July Live Period 2020 Stock-Risers
As always, it’s about the players. More specifically, the kids who played well. So, while we’re nine days removed from July, it’s never too late to shed light on the players who impressed during the Live Period.
Heads up: In this article and the 2019 version, we’re not including any players who received a season award or made an All Grassroots Team. Their seasons were reviewed elsewhere.
Trevell Adams, 5’10” PG, Hidden Gems Black / Columbus South
It was July of 2017 when Adams showed a flash of promise at the GRBA National Championship Fort Wayne. A year later, Adams topped off a consistent summer of outstanding performance at the same event.
He provides on-court leadership with his steadily calm demeanor and production level around the basket. Adams is a freakishly explosive slasher who can legitimately rebound with forwards at his age. He hasn’t shot the ball with consistency, but nobody can stop him from getting to the cup, so he doesn’t really have to shoot.
Paul Burris, 6’5” W/F, Mid Ohio Pumas Black (Staib) / Delaware Hayes
Burris’ shooting was a major weapon for this Pumas group in July. His size gives him ability to shoot over defenders after squaring himself to the basket. Burris also defended multiple positions, one weekend even sliding to the 5 when the team was short-handed. His natural position may be a stretch 4, but it’ll be interesting to see where his body is at next year.
Tyler Eberhart, 6’6” F, Mid Ohio Pumas Blue (Jayaraman) / Kenton Ridge
Eberhart played with tremendous confidence as a playmaker from the elbow and on the glass. He’s taking steps forward as an athlete, which makes things easier around the basket against athletes. Eberhart is a triple threat when he catches in the mid-range. Although skill is his calling card, there’s signs of Eberhart becoming a thicker athlete capable of banging inside.
Jayvon Maughmer, 6’4” G, Mid Ohio Pumas White (Beard) / Chillicothe
Maughmer kind of does everything on the court and doesn’t have a glaring weakness. He may not be the prototypical athlete or play on a circuit team, but we’re convinced that D-I programs should at least take a hard look at the kid.
Maughmer has a strong handle and makes good enough decisions with the ball to be a primary ball-handler, yet he scores on the drive or via the spot-up shot better than most. He can defend multiple spots because of his size and length. Tremendous shot-blocker. Helps out on the glass.
Look, Maughmer is really good. Kid is going to be a target for in-state programs next year in a major way.
Hunter Shedenhelm, 6’4” G, Nova (Alleyne) / Pickerington North
For starters, in the three games that stats were kept at the UA Challenge, Shedenhelm shot 13/13 and scored 12.7 points per game. He also recorded six rebounds in a pair of games.
But just like AAU basketball itself, it’s not all about stats. Shedenhelm became more confident off the dribble as a scorer as the season went on. He attacks the lane now and has a nice floater. His length has become an asset on the defensive side of the floor, where he plays with great effort on the ball. We expect him to be a strong D-II prospect across the state next year.
Branson Taylor, 6’7” C, SMAC Primetime / Elyria Catholic
Taylor was good, not great in the winter. But he shined during a couple AAU games this July with SMAC. Taylor is surprisingly good at running the floor, where he can catch and make a controlled power move for a finish. In general, the big fella has a nice repertoire around the basket. Excellent feet and touch.
Caleb Terry, 6’9” C, Hidden Gems Black / Alexander
Terry was evaluated by D-I programs in July, a sign of things to come next year. He should fit into the modern game with his ability to provide energy in a full-court game. He makes defense easy for his guards with his shot-blocking ability on the back end. Terry scores with a soft touch but doesn’t create his shot often. A couple pounds of muscle of weight would serve Terry well, but we’re convinced of his value after July.