Toledo Summer League: Wing/Forwards (June 19-20)
We’re recapping the top performances and prospects from this week’s action in the Toledo summer league. During the past two afternoons at Toledo Woodward and Toledo Scott, we’ve seen talent ranging from small college to Division I-bound athletes.
Yesterday, we started our recaps by naming the top five prospects, now we’ll analyze each position.
Dominique Cole (2020), 6’5” F, Toledo Central Catholic
As a large 6’5” prospect who looks to score from multiple spots on the court, Cole has been one of the most interesting 2020 prospects we’ve watched this summer. On both Monday and Tuesday, Cole was most effective from about 15-feet away from the basket — he was able to facilitate to cutters and pass it to the opposite side or shoot a soft jump shot.
Cole struggled a bit going towards the rim, as he needs to tighten up his footwork, and shooting the triple. Even so, we expect him to correct those mechanics over the next three seasons and become an offensive force for Central Catholic and C2K Elite.
Keyshawn Leach (2018), 6’4” W/F, Toledo Waite
Leach didn’t have his best game on Monday once the ball was in his hands. Leach struggled to convert on a couple right-handed hooks and turn-around jumpers. However, we’ve seen him make those attempts before. Leach seems to be a tweener prospect. Yet, with positions becoming less relevant, we do know that Leach can switch onto most people on screens, alter shots at the rim, and battles for position underneath. Leach is also solid off-ball on offense, as he buries opponents in the post.
Christian Smith (2018), 6’5” W/F, Toledo Rogers
If you’re guarding Smith, expect him to post you up from a couple feet within the arch. Smith is long enough to get his shots up from that area, or fling a pass, as he towers over most of his opponents. However, with his lack of upper-body strength, we’re not sure his offensive arsenal translates to the next level. Going forward, we’d like to see more facing up, blowing by guys, or even hitting some triples within the offense.
But, regardless, Smith is a prospect that D-II/NAIA/JUCO programs should consider.
Jaiden Woodley (2018), 6’6” F, Maumee Valley
While Woodley still lacks a certain fluidity in his movements, he finished almost everything within 8-feet on Tuesday. The forward prospect runs the floor very well, which seems crucial to Maumee Valley’s fast-paced attack. He turned a couple rim-runs into baskets when his guards zinged passed into him. In the half-court, Woodley’s face-up game from the elbow was consistent, as he usually ball-faked and took one strong dribble towards the rim for floating jumpers.