Summer Challenge: Which Versatile Forwards Stood Out? (16u)
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The last event on the Prep Hoops Circuit before the regional finals was the Summer Challenge that took place in the Chicago area over the weekend. It proved to be one of the deepest and most talented fields that we…
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Continue ReadingThe last event on the Prep Hoops Circuit before the regional finals was the Summer Challenge that took place in the Chicago area over the weekend. It proved to be one of the deepest and most talented fields that we have seen so far, and the 16u division in particular did not disappoint. Versatility and the ability to play and guard multiple positions is the name of today’s game, and I came away impressed with the number of forwards who showed the ability to bang inside and patrol the paint while also being able to make plays on the perimeter. Here are a handful of stretch forwards that caught my eye:
Julius Rollins Julius Rollins 6'7" | SF Hillcrest | 2021 State IL – Young and Reckless
Julius had a fantastic weekend in Chicago with his full skill-set on display throughout. Standing near 6’6 with an athletic build and long wingspan, he was a match-up nightmare for opponents. He is a tremendous athlete that uses his quick and explosive bounce to elevate and score around the rim as well as be a pest on the offensive glass. He has some guard skills as well that allow him to face-up and attack from the short corner or high post or take his man off the bounce from the wing. He is an above the rim finisher that showed nice touch as well on some floaters and mid-range jumpers. Julius proved this weekend why he is emerging as a D-1 prospect
Amar Augillard Amar Augillard 6'5" | SF Zion Benton | 2021 State IL – All In Athletics
Amar was one of the prospects who impressed me the most overall throughout the weekend. At 6’5+ with a strong frame and a relentless motor, he showed tremendous positional versatility playing a Draymond Green type role for his team. He is lethal in transition where he can put it on the floor with a head of steam and finish strong at the rim through contact. He showed off a nice back to the basket game, improved ball-handling skills, and range that extends out beyond the arc. At various times, he was seen doing a nice job defending the 1 through the 5.
Shaun Riley/ Quani Rudd Quani Rudd 6'6" | SF Mt. Vernon | 2021 State IL – SW IL Jets
This pair of super long and supremely athletic forwards were fun to watch at the Summer Challenge. Shaun Riley has a lot of projectable attributes to keep track of. He has great size, length, and athleticism that allow him to cause havoc for opponents in multiple ways. Defensively, he is a pogo-stick athlete that can alter or deter shots in the paint and is also used very effectively at the top of the Jets pressure defense at times. Offensively, he is strong enough to work inside and finish smoothly with his left hand as well as drag slower defenders out and attack them off the bounce on the perimeter. Rudd has really burst onto the scene as a prospect primed for a breakout. He definitely has perimeter skill with a quick first step and ability to sky above the rim on his drives, and he can also mix it up and use his length and craftiness in the lane. Both of these prospects are lethal in transition and are a highlight waiting to happen.
Ethan Ivan Ethan Ivan 6'7" | PF Batavia | 2022 State IL – Illinois Stars
It was my first time seeing Ethan in action and I came away impressed. Another 6’5+ forward that has some polish scoring inside, snags down boards on both ends, and can step out and knock down the jumper as well. Rumor has it, he brings some clutch factor to the table as well. He knocked down a game winner in the Stars game on Sunday.
AJ Braun – Team Flyght Ohio
AJ Braun will absolutely have my vote for the All-Session Team later this week. The 6’8 forward was masterful from start to finish in route to his teams 16u championship. He is very fundamentally sound with solid footwork and an array of finishing moves on the block. He has a nose for the ball and finds himself almost always in position to retrieve dump-offs or attack the offensive glass. In addition to that he is a knock-down threat from beyond the arc and buried multiple three-pointers in most of his games. Pick and roll, pick and pop, pick your poison with this versatile stretch forward.
Cade Meyer – Wisconsin Playground Club
Cade Meyer has seen his stock rise in a big way throughout the summer and that did not change over the weekend in Chicago. He was fabulous in his teams run to the 16u championship game. Standing near 6’8 with a long, slender frame he was an assassin for WPC. Being stationed in the St. Louis area, Cade is not someone I have seen very often this summer so count me as blown away by his ability to elevate and hammer it home over the top of defenders with ease. He is a gifted leaper and had several poster-worthy dunks. Couple that with his ability to step out beyond the arc and stroke it with a quick release and you have the makings of a surefire D-1 prospect to keep an eye on.