Sin City Senior Standouts (Part 1)
We were in beautiful Las Vegas this past week, and if there wasn’t a big tournament in my backyard of Richmond, VA I would probably still be there. The Mecca of AAU basketball the last live period of the year is always in Las Vegas, and we have been lucky enough to attend the past few years. We still have some Prep Hoops guys out there, but I wanted to share about 30 or so guys I saw while attending Under Armor Finals, the Las Vegas Fab 48 and the Bigfoot Hoops “The 8.”
Here’s a look at part one of the rising senior standouts I saw in Las Vegas.
Ricky Lindo | 6’7” WF | DC Premier 17U
Lindo looks like a totally different guy from last summer, and if he continues to improve during his prep season at Northfield Harmon he should be a no brainer high major kid for 2019. He’s always been a long and fluid athlete, but he’s filled out and playing with big time aggression on both ends. He has mismatch capabilities with his ability to put it on the floor and his improved jumper, and he’s a big time finisher around the rim who will put you on a poster. Very nice to see him continue to improve.
Armando Bacot | 6’9” PF | Team Takeover 17U (DC)
One of the best performers on the national stage since July started, the Peach Jam MVP continues to dominate in Vegas. He went toe-to-toe with a front line of 6’8”, 6’9”, 7’0” in their showcase game against Compton Magic in the Fab 48 tip-off, going for a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Since then, he’s been dominating the Bigfoot Hoops “The 8,” where he’s led them to the championship game today on ESPNU. He’s arguably the most skilled big man on the offensive end in the country, and he’s been putting up numbers against the best all summer now.
Makhi Mitchell | 6’8” PF | DC Premier 17U
Speaking of super skilled big men, Mitchell helped lead DC Premier in the UAA Championship with his dominating performance in the paint. He’s so patient and skilled and is able to make plays wherever he is on the floor. He can put it on the deck in transition, he’s a strong kid and strong finisher with both hands around the basket and he has the whole array when it comes to post moves both in the face up and with his back to the basket. He’ll be a welcome addition at Maryland next year.
Drake London | 6’5” G | BTI Select 17U (CA)
A dual sport commit at USC in both football and basketball, London is a natural athlete who is a fearless and tough competitor on both ends of the floor. He has great explosive ability at the rim, as he can finish with his chest above easily and he’s a good shot blocker. He runs the wing in transition well, he can shoot the jumper and he’s adept at creating space off the bounce. He has a good understanding of the game for someone who plays another sport half of the year, and he’s a natural born leader as well.
Onyeka Okongwu | 6’8” PF | Compton Magic 17U (CA)
Another USC commit (one of three for the Magic and four who played in the Fab 48), Okongwu was the heart and soul of the defense for the Magic in their win over Team Takeover Wednesday night. He plays with an incredible motor as he contests every shot, rebounds everything in and out of his area and he is very physical which wears on opposing big men. Offensively, he showed athleticism and toughness following up shots in traffic and he showed the ability to hit the midrange jumper and his free throws.
Jay Heath | 6’3” WG | Team Melo 17U (MD)
The recent Boston College commit showed his energy and production level for Melo despite them not having the best week record wise in Vegas. At 6’3”, Heath plays much bigger than his stature, as he doesn’t mind getting into the help side, helping his team rebound or attacking big men and finishing in traffic. He can catch and shoot, lead the break and he’s able to create for himself and others in isolation situations. His toughness and energy are what’s going to make him productive at the ACC level.
Nico Mannion | 6’3” PG | West Coast Elite (CA)
He didn’t shoot the lights out by any means when I watched them against We R 1, but that doesn’t change the fact that you can see why he’s one of the most sought after point guards in the country after reclassifying up to the 2019 class. Mannion has a great feel for the game in general, as he sees the floor well, can thread the needle, knows what pace to play and gets everyone on his team easy looks. He’s fantastic in transition as he sees the game ahead of others and he’s a big time athlete who can and will finish above the rim when he gets downhill.
Oscar Lopez | 6’4” WG | West Coast Elite (CA)
I came in knowing absolutely nothing about Lopez when a buddy of mine who scouts nationally says “I know you Jack, you’re going to love Oscar Lopez.” Well, he must know me pretty well because I did in fact take a liking to his bulldog approach. He’s a well built kid with broad shoulders, and he’ll get downhill and run you over if he has to. He’s a scrappy defender, he made some tough shots and he worked as a secondary ball handler for WCE as well.
Lester Quinones | 6’6” WG | New Heights 17U (NY)
There aren’t many kids as recruitable as Quinones, and in my opinion he’s a little underrated in national rankings. He does what every coach likes now, and that’s make shots at a high clip. He erupted for 37 points when I watched them, hitting shots from all over the floor. He has a quick release with no dip or wind up, it looks the same every time he shoots it and at 6’6” he has great size as a shooter. He should be getting recruited by, oh I don’t know, every body?