBA teams look for in a big wing, with the frame and reach to slide up to the 4 for stretches. Thanks to his wide shoulders, big hands and proportionate frame, Guerrier has some physical similarities to DeMarre Carroll. He’s a hard-playing forward who defends multiple positions, plays with activity on the glass, finishes above the rim in space and shows enough flashes as a standstill shooter to instill hope in talent evaluators. With a rudimentary handle and limited offensive creativity as a playmaker, he projects more as a 3-and-D, energetic forward than a shot-creator. Developing a consistent 3-ball will be key, as he’s not the most natural shooter, although he has improved. Guerrier has a host of high major programs recruiting him and could have a fairly short stint in the NCAA if he puts it all together.
Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe | 6-7, 188-pound combo forward | Age: 17.0
Class of 2020: Uncommitted
Although he didn’t play in the game due to an ankle injury, we were able to get a good feel for Alexander-Moncrieffe’s progress after evaluating him in various settings in the past. The 17-year-old has as much upside as any player at the event, standing 6-7 with a wide-shouldered 188-pound frame and a 7-0 wingspan, resembling a lighter Michael Kidd-Gilchrist from a measurements perspective. He’s a fluid athlete and multi-positional defender with a still-developing skill set. Alexander-Moncreiffe was rail thin with little feel and skill when we first evaluated him at the futures game in 2016, but he’s making incremental improvements as a shooter and ball-handler, even if he still has a ways to go in those areas. Continuing to polish his skill and feel as a two-way combo forward will be key.
Tyrese Samuel | 6-9, 207-pound PF | Age: 18.0
Class of 2019: Uncommitted
Samuel was the most physically intriguing prospect to take the floor in Toronto, at 6-9 with a projectable 207-pound frame, impressive agility, a 7-1 wingspan and an 8-11 standing reach, measuring similarly to former first-round pick Darrell Arthur. Samuel can show tremendous flashes of skill and offensive versatility but then fade into the background for long stretches. Not a big personality on the floor, Samuel has an up-and-down motor that's no secret among coaches and scouts in Canada, and his dedication to defend and rebound at a high level will be the deciding factors in how close he’ll get to maximizing his potential. When locked in, he’s one of the more interesting prospects in Canada. He can make a standstill 3 or a short-range pull-up, he’s at his best attacking the rim off the bounce with hesitation dribbles, and he has the tools to guard multiple positions on the other end. With that said, he remains an erratic shooter and decision-maker and doesn’t always defend like you’d hope.
Dalano Banton | 6-8, 189-pound playmaker | Age: 18.4
Class of 2018: Western Kentucky
Entering the event as a complete unknown, Banton broke out in Toronto, shining as a 6-8 playmaker with a crisp handle and impressive vision. Banton, who was lightly recruited before eventually signing with Western Kentucky, was far and away one of the most unique prospects here, regularly playing on the ball, operating at different speeds with sharp footwork, attacking the rim fluidly and setting the table for teammates with smart kick-outs and drop-offs. Banton doesn’t exactly pass the eye test, as he sports an underwhelming frame with narrow hips, a thin upper body, high shoulders and average length, yet he does have some measurement similarities to Shaun Livingston. Banton is an instinctual player on both ends of the floor, regularly jumping the passing lanes and gravitating to the ball on the backboards. A good-not-great athlete with a flat jumper, Banton isn’t the most reliable scorer in the half court and can also stand to defend with more physicality. How he evolves as a shooter and develops his frame will go a long way in determining his upside, but he certainly helped himself in Toronto. There are questions about Banton's ability to qualify academically, which may force him to go the junior college route for two years before resurfacing at a major Division 1 program.
Jonathan Kabongo | 6-5, 185-pound PG/SG | Age: 18.8
Class of 2018: Virginia Tech
The younger brother of former Texas guard Myck Kabongo, Jonathan stood out with his positional size, frame and rise-and-fire style shot-making. At a generous 6-5, 185 pounds with a 6-6 wingspan, he has tools somewhat similar to Jordan Clarkson. Kabongo shoots it with range off the catch and the bounce, and his ability to create separation or elevate off the dribble out of pick-and-roll bodes well for his transition to point guard, where he’s most interesting long-term. A good athlete, he’s capable of playing at different speeds and finishing with either hand in the paint. He plays with supreme confidence and competes on the defensive end, playing with active hands and using his tools effectively. On the flip side, he’s a score-first guard who isn’t the most willing or natural facilitator, and he can be a bit shaky as a ball-handler. Kabongo is also more streaky than you’d hope as a shooter given his affinity to live off of tough pull-ups. Kabongo will join fellow Canadian guard and former Biosteel standout Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the backcourt at Virginia Tech, where he figures to make a lot of shots in the ACC.
Cashius McNeilly | 6-4, 191-pound PG | Age: 16.9
Class of 2020: Uncommitted
Tabbed as one of the top young prospects in Canada at an early age, McNeilly’s development has hit a bit of a snag after a down year at Huntington Prep. His frame looked doughy in Toronto, with wide hips and underwhelming athleticism. Still only 16, McNeilly certainly isn’t short on talent, which he first showed us at the 2016 futures game. He posted a 30.2 player efficiency rating at the under-16 FIBA Americas last summer and had some impressive moments in Brooklyn at the Jordan Brand international game. He has similar dimensions to Jrue Holiday and possesses a polished skill set for his age. He shoots an easy ball with great balance, plays with good pace and has vision out of pick-and-roll. McNeilly does lack a degree of toughness and killer instinct at times, too willing to blend in with others. Rumored to be returning to Canada next season, McNeilly getting his body back on track, turning himself into a knockdown shooter and playing with consistent intensity on both ends will be the key to maximizing his potential as one of the top young talents in Canada. McNeilly is likely to play with the Canada under-17 national team in the World Championships in Argentine in July.
Addison Patterson | 6-8, 196-pound SG | Age: 16.8
Class of 2020: Uncommitted
Considered one of the best young talents in Canada, Patterson’s reputation is in dire need of a facelift if he hopes to live up to lofty expectations. On one hand, he’s a big scoring guard who is fluid and aggressive attacking the rim, capable of creating space to pull-ups off the bounce and full of passing and defensive instincts when engaged. But Patterson’s body language on the floor leaves much to be desired. On the floor, he’s an early bloomer who benefited from being bigger and more athletic than others at the youth level. He will have to become a more reliable shooter (flat trajectory) and willing passer to maximize his potential, as teammates are visibly frustrated with the shot-hunting he does on the floor. Although talented, he doesn’t quite have the freakish talent or athleticism to outweigh some of the question marks. Patterson is rumored to be playing with the under-18 national team at the FIBA Americas this summer, surrounded with more veteran players who could hold him accountable. There’s no questioning Patterson’s talent, which we saw when he scored 25 points in 21 minutes at the 2017 Jordan Brand international game, but he’ll need to address the aforementioned concerns to make NBA execs comfortable gambling on his talent.