Summer league players to watch: Mountain Pointe core four
The Mountain Pointe Pride basketball team looks to improve on their 2017-18 campaign, which saw them fall to Pinnacle in the state final at Wells Fargo Arena.
The Pride graduated five seniors from last season’s roster, but bring back several of their top contributors.
Here are four players to watch for Mountain Pointe in summer league and the season moving forward:
- Jalen Graham
The senior makes the Pride offense go. He can post up and finish on both blocks with both hands, and is always a risk to dunk the ball and turn momentum in Mountain Pointe’s favor. He is an effective rim protector and rebounder, collecting a ton of second-chance points. As a senior, and one of the top Pride players on last years state runner-up squad, it would not be surprising if Graham is one of the most productive big men in Arizona this year.
- Jonah LaBranche
LaBranche would ordinarily be the biggest player on the court on most teams, but benefit even more because he plays next to Graham and the other big men. With the opponents’ biggest and tallest post defenders covering Graham, LaBranche almost always has a size and strength advantage, which he utilizes by getting to the basket and collecting rebounds.
- DeAndre Henry
A former star football offensive lineman for the Pride, the junior moves his feet well and is extremely quick for a player his size. Another player who might be a center on most high school teams, he also benefits from the size of those who defend him. He is able to get to the rim well and finish with skilled lay ups and athletic dunks. Much like the rest of his team, he boxes out and rebounds extremely well.
- Khalid Price
Price always battles on the defensive end against opposing guards. As the lead guard, he takes already-solid teammates and improves their production even further by distributing the ball. Mountain Pointe runs a lot of press, and he is the spark plug, usually the first to cause errant passes and turnovers. He also is a good shooter from the perimeter.