Not actually related to the recruitment of Earl Timberlake, but I got this scouting report from a current trainer who trains high school, college and professional players, including Earl Timberlake. And again, if/when Earl commits to Seton Hall, I will have a detailed timeline article on the entire recruitment.
"Timberlake is a big, strong 2-guard who already has an NBA body at 6-foot-6 and about 220 pounds. He is physically imposing and going to the basket is as good as anyone in this class. He has elite body control and can finish in a variety of ways. Has a little bit of a back to the basket game that he hasn't shown in games yet but has shown a lot in training sessions. His jumpshot isn't elite but it is solid enough and getting better.
He is very good with the ball in his hands and is a good playmaker for his teammates. Plays under control at all times and has an elite basketball IQ. Very unselfish and will constantly look to get his teammates involved.
A lethal three point shot would make him a first round pick. Defensively, he is special and he is an elite rebounder for his position. While he isn't an elite athlete, he is long and quick and has some ups, which allows him to be a very annoying defender. Can switch onto 3/4 men because of his size and strength.
A player comparison is a bit tough for him as he is kind of an old school guard. In terms of current NBA players, he has a little Shaun Livingston to his game. Like Livingston, he is not really a pure point guard because of his size and his ability to score from within 10-12 feet as a guard reminds me a bit of Livingston. Defensively, he has some similar characteristics as well, although Earl is actually more physically imposing.
Another comparison is Wesley Matthews who is very similar body wise and skillset wise. Not an elite jumpshooter but a good finisher around the basket and a great defender and rebounder when healthy for his position.
At the end of the day, I see Earl as a guy who needs to focus on a couple things while in college. First and foremost is developing an elite jumpshot. If he can do that, he could be a mid-to-late first round pick. Without an elite jumpshot, I see him as a player who is a second round pick that outplays his draft slot. Earl should also focus on his ballhandling and point guard skills even though he will never be a pure point guard. Having that ability to be an off-ball guard that can facilitate other offense is a big differentiator.
I'd say my early projection for him is an early second round draft pick in 3-4 years, but he has the upside to be a late lottery to high-teens selection."
Nothing too ground breaking here but I thought the scouting report was worth sharing
"Timberlake is a big, strong 2-guard who already has an NBA body at 6-foot-6 and about 220 pounds. He is physically imposing and going to the basket is as good as anyone in this class. He has elite body control and can finish in a variety of ways. Has a little bit of a back to the basket game that he hasn't shown in games yet but has shown a lot in training sessions. His jumpshot isn't elite but it is solid enough and getting better.
He is very good with the ball in his hands and is a good playmaker for his teammates. Plays under control at all times and has an elite basketball IQ. Very unselfish and will constantly look to get his teammates involved.
A lethal three point shot would make him a first round pick. Defensively, he is special and he is an elite rebounder for his position. While he isn't an elite athlete, he is long and quick and has some ups, which allows him to be a very annoying defender. Can switch onto 3/4 men because of his size and strength.
A player comparison is a bit tough for him as he is kind of an old school guard. In terms of current NBA players, he has a little Shaun Livingston to his game. Like Livingston, he is not really a pure point guard because of his size and his ability to score from within 10-12 feet as a guard reminds me a bit of Livingston. Defensively, he has some similar characteristics as well, although Earl is actually more physically imposing.
Another comparison is Wesley Matthews who is very similar body wise and skillset wise. Not an elite jumpshooter but a good finisher around the basket and a great defender and rebounder when healthy for his position.
At the end of the day, I see Earl as a guy who needs to focus on a couple things while in college. First and foremost is developing an elite jumpshot. If he can do that, he could be a mid-to-late first round pick. Without an elite jumpshot, I see him as a player who is a second round pick that outplays his draft slot. Earl should also focus on his ballhandling and point guard skills even though he will never be a pure point guard. Having that ability to be an off-ball guard that can facilitate other offense is a big differentiator.
I'd say my early projection for him is an early second round draft pick in 3-4 years, but he has the upside to be a late lottery to high-teens selection."
Nothing too ground breaking here but I thought the scouting report was worth sharing
