Bruce’s Best: Players To Watch This Week
Another week is upon us and there is coast to coast competition. Over the last couple of weeks several players have caught my eye, and I’m looking forward to evaluating them a little more, both on film and in person.…
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Continue ReadingAnother week is upon us and there is coast to coast competition. Over the last couple of weeks several players have caught my eye, and I’m looking forward to evaluating them a little more, both on film and in person. As we head into the week, here are some of the players that I will be keeping an eye on.
Keenami Maggard Team Select Varsity Black 2019 – Maggard was electric last week in the Jam on it event. I’m interested in seeing if he can put on the same type of performance against tougher competition. The 6’2 former football star turned basketball player is an elite run and jump athlete with all the physical tools to be a high level recruit. What I want to see is if he can add a consistent jump shot to his offensive game, and if he is able to use his athleticism to get his shot off against taller 2 guards.
Gavin Gilstrap EWE White 2021 – The 6’10 270 Gilstrap is a true banger. He has great size, decent hands, and can finish around the rim. He’s not the greatest athlete, and that hurts him when it comes to rim protecting and P&R defense. What I want to see is if he can rebound at an elite level, considering he is likely to be the largest human at the LV Live event this weekend.
Spencer Hutchinson Texas Dynasty 2022 – Hutchinson played well last week. Despite playing up a grade, he still managed to average 21, 9 and 3, while leading his Texas Dynasty team to the finals of their 16U bracket. Good athlete, who loves to slash. He’s playing out in Orlando this week, so I will be watching him on film. What I want to see is if he can separate himself from the competition since he will be playing mostly against opponents in his own age group.
Kendall Burrell LMBA Elite 2020 – I’ll be studying Burrell a lot this week. He is a score first pg, who was one of the leading scorers in the state of Nevada as a junior. There are two things that I’m looking for from him. 1. Can he handle being the 2nd option, and can he display pure point guard skills?
Jairus Dickson LMBA Elite 2019 – The unsigned senior has had a good summer so far. He has been the unquestioned leader on an LMBA elite squad that has won 9 of its last 10 games. He has the physical tools to be a scholarship athlete. What I want to see from him, is can he put together consecutive weeks of dominant performances? If he can, he may earn himself an opportunity to continue his career at the next level.
Tafar Gapare New Zeland Basketball Academy 2022 – Basketball is a global game and Gapare is proof of that. The 6’6 C/O 2022 forward is an explosive run and jump athlete, with great lateral quickness. At this level, he can easily defend 1-5. What I want to see from him is, does he have an offensive skill set? Right now the majority of his buckets come off catch and finishes, however if he can develop either a post, or perimeter game that he can hang is hat on, he has a chance to be a high level recruit.
Dean Gold New Zeland Basketball Academy 2022 – The 6’7 Gold is a must watch this weekend. Much like his teammate Gapare, he can defend 1-5. The difference is he is much more fundamentally solid, and understands how to use his size, length and defensive position to cut off drives and alter shots. Offensively his game is a little more polished than Gapare’s. He can put it on the floor, and has a nice touch from 15 feet in. What I want to see from him is what type of competitor he is. His team has the talent to make a deep run in this event, however for them to win their bracket, he will have to be the best player on the floor in most games.