Scouting Notes: Legends Classic (Texas, Syracuse, Texas Tech, St. Joe's)
Live notes on Tre Johnson, Donnie Freeman, Darrion Williams, Rasheer Fleming, Arthur Kaluma... and more!
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — I was on hand at Barclays Center on a rainy weekend to watch a host of NBA Draft prospects compete in night two of the Legends Classic.
Texas defeated St. Joe’s in the title game, while Texas Tech beat Syracuse to secure third place. Here are some live scouting notes on the players who caught my eye this weekend:
DONNIE FREEMAN (SYRACUSE):
TAKEAWAY: Syracuse freshman Donnie Freeman’s combination of length, pop, and upside as a play finisher who’s displayed on-ball flashes at 6-foot-9 (I think he’s taller) is appealing. The problem is that he doesn’t finish plays with any consistency1 (49.3 TS% through five games, 3/15 from three, 3/11 on far twos); his athletic positives are offset by his lack of strength (listed at 205 pounds); and he has a real tendency to drift in and out of games.
He doesn’t look like a one-and-done right now because more two-way polish and production is needed — but it’s still incredibly early in the season. It’s also important to consider that Donnie’s role at Syracuse is relatively limited, with the ball flowing through JJ Starling and Eddie Lampkin, plus plenty of touches for Chris Bell. But I’m not sure how he’d contribute to an NBA team in the short-term, so I think it’d be best to prioritize development and playing time in college rather than getting “lost” in the G League’s revolving door.
Freeman is currently being represented by Klutch Sports, so barring surprise, he would likely want a guaranteed contract while being open to spending time in the G League — if he declares for the 2025 Draft.
Physical tools are really intriguing. Length and standing reach come into play as the low man and back line help, although the strength needs to catch up so that he can be more effective against rollers.
Vertical as low man to alter floater and coerce miss. Then ready to help in transition.
Makes low man read, rotates into the right area, but gets dislodged and finished through. Positionally skinny.
Rough shot profile when the ball isn’t going in — which it’s currently not. He doesn’t create separation with his body at all. Again, his lack of strength is very limiting, particularly for his position and versus older opponents.
Post-up into fallaway two. Can’t move defender on the bump, miss.
Attacks left, can’t get to spot, finish doesn’t hit the rim.
Attentive rebounder who can crash for tip-ins or tip dunks. Active on the defensive glass. Finished with 13 rebounds, and it legitimately felt like he contributed on the glass. Had an and-one on a tip-in.
Lots to work with still from a technique standpoint. Runs the floor well and moves with long strides, but can overshoot closeouts and struggle to adjust his body shape vs. changes of speed & direction.
In 29 minutes: 5 PTS (1/7 FG, 0/3 3P, 3/3 FT, 0.417 PPP), 13 REB (1o/12d), 0 AST, 4 TOV, 1 BLK, 4 FOULS
TRE JOHNSON (TEXAS):
TAKEAWAY: I walked out of the Legends Classic feeling like Texas freshman guard Tre Johnson was the event’s best prospect. He’s an electrifying pull-up scorer with strong positional size for a 2-guard, a reasonable shot diet that has appealing and difficult versatility, and sufficient willingness spotting-up or catching-and-shooting. Johnson is making a case to be a surefire lottery pick in the 2025 Draft, and he’ll go higher if he answers questions about “what else?” he does besides scoring — which, don’t get me wrong, he’s incredibly good at.
Tre definitely wants to get a bucket, but I don’t find him selfish or one-dimensional. He doesn’t usually settle for impossibly tough looks and he’s willing to move the ball. That might’ve been my misconception of Johnson before the college season. The biggest improvement point I spot is his finishing and, in general, his process getting deep paint touches and deep take-off points. Defensively, as has been the case in college so far, I found the Longhorns guard attentive enough off the ball, even though improvements are needed.
Tough and versatile shotmaker. He shot 30.6 FG% through both nights (first game being 4/18 was tough with regards to efficiency), but it still felt like he could score at any moment. It only takes one make to get Tre going. Likes having the ball in his hands in big moments.
I haven’t seen many experienced teams be so comfortable clearing out one side of the floor for a freshman and letting him go to work. But this is what Texas was doing with Johnson. Dangerous isolating in the post with his long arms and high release point. Likes to get to a turnaround jumper, regardless of whether there’s a defender (or two) in his face.
Can he get to the basket? How often? And can he finish? I’m not worried about the 30.6 FG% since high-volume shotmakers are prone to have those swings over small sample sizes, but I’ll be tracking his finishing and his space creation.
I already have total confidence in Tre hitting his midrange and three-point shots — it’s what he’s been doing his entire life — but I worry about him closer to the basket.
