NW Summer Invitational: Sleeper Standouts
June high school ball has started and this past Saturday, we got a chance to drop by the NW Summer Invitational put on by Hoopsource at Liberty High School to catch a few games. Schools from the Portland Metro area…
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Continue ReadingJune high school ball has started and this past Saturday, we got a chance to drop by the NW Summer Invitational put on by Hoopsource at Liberty High School to catch a few games. Schools from the Portland Metro area – including SW Washington – were in the house and while we were familiar with many of the players who were playing – here are some of the top players that caught our eye that we previously were unaware of.
Jaden Stanley (2021 Evergreen) – Stanley immediately catches the eye because he’s a little guy with a very long ponytail. But based on how he performed over the weekend, the 5-foot-9 junior-to-be should also be known for his game as much as his looks. Stanley is a shifty lefty who consistently beat his man off the dribble to create for himself or others, but also showed a smooth jumper from beyond the arc. He played with a non-stop motor on both ends.
Khalil Singleton (2022 Fort Vancouver) – Singleton is a player we wanted to get a look at since Fort Vancouver typically isn’t one of the more well-known teams from the Couv. The 6-foot-1 combo guard didn’t have a great first game against Westview but whether it was the fact he was going up against some kids he’s grown up with or what, he stepped things up against Jefferson. Singleton has a slick handle and can score off the bounce, was able to knock down a couple of perimeter jumpers, and also shared the ball with his teammates.
Jordan Roberson (2020 Arlington Lamar) – We had no idea who Roberson was going into the tournament and that was for good reason – he’s a Dallas-area native who was in town visiting his father Daunte, who is well-known in the Pacific Northwest AAU scene. The 6-foot combo guard suited up with the Roosevelt team in the tournament (their Varsity “B” squad, mostly filled with JV and younger players) and he was a difference maker. Roberson sank threes, strongly and confidently scored going to the basket, and played with a high motor. If he ends up moving to the Portland area, he will be a difference maker.
Ed Dixon (2023 Roosevelt) – Dixon is a big body who currently stands about 6-foot-5. He looks like an offensive lineman but he ran the floor well and got himself into good position down low for rebounds and a couple of finishes around the hoop. To be honest, his body shape kind of reminded us of Kamron Robinson when he was younger and the latter has slimmed down and gotten more athletic so anything is possible.
Ater Beng (2022 De La Salle North) – Beng played on the JV team last season and currently stands about 6-foot-5 although he very well may still be growing. It’s clear he’s still learning the game but he’s only been at it for a couple of years and De La Salle North coach notes that Beng’s improvement has been significant during that time. He ran the floor fairly well and his impact was largely on the boards and on defense.
TJ Latu (2024 Roosevelt) – Latu will be finishing the 7th grade but if you looked at him you would have thought he was at least a freshman in high school. Already fairly physically mature at about 6-feet, the lefty handled the ball well, showed a good feel for the game, and had a decent touch from three-point land.