Case File No.22: Haley Jones

 

Haley Jones. Photo Credit: Alex Slitz/Getty Images. 

Today's case file is on Haley Jones, who was recently named to the WNBA All-Rookie team. Note: This is a scouting report I did on May 3rd, prior to Haley entering the WNBA draft. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Team: Atlanta Dream

Position: Guard

HT: 6–1

Credentials:

2021 NCAA champion (2021)

Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2021)

Three-time All-American

Pac-12 Co-Player of the (2022)

Two-time All Pac-12 (2021, 2022)

Strengths:

-Moves with and without the ball

-Good ball handler, able to keep her dribble in traffic

-Uses her size against smaller players with a low post game

-Makes tough shots

-Drives to the basket aggressively, not afraid of contact

-A mixture of old and new school styles of play

-Good passer with good court vision. Able to find the open player with timely bounce passes

-Will make shots when spotting up

-A willing defender; stays with the player and will use her long arms to disrupt or block the shot. Will switch on the ball handler or rotate to make a play

Weaknesses:

-While she can create her own shot driving to the basket, I didn’t see her create space as a shooter off the dribble

-I didn’t see her make much use of screens or picks

-Her field goal percentage dropped significantly between her first two years (over 50%) from her last two years (42% in 2021, 43% last year)

-Three point percentage is atrocious. She shot 0.94% last season; her highest percentage was 35% in her four years at Stanford

Final Analysis:

Offensively, she has an old school style of play with an array of moves in the low post game, with the new school style of aggressively driving to the basket. She’s a willing passer with exceptional court vision.

While she can knock down a shot spotting up, the downside to most players who rely mostly on getting to the lane to score as she does, they tend to be average to poor shooters, as this is evident with her declining percentages the last two seasons.

Overall, I think Haley is a gifted athlete, who can be better if she makes a few improvements, which is scary. She’s a two-way player, and with her passing ability, her willingness to move with or without the ball — being a fan of the Motion/Princeton offense — I think she would be a perfect fit for that offense. If she would take advantage of screens/picks more, that would make her an even better fit.

From watching her tape, I see why she was selected 6th overall in the WNBA Draft. I mean, when you get a day named after you in your hometown, that speaks volumes.

Case File No. 21: Jayden Daniels

 

Jayden Daniels. Photo Credit: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images.

Today's case file covers Jayden Daniels, a dual-threat quarterback who has people putting LSU not only in the conversation of the CFP, but the BCS National Championship game. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Position: Quarterback

HT: 6-3 WT: 200

College: LSU

Class: Senior

Credentials:

Sun Bowl MVP (2019)

Strengths:

-Pocket game is improving

-Can make plays with his arm and feet

-Accurate

-Good arm strength

-Plays well in the clutch

-Bounces back after making mistakes

Weaknesses:

-Lightweight in terms of size

-Tends to rely on his feet too much

-Meeds to develop more patience in the pocket

-Wind-up in his mechanics

Final Analysis:

Jayden is an example of sometimes it's not the player, but the system he's in. Coming from a conservative offense at Arizona State, I wasn't sure if he could run a more aggressive offense that he was coming into at LSU, but not only has he proven he could run it, but his play has developed dramatically.

He's a dual-threat quarterback who can beat you with his arm and feet. For the most part, he has always been an accurate passer, but his overall pocket game is improving, and he's much better when he lets the play develop.

He doesn't have a great arm, but it's strong enough to make the necessary throws. Has a nice deep ball. The moment is not too big for him in the clutch--he calmly led a comeback against Alabama last season.

He has decent height for the position, but he's lightweight as far as size, and this could be an injury concern, particularly if he takes too many hits.

Like most dual-threat quarterbacks, he tends to rely too much on his legs to make plays, and sometimes needs to have more patience in the pocket. This is an area he has admitted he needs to improve, so the self-awareness is there.

Jayden has made strides since transferring to LSU last season. There are still areas of improvement, but he has come a long way since his days at Arizona State. He has full command of the huddle, and the respect of his teammates. As of right now, I still don't see him as a Day One pick in the 2024 NFL draft--maybe the second or third round--but that could change if he fully polishes his play in the pocket.

Case File No. 20: Juju Watkins

Judea "Juju" Watkins. Photo Credit: Leon Neuschwander.

