2023 Scouting Notebook: East Carolina versus George Mason

East Carolina's matchup against George Mason offered a chance to scout some intriguing short and long-term NBA prospects. Who and what stood out in George Mason's big victory?

It was my first visit this season to EagleBank arena to see George Mason, led by their new head coach and GMU legend, Tony Skinn. This game was circled on my scouting calendar in the preseason not just only for a first look at George Mason, but to scout a talented group of East Carolina prospects as well, led by Brandon Johnson and Ezra Ausar.

Mason ultimately ran away to a 81-59 victory with Keyshawn Hall being the star of the game as his fantastic start to the season continued. Let’s get into scouting notes on Hall and the rest of the game’s top prospects.

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East Carolina vs George Mason today.

Top prospects:

Keyshawn Hall (GMU)
Darius Maddox (GMU)
Baraka Okojie (GMU)
Woody Newton (GMU)
Brandon Johnson (ECU)
Ezra Ausar (ECU)
RJ Felton (ECU) pic.twitter.com/TP222eKwao

— Jam Hines (@jamontheboards) November 25, 2023

Keyshawn Hall | Wing | 6’7 | 230 pounds | Sophomore | GMU

• An efficient double-double with 17 points (6-of-12 FGA, 3-of-8 3PA) and 10 rebounds (all defensive)
• Felt like his offense came within the flow of the offense and wasn't ever forced. All of his made threes were catch-and-shoots: one out of a pick-and-pop, another after a pass fake as the shot clock was expiring and the last a corner three.
• Although he missed the shot, created a ton of space from Ausar on a crossover into a stepback. Looking forward to him continuing to mix in and find the balance of playing within the offense and creating for himself.

• Often utilized his off hand to the point where it seemed innate. Highlighted by a stumbling transition finish off the glass, multiple cross court skip passes to move the defense and keep the offense flowing, and a grab and go live dribble find to Kelly running the floor for a flush.
• Grab and goes can be a major part of his game considering his ability to rebound in and out of his area alongside his ball skills.
• Connective passing and overall playmaking stood out. Things like the previously mentioned skip passes, the off hand transition assist to Kelly’s dunk and multiple pick-and-roll reads to find open perimeter players for scores come to mind.
• I’m hoping to see more opportunities for Hall as the pick-and-roll ball handler with his size, ball skills, vision and willing playmaking. There is more playmaking upside to tap into. Showed a bit of his versatility by operating on ball screens as both the handler and screener.

• Obvious NBA positional size at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds with a likely plus wingspan. Although he already has some size with him, his lean frame and broad shoulders have more room to fill out. It might get scarier for opposing defenses as he continues to add more muscle to a projectable NBA body.
• It’s early, but Hall may be the best NBA prospect in the DMV area

Darius Maddox | Ancillary Guard | 6’5 | 175 pounds | Senior | GMU

• Season and game-high, 19 points. The combination of 3-point shooting and shotmaking has always been his calling card. It was on display throughout and should earn him at least Summer League interest with a solid season.

• Buried multiple pull-up mid range jumpers with excellent footwork and balance plus a stepback baseline jumper of the smaller LaCount (5-foot-8).
• Shot 3-of-7 from three. Connected on a transition triple after running the wing hard. Hit a catch-and-shoot three after Billups’ hustle offensive rebound to tap the ball out to him.
• Evaluators shouldn't be concerned about his slingshot shooting motion at this point. His production and confidence doesn't lie. Career 42% 3-point shooter on 183 total attempts. 40% 3-point shooter this season on 5.8 attempts per game through six games.

• Developing as a playmaker and/or defender will be crucial to provide teams with a reliable skill when his shot isn't falling. Made a couple notable defensive stops in the second half. First, after turning the ball over, hustled back in transition to get the block on Felton. Later, switched the DHO (dribble handoff) to absorb Diboundje’s downhill physicality then strip the ball from him, leading to a GMU transition scoring opportunity.
• The hope is that a combo of length and effort can at least yield more defensive playmaking from him.

