Adidas Summer Championships: Sims is phenomenal on opening night

LAS VEGAS -- To start off the Adidas Summer Championships, D1 Minnesota defeated Team Loaded Virginia 74-68, avenging their semifinal loss in the Adidas Finale last week. Nate Reuvers, Jack Sorenson, Goanar Mar, and McKinley Wright combined to shoot 6/8 from the free throw line in the final minute to secure the victory.

Dana Altman, Greg McDermott, Tim Miles, Archie Miller, and Richard Pitino all watched, as well as assistants from from Cal, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Illinois, Louisville, Maryland, Virginia Tech, and many more. The Gopher Report counted over 40 coaches in the gym to watch D1 Minnesota and Team Loaded Virginia -- two of the nation’s very best AAU teams -- play.

Last week, TGR wrote that the Adidas Summer Championships would be a test for Sims. Consistent offensive production has been the question mark with the three-star prospect. After a modest statline of 5.8 points on 52.8% shooting, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in the first three (regular season) sessions of Adidas Gauntlet, Sims was excellent at the Adidas Finale in South Carolina. Today’s performance of 14 points on 6/7 field goal shooting and 12 rebounds did more to prove he can consistently produce on offense.

Whether it was finishing over multiple arms or contesting shots on the other end, he was a constant factor. In the first half, he had a pretty finish over 6’6” forward Antwan Walker. Later in the half, he spun around four-star wing Kiyon Boyd and dunked hard with two hands. In the second half, Sims scored again after a spin, this time floating the ball over two defenders. He also finished a lob from Ishmael el-Amin. It’s excellent to see Sims wanting to attack with the touches he gets on the block, and being quick and decisive when doing so. Last week in Chaska for the D1 Minnesota Summer Classic, that’s not something TGR always saw.

Defensively, Sims heavily contested every shot his man put up. Against a team like Team Loaded VA, who had strong play from their bigs and wings who liked to attack the basket, that was especially valuable. Sims also did well to defend when opponents got touches on the block. Facing a monster-sized David McCormick, he held his ground and McCormick’s continued effort to back him down resulted in a charge.

Sims’ 12 rebounds came in all ways. Sims grabbed several offensive rebounds and could have had a couple more if he was able to hang onto a few balls. One of those offensive boards came on the possession that D1 Minnesota received following the charging call on McCormick. He brought the ball down with one hand after a wing failed to box him out and with Aamir Simms behind him also competing for the rebound.

Jericho’s leaping ability and arms that hang dang near his kneecaps give him the potential to be a phenomenal rebounder. Once he adds weight to his frame, he’ll be even more explosive and have more size to assert his presence in the paint. Sims reportedly doesn’t lift weights or does so infrequently.

McKinley Wright started the game in excellent, McKinley Wright fashion. He pushed the ball on every possession and was aggressive attacking the basket. In one of the first possessions, Wright shot faked and had a turnaround finish over a Team Loaded VA big. Later in the first half, it was just him against two taller defenders in transition, but he still drove to the hoop and drew a foul. He wants to attack the basket, and with D1 Minnesota having so many shooters, that’s his role and how he’ll score in the halfcourt. Although he’s aggressive and sometimes too aggressive trying to finish in the paint, Wright is also very good at kicking the ball out instead of taking the ball all the way to the rack. He assisted Ishmael el-Amin and Nathan Reuvers off of corner passes when Team Loaded VA collapsed on his drive.

Defensively, Wright had a block and steal in almost consecutive possessions in the first half. For a stretch in McKinley Wright sat out, Team Loaded guard Mastadi Pitt highlighted how important Wright is to D1 Minnesota’s defense, as he consistently beat D1’s guards off of the pick-and-roll. That stretch when Wright sat out was maybe D1 Minnesota’s ugliest, as they also had several turnovers.

While Wright started strong, he was mostly a non-factor in the second half and had several turnovers and fouled on a made three-point attempt. He finished with an efficient six points, making one of two field goals and all four free throws he attempted. He also had three rebounds and five assists.

Team Loaded Virginia was one of the top teams in the Adidas Gauntlet league with a 10-3 record. They beat D1 Minnesota in the semifinals of the Adidas Finale in Spartansburg, SC and then loss to Wabissa Bede and Mass Rivals.

Headlining the Arlington, VA-based squad is headlined by shooting guard Kiyon Boyd, the No. 27 player nationally. Power forward Aamir Simms (No. 93), Washington point guard commit Blake Harris (No. 145), and three-star small forward Antwan Walker, who holds offers from Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and more, are other stars of the team. However, Boyd scored just five points on 2/8 shooting, Walker scored just four, Harris didn’t play, and Simms was certainly outplayed by Jericho Sims.

Less-sought after players stepped up and made the game competitive. Mastadi Pitt played good defense and consistently beat D1 Minnesota guards other than McKinley Wright by attacking the basket off of ball screens. Rasir Bolton scored 12, and Gregory Jones scored just six but his defense and hustle made him stand out.

TGR was especially impressed with Matthew Hurt’s athleticism today. While he did nothing highlight worthy, he’s certainly become more explosive as he’s gotten older... “Man, he’s good. That kid gets buckets.” That’s what a videographer next to TGR said after Hurt swished a pull-up jumper off of a pick-and-roll and made it all look effortless. Hurt made all three of his shots from the floor and one of two free throws.

Nathan Reuvers shots were falling today. While his ability to bang inside with other high-major forwards and centers leaves a lot to be desired, his shooting was vital to D1 Minnesota’s win and will be an asset to the Badgers from day one.

Ishmael el-Amin has been great the last two weeks. Today, the combo guard scored nine, and he continues to look comfortable shooting from deep, an area’s he’s drastically improved from several years ago. The three-star also grabbed four rebounds and blocked a shot that he closed on so hard that his momentum took him nearly 30 feet from the arc to over the media table and three rows up in the bleachers.