2016 Basketball Without Borders All-Star Camp: Froling named MVP
The Basketball Without Borders camp at NBA All-Star Weekend has wrapped, and for the third consecutive day, the Aussies were the talk of the event.
For a recap of day one, click here and for a recap of day two, click here.
A successful BWB camp for Australian Basketball concluded today with Harry Froling taking out the camp’s MVP, which is just a tremendous achievement. Along with Froling, Thon Maker, Matur Maker and William McDowell-White all finished the camp with strong performances, ensuring the world takes note of the exciting future of Australian Basketball.
Australian's at the 2016 Basketball Without Borders event | Credit: Olgun Uluc
Here is a recap of the Australians showing at day three of the camp.
Thon Maker
Going up against five-star prospect DeAndre Ayton for majority of the camp, Maker was able to hold his own and earn a spot on the All-Star 10 of the tournament.
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The biggest thing working in Maker’s favour this weekend was reportedly his high motor and athleticism, two intangibles that simply cannot be taught and also cannot be overstated on the basketball court.
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Everyone knew about Maker before the BWB camp. He is one of the hottest Australian prospects out there and is being recruited by a number of major collegiate programs but his disappointing showing at the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit created a bump in the road for Maker to overcome, which he was able to do at the BWB camp.
“I think I was better on the inside. At the Nike Hoop Summit, I was pushed around in the post, and I didn’t rebound as well,” Maker said, via Olgun Uluc of Fox Sports Australia. “Compare that to now, and I’m crashing the board offensively and defensively, and finishing on the inside better than before.”
Maker was also able to appreciate and learn from some of the NBA personal that was in attendance, per Uluc.“The coaches are high up there, in terms of being assistant coaches for NBA teams. You really get to pick their minds."
Matur Maker
Thon’s younger brother Matur had more riding on his performance at the BWB camp than his brother, as he still remains more of an unknown prospect. Matur ensured he would be known though, as his terrific display at the event raised eyebrows.
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Belonging in the Class of 2017, Matur is already drawing interest from numerous schools but with his impressive showing at the BWB camp, where he was able to display his full array of talent, expect more colleges to come calling in the future.
Harry Froling
As aforementioned, Froling stole the show at All-Star weekend, taking out the MVP award at the Basketball Without Borders camp. The outpour of praise was evident, as Froling achieved a pretty sensational feat.
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All of this attention and admiration Froling is receiving is well deserved. The BWB camp was stacked with talent from all across the globe and not many thought the SMU commit from Australia would be the guy who everyone was talking about come the camp’s end.
Winning the MVP confirmed Froling's goal to one day make it to the NBA, as he explained to Uluc. “I guess it gives you the realistic view that you can make the NBA, and that was the biggest thing about this camp; I really do want to play in the NBA, and I’m going to work towards that.”
“Seeing the other international kids, and how I rank, has been good. I thought I did well." Froling continued, via Uluc. “There’s a lot of talent here, and it makes me want to play hard, and make the NBA. This was the first real chance to perform in front of (NBA executives), and it was a good experience.”
Froling was able to show scouts and NBA coaches alike his unique and efficient offensive game. He has the ability to pop out on screens and hit the jump shot, with range extending beyond the three-point line. He posses a number of impressive skills in the post and with his soft touch, he can finish around the basket with ease. Froling still has some work to do on the defensive end but there is no denying his amazing performance at the camp, even if Carmelo Anthony kicked him out of his chair.
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William McDowell-White
McDowell-White has been regarded as one of the best international point guards in the Class of 2016 and he did all he could and more to secure his status among the elite at the BWB camp.
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Having the capability to set-up his teammates and use his traditional point-guard skills to make an impact, McDowell-White is the definition of a playmaker. Along with his composure and calm demeanor, he was able to show he can hit the outside shot at the BWB camp, an area of his game that isn’t one of his strengths.
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