Every prospect runs their own race. Of all sports, basketball seems to be the most patient when it comes to development or “making the leap.” Each summer, we see new kids emerging and others getting lost in the shuffle. Those with talent and a real work ethic always seem to figure things out. Although folks already know about this duo and their respective games on the court, it feels like not enough people are anticipating the potential breakout summer for Charles Pur and Karon Watlington. The year-round teammates joined Team CP3 and quickly asserted themselves as highly valuable pieces. Let’s take a look at what each guy brings to the table…
Between his on-court ability and general maturity as a person, basically everyone is a fan of Pur. He’s long, skinny, and possesses incredible skill for his size. Pur might not possess a ton of strength, but he absolutely dominates opponents. At 6-foot-9, he’s a highly skilled big man with an excellent blend of touch, perimeter shooting, and polished moves around the basket. Pur finishes extremely well on the block and scores seemingly anything he attempts within 10 feet. That being said, he’s also an efficient scorer in the midrange and from beyond the arc. Pur is quite comfortable taking what the defense gives him (as pretty much any open look is a quality option) but is aggressive enough to take what he wants as well. He utilizes his length effectively to secure rebounds, both in and out of his area, and plays consistently hard on both ends of the floor. Pur is a reliable rim-protector with terrific timing to block or alter shots. Add in his IQ, motor, unselfishness, and overall leadership, and it’s easy to see all the ways he impacts a game. Expect Pur to continue stockpiling scholarships over the coming months.
Meanwhile, Watlington has already shown visible strides during the travel ball season. He’s a smart, crafty, well-rounded guard who can run a team or apply pressure as a three-level scoring threat. He’s a quality passer with the necessary vision and change of pace to consistently generate looks for himself and others. Watlington displays great balance when running a team, displaying an understanding of how to get others involved while picking his spots within the flow of the action. Whether getting downhill, attacking the midrange, or hitting jumpers from distance, he forces opponents to respect his scoring prowess from all areas on the court. Watlington is a solid defender with a nice combination of length, athleticism, and anticipation. He forces turnovers and pushes transition play whenever possible. Given his trajectory, don’t be surprised if Watlington collects several more offers this summer.