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Jean Charles led World Team to win Nike Hoop Summit - 04/21/2013
By Rafal Juc
Despite several second-half rallies to cut into a World Team lead that reached as high as 18 points, the USA Junior National Select Team fell to the international squad 112-98 in the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit on Saturday, April 20 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. For the first time in the 16-game history of the Nike Hoop Summit the World Team has recorded two consecutive-wins over the USA, having also taken the victory (84-75) in 2012. Livio Jean Charles ('93) collected double-double with game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds.After bruising his leg, Jean Charles missed some practices, however exploded at the right time, finishing the game with 27 points, setting new point record by French prospect and one of the top5 for by the international talents ever, adding 13 rebounds as well.
The most impressive is fact that 6-9 forward was extremely quiet and didn't force any of his shots (10/13 from he field). Frenchman simply did his best crashing the glass, running to the transition and rolling aggresively to the rim after ball screens. Jean Charles took only one shot outside the paint, impressing with confidence, intensity and aggressiveness down the post. Somehow stucked between either forward position, Frenchman shows nice basketball IQ and displayed an ability to find a succes within his limitations. Standing at 6-9 with solid 7-2 wingspan Jean Charles possesses all tools to play on PF spot in the Europe, however to translate his game to the NBA needs to fill out his upper-body and improve outside shot, which won't be easy given fact that Jean Charles has really poor follow-through on his jumper, though. Such a stellar performance in the game of the most talented players on the globe, brought up his stock into possible mid-second round pick this year. Some NBA executives might see in him poor men's Kawhi Leonard, who was also labeled as a tweener and struggles with his jumper, however found his niche doing a little bit of everything on both ends of the court.
Although Sergey Karasev ('93) scored only 7 points on 1/6 from beyond the arc, Russian swingman had really strong week in Portland and nothing cannot discredit his stock as 6-7 Karasev is having the best season among European draft-eligible prospects. During the game scored couple open jumper and showed nice court vision, however what is the most important, Karasev didn't show any problems to either contain his American counterparts or beat them off the dribble in isolations. Although Karasev doesn't look extremely athletic, he showed nice lift and blow of quickness when necessary. Evan Fournier ('92) seems the right comparison for Karasev in terms of translating the game to the NBA. Russian guard is less creative off the ball, however possesses significant skill with his incredible shooting touch. Should be drafted somewhere between 15th and 25th pick overall.
Maybe Jean Charles scored game-high and was selected the MVP, but Dennis Schroeder ('93) is the one who won the most. From a little bit obscure and inconsistent prospect, German point guard emeganced as high as top3 playmaker in this year's draft, being mentioned equally with the college player of the year Trey Burke. Schroeder made a great use of American way of the game. Freed from slow-paced, half-oriented offense based on ball screen variations, Schroeder was at his best filling the lane, running the transition and feeding big men. 19 years old PG was unstoppable in the open court, almost always taking the right decision. Lighting quick poor Schroeder could get by each defender on the ball, showing great court-vision, experience and ability to two-man game. Although Schroeder did show offensively, running the game in Rajon Rondo style, he impressed the most with high intensity, smile on his face and off the chart intensity in the ball defense, which goes along with impressive 6-7 wingspan. Yet before the game Schroeder had put his name into the draft and should be called in the first round.
Photo: Beko BBL
