PHKY Top 250 Expo: Breakout Performers
Probably the best part about the Top 250 Expo is finding new players. Thankfully a lot of talented players we hadn’t yet evaluated rolled through the doors in Louisville on Sunday; here are the best of those players. Tyler Bush,…
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Continue ReadingProbably the best part about the Top 250 Expo is finding new players. Thankfully a lot of talented players we hadn’t yet evaluated rolled through the doors in Louisville on Sunday; here are the best of those players.
Tyler Bush, Ryle High School (2021) – Bush was in contention for best shooter at the Expo. He was scorching the nets from three all afternoon but also showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and made a couple of very nice passes. Ryle is a bit of a question mark this season after changing coaches and having a leading returner transfer out. Bush could be primed for a big season if he plays the whole season with the confidence and shot making ability he showed on Saturday.
Oliver Harris, Highlands (2022) – Harris is a kid that didn’t immediately jump out at me but over the course of the afternoon I caught myself going back to look and see who he was when a nice play was made or he out-hustled someone or made a nice layup at the rim. The repeated viewings of the Expo format allowed me to appreciate Oliver as the type of kid who will fill a stat sheet and should be in line for a big role as a Sophomore at Highlands this season.
Joseph Hill, Berea (2020) – At his best, Hill was the best player in camp. At his worst, he shot a couple of 35 footers off the top of the goal. Hill is a Chicago transplant who recently transferred to Berea after two years at Madison Southern. At the Expo, Joe was driving the lane and making tough finishes where he was dunking anything he could. There was a game where he hit at least 5 threes and another game where he shot a couple of airballs. If he reaches his potential this season, Hill is capable of powering Berea to their best season in recent memory.
JB Piatt, Adair County (2023) – Only a freshman, Piatt figures to be a starter for Adair this season. His looks more physically mature than the other 2023 kids who were in the gym and used his strength to finish buckets around the rim. Piatt didn’t knock down a ton of perimeter jump shots but his mechanics were solid. He’s already 6’3 and reports a 24 on his ACT before even starting high school so he could be a kid that high academic schools like Centre and Transylvania need to file away for the future.
Eli Wilkes, Union County (2021) – Wilkes stood out to me as the best passer at camp. He’s a very unselfish player that has a knack for getting a paint touch before kicking the ball out to shooters. Eli won’t wow you with size and strength but he will get past his defender with a quick first step and finish or create offense for teammates. He’s the type of player that other kids want to play with.
Ja’Monti Wright, Ballard (2022) – A total unknown before Saturday, Wright had a good day on Saturday. He played on and off the ball at 6’3 and excelled at attacking the rim in transition. Ja’Monti didn’t make a ton of jump shots at the Expo but he didn’t have to. As he becomes more engaged on the defensive end, Wright has the chance to be a really solid two way player at Ballard this season. The Bruins will be needing a playmaker this season and Wright could be the guy.
Corey Brown, Fort Knox (2022) – So many kids anymore just do not know how to read a ball screen but Corey excelled at it on Saturday. Any time a teammate screened for him, Brown was capable of making a pocket pass for a layup or hitting a player on a pop for an open look. Corey needs to put the work in to improve as a shooter but he has a good skill set and showed a high IQ for a kid who will just be starting his Sophomore season this year.