Reid Travis

McDonald’s All-American Recap:

Travis once again showcased a college-ready body, physicality, and chiseled strength battling in the post. He continued to showcase his robotic back-to-the-basket game, able to score over either shoulder, with a variety of moves and counter-moves. He’s only 6-8, but he’s built like a rock and has impressive footwork to carve out space and use a soft touch in the post.

He’s not the best athlete, but Travis is strong and polished inside the arc. However, he still needs to extend his range to 15 feet. At only 6-8, the next step is to develop a face-up game. This will be vital for his long-term development.

Travis’ shooting form is…awkward, to say the least. He releases the ball from the side of his head, so he needs a lot of work mechanically.

He should be a major contributor at Stanford from day one. But if he can develop a 15-foot jumper, he’ll stretch the floor and become a go-to scorer in the half court. He is skilled enough to potentially anchor a college offense.

McDonald’s Preview / Nike Global Challenge 2013 (Washington D.C.): Travis is a savvy post man with a much improved inside-outside game. He embraces contact and brings physicality in the post, but he can also “pop” out for a 15-foot jumper. Excellent rebounder, and he can finish through contact for and-1s.

Travis is not very explosive or athletic, but he’s very strong, and he has calculated footwork to carve out space and score in the post. It’s almost robotic. He can score over either shoulder, with a polished hook shot, drop steps, and simple pump-fakes. An astute offensive player who picks his spots wisely. Double-double machine. Great get for Stanford; unselfish and still very productive.

The next step is showing consistency when facing up. If he can perfect his 15-foot jump shot, he’ll stretch the floor and has a chance to become elite offensively.