Battle at the Lakes: The Snipers
Ben Coughlin (5’9 G) Machine Elite 16U
As pure and picture perfect of a jumper as you’ll see, this Summit (MO) sophomore was lighting it up at Burnsville on Saturday afternoon. In all, he connected on seven 3s, that’s more than we say anyone hit in any single game this weekend. He canned six of those in the second half.
Keegan Murray (6’3 SG) Team Iowa 16U
So pure and so smooth with his jumper, Murray — along with his twin brother Kris — is a lethal combo of tall, lengthy and precision shooter. When he shoots from deep, he has the size and length that it seems he’s simply plopping the ball in the hoop. His father played at Iowa in the early 90s, and Division I coaches should be paying attention to these rangy sharpshooters.
Max Titus (6’1 SG) KC Magic 16U
He was red-hot when we saw him will his team to an overtime win over Minnesota Academy, nailing five 3s and notching 19 points in the win. His shot is sweet, and his release is quick. I’m no expert in Missouri hoops, but he’s got to be one of the Show Me State’s best.
Austin Carter (6’3 SG) Minnesota Academy 17U
Decent size and a dead eye from deep make this Chanhassen off-guard a scholarship level prospect. Like his counterpart, Max Titus (see above), Carter nailed five 3s in an overtime game. He started that one red-hot, canning his first four. Afterwards, he was busy talking to college coaches.
Cody Riggs (6’1 SG) Wisconsin Hoops Select-Ewing 17U
His team may not have got the win when we saw him, but Riggs was tossing daggers at the rim regardless. He’s not the type to loft one up there (think Steph Curry), but instead has a low-rising dagger that he makes with great precision. The back-iron is his target, and he hits it with regularity.
Lucas Duax (6’3 PG) Tri State Steam 17U
One of the more skilled shooters we’ve come across in some time, the Dubuque, Hempstead point guard shoots precisely with a flick of the wrist. He gets clean looks with a quick release and shoots with great confidence, and rightfully so.
Carson Rentz (6′ SG) BBA Force 17U
This South Dakota product had his fluid stroke going early and often in his team’s wire-to-wire win over Rip City. When it was said and done he had netted four triples, and was the unquestioned leader during the win.
Mike Evens (6’3 G/F) Minnesota Basketball Academy 17U
A big-bodied wing with some decent height, he was red-hot to start in his team’s loss to Showtime Hoopers, and ended the game with 22 points. The rotation on his ball is picture perfect, and when he missed, we were surprised.
Nate Bushbaum (5’7 SG) Iowa Ambush 17U
Small but very, very skilled, Bushbaum netted 3s at a 39 percent clip last season for Osage, and we expect that number to rise next winter. He lets it fly with confidence, and has a nice form. Though Bushbaum has longer to heave it, he makes it see effortless.
Trey Hinote (6’1 G) Iowa Cornsharks 16U
A jack-of-all-trades, Hinote does a little bit of everything for the Sharks — and sniping from deep is one of them. He picks and chooses his shots, and only attempts 3s when he feels it necessary. He’s a consistent, 40+ percent guy, and though outside shooting may not even be his best strength, that’s just a testament to his all-around skill-set.