Hustle in the Sun 15U: Superlatives
There were plenty of talented prospects in the 15U division of the PrepHoops Circuit Hustle in the Sun held at two separate locations in the Long Beach area. After watching a very competitive weekend, here are our awards for the…
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Continue ReadingThere were plenty of talented prospects in the 15U division of the PrepHoops Circuit Hustle in the Sun held at two separate locations in the Long Beach area. After watching a very competitive weekend, here are our awards for the tournament.
Overall MVP: Ben Shtolzberg (2022 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame/The Truth EYBL)
All tournament long Shtolzberg was rock-solid, especially offensively. The 6-foot-2 combo guard scored at all three levels, draining threes while also scoring in the mid-range and converting some creative baskets near the hoop. He was creative and aggressive with the basketball and while scoring was his focus, he didn’t play selfishly. In the 15U Platinum bracket championshp game, he tallied a game-high 23 points to lead The Truth to the title.
Best Shooter: Damian Ruiz (2022 Murietta Valley/Gamepoint Inland Empire)
Ruiz was consistently on target from long range the entire event. The 6-foot-1 combo guard nailed threes off the catch and shoot but also pulled up off the dribble from beyond the arc. Ruiz wasn’t just a standstill shooter either as he also created off the bounce and showed the ability to score at all three levels. But long distance-wise, his stroke was pure and he hit about three-to-four threes in each game.
Best Scorer: Mike Price (2023 Heritage Christian/The Truth EYBL)
Price may have been younger playing up a level, but you couldn’t tell from the way he played – especially offensively. The 6-foot-1 point guard had a quick first step that allowed him to get into the lane whenever he wanted to, and he had the athleticism to finish well near the hoop. While there’s no doubt he often looked to drive, Price could also shoot the three as well. Price tallied 30 points in one pool play game and scored 17 points in The Truth’s win in the 15U finals.
Best Defender: Damauni Houston (2022 La Salle/Los Angeles Elite Payne)
Houston played all-out on both ends, but especially on defense as he was constantly in the face of his assignment. His motor and quick hands often led to turnovers and steals that equated to some easy transition buckets for himself or his teammates. In some ways, his play reminded us of the one and only Patrick Beverley as Houston not only provided the energy but the intensity on defense that made him so effective.
Most Intriguing Prospect: Jeremiah Nyarko (2022 St John Bosco/Dream Vision)
From the very first times we laid eyes on Nyarko – when he grabbed a rebound and took it coast-to-coast for a dunk – we were intrigued with the 6-foot-8 native of Ghana. He has elite athleticism as a run-and-jump athlete but also possessed a soft touch around the basket. Nyarko is the type of player that has plenty of tools and upside and it will be very interesting to see how he develops as a prospect as it seems like the sky is the limit.
Most Under the Radar Player: Camden Thompson (2022 Clovis East/24/7)
Historically, players out of the San Joaquin Valley are going to be under the radar so it’s not surprising Thompson doesn’t quite have the name recognition that others might have. But given the way the 6-foot-2 combo guard played at the Hustle in the Sun, his name will be known soon. Thompson was tough as nails with his drives to the hoop but also hit plenty of threes. Add in the fact he racked up plenty of assists and Thompson is one to watch the rest of this summer for sure.
Some other players that definitely made an impression included Joshua Jefferson (2022 Liberty/Dream Vision) who possessed some of the best footwork we’ve seen out of a young post player, Tajavis Miller (2022 Servite/Los Angeles Elite Payne) who was an athletic power guard, and Malachi Murrell (2022 Shadow Hills/Gamepoint Inland Empire) a long and rangy wing/forward who not only was very good around the basket but showed the ability to defend multiple positions 2-through-5 as well.