Class of 2016 point guard Jared Harper of Mableton, Ga., burst onto the basketball scene this year as one of the premier guards in the nation. At the conclusion of his junior year he had helped his Pebblebrook HS team to a Class AAAAAA state runner-up finish and verbally committed to Auburn University.
Class of 2016
5’11 Point Guard
Mableton, Ga.
Pebblebrook High School / Georgia Stars
Auburn University Commit
Read Jared Harper’s evaluation from EBA All-American Camp.
What makes Jared Harper special?
-Fundamentals and IQ.
-Harper controls the game from the PG position without having to do too much or over dribbling.
-He converts a high % of shots and dishes out assists consistently.
Offensive Systems that would fit Harper’s skill set:
Ball Screen or Point Guard centered offenses, Princeton offense
What would Coach Hemi run for Jared Harper?
Harper is very good in the pick and roll situation. He is a tough cover because he can hit the 3-point shot from behind the screen, yet he is slick enough to slip the hard hedge and makes plays in the lane. I would run this ball screen action for Harper primarily. Here is one that I picked up from the Houston Rockets this year in game 1 of the NBA Playoffs. Another wrinkle in Harper’s game…he can play the shooting guard position as well, because he can make shots and create plays coming off of screens. So Harper would be good in the 1 or the 2 spot in the PDF below.
PLAY BREAKDOWN:
1. This action starts with the 4 screening for 5. I like this, because it prevents x5 from loading up on the ball screen and hard trapping Harper. The first time this action is ran, it should result in an easy jumper for Harper.
2. The second frame shows 5 immediately turning and setting a down screen for 2. This is contrary to a traditional pick and roll set, but this is good because 5 sets a hard screen on x2 who may be providing help on the roll anyhow. (Harper would be great in the 2 spot because he could hit this 3 on the move with ease)
3. The last screen shows x5 hedging out hard or even switching on the shooter. This opens a hard slip to the rim by our post player. Giving Harper a chance to read the action and find a slipping post man is a good look, because of his poise and basketball IQ.
Watch Highlights of Harper’s Game complements of @KrisWatkinsPSB
Jonathan Hemingway is the owner of Coach Hemingway Basketball, Inc. Hemingway is on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He has worked within the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and journalist. He works as the assistant director of scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com and the OTRHoopsReport.com, which are scouting reports that service over 200 college and universities nationwide. Reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com.
