Each year the Indiana Basketball Coaches' Association (IBCA) holds one of the top events of the year, the Top 100 Workout.  (OK, it's closer to 120 players...but still.)  It's been given more juice since the NCAA opened up two evaluation periods for D1 coaches in 2019.  A change for the better, as this event has moved around in year's past trying to squeeze into April and July evaluation periods.  

Courtside Indiana has 94 evaluations from the Top 100, but here are ten performances which stood out, starting with the top two uncommitted performances on the day:

Billy Smith, 6'6" small forward; Indianapolis (Brebeuf) - class of 2022

Fresh off his first D1 offer, Miami (OH), Smith was outstanding on the day. The normally sure shot from 3pt range and high IQ passer has had a floater in his bag of tricks for awhile.  Other shot making off the dribble had not been consistently seen up to this point.  Smith had always been a reliable finisher at the rim, but there were times when he appeared rushed or hesitant vs. legitimate rim protectors.

Let's be blunt, those two aspects describes a lot good players at all levels of play.

So what has changed?  His mid-range jump shot, as well as how he got into those shots, at least based on what he did at the Top 100.  His footwork on stops and pivots into shots added a lot of variety to his ability to finish in or around the paint.  The main one is the ability to pivot out, track the rim and get enough separation to hit an otherwise contested shot.  This is a positive step in scoring over quicker and/or bigger defenders.  

A willing defender, Smith can guard his position at the D1 level, and it was his performance at Miami's team camp that earned him the offer.  As he continues to get direct exposure from D1 coaches, it's certain his offer list will grow. - jr

Ryan Conwell, 6'2" shooting guard; Indianapolis (Pike) - class of 2022

The question on Conwell, is he a tweener guard or a combo guard?  There is often a fine line between tweener and combo, but it's one that often needs an answer before recruiting settles in.  Conwell, up to this point has earned a handful of NAIA offers, four from the Crossroads League (Bethel, Huntington, Indiana Wesleyan and Marian), the top NAIA league in the country.  

At the NAIA level, Conwell is a no brainer combo guard, likely able to guard three or four positions, due to his length and strength.  Maybe one aspect holding him back was his shot.  Good to consistent off the catch, he's rarely in a position where he's getting catches off screens.  He hadn't been consistent off the dribble from the 3pt line either, much of that due to a slower release.  So anything not stationary was a question mark.

Conwell has done a decent amount changing that view.  He showed a quicker release Saturday, or at least showed the ability to get his shot off accurately off the dribble.  With his strength, he's able to step back into a 3pter as well, and that was on display a few times.  Stepping back into stop and drive was also on display, as he toyed with his defender.  From there, Conwell has a variety of finishes in the paint, including a floater.

As a playmaking guard, he's probably best suited as a secondary ball handler with the ability to wedge in vs. his defender, keep him on his hip then make the next read.  That's likely his best path to D1 offers, and at the D1 level he would still be able to effectively guard either wing spot.  He's shot first off the dribble, but he's still unselfish with excellent vision. - jr

Steele Brasfield, 6'5" small forward; New Palestine - class of 2022

Steele really showed his shooting in this one. Great size and feel like he could be an oversized 2 or a 3 who can shoot it. Put the ball on the floor a couple times to get into the paint and finished. Got out in transition where he found his spots on the perimeter for knockdown 3s. Need to see more of him and his rebounded ability. Prospect I like moving forward. - zt

Richard Brooks - small forward; Mishawaka Marian - class of 2022

Another player who is starting to answer more what position he plays is Brooks.  Displaying a quicker and smoother release, Brooks off the dribble has mostly relied on getting near the rim and finding a way to finish over bigger defenders.  It's evolved into more finishing moves, and today Brooks showed a mid-range jump shot, as well as catching off the move beyond the 3pt line.  Tighter closeouts lead to more opportunities off the dribble, which leads more ways to score.  - jr

Myles Colvin, 6'4" shooting guard; Indianapolis (Heritage Christian) - class of 2023

First chance getting to see the forward and he put on display some of why he now holds offers from Purdue and IU. He was almost unstoppable when he got out in space with the ball. Showed his athleticism well. Consistently attacked the basket, and when he didn’t have the ball he made hard cuts and slashed to the basket well. Sprinkled in some nice outside shooting to compliment the rest of his game. Need to see more of him as a defender and rebounder. - zt

Brandon Northern, 5'11" point guard; Sellersburg (Silver Creek) - class of 2022

After a tweet stating he was among the top playmakers at the Top 100, someone said of Northern, "It's easy to find others when the others are (Trey) Kaufman and (Kooper) Jacobi."  Very true, but they weren't at the Top 100, and Northern was still of the mind to get downhill, draw help and make the right play...time after time after time.  He will have to score more this year for the Creek, but he's never shied away from it, especially late in games, big games.  Watching him make high level reads in a camp environment was refreshing. - jr

Sam Orme, 6'7" small forward; Carmel - class of 2023

Served mostly as a catch/shoot threat this past season, Orme show a full array of scoring threats, which he has shown the last two summers.  His biggest asset other than his shot, is his ability to move without the ball.  His length, ability to read his defender and willingness to cut into and through traffic put him in great scoring positions, a couple of which were capitalized on.  He drives well and has good feel around the basket. - jr

Nick Richart, 6'8" center; Zionsville - class of 2023

Nick already has good size and strength, that will only improve. He has good hands, and gets himself in positrons to score around the rim. Lefty who lives getting to that hand to finish. Passes well out of the post. Showed glimpses of being a good rebounder but need to see some more. Did not take any shot that really showed if he has a game outside of the paint. Did run well in transition and capable defender. - zt

JaQualon Roberts, 6'7" small forward; Bloomington (North) - class of 2023

His transition from post to perimeter is coming along nicely.  During the school season he was able to score off straight line drive, and today he was able to change in tight spaces and finish through traffic.  His shot to the 3pt line is still a work in progress, but his mechanics are getting smoother and quicker.  Super active in transition as a rim runner, and he has a nose for the ball, getting the occasional tip in. - jr

Josh Whack, 6'2" point guard; Carmel - class of 2022

Josh is known as a really good defender at the guard spot. He is strong and moves his feet really well with very active hands. He is also able to handle the ball which helps translate into baskets in transition, or getting himself to the rim in the half court. Josh also has really solid court vision, and moves well without the ball. Need to see if he is capable of scoring from the perimeter. - zt

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