Gets very few paint touches. Take-off point on his drives is too distant, too often for my liking. Below-the-rim finisher against a set defense. Few blow-bys and lay-ups…
He tries a lot of off-balance runners, although he can make them, in all fairness. Hit two, one driving to his left and the other one in transition, while falling away vs. St. Joe’s.
My hope is that Tre doesn't face the Cam Thomas Conundrum, where I actually like him better starting off the ball and being very willing as a stationary shooter to unlock the rest of his potential three-level game — but the player prefers a shot-heavy style of play with very little passing (let alone facilitating).
Defensively, gets the basics right when he's engaged. He'll tag a roller and closeout, or help in the paint and then recover to the perimeter. Didn’t create events, but didn’t take away on this end.
In first Legends Classic game against Syracuse, was pretty solid chasing his man over screens and being bothersome despite his technique not being perfect.
I probably prefer him off-ball than on-ball right now, since he's not super twitchy as an athlete when it comes to containing dribble penetration and I'm not sure his defensive motor will ever be super high. He wants to score, not get stocks 🤷♂️
Upper body looks like it’s already getting stronger and will keep filing out well. His legs are still thin, so there are further athletic improvements to come. I’d say that he’s around 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10ish wingspan, which is quite good. Dimensionally, reminded me of James Harden. I don’t think his length gets to 7-feet as has been reported, but he’s definitely rangy.
In 33 minutes: 17 POINTS (7/18 FG, 1/5 3P, 2/2 FT, 0.773 PPP), 2 REB, 1 AST, 3 TOV, 0 STL, 0 BLK
Second lowest PPP of the season. Lowest came in the event’s first game vs. Syracuse.
RASHEER FLEMING (ST. JOE’s):
TAKEAWAY: I’m confident that Saint Joseph’s junior Rasheer Fleming is an NBA prospect. He has the size (6-9, 240 with a wingspan around 7-4), the production, and the unconventional history I like in sleeper prospects. Fleming was a 0-star recruit in high school, and now he’s a total two-way difference maker for St. Joe’s. His 8.0 BPM is truly indicative of his impact.
Fleming is shooting 66% at the rim (23/35 with 9 dunks already) and 41% on catch-and-shoot threes (9/22). He shoots the shots NBA teams want: at the rim (where he’ll dunk a lot) and from three — no midranges! He has 3+ stocks in every game but one this season, and had 5 in the Legends Classic final. He can attack mismatches, but he won't stop the ball. He’s 20 years old until next July. Fleming is a pro who will be in my next big board’s top 45.
Pulled down 20 rebounds. Ripped down boards on both ends. Tenacious in his pursuit, and uses his burly frame well. Plays hard all the time with how he boxes out, runs the floor, repeatedly makes multiple efforts, etc.
Can rebound his own misses because of how he carves out space with his body before going up.
Second double-double of the season, and fifth of his career in the title game.
Can attack off the catch and out of the short roll. Passing numbers aren't there for him, but I think he sees the floor relatively well (mostly as a scorer, though).
Makes contact on his screens. Wingspan allows for bigger catch radius on rolls (not just lobs). A little undersized on the roll if he’s going to meet a true big, though. One occasion during the final game where he couldn’t finish over verticality.
If he drives or attacks off the catch, likes to go right and spin left.
By every measure, has really impressive numbers across the board this season. Rebounds strongly on both ends, doesn't turn the ball over, gets stops, finishes at the basket, and makes his threes…
64.8 TS%
9.9 OREB%, 26.4 DREB%
4.6 BLK%, 3.6 STL%
Going forward, needs to be a bit more comfortable catching and immediately shooting, passing or driving, as opposed to slowly backing down into a post-up. But he makes the right reads from there.
In 37 minutes: 16 POINTS (7/16 FG, 0/2 3P, 2/3 FT, 0.800 PPP), 20 REB (8o/12d), 3 AST, 3 TOV, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 1 FOUL
DARRION WILLIAMS (TEXAS TECH):
TAKEAWAY: Texas Tech junior Darrion Williams was the best player (note: not prospect) that I saw at the Legends Classic. The very first thing that immediately jumped out to me is his strength. Williams is a stocky 6-foot-6, 225 pounds. He's listed as a forward by his school, but I really just see him as a playmaker that can slide across 2-4 depending on the context because of his functional physical tools and all-around skillset.
Williams moves defenders around, makes efficient decisions, and I buy him shooting the ball. I also believe Darrion will be able to play out of both sides of a pick-and-roll, meaning as a ballhandler and as a screener. He’s physical and smart on defense, as well as on the glass. I can visualize him being used around the dunker spot, too. In some ways, Williams reminds me of the physical, do-it-all guards that we saw last draft with Dillon Jones or Ajay Mitchell.
Texas Tech feels at ease clearing out a side of the floor and letting him work in the post. Thick, physical, tough to keep away from his spots on the block. Undersized, so doesn’t always convert, but he’s a constant mismatch for many 6-foot-6 college defenders because of his strength.
