Scouting Report: Nigel James

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Now that the off-season is here, I will post my thoughts on Marquette's incoming recruits. I have watched at least one full length game for each, in addition to extended highlights.

I will start with Nigel James, since I've seen him the most: 5 games between his junior and senior year.  Feel free to ask any followup questions.

Physical and Athletic Profile

Reported measurements
6-0/182
6-3 wingspan

Not the biggest PG, but similar size to Dominic James, if not slightly bigger. Nigel has decent strength already, but I think he could add still 5-10 pounds of muscle to get up to 190.

Athleticism rivals that of Dominic as well, but I'd say Dominic has a slight edge.  Nigel has serious jets in the open court, and he has enough vertical pop to dunk in transition or occasionally block a shot.

Nigel also has very good stop and start ability, which I will touch on more later.

Offense Strengths

One Nigel's biggest strengths is his ball handling. Comfortable dribbling with both hands, Nigel will breakdown a defense with a strong crossover dribble and/or hesitation moves. His stop and start ability allows Nigel to hesitate, change direction, and get driving toward the rim.

Nigel has the vision and passing ability of a true floor general, reminding me of Junior Cadougan.  Will spot the open man and can execute a wide variety of passes, including many one handed passes.  Nigel will drive and kick to shooters in the corner, hang in the air under the rim and kick out to the wing, and hit bigmen with lobs or bounce passes depending on the situation. In transition, Nigel can throw 40 foot passes over the defense to a teammate streaking for a layup or make long passes ahead to shooters. Nigel can also make one handed passes of the dribble with both his right and left hands.

Despite being smaller, Nigel has the ability to finish at the rim with either hand. Good understanding of angles and use of the backboard. Nigel has the ability to hang in the air and maneuver around defenders. Sometimes he uses a wrong-footed finish to throw off the defenders timing to block a shot. Nigel can also finish over defenders with a one-handed bankshot/runner.

Offensive concerns

My biggest concern is shooting. Nigel has very little elevation on his three point shots, and a low release point. His shooting motion starts at chin level, rather than higher positions like the forehead or above the shoulder. Very hard to see this shooting motion being effective in college.

Size is a slight concern, in regards to finishing at the next level. There are times where Nigel gets swallowed up by bigger defenders, but overall I think he will be ok.

Defensive Strengths

Nigel gets into a low defensive stance and uses his agility well to move side to side, sticking with ball handlers.

Nigel has active hands and will generate steals. Has strong hands and will use two hands to rip the ball away from opponents, particularly when double teaming.

Willing to fight over screens, usually sticking with his assignments but will switch when necessary.

Defensive concerns

Sometimes gets caught ball watching, resulting his man getting an open shot or layup.

Freelances at times, looking for steals. Sometimes he the steal, but other times it results in his man getting either an open three or cutting for a layup.

Once in awhile, Nigel gets beat off the dribble due to poor focus and technique. He either turns his hips too far, opening up a driving for the dribbler, gets caught flat footed, or gets a bit too aggressive, and too close to the ball handler. This doesn't happen often, and should be correctable.

Playing style

His HS runs a lot of pick and roll, drive and kick on offense. Not exactly like Marquette's system, but enough similarities that I think Nigel will fit in well and have a smooth transition.

Defensively, Nigel plays with the edge and aggressiveness Shaka desires. Nigel is a strong defender, and was named EYBL DPOY. He just has a few things to clean up, but coaching and attention to detail should turn him into a really strong defender at the college level.

Nigel usually comes off the bench, but his team is loaded with a 5 star junior PG and two top 50 senior SGs. Will cheer on his teammates from the bench and remain engaged in the game.

Fun facts

1) Played two years at Cushing Academy, including one year with Chase Ross.

2) Long Island Lutheran teammates included Kiyan Anthony (Carmelo's son) and VJ Edgecomb (Baylor/projected 1-and-done lottery pick).

Expectations

Nigel should be one of our better handlers right away, and he is a better passer than Sean Jones was coming out of HS. Sean averaged around 12-13 mpg as a freshman, and I think Nigel can handle similar playing time, if not more. Nigel projects to be a starting PG by his junior year at the latest. How quickly he develops remains to be seen. His long-term upside most closely resembles players like Dominic James and Tony Miller: strong ball handler, good passer, good defender, subpar shooter.

