Thoughts on Cade Cunningham, Kevin Samuel, and R.J. Nembhard

December 17^th, 2020

By Alan Lu

Yesterday, I took the time to watch Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma State play against TCU in a very competitive, early season Big 12 conference game.  Cunningham struggled to make shots early, but he consistently played well in the non-shooting or scoring related categories against TCU.  He was able to get into a rhythm in the second half, but Oklahoma State’s inability to shoot, combined with TCU’s strong shooting and defense allowed TCU to get an upset victory on the road.  Here are my thoughts on how Cade Cunningham and the other prospects fared on this day, as well as how they may currently rate as prospects for the NBA.

Cade Cunningham had a decent showing in his team’s loss to Oklahoma State.  He excelled as a playmaker, rebounder, and defender in this game, and while he didn’t shoot well or score efficiently, he was able to get into a groove in the second half with his ability to score in the paint.

He showed a decent ability to score off the dribble.  When looking to score, Cunningham was most effective when he would take the ball hard to the rack.  He was able to drive aggressively off of a screen, as he used a hesitation move to score on a crafty, backwards, flip layup.  He also tends to favor going to his right, as he can score on floaters and layups in the paint.  He also was able to go to his left to make a smooth, pull-up jumper from the mid-range late in this game.  However, sometimes he would miss tough shots when he would not draw foul calls, and he tended to miss on a lot of contested shots.  He especially struggled to knock down jumpers, especially from outside of the paint, as he had trouble making pull-up jumpers from either the mid-range or from beyond the arc.

Also, Cunningham showed a solid ability to score in the post.  He possesses good body control, and he would often draw fouls upon his defenders to get to the free throw line.  He also ran in to get an offensive rebound, as he managed to score on a floater afterwards.

He also displayed fairly good playmaking skills.  Cunningham is an unselfish player that passes and handles the ball well, and he would throw solid interior passes to find teammates on the move to set up scores for them.  He throws good passes off the dribble, and he can consistently find roll men as well as his teammates on the break.  However, sometimes he can try to do too much every once in a while, and there was one play where he over-dribbled into traffic and got the ball stolen away by a defender.

Plus, he also did a very good job of rebounding the basketball.  He would leap up to haul in boards on both ends of the floor, and he also sometimes push the ball up the floor to create transition scoring opportunities for his team afterwards.

Cunningham also played fairly good defense in this game.  He did a great job of blocking shots, as he was able to do so when defending in the post as well as off the dribble due to possessing good length, athleticism, and timing.  He even was able to make a chase down block to prevent his opponent from scoring on a dunk attempt down low.  Plus, he also was able to jump on a loose ball that his teammate deflected to help his team get a steal, and Cunningham would contest jump shots to force misses.  However, sometimes he would be too aggressive at times, as he would over-commit on the first move and then get beat off of cuts and drives, which would cause him to allow scores.  Other times, he wouldn’t quite be in position, which would lead him to commit fouls when defending opponents off the dribble.

In general, Cade Cunningham played fairly well in his team’s loss to TCU.  Though he didn’t shoot well or score efficiently in this game, he excelled in the non-shooting or scoring related elements of this game, and he also played a lot better as the game wore on, as he scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half.  He will need to improve his shot selection and work on his outside shot more, but Cunningham is a very talented prospect that currently would be a lock to go in the top 5 for the 2021 draft.

TCU’s 6-11 redshirt junior center, Kevin Samuel had a strong showing in his team’s surprise win over Oklahoma State.  He did a great job of scoring in the post, and he also played very good defense, as he excelled at blocking shots and protecting the paint to help his team get the victory.

Samuel did a solid job of scoring in the post.  He would tend to score on jump hooks and drop step moves, and he also threw down a couple of powerful dunks in this game.  He also would go up strong to draw numerous fouls upon his defenders to get to the foul line often, though he struggled to make his free throws.  He also ran in to score on a tip-in off of an offensive rebound.  However, sometimes he would not go up strong enough, which would lead him to miss some shots around the basket.  

He didn’t seem to make any noteworthy passes, but he also not turn the ball over once.  Also, Samuel was able to leap up to get plenty of boards, as he was able to haul in multiple boards on both ends of the floor, and he was able to provide his team with second chance points off of offensive rebounds.

