Jarace Walker Player Evaluation

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Jarace Walker

IMG Academy (FL)

Team Thrill

Class

2022

Height

6'8"

Weight

230 lbs

Position

Strong Hand

Right

Committed

Houston

June 2021

Summary

A grown man who is physically ready for college in every way. High floor in many aspects, equipped with a strong fundamental skillset that is a rock solid foundation to continue building on top of to realize his full potential.
A superior athlete with length, strength, and vertical explosiveness. A versatile offensive player who often functions as an effective point-forward, initiating offense and serving as a main distributor/playmaker.
Excellent passer with noteworthy court vision. Still developing his shot and scoring game as a whole. A solid mid-range shooter. Still a ways to go from three. Believe in his potential as a shooter, as long as some tweaks are made to his mechanics.
Highly effective post player. Terrific defensive versatility and a fantastic communicator. Capable of guarding 5 positions at the prep level, and at least 4 in college. High IQ player who plays with a lot of patience. Variable motor.

Statistics from 2021 (10 Games)

Physical/Athleticism

Superior athlete with great size
Grown man strength – physically prepared for battle at the next level
- Excellent upper and lower body strength – naturally strong
- Muscular build with good mass; rock solid frame and broad shoulders
- Doesn’t just possess the strength, he plays with it (intelligently)
- Powerful, forceful movements
- Has the frame to add more muscle, but may want to avoid too heavy of a weight lifting regimen in college to decrease the chances of adding too much bulk and hindering athleticism. Instead, focus on alternative strength/resistance training to build core strength, explosion, durability, etc.
Lengthy wingspan
Explosive spring – a power jumper who prefers to lift off of two feet; also a good leaper off of one foot

Agile for his size
Improving lateral quickness (already moves well laterally)
- Will benefit from continuing quickness and plyometric-type training
Adequately fluid hips that allow him change directions without hindrance
Terrific anticipation
Shows good speed for his size when he turns it on
Very good hand-eye coordination
Effective first step
Will benefit from fully pumping his arms (hip-to-cheek) when he runs/sprints

Other Offensive Qualities

Offensive Qualities

He’s not a player that’s going to overwhelm you with numbers, although he’s capable doing so. Instead, he’s going to help you win games by contributing in a multitude of ways. It’s also important to note that he plays with a group of really good players. The team has a well-balanced, team approach in virtually all facets, not just scoring. Walker is at the forefront of this approach. Overall, he’s a versatile offensive player who heavily contributes to offensive success, and is still finding himself as a scorer.

Here's a nice sequence showcasing his versatility, ending with a pinpoint left-handed bullet across his body off the live dribble.

Can put the ball on the floor to get to the rim and the mid-range, which is where he is most comfortable shooting the ball

Has a very nice one-and-two-dribble pull-up he likes to go to; and he generally goes left when utilizing them

Will drive right or left

Will drive hard left and into the defender to create space and pull up, or will take it all the way to the rim
Seems to possess more counters going left

Uses an effective shot fake that he does a great job of selling

Operates so well out of the post. This is probably where I like him most, and would like to see him operate from here more often.
- As a passer, he sees cutters, opposite court shooters, approaching doubles, etc., and delivers timely, on-point passes

As a scorer, he can finish with post moves or utilize a pretty turnaround, fadeaway jumper (see more on this shot below in the “Shooting” section)

Fantastic all-around passer (see more on this skill below in the “Passing” section)
Developing 3-point shooter; still has a lot of room to improve his percentage and range (again, see more below in the “Shooting” section)
Effective offensive rebounder; finishes strong with putback dunks off the rim

Can run the break as the primary ball handler and consistently make good decisions
- Also creates semi-transition opportunities with his ability to handle the ball and push it up the back of the defense off of the defensive rebound or outlet

Highly capable of running the lane and finishing as a recipient on the break, but doesn’t do this as often. Instead, he usually assumes the trailer spot.

