In this reboot of a classic segment, I explore the players with the most professional upside outside of Division I. Far too often, non-DI talent is overlooked due to a lack of media attention. With the recent string of successes from Derrick White and Duncan Robinson, who transferred from Division II and Division III - respectively - before earning their opportunities, it is clear that a Division I pedigree is no longer a requirement for success at the highest level. Whether it is Giannis Antetokounmpo or a lesser known prospect out of an NAIA school, with a lot hard work and determination, late bloomers can succeed at the professional level, be it in the NBA or overseas. In my inaugural 'scouring the nation' take for the 2019-2020 season, I examine the prospects of versatile 6'9 Coastal Georgia rising sophomore wing/forward Elijah Goodman and 6'6 St. Thomas Aquinas incoming freshman wing/forward Avante' Gilbert.
6'9 Coastal Georgia forward, Elijah Goodman, is one of the best professional prospects outside of Division I. This rising sophomore's effortless stroke puts him in rare company at this level of play. As a true freshman a year ago, Goodman connected on 45.9% of his three point attempts. Though 37 3pt attempts (in 31 games played) represents an underwhelming sample size, game tape reveals that he possesses a contrite, effortless stroke with a quick release that will translate at higher levels of play. In terms of his preferred method of shooting, Goodman is solely a catch-and-shoot threat at this point in time, with almost every three point make coming off of a pass. In his freshman season, it was common for Elijah to streak up to the top of the key after setting a pindown screen, before catching the ball and immediately squaring up for a balanced 3pt jumper. While some may question why Elijah did not shoot it more from distance a year ago, he was simply filling the role his team needed him to play - opting to bang inside and crash the offensive glass, rather than float along the perimeter. In terms of where he can improve shooting the ball, Goodman must refine his dribble pullup. He must work to obtain the same balance and consistent release point that he has on his catch and shoot jumper. Look for him to make a huge leap in 2019-20, as incoming 6'9 240lb DI transfer Shaquille Serville enables him to shift to the perimeter.
As he transitions to more of a perimeter role, Goodman must continue to refine his handle. Elijah also should perfect his left hand dribble/speed dribble out in transition, and begin to implement advanced stop and go moves, so that he can fully unlock his potential as a slasher. With that said, while he rarely created off the bounce from outside the three point line last year, Goodman's handle is underrated at the moment, and he was effective attacking the rim from the midrange in. Sporting a quick first burst and cued in by a deadly Euro step, Goodman has the potential to dominate at the NAIA level. When he decided to drive strong to the rim as a freshman, Goodman did a nice job of initiating contact, drawing 4.15 fouls per 40 minutes, despite rarely handling the ball. As he becomes more of a primary ball handler, look for Goodman to get to the line far more frequently. Importantly, despite the fact that he is still adjusting to his body and adding strength, Elijah did a nice job maintaining his focus and finishing through contact at the rim. With that said, he must refine his paltry 62.4% free throw % if he hopes to capitalize on the opportunities he creates for himself. While he currently is very much a halfcourt player and does not possess the motor and handle to be effective in transition, Elijah has the nimble feet and short area quickness to eventually excel in transition ala Pascal Siakam (while at the moment he is much closer to an NAIA version of Brandon Ingram with fewer ball skills). As he continues to develop, look for his motor to improve and for him to appear more comfortable out in transition.
As a post option, Goodman plays with surprising strength and agility. He demonstrates good footwork on the block and possesses a crafty back to the basket spin move. While he is more of a faceup player at the moment, Elijah is still willing to fight for position in the post, despite his weight disadvantage. On several occasions, as a freshman, he tended to streak across the lane, flashing middle before sealing his man inside. He is also capable of backing his defender down at the NAIA level. However, unless he significantly improves his strength, Goodman projects as more of a faceup player. In terms of his prowess in pick and roll, Elijah was effective in a very limited sample size. With that said, as he moves out to the perimeter in his sophomore season, look for Elijah to develop this aspect of his game the most, as the threat of his sweet shooting stroke should open up driving lanes. Additionally, due to his exceptional athleticism, Goodman is a very effective offensive rebounder, who is super active on putbacks. Look for him to continue to excel in this area moving forward.
On the defensive end, Elijah utilizes his tremendous length and athleticism to wreak havoc on offensive players at the NAIA level. He did a nice job rim protecting in his freshman season, often going straight up and contesting what would otherwise be easy layups. Goodman was comfortable defending in space and his paint disruption was key for Coastal Georgia a season ago. In addition, Elijah's solid lateral quickness enables him to effectively switch onto guards, which is a tremendous asset in positionless basketball. With that said, Goodman must do a better job of beating slashers to the spot and guiding them away from the hoop with his hips. While he may get away with it at this level due to his exceptional quickness and instincts recovering on his man, Elijah tends to get beat off of offensive players' initial first step, and is then forced to recover down to disrupt shots. This, coupled with his propensity for allowing deep post position at times, contributed to his alarmingly high 5.67 fouls committed per 40 minutes. He often picked up fouls early on in games, and was forced to sit on the bench a season ago. Both of these tendencies are very correctable, though, unlike Elijah's solid hands and 6'11 wingspan - characteristics which cannot be taught. As he becomes more comfortable in the college game, look for Elijah Goodman's defensive productivity to increase. Importantly, given his transition to the perimeter, Goodman did a nice job of disrupting jump shooters without fouling a season ago. Lastly, Goodman must improve as a pick and roll defender, as he tends to fall back instead of hedging hard, leaving shooters wide open coming off of screens.