Plus, Samuel also played very good defense in this game.  Samuel would often rotate to block shots off the dribble and in the post to force misses, and sometimes he was able to direct balls to his teammates.  He also managed to get his hand on a pass to get a steal.  Plus, he has good length and strength to defend in the post, and he would hold his ground and successfully contest shots to get stops for his team.  A couple of times though, he would rotate, but get beat off the dribble, as his team would then allow scores around the basket.

Overall, Kevin Samuel played very well in his team’s win over Oklahoma State.  He excelled as an interior player in this game, and he played terrific defense to help get his team the victory.  He is an athletic big man that can score, rebound, and block shots in the paint.  He will need to improve his perimeter skills and extend his shooting range, but Samuel is an underrated prospect that could be a good pick for an NBA team in the second round range of the 2021 draft, as he may have the skills to end up being a solid role player in the NBA.

TCU’s 6-4 redshirt junior guard, R.J. Nembhard also played very well in his team’s win over Oklahoma State.  He showed off versatile scoring skills, and he shot the ball really well, as he led all scorers with 21 points in this game.

R.J. Nembhard did a great job of knocking down jumpers to provide floor spacing for his team on offense.  He excelled at making quick, spot-up threes off the catch, and he also showed a knack for making pull-up jumpers off the dribble. 

He also would use off-ball movement to score on offense.  Nembhard also would run off ball screens to make quick jumpers off the catch, and he also managed to score on a crafty, turnaround layup off of a backdoor cut.  Plus, he did a good job of scoring on aggressive drives to the hoop, as he can finish plays using either hand.

As a playmaker, he looked to be perhaps above average.  Nembhard can pass and handle the basketball, and he can throw good passes off the dribble.  He was able to throw an accurate lob pass to set up an alley-oop dunk for a teammate on the break.  He also can drive in and draw multiple defenders to set up scores for his teammates at the rim.  However, he also was quite turnover prone at times.  Sometimes he would throw inaccurate passes that would go astray.  Other times, he would struggle to handle the ball in traffic when faced with considerable ball pressure.

Nembhard was able to get his fair share of rebounds, as he would leap up to get defensive boards to help his team on that side of the ball.  He also played adequate defense.  Nembhard was able to get a steal, and he also successfully drew a charge when defending on a drive.  However, he can sometimes be too aggressive when defending opposing ball handlers, which can lead him to commit touch fouls.

In summary, R.J. Nembhard played very well, as he excelled as a sharpshooter and scorer on offense to help his team get a stunning win over Oklahoma State.  He showed a knack for making shots efficiently in this game, and he also was able to make some good passes in this game.  He is an underrated prospect that could be a player to watch in the future, and his ability to shoot and score the basketball could enable him to be an effective rotation player in the NBA someday.

TCU’s 6-1 freshman guard, Mike Miles had a fairly good showing in his team’s win over Oklahoma State.  He showed off versatile scoring skills, and he is a very athletic combo guard that can put up points in a hurry.

He showed a fairly good ability to score off the dribble.  He would tend to favor going to his left, and he is a speedy player that can quickly get into the lane to score the basketball.  He would go hard to the hoop, and he would often draw fouls upon his defenders to often get to the free throw line.  He also was able to make a pull-up jumper from the mid-range.  However, sometimes he would struggle to score in traffic, as he would tend to take difficult shots, and he would tend to miss more when he would not draw foul calls.

Miles also can score on hustle plays.  He ran the floor hard, and he was able to leap up to score on a high-flying, alley-oop dunk on the break.  Plus, he also can knock down some jumpers, and he was able to make a three-point shot from way out to show his range in this game.

However, he displayed average at best playmaking skills.  For the positives, Miles is an agile player that can handle the basketball, and he would look to find the open man to set up scores for his teammates.  Sometimes though, he can play too wildly on offense, and he ended up committing ball-handling turnovers, as he would struggle to handle the ball in traffic at times.

Overall, Mike Miles is a very athletic, skilled combo guard that can shoot and score the basketball.  He has played very well so far this season, and he has flown under the radar as a draft prospect.  He could project well into a microwave scorer type of role for an NBA team off the bench, and he could be a good pick for an NBA team in the second round range for the 2021 draft.

