Zion Russell
National Christian Academy (Current)
Team Durant - Nike
Class
2021
Height
6'1"
Weight
175 lbs
Position
PG
Strong Hand
Right
Level
Mid-Major
Summary
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Talented scorer and gifted playmaker capable of creating high percentage shots for himself and his teammates. Finishes through contact and displays excellent body control.
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Puts great pressure on the defense. Understands when to attack and when to get his teammates involved. Locates perimeter shooters and teammates for drop-offs on the block with ease.
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An impressive athlete who combines controlled explosiveness with strong fundamentals. Allows the game to come to him, but maintains the right level of aggression. Needs to continue to develop a consistent jump shot.
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Stays low with the ball and executes dribble moves with purpose and effectiveness, creating good space for himself. Plays with a high IQ and shows he is able to make good decisions with the ball, even under pressure.
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Strong finisher at the basket. Uses excellent angles to get into the paint. Draws the foul and shoots a high percentage from the line. Deliberate and patient, but wastes no time in getting to where he is going.
Physical/Athleticism
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Very good athlete – contains explosive qualities
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Good speed and acceleration
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Has bounce – two-legged jumper
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Ex. Rose up twice for blocks in the open court where the taller, longer offensive player tried to create contact. He stayed vertical, and blocked the shots with two hands.
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Great body control
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Good hand-eye coordination
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Smooth, strong movements
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Hips allow for smooth, powerful change of directions
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Shows strong endurance
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Displays good strength; has a nice body build for the point guard position
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Accepts contact off the dribble and while finishing
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When defensive guards make contact, it is usually them who move from the impact and not Russell as the ballhandler
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Agile; nice footwork
Offensive Qualities
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Talented scorer with a good balance between scoring and distributing
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Playmaker capable of creating high percentage shots for himself and his teammates
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Possesses a refreshing base of fundamentals
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Stays under control on the drive, head up; takes a persistent and patient path to the basket
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Does not rush or go up to shoot too soon
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Impressive footwork
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Uses excellent angles
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Strong finisher around the basket
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Maintains good concentration on the basket, even amongst traffic
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Finishes well through contact
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Uses his body well to draw the contact/foul and still get the ball up on the board for a relatively high percentage shot
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High conversion rate
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Prefers to drive and finish with his strong hand (right hand)
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Often when driving left, he ends up finishing to the right
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Naturally moves north-south
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Effectively utilizes change of pace both with and without the ball
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Uses his driving ability to create space by pushing the defender and snapping back with the dribble
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Periodically uses step backs going in both directions
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Creates great space with it
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Unselfish player; team first
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Looks to get his teammates involved
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Places pressure on the defense through:
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The threat to get in the paint and finish
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The threat to draw the shooting foul
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And convert 3-point plays at a high percentage
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The threat to accumulate one-in-one situations by drawing fouls on the floor
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The ability to score from midrange
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The ability to convert difficult shots
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Capable of connecting from 3, but still inconsistent
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Prefers to operate from the top of the key, but is not limited
Shooting
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Improving midrange shooter; developing into a consistent shotmaker off the dribble
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The farther from the basket, the more inconsistent the shot
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Shoots a high percentage from the free throw line
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Shot selection
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Smart and patient – searches out the high percentage shot
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Doesn’t force bad shots often
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Prefers driving to the basket over shooting off of the dribble
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Bases tendencies on the defensive personnel, highlighting his IQ
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Mechanics
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His feet tend to be spread farther apart than shoulder width on the catch and shoot
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Assists him with staying balanced and squared
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Would benefit from getting his elbow and release point up a little more
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Keeps the elbow tucked on the shot nicely; body is “intact”
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Would benefit from making his shot one continuous movement
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Has a tendency to guide the shot instead of letting it go
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Finishes with a nice snap of the wrist
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Dribbling
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Has a nice handle overall
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Strong with the dribble
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Protects the ball well with his body
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Keeps the ball close to his body
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Direct movements with the ball; doesn’t play with it
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Makes dribble moves with strength and effectiveness
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He intends to create space and is successful
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Also effective at closing the space on a defender and getting into their body to gain the advantage in positioning
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Dribbles with a lot of purpose, both in the half court and in transition
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Keeps eyes/head up running the offense and in the open court
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Good ball control going right and left
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Stays low with the ball on the drive, and does not pick it up prematurely
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Shifts the dribble to the left, middle, and right of his body to protect the ball
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Handles full court pressure with ease and strength
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Because he keeps his eyes/head up while dribbling, he is able to accept the double/trap and handle it with intelligence
Passing
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Willing passer – unselfish
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Likes to pass with one hand, right or left, on the perimeter
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Accurate with the right touch on the right occasions
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Able to pass accurately off the dribble and in the open court
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Locates and delivers to perimeter shooters on the drive and kick with ease
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Adept at getting into the paint and dumping off to teammates for easy baskets
Basketball IQ
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High IQ
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Excellent understanding of time and space
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Keeps track of where his teammates are on the floor while the ball is in his hands, and knows where they will be
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Terrific understanding of when to attack and when to take advantage of what the defense gives him
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Recognizes when to be aggressive and when to get teammates involved
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Shows good decision making ability
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Decisive
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Does not try to play outside of himself; makes the right play
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Displays good judgment overall
Disposition/Presence
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Does not get flustered under pressure
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Patient/calm demeanor
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Not in a rush, but gets to where he is going
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Commands (not demands) respect on the court