Hit turnarounds out of the post on both sides of the floor.
Showed off his touch. Made a three using a screen after one dribble to his left. Followed that with two finishes off the glass.
43.7% (42/93) on catch-and-shoot threes last season, including 45.5% on his "guarded" ones (20/44). The off-the-dribble sample was smaller at 16-for-30 attempts, but the conversion was obviously good.
We haven't seen that this year with his stationary threes, but he's been hitting his shots off the bounce.
Decision making was reliable in general. For example: attacked a closeout and scored. Cut in transition and threw down a big dunk.
Subbed out with 9:06 left in the first half because of two foul calls, but he’d still been Texas Tech’s best performer up to that point. Ended the game being just that. Controlled the tempo well and quieted the Syracuse-heavy crowd a few times down the stretch when Texas Tech was looking at him to keep making plays.
Encouraging passing reads. Ran the pick-and-roll, spotted the aggressive tag, found the wing shooter. Set a screen, faded to the wing, attacked off the catch, and bounce-dropped it off to the big…
In 24 minutes: 20 POINTS (9/14 FG, 1/3 FG, 1/1 FT, 1.429 PPP), 6 REB (3o/3d), 3 AST, 3 TOV, 1 STL, 3 FOULS
JJ STARLING (SYRACUSE):
TAKEAWAY: JJ Starling is an entertaining watch because of his blazing speed and relentless aggression as a scorer. He’s not a point guard, because I don’t really believe in him as a facilitator, but he’s Syracuse’s engine a lot of the time with how he pushes the pace and also just how many touches he gets.
Starling has looked better in his third college season. The game seems slower for him, and he’s able to use his velocity to create advantages for himself. However, it’s hard to see him as more than a G League prospect with his statistical track record and inefficient combo guard profile (career averages: 42.1 FG%, 1.1 assists to 1.7 turnovers, 31.3 3P%, 67.4 FT%). He’ll be a pro for a long time, but I don’t see that happening in the NBA right now. JJ is represented by WME.
Speed really pops in person. Hard to stay in front of. Really aggressive, even if decision making can be erratic or one-minded in terms of looking to score and rarely really pass.
He’s definitely a transition threat, but he had some nice moments in the half-court in this game — mostly attacking out of hand-offs.
This season so far at the rim: 70.8% total (17/24), 73.7% in half-court (14/19)
Last season at the rim: 60% total (60/100), 58.6% at the rim in half-court (41/70)
Wants to get back to his right hand even when he goes left. If he goes left, likes to reject a screen. Handle and advantage creation are mostly about being quick, rather than shake or craft. More under control this year, but has limited how he manipulates defenses and behaves in the half-court.
Free throw looks really hitchy live, though he’s a willing (but not efficient) shooter overall. I prefer him catching-and-shooting to pulling up, and the numbers back that. Hit a relocation three after running a pick-and-roll at one point.
This season on jumpers: 38.2 FG% overall (13/34), 36.8 FG% (7/19) on catch-and-shoots, 40 FG% (6/15) off the dribble
Last season: 38.3 FG% (87/227) on jumpers, 39.8 FG% (39/98, 1.19 PPS) on catch-and-shoots, 37 FG% (47/127, 0.78 PPS) off the dribble
In 36 minutes: 27 POINTS (9/15 FG, 2/5 3P, 7/10 FT, 1.227 PPP), 2 REB, 2 AST, 2 TOV, 1 STL, 3 FOULS
Best PPP in a game for the season so far.
JT TOPPIN (TEXAS TECH):
TAKEAWAY: Sophomore transfer forward JT Toppin really struggled when I watched him live at the Legends Classic. His limitations as an undersized 6-foot-9 big showed against Syracuse's frontcourt, which features both strength and length. On multiple occasions, Toppin couldn’t finish on the roll or in the post. I like him doing the former, but I’m concerned about his process and efficiency in the NBA since he’s essentially a small 5 on this side of the ball.
He also doesn't stretch the floor at all, which makes his fit tricky. When he's unable to finish at the basket, Toppin doesn't do anything else on offense at a medium-high level. Defensively, he’ll rebound, block shots (3.9 BLK% frosh, 4.4 BLK% now as soph), move around, and I think he has a good motor — but I don’t think he profiles as a difference-maker at the next level to offset his offensive limitations. Toppin will keep being a very good college player, but I don’t see him as more than a G League prospect for now.
Had a couple of finishes and nice passes on the short roll, but mostly had a difficult night. Couldn’t make his short-range shots over length. Also couldn’t move his defender in the post, regardless of which Syracuse frontcourt player it was.
Even when not scoring, has gravity as a roller that can free up teammates for threes.
