Top Performers: King Of The Courts (Part 1)
The annual King Of The Courts went down on Saturday at the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando. I took in the day with a good amount of games between the three courts as age groups 14U-17U were participating. Here is a…
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Continue ReadingThe annual King Of The Courts went down on Saturday at the RDV Sportsplex in Orlando.
I took in the day with a good amount of games between the three courts as age groups 14U-17U were participating.
Here is a look at the first part of the top performer’s list.
Jaylen Williams (Liberty/Team MOAM)
The progress that Jaylen Williams has made since I’ve last seen him is beyond impressive. By far the best overall talent at the event, the 2020 6’5″ guard/forward was lethal from deep, good on the attack and very smooth on both ends of the floor. Williams can get going at any point and it was obvious in his 18-point game in a win over the Tampa BayHawks that he is a Division I talent.
Nicholas Strachan (Orlando Christian Prep/Game Speed Elite)
Previously at Godby and Chiles in Tallahassee, Nicholas Strachan settled in at Class 3A powerhouse Orlando Christian Prep this season. This was my first full sample size of the 6’6″ forward and he really showed out. In a win over Skills Center Elite earlier in the day, Strachan worked his way to 20 points. He led the charge against a scrappy Team Speights group in the evening and was very active on the boards.
Henry Calixte (Evans/Heart N’ Hustle)
Perhaps one of the busiest kids in the gym, 2022 6’4″ forward Henry Calixte played both 15U and 16U on the day. He was super solid in a morning victory over Raptors Elite with 20 points. Calixte is a big body who plays the game the right way. His upside is there and this will be a good summer for him to really establish himself for his sophomore year at Evans.
Tibet Gorener (Montverde CBD/Team MOAM)
It is just a matter of time before Tibet Gorener carves out a name for himself. At Montverde CBD, the 2020 6’7″ forward is set up for that. He is a very intelligent prospect who uses every inch of his length on attacks and can shoot with the best of them. At times, Gorener’s jumper was off, but he kept fighting and found ways to get his teammates involved.
Trey Lane (Lakeland/Team Speights)
There is something different about Trey Lane. The 2022 6’1″ Lakeland guard mixed in as a freshman as a threat from beyond the arc. He used his steady shot selection to his advantage in a win for Team Speights 15U over Q6 All Stars. Lane had a team-best 16 points and is clearly spending time in the gym to get stronger and develop his ballhandling skills. He was routinely winning inside and he’s going to be a big factor moving forward at the varsity level.