Battle at the Lakes: TJ’s Sharpshooters
James Dent James Dent, 6’5 SG (All in Adidas Gold 16u) The Springfield Southeast guard was unequivocally the best shooter I saw last weekend in Minneapolis. He canned more 3s in a single…
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Continue ReadingJames Dent, 6’5 SG (All in Adidas Gold 16u)
The Springfield Southeast guard was unequivocally the best shooter I saw last weekend in Minneapolis. He canned more 3s in a single game and did so more efficiently than any other player, that’s referencing his seven 3-ball performance against Martin Bros Saturday night in the Sweet 16. His release his smooth and he’s a true marksmen, when he misses, which he hardly did that game, it’s not by much.
Keaton Kutcher, 6’2 SG (Martin Bros 16u)
The sophomore from Mount Vernon has gotten so much better in all aspects of his game, and although he’s always been a great shooter, even that part of his game has come a long way. This spring, Kutcher has solidified himself an elite shooter in Iowa, routinely canning mid-range and deep shots at a high clip. He hit four 3s against All in Adidas Gold in the Sweet 16, all in the second half, and the final one was a wild game-winner.
JD Stout
JD Stout, 6′ G (Iowa Chill 17u)
There’s a lot of things to like about Stout’s game, not the least of which is his ability to shoot off the bounce. Stout canned three triples in all against Wisconsin Focus on Saturday morning, two off them came from off the bounce and were from deep, deep. Stout also excels at getting into the lane, but it’s his ability to create for himself and shoot that I like best.
Zeke Hans (Wisconsin Focus 17u)
Hans, a Lake Country Christian (WI) product, was able to help his team make a comeback against Iowa Chill Saturday morning with his three 3s and none were bigger than the fourth one he hit. That came in the second overtime, right at the buzzer with his team down two. A fine shot it was. Any time a guy cans four 3s in a game, it’s a pretty good indicator they can snipe.
James Glenn
James Glenn, 5’10 G (Beyond Ball 24K 16u)
Coming into to this game, I knew the Southeast Polk product was a more than capable 3-point shooter, and he didn’t waste any time justifying that notion. Glenn put in four first half 3s against a tough Iowa Mavs-Fisher squad. When he gets hot, he can fill it up in a hurry. Glenn shot 48% from deep as a sophomore. He’s one of Iowa’s best shooters, no doubt.
Mekhi Jacobs, 5’10 G (Iowa Mavs-Fisher 16u)
Davenport North has a stable of solid guards in the Class of 2021, on Saturday it was Jacobs’ turn to shine. He was lighting it up from deep against Beyond Ball, hitting four first half 3s, some from very deep, and they were splashing in. I don’t think one of them even hit the rim.
Brayden Dailey
Brayden Dailey, 6’6 SG (Wisconsin Playground Club 17u)
This Cuba City wing was not only one of the best shooters I saw on Championship Sunday, but one of the best all-around prospects. It was the four first half 3s he rained in against All Iowa Attack 16u in the Final 4 that first caught my eye. But his size, length and athletic ability pairs with the skill. He’s a solid Division I prospect.
Chucky Hepburn, 6′ PG (Team Factory 16u)
Here’s a guy who is more known for his ability to drive and dish, or even get up and dunk on people, than he is for his shooting ability. But whenever I see him play, he’s always putting in balls from deep with regularity. In the 16u final against Wisconsin Playground, he striped two long balls, it’s a good looking stroke with great ball rotation. We’ll see if he can get his shooting numbers up at Bellevue West next season, I’m guessing yes.