MILWAUKEE -- We're just days into the Under Armour Summer Jam presented by NY2LA Sports, and we've already seen a number of high-profile matchups.
Thursday ESPN 100 No. 2 recruit PF Cliff Alexander found himself matched up against another top-10 big man for the second time in as many days, as the power forward locked horns with No. 6 prospect and Kentucky commit Karl Towns Jr. A day after topping No. 10 player Myles Turner and his Texas Select squad, Alexander powered his Mac Irvin Fire squad to 75-67 win over Towns Jr. and Sports U.
These two big bodies fought for low-post position early in the contest, with some serious bumping and good ole-fashioned competition. Alexander, at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, and Towns, checking in at 7-foot-1 and 235 pounds, were fierce in competing as the matchup lived up to the hype.
The two went head-to-head on a number of possessions; here's how each player performed in the highly anticipated matchup of elite posts.
Cliff Alexander (Chicago/Curie)
Like he did against Turner, Alexander often controlled the glass with rim-level two-hand snatches and added an impressive tip dunk as he attacked the offensive glass from the high post. A number of times, Alexander jumped twice before his man jumped once to pursue a rebound. He power slammed drop-off passes created by dribble penetration and anytime he had a clear path to the basket, it usually resulted in a dunk. When he had time and space, Alexander knocked down the occasional open 3.
At the other end, Alexander was a physical low-post defender who used his strength to move the offensive player out of his sweet spots and blocked shots like he was attempting to knock the air out of the ball. Alexander's toughness, motor and intensity were on full display and his work at both ends of the floor was a thing of beauty.
Karl Towns Jr. (Metuchen, N.J./St. Joseph’s)
Towns brings a unique skill-set to the court for a player of his size, and his offensive scoring package is sure to have Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua smiling from ear to ear once he touches down in Lexington. Towns favored his face-up game as he spotted-up along the arc and buried open 3s after receiving kick-out passes via dribble penetration. He also used his 7-1 frame to shoot over smaller posts with ease after pulling them away from the paint. Towns was lethal from the high post, often starting with a shot fake to lift the defender before straight-line driving to the cup while navigating by help defenders (remember, this is a 7-1 guy we’re talking about).
Towns still needs to post up lower and with a stronger base but when he catches on the left block, he abuses defenders with a right-handed jump hook over his left shoulder. Another tremendous offensive asset of Town’s is his ability to pass out of the post against double teams. His passes seemed to always find the open man and were delivered on time and on target whether it was a kick out or skip pass to the weak side. Towns also showed that he was willing and able to take a charge to help his team.
Bottom Line
Unofficially, Alexander finished the game with 19 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks and Towns tallied 14 points, six rebounds two blocks. Alexander played strong with his grown man strength and did everything with great power and intensity, while Towns took advantage of his tremendous size and made plays with the ball like a perimeter player. Both players have holes in their games to fill but their talent, production and determination to be special players is very evident.