Woody Newton | Big Wing | 6’9 | 200 pounds | Senior | GMU

• First time seeing Newton in-person since watching him as a high school upperclassman at a DMVElite showcase event.
• Still has the projectable long and lean frame with NBA positional size and length. Has added noticeable mature muscle since then and still has plenty of room to continue filling out.
• Confidently drained a couple of relocation catch-and-shoot threes over closeouts. Smooth and repeatable shooting stroke. Probably a little better shooter than his career 33% 3-point mark indicates (124 attempts). Hot start this season from deep: 61% 3-point shooter (8-of-13).
• Isn't the most explosive or quick twitch athlete so his utilization of length and size is important on both ends, especially defensively. Those physical tools plus good anticipation led to impactful defensive playmaking: two passing lane steals into dunks and a help block from behind at the rim.

• Can he continue to be a defensive playmaker and have value in a potential 3-and-D role?
• Hoping to more aggression from him off the bounce as the season progresses.

Brandon Johnson | Big | 6’8 | 222 pounds | Redshirt Junior | ECU

• His 13 points (4-of-12 FGA) tied Diboundje for the team’s lead.
• Badly missed his first two threes, but with no hesitation, drained his next two attempts (both pick-and-pop threes). 3-point shooting is the key swing skill (career 32% shooter)
• Does he have enough shooting and ball skills to potentially warrant 2nd round interest? More so Exhibit 10?

Erza Ausar | Big Wing/Big | 6’8 | 247 pounds | Sophomore | ECU

• NBA physical tools Long and powerful frame with defined muscle. Powerful, NBA ready or near ready bodies is a theme with several of the ECU players, led by Ausar. Credit to the players and the ECU strength and conditioning staff for their hard work, it’s clearly paying dividends.
• Limited to 14 minutes, which was disappointing considering Ausar was one of the prospects I was the most excited to see. Most of the limitation was due to foul trouble and some could be attributed to a hard fall after an eye-catching spin into the finish from a grab and go. During the first timeout after that play, Ausar was utilizing the percussion therapy gun to smooth his hip/leg.
• The grab and go finish illustrated some of the ball skills I want to continue to see from Ausar. Along with the jumper, it’ll ultimately decide whether he’s more of a big wing or just a big man.
• Hit a faceup jumper along the baseline after being given a ton of space by Kelly. Ausar took one dribble and confidently buried it. The whole time, he had a look on his face like he was surprised he was given that much space. Obviously being a capable to reliable 3-point shooter is ideal, but becoming a legit midrange threat should provide enough shooting value and gravity.

• Appeared to be the most comfortable and effective in the mid posts and elbow areas. Attacked the space he was given to finish with power at the rim and draw fouls. Turned a face up into a backdown that drew help then immediately found Johnson for the dunk.
• Consistently communicated on the floor from calling out screens to words of encouragement including a couple of noteworthy moments on the bench in the first half. He was up off the bench relaying instructions to his teammates and calling/pointing out assignments to them. As he was about to check back into the game, encouraged the bench to wake up and bring the energy.

RJ Felton | Ancillary Guard | 6’3 | 209 pounds | Junior | ECU

• ECU’s leading scoring at 18.1 points per game was held to just five points (2-of-10) due to a combo of good GMU defense and Felton missing some good opportunities.
• His standout offensive plays came in the second half. A relocation catch-and-shoot three and a tough off hand finish over the 6-foot-9 Newton after a couple of size up dribbles into the spin and finish.
• Despite the goaltending call, caught me off guard with how quick and effortless he elevated off the floor to block a shot at the rim.
• Compact and broad frame with muscle that’s projectable.

Quentin Diboundje | Wing | 6’5 | 221 pounds | Junior | ECU

• Impressive NBA ready frame that pops in person. Defined biceps and calves with size, broad shoulders and mature muscle both the upper and lower body.
• Utilized that frame to be a physical slasher. Initiated contact on dowhill drives to create space, finish and draw fouls. Attacked closeout and consistently played off of two feet.
• How many positions can he defend at the NBA level?
• In order to improve his draft stock, he’ll need to progress as 3-point shooter. Career 32% 3-point shooter on 141 attempts
• Shot 2-of-3 from deep. Connected on a movement corner three on a beautifully executed BLOB play (baseline out of bounds) that he had a look back at the GMU afterwards and a catch-and-shoot wing three. On the BLOB three, I loved the screen navigation and sell of his initial fake screen before taking two double screens to get open for the three.
• Had a possession where he missed the call for him to double at the point of attack and owned up to it in his conversations with the coaches. 

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