Nike Spring Showdown: Derrick’s Sunday Dimes
Nike Spring Showdown: Derrick’s Sunday Dimes
Prep Hoops Illinois Staff was once again on hand at the Baylor Youth Nike Spring Showdown, and it was another good day of action as several prospects continued to impress. We look at some of the day’s top performers here in Nike Spring Showdown: Derrick’s Sunday Dimes.
SG – Eddie Creal 6’3’’ (2018) Hoops4Health
The 2018 prospect out of Joliet West capped off a nice weekend running with Hoops4Health with a big game against Hoopers Basketball Club. Creal got out of the gates from the tip, attacking the basket with a quick first step to get into the lane to make plays. Creal showed he could also knock down shots from the perimeter hitting a couple threes’ in the game. He ended up with 22 points but he also affected the game in other ways. He is a good athlete who competes on defense, can guard multiple positions and got several steals out in the passing lanes. I like the intangibles that he brings from the 2- guard spot he rebounds, brings energy, toughness and completes. Some opportunities in his game would be ball handling, and consistently at the free throw line and from 3. D2’s and LM’s should give him a hard look this summer.
PG – Marcus Watson 5’10’’ (2020) Mac Irvin Fire
Watson out of Morgan Park was without his running mates in the backcourt in Adam Miller and Nimari Burnett at the Spring Showdown but it was no issue for the 2020 PG as he stepped up big for the Mac Irvin Fire in the game I scouted. Watson plays with good control and feel for the game letting the game flow and come to him, while still having an impact and making plays. He was blowing pass defenders off the dribble and scoring at the rim or getting to the foul line. He made some big plays down the stretch hitting a deep 3 and getting a steal and basket to secure the win. Watson is a good ball handler and passer but I liked that he showed he can put his team on his shoulders and score when he is without some of his better scoring options on the Mac Irvin Fire 15U squad. Will be a prospect we continue to track this summer.
SF – Terrence Hargrove Jr. 6’6’’ (2019) Hooperville Warriors
Terrence Hargrove Jr. had monster first two days at the Nike Spring Showdown and Sunday he showed off his defensive ability and skillset. Limited offensively by a 2-3 zone of his opponent Hargrove struggled early from outside often settling for long jump shots. However, Hargrove was a man amongst boys when it came to controlling the glass and grabbing rebounds. He tracks down rebounds and has good fundamentals on his box out and when it comes down to a jump ball type of situation he uses his athletic ability to win those 50/50 balls. An elite leaper he blocked 5 shots including a come from behind block off of the glass. He did a excellent job blocking without fouling and altered another 4-5 shots just from being in good position on defense from help side. He finished with 11 points 12 rebounds and 5 blocks in a low scoring game they lost on Sunday. D1 prospect that should continue to garner attention from coaches this spring/summer.
G – Tyler Cochran 6’2’’ (2019) Hoopers Basketball Club
Playing up with the 17U Hoopers Basketball Club Cochran had another good day helping propel his team to a 17U Championship at the Baylor Youth Spring Showdown. Cochran brings a lot to his team from scoring, passing ability, defense and rebounding. He competes and has a good skillset. Cochran scored from all three levels and I was impressed on how his outside shot has really improved, hit shots with defenders in his face and hit some tough shots. When he gets hot he can score in bunches. He had scoring performance of 18 pts 29pts and 18pts on Sunday.
SF- Zion Griffin 6’5 (2018) Hoopers Basketball Club
Hinsdale South SF Zion Griffin had a great weekend and capped it off with a Division 2 offer from St. Cloud. Zion was showed he can score in a variety of ways including stepping out and hitting from deep. He is an athletic wing that threw down several big dunks in a win versus Hoops4Health. He loves to work from the top of the key where he is a threat to either pull up, dribble drive for a shot or dribble and into the lane and dish it to a teammate. Has improved his isolation moves. Sometimes settles for long jump shots, but was good out in the open court. Griffin is a D2 prospect right now with an offer from St. Cloud but do not be surprised if other teams jump in the and offer after this weekend.
G – Lacey Watson 6’3’’ (2018) Elite Basketball Club (Ohio)
The former Illinois prospect now is out in Ohio and is running with a team from Ohio. He faced Hoopers basketball Club in a quarterfinal match-up and put on a show offensively scoring in a fury. He hit shots from all over the court and was winning most of his one on one opportunities out of iso. He would go for 32 points in the lost but was impressive keeping his team in the game. Off the bounce, he was a force and tough to keep out of the lane. Watson is a D1 prospect with offers from Kent State and Toledo.