Game Scouting Report: TSV v CNS | Mojave King
I’m Kuzey, 19. I’ve been writing about basketball since I was 9. I have been working in Eurosport Turkey for the last 1,5 years. I have written on various sites and magazines before. I’ve been working as a freelance scout for three years. I worked as a consultant. I have interviewed dozens of prospects such as Theo Maledon, Deni Avdija, Henri Drell, Aleksej Pokusevski, Arturs Kurucs, Yves Pons, and dozens of notable basketball people such as Luis Scola, Xavi Pascual, Jonathan Givony, Dimitris Itoudis, Sasa Obradovic, Joan Plaza, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Derrick Williams. I write an article every day. I live in Turkey, I go to all the Euroleague and Youth League games. My main areas are all of age group in Africa and from U12 to U20 European and NCAA. MY BIGGEST GOAL IS SCOUTING! Anyway, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and feel free to DM!
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Physical
In terms of his physical tools, Mojave King is already one of the most valuable prospects in the 2002 international player class. But as far as I saw in this match, he got much stronger and gained muscle mass. The upper part of his body is completely full of muscle, chests were a little empty, but he looks strong there. I think that his triceps and biceps are at perfect levels, strengthening his hands, and most importantly his wrists. Also, MK’s core muscles looking strong. His lower body was heavy, not very fast, but I think he’s made progress on that as well. Faster, mobile. There are still a few problems with his footwork. Linear and lateral quickness is missing. Vertical pop is good, but I think his vertical pop is not good enough to make it perfect for his physical tools. He needs to work on his lower body. What I was most surprised about his physical tools in this match was that he could not use his strength effectively. At 08:53 minutes before the end of the first quarter, three times in the second quarter, with 09:21 minutes before the end of the third quarter, six minutes before the end of the third quarter, he could not pass his opponent with his strength and sometimes he forced the game unnecessarily sometimes had TO. But I am not too worried about it. Because we are in preseason yet and he has the workout time he needs to show off his strength, fluid & explosive athleticism package in my opinion.
Offense
I watched all game but I don’t think last quarter is meaning anything because of the points difference between teams. Let’s look at what he did in the first three quarters. In the second minute of the game, he used 3-pointers on the hill as a CnS, but he couldn’t find a hit, but I think that shot was true. A minute later, he did drive-and-dish after a perfect dribble and spin. In the third minute of the match, he hit 3-pointers on left-wing as a CnS. 05:55 minutes before the end of the first quarter, King forced the game. After 20 seconds, he used a perfect freeze jumper after hesitation and eye fake and hit the 3-pointers. In the last four minutes of the quarter, he stayed corners as a floor spacer on offense, not touching the ball much. He did something similar in the second and third quarters. Among the things he did in this game, what impressed me the most was his 3-pointers shots. In the first 30 minutes, King tried 3-pointers seven times and got four hits. He rolled in these 3-pointers not only as a CnS but also as a self-creator. And I think this is very important. Because what King does best on the offensive end, he uses his ability to change direction, solid touch, fluid athleticism and hop tricks to go to the basket and find floaters hits. If he can add a consistent 3-pointers bullet to his offensive arsenal, then he would be perfect dangerous offensive player in my opinion. That was what he did best in this game anyway. I think he has two critical points on his improving own 3-pointers. 1, his shot pocket is higher and his release is more fluid. 2, tons of summertime workouts. There were also things I dislike about his offensive performances. MK forced the game several times. For example, with 06:59 left to the end of the second quarter he had the ideal pass angle, but, he wanted to do (unnecessary) dribble and using floaters, but that didn’t work. We can also understand how important the things that need to be improved in passing are from this match. Because he only played as the primary scorer, yes this is nice, but at least I wish he could show an average passer performance.
Defense
There are some important points that I got quarter to quarter. I want to mention them. With 06:10 minutes to go to the end of the first quarter, he had the ideal angle for sliding on the handler on the switch defense, but went to the roller and made the wrong move. In the third minute of the second quarter, he started well on the ball defense, doing intense and weary defense. However, he did not react well to his opponent’s burst fake. Towards the end of the half, he did an excellent job using the size & frame advantage in defense. I think King’s deficiencies on the defense were revealed in the third quarter. His lack of motor and timing. 07:36 minutes to the end of the quarter, in transition defense, he run very heavy. In the fifth minute, he jumped early and gave his opponent the ideal angle. With 03:22 remaining, he could not do both the rotate and the move timing on the defense. His transition block in the match was fine, but if King wants to be an average defender at high levels, I think he should focus on his performance in the last five minutes of the second quarter. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to use defensive bullets with his frame. Because his defense motor is low, his timing and knowledge are not as good as on the offense. I think he should improve on these issues.