Coach Bill's Video Evaluation: J.P. Tokoto

Posted Feb 11, 2011
Each day this week, former college basketball coach and Tar Heel Times contributor, Coach Bill, will offer his insights into several of UNC's top-rated basketball recruits. Today he analyzes 2012 small forward prospect J.P. Tokoto (6-5, 180, Menomonee Falls WI).

What always stands out first when watching J.P. Tokoto, including the video clips below, is his elite-level athleticism. He is without question one of the finest dunkers and athletic finishers in the 2012 class. His elite overall athleticism extends beyond just sheer jumping ability. He also is very quick and displays terrific body control and coordination.

Another aspect of his physical ability that shows well on video is how naturally smooth he is. Not to minimize his terrific work ethic (individual workouts), but the more you watch and study his ability, the more you become very impressed with how easily most of the game seems to come to him.

If you study the below footage, specifically his ball-handling capacity, you'll see such a high level "slight of hand" with his tight, quick exchanges, especially in areas of traffic. The capacity to be so smooth and dexterous is usually attributed to elite ball-handling point guards, not 6'6" wing players.

His smooth athleticism and extremely soft touch allows him to not only be a very creative finisher around the rim, but it also gives him great upside as a mid-range scorer through the lane as he easily rises above most defenders and shows a compact, short release complemented by an advanced soft touch.

I also believe an area of his game that already catches the attention of hardcore observers and was shown some in the below clips, is his ability and potential as a playmaker/passer. He really displays above average awareness, vision and deft deliveries.

My projection is that he has the potential to be an elite-level transition player (one of the best in the game) and slasher, scorer, creator inside of 20 feet.

The one area left is his perimeter shooting with range. In my view, this area of his game is still an enigma (as of February 2011). He is mixing in more 3-pointers and deep pull-ups, but his shooting stroke needs cleaner fundamentals and a better release point to create more consistent results. The parts that makes it a little tough for me as a fan of the young man (a terrific young man as well), is that with some of his mid-range shots and occasional deep jumpers, he has a quality, compact release. But as of this point, too many deep jump shots still need refinement.

J.P. Tokoto Video Highlights:

Other Player Profiles from Coach Bill:
P.J. Hairston
James McAdoo
Shabazz Muhammad
Archie Goodwin

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