Basketball Colorado Spring Showcase: Big Men
Basketball Colorado Spring showcase brought out prospects across the state to compete in various games. Everyone knows to have a successful team it revolves around having solid big men and there were a few on display that were ready to…
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Continue ReadingBasketball Colorado Spring showcase brought out prospects across the state to compete in various games. Everyone knows to have a successful team it revolves around having solid big men and there were a few on display that were ready to prove that they belonged at the next level. Here are five big men that stood out.
Tommy Rau—Rock Canyon
There was not a player at the gym with Rau’s size and he showed it. He is a skilled big man that can move and that was on display at the showcase. He got inside and was one of the big men in the gym that had inside moves. His presence down low open things up to others on the wing and if he was not down there showing that he could jump over smaller defenders for either a dunk or finish at the rim he was kicking it out to the open shooter on the wing. One of the underrated parts of his game is the footwork, he has great footwork and a soft touch around the rim and he also showed he can extend the defense a little bit with a mid-range jump shot. On defense he altered plenty of shots, grabbed the rebound and kept the ball high and also is a great outlet passer that got the break going.
Zane Haas— Palisade
Haas was one of the only undergrads at the event and with his IQ it was easy to see that he understood the game a bit different than others. I wanted to see how he would play at this speed and he fit right in. He was a hard worked but also was a bit smarter than the other bigs at the event. He was a game changer that rebounded very well and had deceptive athleticism as a defender at the event had to find out the hard way with a poster dunk. He made smart reads and felt the defender on him to make his post moves. He played under the control and was used very well in the pick and roll. He also was able to open things up for guards as he knocked down a few shots but also was on the perimeter making plays with his passing. He altered shots at the rim, got a few blocks and was physical.
Thurbil Bile—Eagle crest
Bile dominated the glass as he always does and showed that he is one of the state’s best game changers without having a basketball in his hands. Once he got the ball he was one of the best finishers in the gym as if he didn’t get fouled and get to the free throw line he was attacking the rim for a layup or dunk. He had a few eye-opening dunks that had the gym surprised. He also did not back down from any challenge as he went after every single big man in the gym. He had countless blocked, goes straight up on defense and does not avoid contact and is one of the better interior defenders in the state and that was all on display at the showcase. He runs the break great for the open finish and is able to get to the rim off of the dribble. Bile is a player to be high on and a player that small schools especially should have on their radars as he is very talented.
Quincey Jewett—Range view
Jewett started off a bit slow as he was getting adjusted to playing with new guards but once he opened up, he opened up. In one of the most anticipated matchups of the day it was Jewett who was the best player on the floor as he really dominated the matchup against another top big man and wing in the gym. He defends at a high level and is one of the few big men that is able to switch out on a guard and still have the quickness to stick with his man. He was beaten a few times and used his length to catch up and get blocks. There waws a stretch that he got four blocks straight. He also showcased that he could score in the post. He is raw offensively and that will come with time but he is one of the best double-double guys the state has to offer. He finished at the rim, brought his lock down defense and was not only a big man that stood out on the day but one of the best players in the gym. Solid showing for Jewett at the showcase.
Adontre Thompson—Manual
It was most definitely hard to miss Thompson as he was the loudest in the gym. His energy outmatched anything else he did on the day as he is ALWAYS going to be the voice for the team. He talked the entire time both on the court and off of it and also showed that he can play with whoever, especially on the defensive end. He had a few blocks, scored in the paint and went straight up on rebounds. He is also raw and learns on the fly which means he has not reached his ceiling. Coaches were asking about him because of his leadership qualities and his played against the other bigs as well helped a ton. He put up big numbers this school year and it led to a championship. Hopefully this summer he is able to continue playing against other top big men in the state and proving that no matter the classification he is ready.