Ade Adebayo

Ade Adebayo, 2001, 6’5’’, G, Barking Abbey, committed to UC Davis (6pts, FG-2/8, 4reb, 3ast, 3to)

Guard with a very nice athletic body and great wingspan, dangerous in the open lane as a driver but also as a ball distributor. Didn’t show his full potential in this game but had moments where he was able to present his defensive upside putting pressure on the ballhandler and confidence getting inside. Couldn’t catch the rhythm from outside and finished with 0/4 from behind the arc. It will be interesting to follow his development at UC Davis.

If you are a Eurospects regular you sure know of Ade Adebayo and Jonathan Brown by now. If you don’t, you surely are in for a treat. Both bouncy 6’3 combos with notable length, they share the lead-guard role for Barking Abbey Academy, the British youth hoops powerhouse that keeps developing and sending players to US at a higher rate. Besides each player’s impressive athleticism, scoring ability and their creativity on the ball, Adebayo and Brown are the motor behind Abbey’s defensive effort, not just in the EABL but also in the NBL Div.I team. Always rested and ready to go within a system that has got many bodies and allows plenty of rotations, the two of them usually raise the level with some strong on-ball pressure and perform aggressive half-court traps which usually pay off in the form of steals and easy 1×0 buckets.

Although they have a natural understanding that can kill you in open court and usually work like a versatile 1-2 punch unit (even playing 3 rd guard spot in a small-ball line up), Nigerian Adebayo is the one who usually runs the point using well his impressive wingspan to play lockdown-D or finish above his opponent. Just committed to Elon Phoenix in the Colonial Athletic Association, Ade’s offensive repertoire has grown off the bounce and shake this season on the back of his core- strength improvement. He is definitely a better finisher at the rim through traffic, effective on the lane with either hand or floaters. Not a high-volume sniper and needing work on his release to unlock his entire offensive potential, but Adebayo has been solid especially in the catch & shoot this season. Promising percentages to go along his slice and dish game, and the ability to look for the roller or kick out the ball off the dribble. His main player trait, however, keeps being the talent to guard and switch from 1-3, plus his athleticism, speed and vision in transition.

It’s been a learning year for Jonathan Brown, adapting to a more off-the-ball role after being the go- to guy for Canterbury last season. Well known for his scoring ability and thrilling transition game, JB has stepped up on the defensive end, working on his awareness, foot speed and the use of his body to contain guards or bigger matchups in the perimeter. Jonathan also showed off his skill set, keeping the balance between attacking the rack and gunning from deep with steady good mechanics. Shot selection, building up his mid-range jumper and exploiting the PnR as facilitator are the natural steps forward in his half court game. Recently committed to Fresno Pacific in Division II, we are excited to see how JB’s game settles in a faster and more athletic environment, and how his versatility and effort help him grow swapping from main initiator to offensive focus to hard-nose defender, while making the most of minutes in California.

Ade Adebayo (01) 6’3 Guard – Baking Abbey / Class 2019. British guard power next generation

Barking Abbey is a unique set up within the EABL not just because they partner with a professional club as many other EABL schools, Kent Crusaders, but because their third year top players compete in NBL Division-1 for most of the season, or just until EABL playoff time, and in the meantime their young guns will play tons of minutes in EABL. From this year young bunch the standout is Ade Adebayo, who follows the British guard profile and style that we loved to watch with the GB national teams lately. Ade is a bouncy and agile backcourt player with good size and length, fluid and dynamic with the ball, with quick feet and useful hands in D, and great instincts attacking the rim and finishing with either hands or floaters. He has a good long range shooting, especially in the catch and shot, which will bring eventually an effective pull up game. His low-gravity handle next to his first step make it a challenge for most of his rivals to match up and stay in front. He is versatile enough to take over the PG spot and create off the dribble, but there he can still improve his overall IQ and reading P&R. Chances are that he will be still a key member for Barking Abbey when they bring in their most experienced guys (such as Caleb Fuller or Micah Savery-Richards) later in the season. Competing and sharing regular game time with those third year players will surely spur and help his development even further.