Notebook: Big Shots Myrtle Beach Session 2 Underclassmen Stories
The first live period is in the books, and Vantage Hoops took in the action in sunny Myrtle Beach for the Big Shots Myrtle Beach Live events. While most vacationers were at the beach soaking up the sun, we were in the gym taking in some high level basketball. Here’s part one of our notebook, a detailed breakdown of some of the sights and stories from the weekend. this one centering underclassmen.
Oscar Tshiebwe: 2019s Best Kept Secret
While flashy guys like Zion Williamson get all of the love from mixtape companies and on social media, it’s usually the meat and potatoes bigs that hold a team together and help their team win. That’s the perfect way to describe 6’8” Oscar Tshiebwe, who’s lack of internet fame may make him the best kept secret in the 2019 class across the nation.
The big from Mount Mission is one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever seen, and it all starts on the glass. He does nothing short of pursuing every possible rebound, and his intense motor is the reason he usually pulls in upwards of 12 rebounds per game, half of them usually coming on the offensive end. His build is tremendous, with broad shoulders and cut arms, and he never stops running the floor, crashing the glass and trying to dunk everything. He even dunked on his own teammates a couple of times, but they should have known that Tshiebwe doesn’t care who’s in between him and the basket because he’s just going to run them over. He’s shown improvement at the free throw line and on his midrange jump shot, but that isn’t his game, it’s pure energy and hard work as he bulls his way to double-double after double-double. He’s already got a handful of high major offers, and despite his lack of flash in his game he’s going to be one of the most productive and hard working guys every time he steps on the floor.
Top Two 2020s in Country Put on a Show
Want to talk about flash and hype? The number one and number two players in the 2020 class faced off on Sunday in Myrtle, as 6’10” Isaiah Todd and Team Loaded VA 16U took on 6’7” Greg Brown III and the Dallas Seawolves, and the game lived up to the hype as the Seawolves escaped with a close six point victory.
The two have similarities and differences, and while on paper Brown won the individual matchup scoring 33 points to Todd’s 19, he was also the beneficiary of calls, shooting close to 15 free throws in the second half. Brown showed superb athleticism and strength for his age, running the floor and finishing through contact. His aggression was a difference maker, and he also showed that he can catch and shoot from deep and didn’t shy away from the competition, as he was out to make a statement.
While Brown’s strength is where he shines, Todd’s skill set is far beyond his years and he’s starting to put it together. Everyone wants to question “is he KD or KG?” in his NBA comparison, and as crazy as it sounds I believe he’s more like KD. At 6’10” he has a pretty stroke from deep, he hit four threes in the contest, and in transition he’s able to put it on the floor and create his own shot. Like KG however, he really excels with the turn around at the high post, and he’s a big time shot blocker, swatting four in the game. He has to add weight and get stronger, but he showed that he’s developing the killer instinct we’ve been waiting for, and the matchup of two future NBA wings was fun to watch.
Wooden Continues to Increase Stock for Loaded 16U
He isn’t the loudest guy, but 2019 Julien Wooden of Northside is quietly increasing his stock by being a solid all around wing. At 6’6” he’s very lanky and uses his length on both ends of the court, and while he isn’t the go-to guy on this team he’s a complimentary scorer who will go hit the offensive glass, can knock down shots from all three levels and has a great nose for the ball on both ends of the floor. He’s highly skilled, an above average athlete and as he continues to grow into his body he should fill out which will make him more of an inside-out presence. He picked up an offer from Hampton to this weekend, giving him his second one this summer.
Kaden Matheny: The Walking West Virginia Bucket
This kid doesn’t look like much when you first see him, but we all know looks can be deceiving and it only took him two possessions to show me this kid is the real deal. Talk about a bucket getter, Matheny filled it up to the tune of 47, yes that’s three away from 50, in an upset win over Team Loaded VA. He’s a sniper from deep, creates space well off the bounce and refuses to back down from big time situations or matchups. He scored 40 or more in three games over the weekend, and some of the shots he made were ones that many division one guards can’t do, and he made it look easy. There’s something about a kid who can score it so naturally, and don’t be shocked when this 5’9” white kid from West Virginia begins to blow up.
Jordan Battle: Norfolk Collegiate’s Next Up
One of the lesser known newcomers in the 757, Battle had a good year for Norfolk Collegiate, and in my first time watching him I can easily see why. He plays his tail off. The strong 6’2” utility guy can play all over the court, has a great feel on both ends and when he’s not getting buckets he’s getting others buckets. He can stroke it from deep, gets to his spots off the bounce and is a strong finisher through contact, and he showed all three things en route to scoring 25 points in the championship loss to WCBA. His high motor means that he’s only going to work to get better, and the way he competes he’s going to be a solid piece for NoCo to rebuild on moving forward.
Kenard Richardson Shows Strength Playing Up
Speaking of strong guards, Varina’s Kenard Richardson showed that he’s strong enough to play with the big boys as he was one of TRGR 16U’s top performers throughout the event. A downhill attacking two guard, Richardson played meaningful minutes in a sixth man role last year for Varina, and when you watch him play it’s his understanding of his game that makes him so effective. He doesn’t settle for jumpers, knowing he isn’t the best shooter, but instead attacks the lane and uses his strength to finish through touch fouls. He also knows how to use his strength and athleticism on the defensive end, and because he’s already so physically mature and poised he’s only going to get better with time.
Rising Freshman Edmonds Picks Up First Two Offers
I can’t speak on everyone because I haven’t seen much of the 2021 class, but one guy I have seen is Hopewell and Team Loaded 15U combo guard Elvin Edmonds, and it’s a safe prediction to make that he’ll be an immediate impact guy in his first high school season. Playing up with Loaded 15U he’s shown that he’s poised, mature beyond his years and a capable shot maker, leading them in scoring in their two showcase games at Myrtle Beach. College coaches aren’t wasting anytime either. Convinced that he’s only going to get better moving forward, he picked up his first two division one offers from ODU and Hampton, all before he’s taken a high school class yet.
Maceo Austin with Bright Future for Bridge City
One of my favorite non-VA area players to watch this past weekend was Bridge City (PA) 2019 wing Maceo Austin. As many know, I love do-it-all wings, and that’s exactly what Austin is. At 6’5” he has great size and length, and his ability to stuff that stat sheets and be an impact guy on both ends was evident from the jump. He has good feel and vision for a wing, can break his defender down off the bounce in both transition and in the half court and he can shoot it and make shots from all three levels. He already holds offers from Canisius, UAB, Duquesne, WVU, Akron and Penn State, and he’s only trending upward with his skilil set and ability to play multiple positions.