His game is fundamental; possesses a strong overall skillset with solid footwork
Patient – allows the game to come to him
- An absolute team player with an inclination to be a little too unselfish
- Wouldn’t mind if he increased his offensive aggression, particularly attacking the basket
  - 3.1 free throws per game (over 10 games charted)
  - 8.9 shots per game (over 10 games charted)
- Displays good restraint on forcing the drive that most with his size, skill, and athleticism would otherwise not exercise. But, again, he can be a bit too conservative.
- Operates within the “confines” of the system
Often enough, he functions as a point forward, bringing the ball up to alleviate pressure from his guards. His bigs look to outlet to him almost as often as the guards. His teammates show confidence in his ability to handle it, value possessions, and function as a distributor.

Love his ability to board and push the ball himself at his size. Makes good decisions in transition and semi-transition. Stays under control.

As a playmaker, he does a great job of fundamentally creating open looks for his teammates and finding open shooters. He takes his time, uses good footwork, and delivers a nice pass.
- Knows how to draw the defense to open passing lanes, create open looks for shooters, and opportunities for easy dump-offs to bigs

Prefers to operate from the middle of the floor
His movement without the ball is usually limited to moving to the open area. He would really benefit from cutting more with purpose, and certainly has the mind for it.

Pays attention to detail and uses proper technique on block outs and screens, although he could stand to make more contact on his picks
Finishing:
- Plays above the rim

Finishes with force and authority

Knows his way around the paint and has a nice touch

Capable of converting through contact
Finishes with either hand
- Utilizes a left-handed scoop shot driving left that proves to be very effective, especially when he jumps off the left foot instead of the right to get the shot off quicker

His offensive efficiency is driven by his ability to finish around the rim (see more below in the shot chart)
He is not a guy you throw the ball to and say, “get me a bucket”

Shooting

I like his mid-range game from 16-17 feet and in, as well as the potential it shows for developing deeper range in the future

Usually gets to his mid-range off the dribble or using a turnaround or fadeaway jumper that often, but not always, starts with his back to the basket from either a post-up on the block or somewhat of a mid-post position
- This is my favorite shot for him, and probably his most effective. He can shoot it over his right or left shoulder. He can shoot it with a slight fade or with a more pronounced fade. His form is excellent on the shot, and he shoots a good percentage.

Prefers to shoot from the middle area of the floor
Can shoot his mid-range going to his right or left as long as he is able to set his feet and shoot in rhythm. As stated before, he generally shoots off of one-dribble or two-dribble pull-ups.
- More comfortable with the shot going left

Still developing his range and working on improving his consistency from distance (see more on his development below in the form/mechanics analysis). The potential is there.

Shoots a set shot from 3
Will need to work on improving the quickness of the overall shot movement and release as he moves onto the next level

Has a soft touch overall
Needs to improve his consistency from the free throw line
More on form/mechanics (important!)
- Release point is over the top of his head, sometimes to the point where he overextends on the shot. The overextension causes him to bend backwards with his upper body, taking him away from the shot as he releases. This action affects him most from behind the arc. The vast majority of his misses vary from short-to-very short, as a result.
  - Is also apt to fade unnecessarily, rather than going straight up
  - Tends to depend too much on his upper body and not use his legs enough, especially when he is unable to fully perform his shooting dip
Very high elbow
Uses his wrist as a lever
Shoots up and finishes up
Will benefit greatly from working towards one continuous motion
Has rainbow arc on the ball, to the point where many of his makes fall nearly straight down into the basket
The release can be different, at times, appearing to come off his hand differently from shot-to-shot
- May or may not snap the wrist as a result of how it comes off his fingertips

Shot Chart (10 Games)

Passing

Superb positional passer with noteworthy court vision

Terrific passer out of the post, whether he is on the on the block, short corner, high post, or any other area
- Sees the court well and shows great awareness of cutters, spot-up shooters, and off-ball actions

Always looking up the court to advance the ball with the pass
- Throws a nice ¾ pass

Throws a good baseball pass
Excellent touch and delivery overall
Understands how to lead his teammates properly to the basket

Impressive passer in the open court/in transition
Good lob passer, which is another indicator of his touch, delivery, and accuracy

Sees cross-court opportunities well and delivers the ball with accuracy to the shooter’s pocket
Passes it with either hand, and has a good ability to pass off the live dribble using both
Has a very good bounce pass in his repertoire that he uses for situations such as threading the needle and feeding the post

Makes quick reads
Throws a lot of one-handed passes, which can affect his accuracy, at times. Does a lot of one-handed passing off the dribble.
A “heads up” player who is always looking for the open man
- Has a tendency to be too unselfish
Enjoys sharing the ball

