It’s common knowledge that three-point shooting is as important as any one “skill” in basketball. Obviously, shooting alone doesn’t make a player impactful nor does a lack of shooting prevent an individual from panning out. However, its ever-increasing value has made it more and more evident in the development of youth basketball—both from a player and team standpoint. In turn, it only further amplifies a prospect like CJ Dial and the possibilities of what he could become. Let’s take a closer look…
Already standing at 6-foot-4 with a long, wiry frame and fluid athleticism, Dial possesses an appealing array of physical tools. He’s truly just beginning to add strength and grow into his body, yet still has the positional size to cause several problems for opponents. Right now, Dial is an elite spot-up threat whose overall game continues to progress. While it might seem like a lofty comparison, he has a lot of similarities to Donovan Atwell at the same stage. He’s a solid cutter and off-ball mover who finds openings and positions himself to apply pressure from distance. Dial is quite comfortable creating off the bounce and operating with the ball in his hands, yet is still clearly at his most dangerous in catch-and-shoot situations. He’s a willing passer with flashes of playmaking instincts and scoring polish off the dribble.
While his foundation is certainly tantalizing, Dial still has considerable upside left to harness. He displays useful defensive instincts with the size and length to become an excellent defender. Dial positions himself well on the glass but will naturally get better as he gets stronger, especially when playing up multiple age groups. He competes, plays to his strengths, and doesn’t shy away from physicality, which are three inconsistencies among young players. If Dial continues on his current trajectory, he definitely has the makings of a high-level prospect.