Took three jump shots. Missed two threes, made one catch-and-shoot jumper flashing to the free throw line. Should be considered a non-shooter.
Defensive activity was decent on a bad scoring night. Rebounded hard, as always. Finished with 4 stocks. Blocked a couple of drives.
In 30 minutes: 15 POINTS (5/16 FG, 0/2 3P, 5/6 FT, 0.789 PPP lowest of season), 6 REB (2o/4r), 2 AST, 0 TOV, 3 BLK, 0 FOULS
ARTHUR KALUMA (TEXAS):
TAKEAWAY: I want to like Arthur Kaluma more than I actually do. He’s a strong and coordinated 6-foot-7 with college experience, having scored 10+ points per game for four seasons in a row. But ultimately, I just don't see much that will convey up levels or be augmented by playing in more pace and space. Kaluma is a ball-stopper who cannot shoot from three for NBA purposes, won't make quick decisions off the catch, hasn't been efficient as a scorer or passer, and hasn’t produced as a defender despite being tall and strong.
Likes to operate in the paint with upfakes, pivots, feints, and decelerations. Will look to get to two feet really often. Thick frame is tough to contain. Knows the tricks of the college game by now, for the most part.
So dependent on footwork, upfakes, and craft that he almost needs to get those things perfect every single time. Otherwise, he’ll get called for travels, as was the case in this game.
I want to see him keep shooting threes, and doing so quickly. Right now, he’s trending towards a career-low 2.2 threes per game.
Has never been a marksman from deep, but 100+ attempts in all of his seasons before this one. Last year, 34.5% on a career-high 148 total attempts (4.5 per game).
Missed some clean, open looks against St. Joe’s.
In 37 minutes: 14 POINTS (4/10 FG, 2/5 3P, 4/6 FT, 0.824 PPP, 4 REB, 4 AST, 4 TOV, 1 STL, 3 BLK
Both of his lowest PPP games this season so far came in the Legends Classic, vs. Syracuse and St. Joe’s.
CHRIS BELL (SYRACUSE):
TAKEAWAY: Chris Bell caught my eye in the Legends Classic, largely because of how he used his three-point shooting to get to the free throw line. Drawing fouls like he did over both Legends Classic nights in Brooklyn would be a new development for Bell. The 6-foot-7 junior hasn’t shot the ball well this season, but he made 42% of his threes last year on high volume.
I’ll be tracking to see if Bell can add anything else to his game consistently, since he doesn’t really facilitate for others, rebound, or add much on defense. He’s a solid decision maker… because he doesn’t have to take many decisions. At this moment, the Syracuse wing falls along the category of a G League Elite Camp invite for me.
Syracuse largely depends on him for volume three-point shooting, but he’s not converting this year yet. 9-for-32 so far. Attempting 11 threes per 100 possessions. The hope is this sees an uptick closer to last season, when Bell made 42% of his threes while shooting 6.3 triples per game.
JJ Starling has shot 29 threes this season, but no one else has attempted more than 15 (Donnie Freeman, and he's only made three).
Making threes early on unlocks his game (second half in game one, first half in game two). Has more gravity from that point on, and he used it at Legends Classic to cut, attack off the catch, etc.
Syracuse ran him off elevator screens once, which was cool. Led to a three-point foul.
16 free throws in the 2 Legends Classic games. 49.1 FTr for the season, which is pretty high. Played physical — but worth noting that his FTr was a paltry 11.9 in his first two college seasons averaged together, so that holds more weight.
In 29 minutes: 22 PTS (4/9 FG, 3/8 3P, 11/11 FT, 1.467 PPP), 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 TOV, 1 BLK, 4 FOULS
JULIAN LARRY (TEXAS):
TAKEAWAY: I enjoyed watching Julian Larry’s steadiness at the point for Texas. The fifth-year guard calmly directed the Longhorns’ offense, especially in the second half, and connected plays on both ends with his overall activity. Larry’s box score reflecting a bit of everything is accurate. He was on the floor for loose balls, making the extra pass to assist a three, or making the three himself to unlock St. Joe’s 1-3-1 zone…
Kept things ticking with his ball movement. Generated a pick-and-pop three, made the extra pass to assist the corner three, executed the pick-and-roll read to the roller…
Drilled a couple of important threes against St. Joe’s zone.
Skinny (185 pounds) and not that big (6-foot-3), but aggressive at the rim. Not a scoring threat when it comes to the next level, but for now, puts enough pressure on the paint to maintain leverage.
56.4% on 165 close twos attempted last season at Indiana State, 65.1% on 86 close twos the season before…
So far this year: 60% on 15 close twos attempted
In 23 minutes: 12 POINTS (3/4 FG, 2/2 3P, 4/4 FT, 1.714 PPP), 3 REB, 2 AST, 1 TOV, 1 STL, 0 FOULS
Figures via Bart Torvik