Battle At The Lakes: 17U Stock Risers (Saturday)
The 17U action at the Battle of the Lakes on Saturday was full of standout performances.
Here’s a look at some players who boosted their stock with the way they played:
Raekwon Drake, 6-5, Team Rose
Explosive was the word of the day for Drake. In the marquee matchup Saturday, against D1 Minnesota in Platinum Bracket action, the Team Rose small forward continually punished the rim. He’s a dangerous transition weapon. Not only is fast and athletic, but he also has a toughness and determination that makes him a sound finisher. Drake has also worked hard to add finesse to elements of his game, which appeared in the form of a consistent mid-range jump shot. He was simply a force on Saturday and is a player to keep an eye on nationally in the 2018 class.
Kyle King, 6-5, Tri-City Thunder
King impressed with his footwork and effectiveness with his back to the basket during a victory over Powerhouse Hoops. He’s decisive and creative once he gets the ball on the block. He utilized pump fakes well, carved space before receiving the post-entry pass and he displayed good touch when he went to the turnaround jumper. Defensively, he worked hard on the glass and played with a good motor throughout. King performed well and the small-college coaches in attendance surely took notice.
Chandler Bevans, 6-7, Iowa Pump-N-Run
The athletic big found a way to make impact by bringing consistent energy. He demonstrated his athleticism with an impressive tip-dunk in a game against the Minnesota Eagles. Bevans is still growing his offensive game, but he has a nice ceiling and some nice physical tools.
Aaris Bonds (2017), 6-7, Wyoming Power
Bonds was impossible to ignore during the Power’s 3-1 run through the tournament. At a 6-7 with a physical frame and some explosion in his step, Bonds continued to create mismatches, particularly when he put the ball on the floor and led a break. Bonds is planning to play to Lamar Community College next season and should be an immediate impact player. With a little more seasoning, he’ll be a Division I prospect to watch over the next year or two.
Isa Maguire, 6-8, Team Young & Reckless
Maguire has an intriguing athletic grace to his game, allowing him to move with fluidity around the court. During one stretch in a game against the Wisconsin Blizzard on Saturday, McGuire blocked a shot, collected the rebound, passed ahead to an outlet and then busted down the court to be on the finishing end of a fastbreak. We also saw Maguire sacrifice his body and get on the floor on multiple occasions. When he’s operating at full-go, he can be a load to deal with.
Robert Carpenter, 6-5, Greenwood Elite
The versatile small forward was active and disruptive defensively during Greenwood’s impressive bracket victory Saturday over a talented Caron Butler Elite squad. He had four blocks in the game and affected multiple other shots. He moves laterally quickly and has the ability to be a strong help-side defender. He also demonstrated a nice skill set on the offensive end, often leading the break after grabbing a rebound or blocking a shot. He demonstrated good shooting touch that extends past the 3-point line. He had one of the more impressive overall performances of the day.
Wendell Matthews, 6-6, 43 Hoops
Matthews impressed with his effectiveness as an interior passer. His squad ran a lot of high-low post action, and Matthews does a nice job catching the ball in the high post, surveying his options and then making a play, often dropping in an entry pass where only his teammate could catch it. Matthews also displayed good hands catching the ball inside, and he finished with good touch at the rim.