The Americans continued their breeze through the competition at the FIBA U17 World Cup in Santa Fe, Argentina on Wednesday night, defeating the Dominican Republic 103-60 to advance to the Quarterfinals. Evan Mobley continues to be the standout for me, I just find my eyes always gravitating towards him when watching these games. He’s already enjoyed an incredible rise this summer up recruiting boards and has solidified his #1 overall ranking in the class of 2020 at least by ESPN as far as I’m concerned.
Mobley finished with ten points, six rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals in the victory on Wednesday. He showcased every possible skill you’d want to see from an elite prospect, effecting the game on both ends of the floor, displaying the potential to be a seven-foot Swiss army knife. I was beyond impressed with the California native’s playmaking ability at every level, Mobley showed he’s an efficient passer not only out of the high post but also can create off the dribble some.
Below you’ll see Mobley on a baseline drive draw in the second defender to come over to help and then deliver a beautiful bounce pass to the cutting Wendell Moore Jr. His handle is obviously a bit raw and needs some polish but the ability to create for others is crucial nowadays at any position really in the modern age of basketball. His efficiency as mentioned earlier as a passer out of the high post mainly, makes Mobley a dual threat as a playmaker. Mobley throw’s dart’s for entry passes and can even make some things happen in the open floor at times as well, finding teammates on the break frequently.
https://gfycat.com/gifs/detail/NaughtyMammothInchworm
https://gfycat.com/gifs/detail/DrearyPresentAurochs
Mobley showed off some off his low post scoring ability in this one as well, even given his rather thin frame currently. Even though he’s barely 200 pounds, Mobley doesn’t seem to fear contact and has the elite length to finish over or through most defenders. He does a good job of utilizing his body to shield off his man and just staying low enough to gain position and even when he can’t gain ground, Mobley still has the touch in the paint to be effective from 15+ feet as you can see on the touch he displays his right hook shot. I’m not sure about his shooting range currently, but Mobley clearly shows the touch to be a dominate scorer in the paint and as he gains strength, it should only extenuate his dominance there.
https://gfycat.com/gifs/detail/GorgeousIgnorantIberianbarbel
It’s Mobley’s ability and potential on the other end of the floor though that has me the most intrigued, defensively he already impacts the game so much and has been dominate in that regard during the FIBA U17 World Cup so far. Mobley’s already an elite shot blocker and one of the best I’ve seen coming out of high school in recent memory, probably since the likes of Anthony Davis and Nerlens Noel. He’s obviously got elite length sporting a seven-foot-four wingspan, but it’s his foot quickness and movement skills that make him such a tremendous weapon on the defensive end.
In the win against the Dominican Republic, Mobley showcased it all defensively from defending smaller guards or wings in ISO situations to blocking down shots in transition. He’s flashed the potential to be a stalwart on the defensive end, Mobley’s anticipation and timing is second to none as a shot blocker, he rarely mis-times his jump on a shot attempt. Mobley’s also an ambidextrous shot blocker, showing effectiveness with either hand to knock down shots only adding to his rarity as a defensive weapon.
But as I mentioned earlier, even more impressive than Mobley’s length and shot blocking ability is his movement skills as a seven-footer. He can switch onto guards or wings seamlessly and usually has quick enough feet to stay in front. But even if he gets beat off the dribble by elite speed, Mobley has his elite length in his back pocket to help him recover and still alter the shot attempt. The quick feet that Mobley shows on the closeout below and then the recovery to beat his man to the spot on the drive, is just something you don’t see from most big men even in the current day of “Unicorns” in the NBA.
On a roster filled with an abundance of talent and future NBA pros, again Evan Mobley has been the star who’s shined brightest for me. The offensive potential combined with the physical profile and defensive versatility make me giddy about Mobley’s future as to me, he looks every bit of a future number one overall pick. The Americans move on to the Quarterfinals tomorrow to take on Croatia, looking to move one step closer to their fifth straight gold medal at the event.