Battle at the Lakes: Scott’s Saturday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois was once again at Battle at the Lakes in Minnesota on Saturday. Check out what prospects stood out most to us on the day!
SG Dajuan Gordon (Team Rose 17U)
Gordon pretty much did whatever he wanted for Team Rose throughout the day. The Curie 2019 shooting guard is a long and rangy wing that has elevated his game to new levels this spring! Consistent shooter from deep with a free and easy stroke. His ball handling has gotten a lot crisper which opens up more avenues for him to get buckets. He scored well in transition. Made some nice passes in the drive and kick game. One thing that continues to be noticeable is how well he rebounds flying in from the perimeter.
SG Myles Baker (Team Rose 17U)
Baker shot lights out on Saturday. The Whitney Young 2019 two guard had his feathery jumper working from both three and mid-range. Baker did most of his damage from three on the day, but did show some solid passing from the off guard position. He had a few bullet passes through traffic.
SF Tujautae Williams (Chicago Demons 17U)
Williams is a long and lanky wing that was a role player last year for Orr. He is primed to take over as the go to man next season. The projectable wing had a big day starting with the game we saw. He is smooth with the ball in his hands accelerating with ease. Rebounds well in traffic and plays above the rim finishing big slams. Underrated passer and has some potential as a perimeter shooter. If he locks in on the defensive end that could be one of his strengths.
SF Keenan Jones (Young & Reckless 17U)
Best I have seen this Whitney Young wing play in his career! We have Jones labeled as a three and D guy at the next level. He showed a lot more than that on Saturday. He was aggressive taking the ball to the hoop converting multiple and-1 opportunities and several other acrobatic finishes at the cup. That included a pair of posterizing dunks. Defensively he made noise blocking shots including a few LeBron come from behind pin blocks.
PG Chris Roberts (Young & Reckless 17U)
Roberts is one of the fastest and most explosive point guards in the class. As his coach says when he gets the ball “beep beep”. Meaning he is about to go coast to coast. He did exactly that a lot! Tremendous burst with the ball in his hands when playing in the open floor. He finishes so well around the hoop through and around contact. Roberts is an adequate shooter.
PG Fred Cleveland (Team RWA 17U)
Cleveland is a small guard that produces. The Leo standout did that on Saturday for Team RWA. For him it all started with his defensive intensity. Long arms for his size allows him to be pesky at the point of attack. He recorded quite a few steals that he took the other way for layups. Knows how to shield defenders away from the ball. Couple jumpers, but it was mostly his defense and open floor game that shined.
SG Julian Barr (Team RWA 17U)
Barr is a 6’4” wing from Lincoln Way East that shot the lights out on Saturday. He is a well built two guard that drilled threes from all over the court. He hit four in the first half alone of one of the games we watched. Quick and clean shot mechanics. Most effective off the catch, but did show a smooth pull up from 15 feet as well. Mixed in a euro step as well.
PG JR Cison (Fundamental U 17U)
Cison is a tough and competitive lead guard that knows how to run the show. The Lake Zurich floor general does a nice job of getting everyone involved. Crisp passer that works well in the pick and roll game. He pushes it in transition. Cison is a sound jump shooter connecting on an array from mid-range and three.
PF Matthew Hurt (D1 Minnesota 17U)
Hurt is one of the premier prospects in the 2019 class nationally and he played like it on Saturday in limited minutes. The power forward has such an unbelievable combination of skill both on the perimeter and interior for his size. Excellent footwork in the paint with a soft touch around the hoop. He is an elite shooter as a face up four man that stretches the floor. Drilled multiple threes including one that he set up with a jab step.
PG Tyrell Terry (D1 Minnesota 17U)
Terry is high IQ point guard with long arms and great size for the lead guard spot. Terry has outstanding handles that he used to get in the lane regularly where he converted runners or finished and-1 opportunities. Coast to coast he weaves in and out of the defense with ease. Couple explosive takes with his long strides in the half court. He is elusive and crafty with the ball. Outstanding vision as a distributor!
SF Jayden Johnson (Fundamental U 16U)
Johnson is a big bodied two guard that can flat out shoot the basketball! He drilled multiple in their early morning game. The Batavia 2020 standout is best shooting off the catch with a clean looking release. He has deep range on his shot to well beyond the three point arc. Also showed growth as a passer.