NY2LA Summer Jam Recap: Day 2
MEQUON — The top performers and stock boosters from day two of the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam…
TOP PERFORMERS
Patrick Baldwin Jr. – 2021 – SF – Phenom University
Baldwin scored 17 points as Phenom University took care of Quad City Elite. A silky smooth wing with a great shooting stroke, Baldwin connected on four 3-pointers. The 6-foot-8 sophomore is gazelle-like in the open floor. Baldwin’s length allowed him to go coast-to-coast, making a couple of difficult finishes at the rim look rather easy. A sure-fire five-star prospect in 2021, Baldwin will have the nation’s elite programs chasing him.
Kyran Gaines – 2019 – PF – Young Legends
The Young Legends won a low scoring, hard fought battle over the Illinois Irish Thursday night. Continuing his impressive month, Gaines was the focal point of the offense. Showing go-to scoring ability down on the block, Gaines had some impressive post footwork and finishes. He can face up and attack or hit defenders with a nice up-and-under move. Also able to stretch the floor, Gaines has the skills and versatility to knock down shots from outside or take slower forwards off the bounce.
Delaware Hale – 2020 – PF – Wisconsin Swing
Every now and then, Hale shows some promise. While he needs to be more consistent and break out of his shell, Hale had one of those of performances on Thursday that surely had some college coaches excited. A raw, 6-foot-8 junior with a high upside, Hale scored 13 points in a win over the Illinois Hoopers. He was active in transition, throwing down some dunks in the fast break. Hale is much more willing to shoot the basketball from the perimeter and seems to be gaining confidence. Defensively, Hale protected the rim well and really made his presence felt on that end of the floor as well.
Tyrese Hunter – 2021 – SG – Milwaukee Spartans
A good-looking guard to remember, Hunter had a big effort in a loss to the Illinois Wolves in 16U play. Hunter was terrific in the catch-and-shoot game and drained a number of triples despite defenders bearing down on him. Also quick off the bounce, Hunter created some easy looks around the rim by breaking defenders down and displaying excellent body control in traffic. A top 10 prospect in Wisconsin’s 2021 class, Hunter has a raw frame and appears likely to grow quite a bit over the next few years. He’s under six-feet, but has plus-length and is already dunking the basketball.
Austin Westra – 2019 – PF – Wisconsin Swing-Bredesen
Westra scored 25 points to lead the Swing in their victory over Mercury Elite. A powerful post presence, Westra muscled home buckets throughout the 30-minute contest. As per usual, Westra was dominant inside. When he catches around the rim, Westra wants to go straight through the chest of his opponent. Westra is also able to run the floor in transition and leak out for fast break dunks. The 6-foot-6 senior is working to expand his range. While his versatility isn’t a huge threat right now, Westra shows some promise as a shooter and perimeter ball handler.
STOCK BOOSTERS
Jhakai Funches – 2020 – SG – La Crosse Elevate
La Crosse Elevate always seems to have some quality sleepers. Funches fits into that mold. A big, strong, athletic guard, Funches scored in double figures against Chicago Lockdown on Thursday. He’s not overly skilled, but can score in a variety of ways. The 6-foot-3 junior has a great frame and absorbs/delivers contact around the rim. He’s a comfortable mid-range scorer and showed ability to get into high percentage areas. A name we didn’t know coming into this week, Funches is one to keep tabs on and see how he develops over the next year.
Carter Gilmore – 2020 – F – Phenom University
Love the glue-guy mentality that Gilmore approaches the game with. He’s certainly not one of the headline names on this Phenom University squad, but Gilmore has carved out a good role by being willing to do the dirty work. The Arrowhead standout gets on the glass and on the floor. He’s often asked to defend much bigger players in the paint and certainly holds his own. Don’t sleep on his offensive skill set either. The 6-foot-6 forward has some exciting footwork down on the block and has the ball handling skills to take guys off the dribble from the perimeter.
James Kelly – 2019 – PF – Wisconsin RAP
Kelly is undersized, but makes up for it with tenacity. The 6-foot-4 forward just wouldn’t stop attacking on Thursday. Always around the basketball, Kelly hangs his hat on outworking people and generating easy buckets. A kid that averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy last season, Kelly has some bounce and drew a ton of fouls. Young for his grade, Kelly’s best days are certainly ahead of him and he could be a good find for a small school program or perhaps a junior college if he goes that route.
Mike Meriggioli – 2019 – W/G – Wisconsin Swing Bredesen
There’s some unique attributes that Meriggioli possesses. A 6-foot-5, play making wing, Meriggioli contributes in a variety of ways. Meriggioli makes good decisions in transition and can find teammates streaking up the floor and hit them in stride. A willing rebounder, facilitator, defender, and scorer, there’s not much Meriggioli doesn’t bring to the table. With the Swing holding a large lead for most of the game, Meriggioli’s defensive aggressiveness helped shut the door and halt some potential runs for Mercury Elite.
Tyler Robarge – 2019 – PF – Wisconsin City Select
Robarge struggled to finish around the basket, but it’s easy to see why the Chippewa Falls standout is quite highly coveted at the small school level. The 6-foot-8 forward has a terrific frame and can get up and down the floor. He’s comfortable shooting with either hand around the rim and has a nice drop step finish or jump hook from a few feet out. Defensively, he’s not a guy that will block/alter a lot of shots, but Robarge does play a physical brand of basketball on that end of the floor.
Max Schlicht – 2019 – PF – Wisconsin Bluebirds
This lefty has some promise at the small school level. Schlicht is a strong passer for a big man and does a great job hitting cutters back door for easy lay ins. The 6-foot-7 senior can handle the ball as well and was effective as a slasher from the high post. When Schlicht gets touches on the block, he’s got a reliable go-to jump hook.
Jakobe Thompson – 2021 – PG – Milwaukee Spartans
Thompson finished the night by scoring 20 points in a 16U victory over the Illinois Stars. The 5-foot-10 guard is a solid isolation scorer. He’s got a terrific sweeping crossover dribble and changes pace well on the ball, throwing defenders off and getting them off-balance. Despite being undersized, Thompson isn’t afraid to drive to the rim. He’s got adequate body control and touch to avoid shot blockers. Thompson also has three-level scoring ability potential. The sophomore is a nice pull-up jump shooter from mid-range and reliable enough from downtown.
Maguire Werner – 2019 – PF – Wisconsin Shooters
Liked the overall impact that Werner had against Grassroots Indiana on Thursday. An athletic, bouncy forward, Werner created second chance opportunities and got some run outs in transition. The 6-foot-7 forward gets off the ground quickly and protected the rim well. Werner isn’t a big scorer, but has some pretty good upside in that department. He’s got really good feet and is a smooth athlete. The potential is there to be a quality slasher and put back specialist.