Las Vegas Knicks: Summer Standouts
It has certainly been an action packed summer for the Las Vegas Knicks. One of the most premiere grassroots programs in all of Nevada they have built their reputation on building and developing young under the radar prospects. As summer ball is concluding here are some of the Las Vegas Knicks standouts by class.
2020
Nick Blake 6’6 SF Las Vegas Knicks 2020 –UNLV bound Blake showed why he was a key get for new UNLV Head Coach TJ Otzleberger. Blake displayed a versatile skill set being able to score through contact rather well. Blake has a smooth stroke from outside and a great behind the back handle. Blake can attack the passing lane and is a great finisher around the rim. He should be a natural fit in UNLV’s new system. He tore up the scene this summer having some great 20+ point performances.
Anthony Hunter 6’0 PG Durango High School 2020 – Hunter just has that IT factor he’s 6’0 but plays like he is 6’7 a natural leader that will put his body on the line to win a game. He has good range on his jump shot can finish tough around the basket and displays great court vision. I know the topic is this summer he had one of my all time favorite performances last season scoring 33 vs Bishop Gormon. That performance alone showed me he is a big game player.
2021
Anthony Swift 6”7 SF 2021 Dessert Pines (2021) This was a great summer for Swift. From what I can see God blessed him with an appropriate last name. His game is a lot like his name he is swift. He can do it all. He can be a leader on the floor. He can use his height and rise up and shoot over defenders. He can drive to the basket. He is a solid rebounder those attributes were a huge reason why he earned scholarship offers from UNLV, UNR, Fresno State, Texas-El Paso and Southern Utah this summer.
Chancelor Johnson 6’4 SG Democracy Prep 2021 – Johnson has the prototypical game that a lot of teams look for nowadays. The popular phrase you hear around draft time is 3 and D. That term is given to a player that can shoot the three ball rather well than turn around and play solid defense. That fits Johnson’s role perfectly. He has great lift on his jumper he is a natural shooter. He is locked and loaded at all time. This summer he has earned the reputation of being one of the better prep shooters in Nevada.
Chris Dockery 6’4 Bonanza 2021 –. He has a long wingspan mixed with a long wirey frame. He competes at a high level. He has decent handles he’s unselfish. If he refines his toolbelt and have confidence in the skills he has already he will be a kid going forward that you would want to pay attention too. If you were to sculpt your ideal ball player you would want to start with all the skills Dockery already has and build on them because you know there is talent there. A true diamond in the rough. He has to know that and be willing to work. By his unselfish determined demeanor I know that won’t be a problem.
Keshon Gilbert 6’2 PG Durango 2021 – Gilbert is another young man whose stock has risen greatly this summer. Social media was a blaze about this young man. Every photo opt of him showed his unbelievable handle. He has the ball on a string. I saw a move he made that was Kyrie Irving esque. Gilbert has great handle, finishes in traffic. What I like the most about him is that his offense comes from his defense. This summer he has UNR, San Jose St and Fresno St looking at him.
Ethan Speaker 6’6 SF Boulder City HS 2021- Is one of the cities best kept secrets he is a swiss army knife. He is athletic. Can stretch out and shoot the 3 rather well. Is a solid defender. He can finish explosively around the basket. You name it Speaker can do it and it speaks volumes. They say iron sharpens iron and Speaker gets better as competition gets better that shows who he is as a competitor. UNLV is also looking his way.
Vinni Veikalas Clark 6’4 combo guard HS 2021- One of the many unsung heroes of this program Veikalas is a young man that can do it all. His game is versatile and he can stuff the stat sheet with points and rebounds. He can defend and play multiple positions. He will be a name we will hear more about as the year goes on just another swiss army knife type of player
2022
Shane Thomas 6’2 PG Centential 2022 – Las Vegas Knicks do a fantastic job of developing young guards. Thomas is the future. He already has experience playing in CP3’s camp. This summer Thomas showed that he can create his own shot against athletes at any level. He can score from anywhere and can get to the rim. As long as he continues to work on all facets of his game Knicks may have another young guard in their clutches. He received a D1 offer to Chicago State University.