Today's case file is on 5-star recruit and USC commit Judea "Juju" Watkins, who already looks nearly WNBA ready. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Position: Guard

HT: 6-2

College: USC

Class: Freshman

Credentials:

Gatorade National Player of the Year (2023)

Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2023)

2x California Ms. Basketball (2022, 2023)

Strengths:

-Two-way player

-Exceptional shooter and scorer

-Can create her own shot, shoot off the dribble, and drive to the basket--she favors the two-step

-Has expanded range on her shot

-Handles the ball well, able to weave through traffic

-Strong rebounder, hustles to get her own rebound if she misses

-Will pass if she sees an open player

Weaknesses:

-Looked lackadaisical when contesting shots at times

-Would like to see her facilitate more

Final Analysis:

Juju enters the college ranks as a two-way player, and I hope she continues to commit on both sides of the ball. She can create her own shot and score in multiple ways, whether it be off the dribble, driving to the basket or using picks. She's an exceptional rebounder for her position (she averaged 10 or more boards her last three years in high school).

Defensively, I've seen her rotating, helping her teammates, and she helped protect the rim (1.8 blocks last season). I'm not sure if she will average that many blocks at the college level, but that's very impressive for a guard.

I did see moments where she looked lackadaisical when contesting shots. In other words, there were times where the opponent scored on her too easily, whereas that might not have been the case if she contested the shot.

She is a good passer when she decides to pass, and I would like to see her do that more without compromising her offense.

It's easy to see why Juju was considered the No.1 recruit in her class, and why she won top player of the year awards. I'm not sure how long she intends to stay at USC because she nearly looks like WNBA material, however, I think the college level will sharpen her skills and make her better than she already is.

She's listed as a combo guard, and while she has the handle to play the point, she's more of a shooting guard, seeing that she looks for her shot more often. From my understanding, it has been stated that this is an area she wants to work on, so that's commendable.

If she continues to hone her skills and make improvements in certain areas, which aren't many flaws from what I've seen, she will undoubtedly be a lottery pick whenever she enters theWNBA draft.

Case File No.19: Jimmy Butler

 

Jimmy Butler (22). Photo Credit: Brett Davis/USA Today Sports/Reuters).

Today, I open the case file of Jimmy Butler, a versatile, two-player, who, despite my take on his personality--from an outside looking in perspective--more on that later, is not only of the best at his position, but in the league. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Team: Miami Heat

Position: Guard/Forward

HT: 6-7 WT: 230

Credentials:

5x All-NBA

6x All-Star

5x NBA All-Defense

Most Improved Player (2015)

NBA Steals Leader (2021)

Strengths:

-Two-way player

-Good ball handler

-Good passer

-Can create his own shot, can shoot off the dribble and spotting up

-Fearless going to the basket

-Fills up a stat sheet

Weaknesses:

-Brash personality

-Not the best 3-point shooter

-Typically needs the ball to effective

Final Analysis:

Jimmy is not someone you can typically guard with just one person, he usually demands double-teams. He can play both the guard and forward positions, and he can play the point forward role with his ball handling and passing ability. While he can make the three-point shot, he's not lights-out in that area (32.3% for his career). 

I'm not fan of his personality; he comes off as brash to me. Two incidents that comes to mind is the hoopla he made in practice while in Minnesota, and a more recent issue he had with teammate Udonis Haslem.

He's capable of playing without the ball if he chooses to, but he typically needs the ball to be (more) effective.

I think Jimmy is a helluva of a player, but he's cocky. I know some might find his personality type to be endearing or encourage and condone that type of behavior, but I think it makes him a prick. Despite my take on his personality, his play on the court is undeniable. His ability to play on both ends and dominate a game makes him a handful for teams to deal with.

Case File No.18: Minkah Fitzpatrick

 

Minkah Fitzpatrick. Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports.

Today, we're opening the case file on Minkah Fitzpatrick, a ball-hawking, hard hitting safety who makes plays all over the field. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Position: Free Safety

HT: 6-1 WT: 207

Credentials:

3x First Team All-Pro

3x Pro Bowl

NFL Interceptions co-leader (2022)

2x CFP Champion (2015, 2017)

Strengths:

-A playmaker

-Rangy

-Has a nose for the football

-Aggressive, a heavy hitter

-Excels in helping in double coverage and defending the backend

Weaknesses:

-too aggressive at times

Final Analysis:

Minkah has developed into one of the best safeties in the league. He's an aggressive head hunter who has a penchant for making big plays, whether it be an interception, pick six, or a blocked field goal.

Playing a position that's considered the last line of defense, Minkah is a fearless tackler who will come up and help in run support, and excels in helping in double coverage and defending the backend of the defense.