Oklahoma State’s 6-4 junior guard, Isaac Likekele put forth a solid performance in his team’s loss to TCU.  He excelled as a scorer off the dribble and in the post, and he also showed off solid playmaking skills, while also having rebounded and defended well in this game.  Though he didn’t make a jump shot from outside of the paint area, Likekele showed a knack for scoring on strong drives and in transition, and he also used an up and under move to score on a crafty layup in the post.  He tended to throw good passes off the dribble to rack up assists, and he also was a ball hawk that would grab many rebounds and steals in this game. 

Overall, Likekele played well, as he was almost able to get a triple-double in his team’s loss to TCU.  He will need to look for his own offense more and he will also need to improve his outside shot, but he is an athletic, physical combo guard that could be a solid pick for a team in the second round as a defensive specialist type of player in the NBA.

TCU’s 6-6 senior swingman, Chuck O’Bannon Jr. had some good moments at times in his team’s win over Oklahoma State.  Though he was not his team’s best player in this game, he was able to make a slew of good plays midway through this contest, and his performance in this match was infinitely better than any game he turned in when he used to play at USC.

O’Bannon showed a decent ability to knock down jumpers in this game, and he was able to pull up to make a three-point shot off the dribble.  He struggled more to score off the catch, but he also was able to score on a layup on the break.

He also passed and defended well.  O’Bannon was able to dribble towards the hoop and then find an open shooter to notch one assist in this game.  He also excelled at collecting steals.  He quickly jumped a pass to get a steal, and he also ran in to take a ball away from an opposing ball handler to force another turnover.  He did commit a foul in the post, but generally O’Bannon made shots and defended well when his team needed him on the floor.

Overall, O’Bannon is an athletic, energetic swingman that played well in his role off the bench.  Though he seemed to fade into the background late in this game, he was able to make some really solid plays when he was on the court.  He is a high-motor player that could project to be a defensive specialist in the NBA if he makes it there one day, and while he will need to be a more consistent shooter and scorer in games, his ability to defend could enable him to compete for a roster spot in the association sometime in the future.

TCU’s 6-4 freshman guard, Taryn Todd played very well in his team’s win over Oklahoma State.  He showed off versatile scoring skills, as he would score on tough, speedy drives to the hoop, and he also made a couple of threes from beyond the arc.  He also was able to kick a ball out to a shooter to notch an assist, and he also made a game-saving stop by successfully challenge a long two-point shot on the final play of the game.  Overall, Todd is an athletic, skilled swingman that played very well off the bench, and he could be an intriguing prospect to watch, as he could swiftly move up draft boards if he can continue to play well this season.

Oklahoma State’s Rondel Walker played fairly well in his team’s loss to TCU.  The 6-4 freshman guard excelled at scoring on drives and cuts to the hoop, and he was active at defending in the passing lanes, as he would disrupt his opponent’s field of vision to get steals and deflections.  On the downside, he did not make a three-point shot nor get an assist in this game.  Overall, Walker is an athletic combo guard that can score and defend, and while he has flown under the radar, he could be a prospect to keep tabs on in the future.

Oklahoma State’s 6-7 freshman forward, Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe also put forth a fairly good showing in his team’s loss to TCU.  He excelled at scoring in the post, as well as off of hustle plays, but he would struggle to consistently score on drives to the basket.  He also did not appear to make a jump shot from outside of the paint.  He also rebounded the ball fairly well, and he was able to pull down multiple boards on both ends of the floor.  Overall, he is an athletic, high-motor player that can make hustle plays on both ends of the floor.  He will need to improve his jump shot and playmaking skills, but his athleticism and ability to make plays on both ends of the floor could enable him to make the NBA one day, especially if he can improve his outside shot substantially.

Oklahoma State’s 6-3 senior guard, Ferron Flavors Jr. had his ups and downs overall, but he played some very good basketball in the second half.  Though he didn’t make threes efficiently in this game, he was able to make a pair of threes in the second half, as he can make them off the catch, and he also can run off screens to knock them down.  He also was able to intercept passes to get steals, and he was able to find an open teammate on the break to notch an assist.  On the downside, he got beat off the dribble once, which led him to commit foul and allow a score afterwards.

Overall, Flavors didn’t have his best game, but he showed that he can knock down spot-up jumpers and he also is an aggressive defender that can get steals.  He will need to be a more consistent shooter on the court, but his ability to shoot and defend could enable him to compete for a roster spot in the NBA one day.