10 Stock Boosters From the NY2LA Summer Jam
MEQUON — The 10 biggest stock boosters from the 2018 NY2LA Sports Summer Jam…
Patrick Baldwin Jr. – 2021 – SF – Phenom University
Okay, it’s hard to boost your stock when some already consider you the number one player in the country, but Baldwin started coming into his own this week. Playing up in 16U was an adjustment in the spring, but now Baldwin is unleashing his unstoppable scoring talent. Defenders can crowd him to the point where they know what kind of gum he’s chewing, but Baldwin and his 6-foot-8 frame can still shoot over the top effortlessly like he’s all alone in the gym. Showcasing his NBA game, Baldwin can take people down on the block and even play with his back-to-the-basket in the mid-range, following by smooth fade away jumpers. In transition, Baldwin is a gazelle and covers ground quickly. One of the best NBA prospects this state has seen, Baldwin isn’t even close to a finished product.
Carter Gilmore – 2020 – F – Phenom University
When Phenom University picked up Gilmore, I’ll admit, I didn’t think much of it. Even with so much talent in this lineup, Gilmore has carved out a nice role and is one of the unsung heroes of the team. Gilmore is doing whatever he can to make an impact. Whether that’s diving on the floor for loose balls, working the glass, protecting the rim, Gilmore has been the ultimate glue guy in July. More impressively, Gilmore isn’t shying away from the offensive end of the floor. A skilled post, Gilmore has excellent footwork and array of moves on the block. He’s also able to pull people away from the rim and shoot the basketball from 3-point range. If Gilmore gets the ball in space, it doesn’t matter if Jalen Johnson and Patrick Baldwin Jr. are on the floor, he’s looking for his shot.
Tyrese Hunter – 2021 – SG – Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels
Can’t wait to see how this young man develops. Hunter is currently under six-feet tall, but you can tell by his arms that he’s not nearly done growing. Add in his explosive hops and shooting ability, Hunter could be quite the prospect. A bouncy guard that can play above the rim, Hunter scores in a variety of ways. He’ll run off screens and hunt 3’s, break people down off the dribble, and get to the rim in transition. Playing alongside Mike Foster, Jakobe Thompson, and others, you could argue Hunter was the most impressive player on the Spartans-Rebels last week.
Zac Johnson – 2021 – SF – Wisconsin Playmakers
Knew coming in that Johnson could shoot. Didn’t know he was as good of a slasher and how smooth of a ball handler he was. As a freshman, Johnson made his mark from 3-point range, shooting eye-opening numbers for River Falls. But he’s also got the size and handles to be a big scorer over the next three years. It was fun to see Johnson take command of a Playmakers team that has a few top 25 prospects on the roster. After July, he’ll surely be moving up in the next rankings and Johnson showed he’s a guy we undervalued early.
Jadon Melvin – 2021 – F – Wisconsin Rap
Melvin just produced and produced while leading the Wisconsin Rap to the 15U championship game. He had 19-point performance in the semifinals against Phenom University, who’s loaded with many of the state’s top prospects. We’re not sure what Melvin is yet, but he’s consistent in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-3 sophomore is a banger down low who loves to establish contact. However, he doesn’t have a frame that suggests he’ll get a lot bigger. The good news for Melvin? He can handle and shoot the basketball and could translate to more of a wing by the time he’s an upperclassmen. Melvin’s long term upside might be limited as his body has matured quickly, but right now, he’s a sure top 10 prospect in the state.
Desmond Polk – 2020 – SG – Phenom University
All things considered, Polk didn’t have a great week. In fact, for most of it, he struggled shooting the basketball. But when he finally broke out of it, Polk did so in a big way. The Nicolet guard hit five 3-pointers in a semifinal win over Meanstreets — a game that came down to the last shot. Polk also hit a couple more triples in the championship game win over UA G3 Grind. Never wavering or hesitating despite his struggles, Polk stuck with it and answered the bell when it mattered most.
Tyler Robarge – 2019 – PF – Wisconsin City Select
A kid that we just don’t see a lot because of his location, Robarge played well on the big stage of the summer jam. A good blend of skill and toughness, Robarge proved to be a handful down on the block. The 6-foot-8 forward was solid with either hand around the rim has a nice drop step finish or jump hook from a few feet out. Robarge also brings a toughness element to the table, setting the tone inside on both ends of the floor. Robarge just works hard in everything that he does, even if he’s not getting the basketball.
Max Schlicht – 2019 – PF – Wisconsin Bluebirds
Schlicht missed most of his junior season due to injury, so it’s not a surprise that he’s flown around the radar. The lefty big man is a physical post presence that made noise with his passing ability. Schlicht puts a lot of pressure on defenses by his ability to catch in the high post and fire in passes to cutting teammates. If there’s not a passing lane, Schlicht has the strength and touch around the rim to barrel his way inside and finish.
Calvin Schmeling – 2021 – G – Wisconsin RAP
This was a kid that wasn’t even on the radar until we saw him against the Wisconsin Playmakers on Saturday. Schmeling did some things that opened our eyes and we’ll be thinking about having him in our top 10 player rankings after July. A 6-foot-4 combo guard, Schmeling is a terrific penetrating guard and shot creator. Some of the off-balance and off-the-bounce shots Schemling is capable of hitting is very advanced for his age. Obviously the size and length for a guard stands out, but Schmeling has some tools that could make him a very dangerous scorer over the next three years at University School.
Jaeden Zackery – 2019 – G – Kessel Heat
Zackery played in some big games last week and not only held his own, but stood above the pack. A kid that’s still undervalued in the state, Zackery does a little bit of everything on the floor and elevates people around him. You could argue nobody in Wisconsin did more with less last season, leading Westosha Central to state and playing competitively with eventual champion Kaukauna. There’s no task too big or too small for Zackery. A selfless guard that can score, facilitate, rebound, and defend at a high level, Zackery should be taken more seriously by scholarship programs.