The Opening: 5 biggest takeaways from opening weekend
The opening of AAU season got off to a bang in Greensboro this past weekend with the Phenom Hoop Report Opening. Team Loaded (Adidas), Team Charlotte (Under Armour) and Team Felton (Under Armour) were a few of the teams to…
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Continue ReadingThe opening of AAU season got off to a bang in Greensboro this past weekend with the Phenom Hoop Report Opening. Team Loaded (Adidas), Team Charlotte (Under Armour) and Team Felton (Under Armour) were a few of the teams to headline the event. There was a ton of talent in building and at each division. The prospects delivered, showcasing what’s to come for the spring and summer AAU season.
1. Team Loaded is LOADED
The Team Loaded 17U squad has a chance to be very special this season with 2020 forward Josh Hall and 2021 guard Carter Whitt leading the way. Hall was able to showcase his skills in a variety of ways as his Loaded squad cruised to the tournament championship in the 17U with an 85-77 victory over their 16U squad. Hall led all scorers with 29 points to earn the MVP award and Whitt was right behind him with 14 points.
Hall and White aren’t the only prospects to keep an eye on, either. 2020 big men Javarzia Belton and Dean Reiber were the stars in the frontcourt as they dominated the paint on both ends. The other guard in the backcourt was 2020 guard Justin Wright. Off the bench, there’s 2019 forward Alvin Cannaday III and 2021 forward Jadun Michael. With plenty of minutes to go around, Team Loaded’s 17U has a chance to go deep in the Adidas Gauntlet.
2. Team Loaded 16’s have quite the group, too
The Team Loaded NC 16U squad is quite the group as well led by 2021 guards Elijah Jamison and Brock Williams alongside 2021 forwards B.J. Freeman, Leontaye Moye and Jalen McDonald. They were without McDonald on Sunday, but they still played managed to play with poise.
Loaded’s 16U squad played up in the 17U division this weekend and they put on quite the performance despite their youth. They opened the weekend with an 85-59 victory over Manzer’s 17U squad behind 22 points apiece from Williams and McDonald.
They defeated Team Charlotte 17U squad in the Gold Bracket semifinals 79-66 to face off against their older Loaded club in the finals. Freeman and Jamison led the way with 20 points each in the victory.
3. The non-shoe teams have tons of talent
One of the most impressive squads that wasn’t a shoe team in The Opening was Team Winston 17U squad. Unsigned senior 6-foot-7 forward Zack Austin put up 19 points in a close 74-71 victory over Team Renegade (WV). Along with 2020 6-foot-8 forward Jakob Moore in the frontcourt, Austin and Moore are a burden to bear for any team in the frontcourt. 6-foot-3 guard Max Rogers is another prospect who can shoot the 3-ball as well. They’re a team out of Winston-Salem that should garner some serious attention.
The Greensboro Warriors 17U team is another squad that put on a show this weekend in The Opening. 2020 guard Darien Wynn and Ahmil Flowers. Wynn is an athletic slasher at 6-foot-2 and Flowers is a scoring guard at 6-foot-4. Both have a chance to see their stock rise this AAU season.
NC Empire was another group with a few stellar prospects on the floor. 6-foot-10 2020 big man Myles Evans is working back from an injury but he’s a big man teams will want to monitor closely. He already holds an offer from Hampton. Guards M.J. Wilkerson and David Murphy are two high-octane guards that want to finish around the rim. Murphy can also score it from deep.
WBC Elite had a top prospect leading the way in 2020 guard Jajuan Carr. Alongside Carr in backcourt, there’s 2021 guard Rashod Smith and in the frontcourt, there’s brute strength with 2020 forward Mikai Stanley. Carr is a guard with handles and sneaky bounce. Smith is an underrated slasher and 3-point shooter. Stanley is a strong prospect that can score at all three levels.
4. Team Charlotte will be a deep squad on the Under Armour circuit
Team Charlotte‘s 17U squad is going to be a competitive bunch on the Under Armour circuit this season. They’re a squad with length and size with top 2020 forward Jaden Seymour being the most versatile of the group with his ability to score in the post and from the perimeter.
6-foot-5 2020 forward Daniel Ransom is a rangy forward that gets after it on both ends. 2021’s guard A.J. Smith and forward Jacori Owens are both playing up, but their presence is definitely noticed as well.
Off the bench, there’s 2020 guard Trayden Williams who is a two-way stud. 6-foot-3 2020 guard Tristan Maxwell also showed signs of being a high-level prospect.
5. The AAU season is off to a rocking start!
The AAU season is off to a rocking start this spring as the live period approaches from April 21-30. There are some big events coming up before then. Next weekend, I’ll be in attendance at the Stay Positive event in Greensboro where all Team Felton (Under Armour), Team CP3 (Nike), Team Charlotte (Under Armour) and Team Loaded NC (Adidas) squads will be in attendance. Stay tuned for more takeaways then! On the way, Best Available Guards, Best Available Forwards/Bigs, Top Performers and Stock Risers from the Phenom Opening, keep an eye out this week.