Like most aggressive players, the downside is that he can be too aggressive at times, and this could be used against him.

I'm not a fan of giving up a first round pick for a safety, which the Steelers did in 2019 to get Fitzpatrick, but I can't say it hasn't been worth it. Since becoming a Steeler, Minkah has become one of the most dangerous safeties in the league. He's become a multi-time all-pro and pro bowler, and I think he's going to continue to add to this list.

Case File No.17: Christian McCaffrey

 

Christian McCaffrey. Photo Credit: Kyle Terada/USA Today Sports.

Today, I open the case of file of Christian McCaffrey, a versatile running back who is explosive and dangerous as a runner and receiver. He's the type of player I would deem an ultimate weapon. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Team: San Francisco 49ers

Position: Running Back

HT: 5-11 WT: 209

Credentials:

2x All-Pro

2x Pro Bowl

AP College Football Player of the Year (2015)

Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year (2015)

Strengths:

-Every down back

-Versatile, can be used as an extra wide receiver

-Explosive runner

-Runs well between the tackles for his size

-Patient, doesn't hesitate or tip toe when going through the hole

Weaknesses:

-Doesn't have the ideal size for the position

-Injury prone

-Adequate in pass protection

Final Analysis:

I'm not surprised by the way Christian's career has turned out, so far. From his days at Stanford to currently the San Francisco 49ers, Christian has always been a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

He's a well-rounded back who is dangerous as a runner and receiver. As a receiver, he's not just a back out of the backfield type, he can actually line up as a wide out and makes plays. He's like having an extra receiver on the field, so you can keep him in on all three downs. I'll admit, prior to coming into the league, I had my questions as to whether or not he could be a three-down back from a physical standpoint due to his lack of size, but he has proven he can stay in on all three downs. On a side note, there have been undersized backs who played on all three downs (Ex: Barry Sanders, Warrick Dunn), but they're far and few between.

However, I wonder if his size was part of the reason he has been plagued with injuries the last few seasons. Now, if any running back, regardless of their size takes too many (i.e., unnecessary) hits, they're going to have a short career, but this goes double for a smaller back.

Another factor could have be overusage. There was a season where he had 1,000 yards rushing and receiving (2019) which is a rare individual achievement, but that's a lot of wear and tear on a player. He's not going to overwhelm anyone in pass protection, but he blocis well enough to give his quarterback extra time.

Christian is the type of back that I consider ideal from a skillset standpoint--the combination of him as a runner and receiver, but his versatility as a receiver stands out to me, in particular. These types of running backs are rare. Combined with his speed, explosiveness, and deceptive strength, it makes him an ultimate weapon and a matchup nightmare for any defense. If he can stay healthy, I not only see him adding to his list of accomplishments, but also an induction in the Hall of Fame when it's all said and done.

Case File: No.16: Bo Nix

 

Bo Nix. Photo Credit: Godofredo A. Vasquez/Associated Press.

Today's case file is on Bo Nix, who transferred to Oregon from Auburn last season, and has done a complete 180, developing to be an under-the-radar Heisman candidate. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Position: Quarterback

HT: 6-2 WT:216

College: Oregon

Class: Senior

Credentials:

SEC Freshman of the Year (2019)

Strengths:

-Proficient at running the RPO

-Pocket presence is improving

-Has enough arm strength to make the needed throws

-Can make plays with feet

-Good at making throws on the run 

Weaknesses:

-(at Auburn) Inconsistent

-Tries to do too much

-Will force throws at times

Final Analysis:

Bo Nix has come a long way from his days at Auburn. He's an example of sometimes it's not the always the player, but the system or scheme he's in.

At Auburn, he was asked to manage the game, and trust Auburn's defense to do the rest. At Oregon, he's running a more open offense and he looks like a completely different player.

He has a handle on the RPO (run-pass option), his pocket game dramatically improved. He's more efficient with his timing, anticipation, and accuracy.

At Auburn, he was inconsistent, that hasn't been the case since he's been at Oregon. He still tries to do too much at times, such as forcing the ball in windows that's not there, which usually leads to turnovers.

He doesn't have a rocket arm, but he has enough strength to make the needed throws, and while he's not the most athletic, he has always been to make plays with his feet when need be.

Since his arrival at Oregon--well, after that first week debacle against Georgia last season--Bo has made huge strides in his overall game. I think he has developed into an under-the-radar Heisman candidate.