[DoctorV]

Excellent work, thank you.
Appreciate the effort in putting these together

[Big Papi]

Thanks for the info. 

Seems like he is going to battle with Tre for backup minutes at the point and the key will be who is the better defender since both are not good outside shooters.  Tre will have the edge.
 I really can't envision 2 diminutive players, Sean and Nigel, playing at the same time so I don't envision Nigel getting a lot of minutes this season but there is a long way to go until November.  Lots of improvement is needed from everyone newcomers and those returning.

Here is where I wish Shaka would look to recruit point guards who at least have a decent outside shot.  We will have 3 players at the so-called point guard position and none are good shooters.  Yikes.

[Uncle Rico]

Thank you for this.  Nice analysis

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Thanks for the info. 

Seems like he is going to battle with Tre for backup minutes at the point and the key will be who is the better defender since both are not good outside shooters.  Tre will have the edge.
 I really can't envision 2 diminutive players, Sean and Nigel, playing at the same time so I don't envision Nigel getting a lot of minutes this season but there is a long way to go until November.  Lots of improvement is needed from everyone newcomers and those returning.

Here is where I wish Shaka would look to recruit point guards who at least have a decent outside shot.  We will have 3 players at the so-called point guard position and none are good shooters.  Yikes.

I think Nigel beats out Tre for the backup PG spot, and as a sophomore pushes Sean for the starting spot.

Nigel is a much better passer than Tre. He also has a much tighter handle and can breakdown defenses to generate shots for his teammates.

In one game I watched, Nigel defended 5 star PG Darius Acuff (IMG Academy/Arkansas commit) and held his own. If Nigel can clean up the 2-3 defensive lapses per game, and become a bit more disciplined, his defense will be every bit as good as Sean's.

Tre has not progressed as much as hoped.  I think he needs massive improvement to make the rotation next year.
 

[100AcreNation]

Freelances at times, looking for steals. Sometimes he the steal, but other times it results in his man getting either an open three or cutting for a layup.

Obviously this habit can be detrimental if he doesn't get the steal, but I would have to assume Shaka and staff can help him with his awareness and timing like they did with Stevie. Excellent writeup!

[Markusquette]

Drink every time you read Nigel.

Thx for the recap of what you watched.

[MU82]

Thanks for the thorough report. Very helpful.

You have seen Nigel play more than I have, but I have seen him some. And I definitely agree with this line from your report:

Sean averaged around 12-13 mpg as a freshman, and I think Nigel can handle similar playing time, if not more.

Though some like to say Shaka doesn't play freshmen or doesn't "like" freshmen, and while I know that's a generalization, it's also wrong. He played Sean, he played Kam, he played Chase, he played Royce. If you play well enough to show you can be a valuable part of the rotation, Shaka will play you.

[Captain Quette]

Great analysis, thank you.

[Big Papi]

Thanks for the thorough report. Very helpful.

You have seen Nigel play more than I have, but I have seen him some. And I definitely agree with this line from your report:

Sean averaged around 12-13 mpg as a freshman, and I think Nigel can handle similar playing time, if not more.

Though some like to say Shaka doesn't play freshmen or doesn't "like" freshmen, and while I know that's a generalization, it's also wrong. He played Sean, he played Kam, he played Chase, he played Royce. If you play well enough to show you can be a valuable part of the rotation, Shaka will play you.

It's not about being a freshmen.  Freshmen that are not ranked super high, usually take time to adjust to the physicality and speed of the collegiate game.  This will be Tre's third year at MU and he will have a leg up in physicality, speed of play and experience.  For as good as Nigel might look against high school players, he has 2 players ahead of him.  That he does not have a good outside shot, it will make it difficult to play him on the court at the same time as Tre.  That he is short, doesn't bode well for playing at the same time as Sean. 

I get that he is the shiny new object but there are reasons why every coach out there other than Shaka is using the portal to go get experienced players.  They have a leg up on incoming freshmen.

I also get the huge negativity towards Tre.  He is a lot of shortcomings that make him look bad, but Tre will provide experience, defense. leadership and EGBs that Shaka loves.

