Nike Elite 100: Friday Standouts
It was a jam packed day on Friday at Nike Elite 100 in St. Louis. PrepHoopsIllinois took in all the action for the PrepHoops Network and breaks down what players stood out the most right here!
PG Jaden Hardy (Coronado HS, NV – 2021)
Hardy impressed once again on Friday afternoon. The elite 2021 point guard shined in the situational games hitting his teammates on the money over and over again. He throws them with a lot of zip and right on his teammates hands. Way more than just a scorer although he can do that very well! He plays with a lot of competiveness and a great spirit to his game. Kind of player that kids want to follow!
C Moussa Diabate (Florida Prep Academy, FL – 2021)
Diabate is another prospect that is mentioned for the second consecutive day. The big man has great mobility on the interior as well as working in the pick and roll game with ease. He has a lethal right handed hook shot! Quick moves around the hoop. Will definitely have to add more strength, but he can really play right now and has a ton of developmental upside!
PG Caleb Love (CBC HS, MO – 2020)
Love is a combo guard from St. Louis that we have seen a ton throughout his young career playing with both his high school team and Brad Beal Elite. The smooth guard has quality size for position and knows how to work around a ball screen. Reads his big man being able to find him as well as get to the rim off the pick turning the corner with a burst. Plus mid-range jump shooter with a sound and balanced shot mechanically.
G Noah Taitz (Bishop Gorman, NV – 2020)
Taitz stood out with his passing and crisp ball handling. The 6’2” point guard always has his head up looking to make a play. Clean handles in the open floor weaving in and out of the defense. He made a ton of outstanding passes. Some were flashy while others were just the right play. Competed on the defensive end getting a steal and going the other way.
C Chuks Lucky Isitua (Cy Fair Learning Center, TX – 2021)
This 6’9” post has good length and is a plus rebounder in the paint. Cleared the glass on a regular basis. He converted several big dunks on dump off passes and even displayed a right handed hook.
SF Cade Cunningham (Bowie HS, TX – 2020)
Cunningham was definitely one of the best from Friday. The 6’7” wing has a physically mature body and he knows how to use it to get buckets in bunches. Cunningham is an aggressive scorer that scores efficiently at the rim. The high motor wing powers his way in and converts through and around contact. He also displayed a nice looking jumper from mid-range. This kid is just a natural born scorer!
F Jakobe Coles (Denton Guyer, TX – 2020)
Coles is a thick bodied combo forward that didn’t look to pass it much playing a little selfish at times, but as much as he was converting it is kind of hard to blame him. He isn’t overly athletic, but has a feel for scoring with crafty moves and jump shots. Mixed in some runners and a pick/pop three. Plays with strength.
PG Posh Alexander (Our Saviour Lutheran HS, NY – 2020)
Alexander came just off a plane and it didn’t seem to bother him. Once he got in the flow of the game he continued right where he left off this spring in the EYBL. This rising junior is a compact guard with plus athleticism. So acrobatic around the rim finishing multiple tough layups. Another thing that stood out was how much he pressured the ball end to end on defense with his lateral quickness and quick hands.
SG Moses Moody (North Little Rock HS, AR – 2020)
Moody is one of the best prospects in the country in my eyes. He is a big wing that is an ELITE shooter! He displayed just that with the way he connected on an array of threes and mid-range jumpers. Picture perfect release on his pull up. Gets elevation and flat out doesn’t miss! Hard to believe there is a better shooter in the country with his level of size and athleticism.
C Franck Kepnang (The McDuffie School, MA – 2021)
Kepnang is a big time defensive presence! Protects the rim consistently game in and game out. Physical frame at 6’9” and 225 pounds. He is an elite rebounder as well snatching boards in traffic with his strong hands. Right now the defense is ahead of the offense, but it does show flashes. Had a tip dunk and a slam on a dump off pass.
PG Sharife Cooper (McEachern HS, GA – 2020)
It hit me when I was watching this under six foot point guard on court two of another floor general that he reminds me of that showed out on that exact same court several years back…..Tyler Ulis. He was a smaller guard too with a huge heart and completely controlled the game. That is exactly what Cooper does with his ability to get in the lane draw defenders and find his teammates. Elite speed in the open floor pushing it end to end and getting to the rim where he has a knack for making tough layups. Outstanding jump shooter from both mid-range and three with balance and a clean release.
G Nimari Burnett (Prolific Prep, CA – 2020)
Covering Illinois mainly we saw a ton of Burnett early in his career, but this event was our first time evaluating him in almost a year. One thing is clear he has really improved as a distributor. Burnett showed excellent vision and passing feel hitting cutters, shooters, and dumping it off to big men inside. Burnett can also put it in the hoop with a smooth looking jumper that he creates separation on his shot with a step back every now and then.
PF Caleb Furst (Blackhawk Christian HS, IN – 2021)
It’s hard to believe that Furst will just be entering his sophomore season of high school next year. Physically he is ready to play in college right now. Was impressed with his motor and getting on the offensive glass. He had multiple tip dunks cleaning up transition misses and was always in position for a pass that he could throw down a dunk. Defensively he didn’t back down one bit going after shots when opposing big men were trying to dunk on him.
SF Greg Brown (Vandegrift HS, TX – 2020)
Brown is clearly one of the top prospects at this camp. The 6’8” small forward has a rare combination of strength, athleticism, and skill that are unmatched on the perimeter. He plays above the rim with huge slams. Explosive leaper. Can handle it off the dribble. Showed he could knock down a three as well.