NPC Series Player Breakdowns Vol. 2
As the conclusion of the National Prep Championship approaches with just one week until the first tip, we continue on with some player breakdowns of standouts who have shown out this year.
Stay tuned as the official championship bracket drops this week.
London Jemison, 6’8 Wing, St Thomas. More, Alabama Commit
Jemison is a versatile wing who is primarily used as a play finisher. Often stationed on the perimeter for spot up threes or getting out in transition for finishes at the basket. His form on catch-and-shoot jumpers is consistent and forces defenders to stay honest, and when he has bigger forwards on him he is able to use his speed to blow by them.
With that speed and ability to handle the ball, Jemison could be used as a creator on offense and produce efficient offense. With a 6-10 wingspan Jemison can slot into a variety of roles defensively, but it seems as though he would thrive the most as a perimeter defender with his lateral quickness.
In December 2024, Jemison starred at the Zero Gravity Prep Classic. On day 1 of the event he scored 37 points and knocked down nine three-pointers.
Lucas Morillo, 6’7 Guard, The Newman School
As a larger guard, Morillo gets into the lane at will. With a great ability to attack angles and the feel to use screens efficiently, he finds himself getting into the paint on nearly every touch. At the guard position he uses his size to snatch down rebounds, even on the offensive end of the court. Morillo has a great feel for the game and it’s as if he always knows where to be on the court. He uses his length to be an impactful help defender too, rotating over to deflect passes or contest layups at the rim.
Morillo averaged 13.8 points per game to go with 8.8 rebounds for the Dominican Republic during the 2024 FIBA U18 Americas Championship.
Simm-Marten Saadi 6’9 Forward, Sunrise Christian, Drake Commit
Saadi is a versatile forward who is often used as a screener and play finisher. He is a great screener and paired with his ability to roll to the basket he can put pressure on any defense. When in the paint Saadi can finish with a variety of layups, push-shots, and hook-shots with either hand, and possesses great footwork when in the post. He is also sneakily athletic, occasionally rising up for vicious dunks over defenders through contact.
Beyond just rolling to the basket, after setting screens he is great at reading the defense and making the decision to pop out to the perimeter. He has a fluid form on jumpers from deep and shot 36.8% from that distance during play in last year’s FIBA U20 Eurobasket Division B.
Saadi has career averages of 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game with the Estonian Youth National Team
Jordan Tillery, 6’5 Wing, IMG Prep, VCU Commit
Tillery is a nightmare for opposing teams in the open floor, flying into transition with his speed and jumping ability and finishing with slams at the basket. He similarly uses this athleticism to hound passing lanes and force turnovers against opposing teams. As a wing with length, he is similarly able to hound opposing players on the ball and projects as a player who can make a significant impact on the defensive end.
In the halfcourt he often gets to the middle of the floor and knocks down jumpers from the free-throw line area or takes it all the way inside for a tough finish. With his passing ability and capabilities in the pick-and-roll, Tillery can easily slide up to the guard position. He is a solid shooter from beyond-the-arc as well, who is capable of making opponents pay for going under screens or sagging off of him off-the-ball.
Tillery recently poured in 25 points, 10 rebounds, and three triples in a victory against Hargrave Military Academy at the Hoophall Prep Showcase.
Lucas Morillo
London Jemison