Stat Story: Hudson Greer's complementary skills, Will Riley's surge & more

December 14, 2023 by Max Feldman

Statistics certainly don't tell the full story, but they’re a big piece of the puzzle in evaluating trajectory. Often times, it’s the most instructive tool in terms of projecting what’s not there yet, but will be in time.

Here, I'll break down to what to make of the promising statistical indicators on four prospects from around the country, along with a few indicators potentially of concern on four different prospects. As with evaluation as a whole, the process is fluid. As the sample size grows, the worrisome indicators can be diminished. All analytics are from Synergy Sports and/or FIBA.

TRENDING UP

- Karim Lopez's versatile skillset

Outside of introducing the next crop of elite high school talent, we also make it a priority to bring forth the next high level prospects from outside country. Lopez, a Top-50 prospect in 2025, is just that. A native of Mexico, now playing in Spain for Joventut Badalona, will have some flexibility when the time comes to slot in either in 2025 or 2026. Regardless of placement, it's without question that his skillset will be highly sought after in time. At 6-8, he put up 20 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 stocks in the FIBA U16 Americas Championship this past summer. At the tops of 2024, 2025 and 2026, there are prospects in a very reminiscent archetype -- 6-7 to 6-9 big wings who can pass, handle and shoot. While his team struggled in the setting and his sky high usage led to an abundance of turnovers, his uniquely skill level at his size and age popped in a big way. Depending on class alignment and development, he may wind up being much closer to a Top-20 name than Top-50.

- Will Riley's early season surge

After a summer filled with big flashes in the EYBL, Riley is off to a monster start to his junior campaign at Phelps (PA). Through 13 games, he's putting up 27 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game on 49 - 43 - 70 shooting splits. With high level positional size, the allure has long been has fluid athleticism and ability to pressure the rim in space to get to his trademark runner. The driving force in the surge has been evolving handle, matured tempo and physicality attacking the rack. Punishing smaller defenders and forcing rotations in a hurry when slower-footed defenders are thrown his way, he's shown much-improved patience and poise making decisions inside the arc. We're the highest in the industry on Riley (18th overall in 2025), but it'd be no surprise to see his elevation across the board given his path of progression.

- Brady Wooley is primed for a rise

It came on a limited sample, but Brady Wooley left a strong impression with each viewing this spring with Howard Pulley 16s. The 6-9 Minnesota native flashed uniquely strong ball skills and coordination at his size, and while the productivity was sporadic, he was consistently etched into my notes as one to keep tabs on long-term. Now heading into his junior season at Orono (MN), the ascension may very well be underway. Across 10 EYBL games, he converted about 75% of his looks at the rim and showed promising instincts as a low post passer. The high academic forward is beginning to put together the pieces and will be one coaches have circled to evaluate heading into the spring.

- Hudson Greer's complementary skills

Greer is another 2025 wing who we're vastly higher on than the rest of the industry (17th overall currently), and while his multi-level scoring chops, pop at the rim and feel for the game draw intrigue, it's his complementary skills that have been the catalyst for his rise on our side. The 6-6 swingman does a number of big things well -- dynamic spot up shooting (42% on contested CnS looks this summer), brings value as a connector and brings energy on booth sides. Yet, it's his willingness to do the little things that have begun to make him a priority recruit for a number of power programs in 2025 and given him an edge on our side over a number of wing counterparts in the class. Between 2022 with Southern Assault and 2023 with Pro Skills, he's grabbed 5.7 boards per outing and converted 61% of his shots at the rim. Still adding more to his game as a handler and versatile scorer, but the ingredients for a high level wing are all there given his skill level, shooting prowess, motor and knack for doing the little things to impact winning.

MORE TO SHOW

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