By JACOB POLACHECK
ATLANTA – After a three year hiatus due to COVID, the NBA Academy Games returned to Atlanta from July 6-10 featuring several standout players from across the globe.
“For us to see the level of play increase so much over the last three years, the basketball IQ and feedback from college coaches and scouts that were here, it’s all been really positive,” Chris Ebersole, who runs international basketball operations for the event, said.
Some standouts from the event include Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso, who recapped his recent visit to Oklahoma State, as well as Italian guard Niccolo Moretti, Nigerian forward Rueben Chinyelu and Canadian guard Jaiden Cole.
Moretti, a 6-foot-2 guard playing with NBA Global Academy, recently reclassified to the 2023 class and excelled with court awareness, vision and a consistent jump shot.
“I’m a tough point guard that’s really generous,” Moretti said. “I don’t like to take as many shots as I can. I can run the team the right way and can understand the game really well.”
Currently holding offers from Radford, Bryant, Mount St. Mary’s and Northern Kentucky, Moretti said he’s looking to commit after the U18 European Championship later this year.
“I’m looking for a good program for me will be one that just lets me play my game,” he said. “I’m the type of player that loves to execute on what the coaches say. I don’t mind if I play less or play more. I’m the type of player that’s really easy. I want a college that fits me and lets me play my game.”
Chinyelu, a 6-foot-10 forward playing with NBA Academy Africa, averaged 9.8 points and 7.8 rebounds on 67.8 percent from the field. He is currently hearing from schools such as Washington State, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Santa Clara and Mississippi State, among others.
“I’m looking at schools that have a good academic system and good basketball,” he said. We’ll cross that bridge (of a decision) when we get there.”
Cole, a 6-foot-3 guard out of Canada, averaged 11.5 points and 2.0 rebounds on 51.2 percent from the field. His best game of the event came on Friday when he scored 30 points against NBA Academy Select Red.
Despite having no offers yet, Cole is working to improve in many facets of his game.
“I’m trying to work on my on-ball defense, communication on the court, my handles and I’m also trying to get stronger,” he said.
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