All in all, Elijah Goodman possesses the athleticism and shooting stroke to develop into an NBA summer league player down the road. He is a much more explosive athlete than someone like Lyle Hexom (who played with the Grizzlies summer league team), but he must work to refine his handle and become a better pick and roll option so that his game will translate. Given his trajectory and movement to the perimeter, Goodman should make significant strides towards this in his sophomore season.
In a similar vein, former Paterson Kennedy forward Avante' Gilbert may be the most raw player I have reviewed on this site. Standing at a wiry 6'6, Gilbert was arguably the most underrated recruit in the state of NJ this past season. While a cursory glance at his statistics may seem underwhelming (14ppg 10.8rpg), Gilbert is an elite athlete with the physical profile to achieve greatness down the road. It is important to note that Gilbert spent most of his time with Paterson Kennedy playing out of position at center, where his effectiveness was entirely dependent on the post entry feeds he received inside. In trapping zone defenses (they faced several), he could be game planned out of the game entirely.
However, his upside is quite intriguing moving forward, and I expect him to stand out immediately at St. Thomas Aquinas (DII). Importantly, while he rarely utilized his jumper at Paterson Kennedy, Gilbert possesses a nice stroke and is particularly effective rising up off the bounce. In his first college season, Avante' must look to extend his range past the college three point line, as the majority of his shots came from the midrange in a season ago. In terms of his potential as a slasher, Gilbert's handle is extremely underrated at this stage, and he should be capable of getting his own shot the second he steps foot on campus. With that said, he could stand to improve his hesitation moves, which would enable him to begin his drive from outside the three point line in halfcourt sets. Developing a Euro step will be important too, as he is an extremely high motor player, who often leaks ahead in transition. Look for him to stand out in up tempo sequences given his elite physical profile.
While he was not much of a traditional post player at Paterson Kennedy, Gilbert finishes extremely well at the rim, often contorting his body to avoid shot blockers. If St. Thomas Aquinas utilizes him as a big initially, he would thrive as a faceup option, given his superior first step and general run-jump athleticism. Gilbert is also able to facilitate for his teammates, and often makes the right read either out on the perimeter or inside. Gilbert will need to continue to develop his physical profile, though, so that he can become stronger with the ball. As a rebounding presence, Gilbert is a player that must be boxed out at all times. He consistently kept his team in the game with second chance baskets, all while displaying his elite athleticism.
On the defensive end, Gilbert's game is the most intriguing. While he rarely tested himself against elite competition at the high school level, Gilbert still stood out when given the opportunity. Against Wildwood Catholic, he locked down Division I prospect Taj Thweatt, holding him to a season low 11 points. While his physicality will only improve with a college strength and conditioning program, Gilbert is an elite shot blocker. He posted 5 games with double digit blocks in high school. Gilbert is a remarkably quick leaper and possesses the timing/awareness to rise up and block shots in one-on-one defense and as a help defender. Additionally, while he wasn't tested guarding on the perimeter enough and his team often played zone, Gilbert's respectable lateral quickness stood out at times, if only briefly. In addition to his ability to stay with faster guards, Gilbert also possesses excellent hands (averaging over a steal per game), and is a menace in passing lanes. On the defensive glass, Gilbert will learn to not rely entirely on his run-jump athleticism, and must be more fundamentally sound boxing out.
Overall, Avante' Gilbert is one of the most underrated high school players in the country, with intriguing physical gifts and the ball skills to one day become a special player. Look for him to standout in his freshman season at St. Thomas Aquinas. With the right development, he will play professionally somewhere.
(Photos courtesy of University of Coastal Georgia Athletic Department, hudl.com, and youtube.com)
While he did a better job of passing in transition or off of a dribble drive, Didi noticeably improved operating out of the pick-and-roll, making some textbook reads. Considering how infrequently Franca utilized pick-and-roll, Didi's progress making plays out of these sets was extremely encouraging and much better than I had anticipated coming in. Look for him to continue to make strides in this area moving forward.
While he did a better job of passing in transition or off of a dribble drive, Didi noticeably improved operating out of the pick-and-roll, making some textbook reads. Considering how infrequently Franca utilized pick-and-roll, Didi's progress making plays out of these sets was extremely encouraging and much better than I had anticipated coming in. Look for him to continue to make strides in this area moving forward.
