Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Tyler Honeycutt 6-8 180 SF: Class of 2009


Video credit ballislife.com
Tyler Honeycutt Evaluation
Men's Basketball Recruiting by Scouts, Inc at ESPN.com

Tyler Honeycutt
Hometown Sylmar, CA
High School Sylmar High School
Ranked #51 High school player Class of 2009
Position rank Small Forward # 9
Height 6'8"
Weight 180 lbs.

Evaluation

December, 2008:
Honeycutt has as much potential as any prospect in the country, but in order to reach that elite status, he must become more tenacious at both ends. His skill level is quite high and his overall talent should project to the NBA level. His athleticism is terrific and he displayed it in the dunk contest (Mission Prep Christmas Classic) where he jumped over four players standing up in the paint area. In addition to his exceptional leaping ability, he is one of the most gifted passers in the country and has savvy beyond his years. On the other hand, he defers too much to his teammates and lacks that killer instinct, especially when games get tight. Whether he develops that desire to be the best remains to be seen, but it better improve by the time he arrives at UCLA because "toughness" is what personifies the Ben Howland program.

July, 2008: For the second week in a row Honeycutt was the most promising prospect (Double Pump West Coast All-Star Camp #2), although there were a handful of players that displayed the ability to be high-major contributors someday. Honeycutt wowed the crowds with his acrobatic plays above the rim and passing ability that reached dexterousness levels. His passing in transition can be mind-blowing at times and his shooting has improved immensely since the regular season, but there are some kinks in the armor that need to be addressed if he is to reach his significant upside. His one-handed passing can get careless at times and he needs to make a much more concerted effort at the defensive end if he's to become a complete player. He isn't very physical and needs strength, but other than blocking shots his lateral quickness and overall desire at the defensive end needs to escalate.

April, 2008: Honeycutt went from sleeper to high-major recruit in a matter of weeks. He resembles that of a young Austin Daye (Gonzaga), but he has more bounce to his game. He has grown a few inches since last year and may add a couple more. Offensively, he gets most of his points in transition and tip-ins. He handles the ball well, but it's his passing ability that strikes you while watching this young thoroughbred. He has great feel for the game, terrific hands and quick wrists that allow him to have a flair for the spectacular when assisting other teammates. His jump shot is inconsistent, but his release is solid and his shot has a soft landing. If there is an area of the game that may be a concern is his ability to guard at the next level. He doesn't possess great lateral quickness to guard a wing and he is too slender to check a power forward.

It's remarkable to see how much Honeycutt has matured (physically) in the past couple of months. He has appeared to have grown a couple of inches since December and is now pushing 6'8''. Physically he may remind you of current Gonzaga standout Austin Daye although not as long. He is bouncy around the basket and has become a much better rebounder. He's an excellent passer for his size, has a solid handle, but his jump shot needs to tighten up if he's to be recruited at the highest level.

December, 2007: Honeycutt has the frame, bounce, and skills that are similar to Gonzaga standout Austin Daye. He is still physically weak and his game is just beginning to blossom, but the upside is there to play at possibly the mid-major level or higher. He is unselfish with his decision-making and his passing skills are solid, especially in transition. His handle is decent though he needs to tighten up his left hand. In addition, he has a solid looking shot that extends out to the stripe. He is a decent rebounder, but has a tendency to lose the ball often due to a lack of strength. Overall, Honeycutt is a solid "wing-type" prospect and with added strength and skill development he should have an excellent career at the mid-major level.

Notes:
AAU Team: Pump N' Run...

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