Defense

Boasts extremely valuable defensive versatility. Has a high floor and higher ceiling.
IMG generally switched everything on defense, which highlighted his unique versatility to guard all positions effectively

Because they switched everything, he was also able to regularly exhibit the ability to make the proper rotations within their schema
- Very much on top of his rotations; pays attention to detail
Good post defender
- Has the strength to uphold his ground without fouling
- Has the reach to contest shots
- Has the mind to anticipate the post move
- Has the agility and quickness to move his feet and stay in front
- Uses these tools, along with his strength and length, to defend before the ball enters the post

Showing the tools to prevent the post entry, then pushing it himself to make the right decision in transition.

A couple of post defense samples

Perimeter defense
- His physical gifts allow him to effectively defend guards on the perimeter, where he does a good job of keeping them in front and forcing jump shots. Capable of defending all 5 positions at the prep level.

Open, fluid hips allow for the necessary change of direction
Small tendency to reach

Would benefit from getting lower in his stance against dribble penetration, making him even more formidable
- Tends to open up too much against the straight-line drive
Decent closeout on shooters, helped by his length and agility, but can be hesitant to get out to contest, at times

Has a habit of holding his hands up to try to show he isn’t fouling, while standing up and sticking his hips/waist out into the ball handler
- Takes away from his max lateral movement and creates contact with the body

Plays with anticipation, and often finds himself in the right place at the right time

Outstanding communicator – verbal leader on this end; a director
Rarely out of position and shows really good awareness
- Provides good help side support
  - Has a tendency to overcommit around the rim
Possesses good hands, using them to disrupt passing lanes, strip defenders around the rim, and aid his shot blocking ability
Can get a bit lazy in a zone defense and can be beaten back door
Would like to see him be more active on the boards. I was surprised that he doesn’t rebound at a higher rate.
- 5.5 per game (over 10 games charted)
Very competent shot blocker/rim protector who can provide help side support or defend the rim at the point of attack
- Capable of blocking shots with either hand

Dribbling

Solid ball handler, and steadily improving
- Does a good job of protecting it with his body and keeping it lower to the ground. Displayed a tighter handle in the half court when attacking off the dribble.
  - Ball control will need to continue to tighten in traffic-heavy situations
- Strong with the ball, which allows him to absorb contact and split traps/double teams
- Often seems to be more comfortable handling with his left

A small dribbling exhibition to give you a better idea of his capability.

As discussed and shown above, he displays the confidence and skill to handle the ball in the backcourt as a primary decision-maker, often functioning as a point-forward to alleviate pressure, create semi-transition opportunities, or simply advance the ball with urgency
Maintains good posture and keeps his eyes up
Displays a speed dribble that is under control and effective
- Adequate ball control in the open court, where he can use a speed dribble with either hand, getting to and converting at the rim

Limited dribble moves to create his own shot, but does have quick changes of direction with the ball

Continues to develop his offensive moves off the live dribble
- Progression here will be important for generating quality looks in college

Basketball IQ

High IQ
Recognizes matchups, mismatches, and where other advantages exist on the court
Has a deliberate approach to the game
Excellent understanding of space and time, as well as time and score
Displays good ball security, for the most part, although he can get a little loose with his one-handed passing (see above in the “Passing” section)
Knows how to manipulate the defense
Anticipates the play and player movement
Very difficult to speed him up
Shows an advanced understanding of pace

Dispostion/Presence

Disposition/Presence

Very positive; encourages his teammates openly
Reserved with a calm demeanor
Communicator
Variable motor that can go from average to above average. He can turn it up, but you’d like to see it be more consistent.
- Can come off nonchalant, at times
Even-keeled
Body language is indifferent, good or bad
Provides stability for his team on the floor
Mature overall presence

Coachability

Contextual scenario: at the end of a quarter, he uncharacteristically displayed poor judgment and ball security, turning the ball over three times in near succession. Coming back to the bench, Coach McAloon got on him. Mind you, this game was on national television. Walker accepted it and dapped him, essentially letting him know that he was right and he would do better. You love to see it.
Displays a firm grasp of offensive and defensive game plans from game-to-game
Interchangeable roles and spots on the floor
Quintessential team player

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