I will be pleasantly surprised if he plays more than 10 minutes a game come Big East play if Sean and Tre are healthy.

Now if any of the freshmen can shoot lights out from distance or are rebounding savants, they will carve out playing time.

[mileskishnish72]

Nice writeup, Mix. Thanks.

[MU82]

It's not about being a freshmen.  Freshmen that are not ranked super high, usually take time to adjust to the physicality and speed of the collegiate game.  This will be Tre's third year at MU and he will have a leg up in physicality, speed of play and experience.  For as good as Nigel might look against high school players, he has 2 players ahead of him.  That he does not have a good outside shot, it will make it difficult to play him on the court at the same time as Tre.  That he is short, doesn't bode well for playing at the same time as Sean. 

I get that he is the shiny new object but there are reasons why every coach out there other than Shaka is using the portal to go get experienced players.  They have a leg up on incoming freshmen.

I also get the huge negativity towards Tre.  He is a lot of shortcomings that make him look bad, but Tre will provide experience, defense. leadership and EGBs that Shaka loves.

I will be pleasantly surprised if he plays more than 10 minutes a game come Big East play if Sean and Tre are healthy.

Now if any of the freshmen can shoot lights out from distance or are rebounding savants, they will carve out playing time.

Shaka obviously likes and values Tre. And yet, over the last 5 games, Shaka gave Tre a total of 9 minutes of PT.

Norman won't be "ahead" of James in the rotation if James demonstrates to Shaka that he is the better player. Shaka wants to win; IMHO he won't play Tre "just because."

We're all speculating here, including me, because that's all we can do months before practice for next season even starts. 

[onepost]

This is AWESOME. Thanks JAM.

[BM1090]

Shaka obviously likes and values Tre. And yet, over the last 5 games, Shaka gave Tre a total of 9 minutes of PT.

Norman won't be "ahead" of James in the rotation if James demonstrates to Shaka that he is the better player. Shaka wants to win; IMHO he won't play Tre "just because."

We're all speculating here, including me, because that's all we can do months before practice for next season even starts. 

I'd bet he rolls with Tre at the start of the year regardless of who is performing better. Once we get to the last ten games, all bets are off

[MU82]

I'd bet he rolls with Tre at the start of the year regardless of who is performing better. Once we get to the last ten games, all bets are off

What if James significantly outplays Norman at practice for a solid month before the season opens? That might not happen. Maybe Norman will be the most improved player in the Big East next season. But I'm having a hard time believing that James wouldn't get more PT if he's undeniably the better player. We'll see!

[PJDunn]

Agreed. We will be "making plans for Nigel" by mid February.

[MuggsyB]

Bam!!!  Tyvm. 

[wadesworld]

Thanks for doing this! Looking forward to the rest of the recruits. And hoping maybe we add some that aren't signed up yet!

[DoctorV]

We're all speculating here, including me, because that's all we can do months before practice for next season even starts. 

I'm not buying any of the reports until the ball is tipped and I see it with my own eyes, but I'm reading all of the reports because I'm a sucker for hope

[BCHoopster]

Tre can play Shaka D but offensively he is just not quick enough to be a difference on the offensive side, oh yeah two years of watching that pitiful shot is more then enough, needs to take 500 shots a day this summer, minimum.

[MuggsyB]

Tre can play Shaka D but offensively he is just not quick enough to be a difference on the offensive side, oh yeah two years of watching that pitiful shot is more then enough, needs to take 500 shots a day this summer, minimum.

Quickness isn't the issue. 

[BCHoopster]

Quickness isn't the issue. 

What's your take?

[BrewCity83]

Agreed. We will be "making plans for Nigel" by mid February.

We only want what's best for him.

[bilsu]

I think he has a chance to start. However, barring injury to another player, he has to earn the starting job by the first game. I do not see Shaka changing his starting line up once the season starts.

I am assuming he is actually bigger than Sean Jones and I am still worried about Sean's knee.

[MuMark]

He's bigger than Sean......a few inches taller would be my guess.

Good write up.......i have seen him a bunch. If he can make enough shots to be respected out there he can be really good.