Oregon Top 250: Best Athletes
Athletes are a necessity to compete in today’s game. 5 passes and a shot are great, however someone that can run like a deer and jump out the gym is better. The big dunk, the chase down block, the in…
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Continue ReadingAthletes are a necessity to compete in today’s game. 5 passes and a shot are great, however someone that can run like a deer and jump out the gym is better. The big dunk, the chase down block, the in traffic rebound. These are the signature plays of the supreme athletes. Recently I pulled up to the Prep Hoops Oregon 250 Expo. The event was littered with high flyers. In this article PH takes a look at some of the best.
Joe Juhala 6’7 PF West Linn 2020 (#18 PHO 2020) – Juhala has caveman bounce. He’s built like a defensive end so when he leaves the ground he’s taking a lot of power with him. He explodes off the floor. With his muscle and strength, you have to seriously consider if it’s worth stepping in front of him. When he gets his steps down, he flies through the air.
Mason VanBeenen 6’9 SF West Linn 2022 – VanBeenen is built for flight. A long lean athlete, MVB gets to the rim in a hurry. His length will confuse you. VanBeenen sprints like a deer and only needs a couple of strides to get to the rim. Primarily a one foot jumper. He’s a threat to bang on you from anywhere on the floor. Don’t let the baby face fool you. VanBeenen played with a competitive edge and I envision a sophomore year of him catching bodies throughout the state of Oregon.
Brian Goracke 6’5 SG Churchill 2020 (#PHO 5 2020) – Goracke has what I call Grant Hill Bounce. Don’t lose your mind, I’m not saying he’s Grant Hill, however like the college version of the Duke AA, he’s able to go up as high as is needed. He has bunnies off 1 or 2. Goracke can float off one or power off two. His favorite dunk is his patent reverse.
Kaelan O’Neil 6’5 SF Churchill 2020 (#PHO 3 2020) – O’Neil has sneaky bounce. You don’t think he’s going to raise up and before you know it you’re on a poster. He gets off the ground equally effective off one or two. Brings major swag to the floor. He’s willing to try you whenever, wherever. You don’t realize that he’s that good of an athlete until the ball has hit the floor after he’s hammered it through the rim. Does a great job of translating his athleticism to the defensive end as well. The Eastern Washington Commit snagged out of area rebounds and blocked several shots during the day.
Donatello Tupper 6’3 SF Roosevelt 2022 – Tupper is a young up and coming athlete. He just looks like a kid with bunnies. Quick twitch athlete. Great in transition. The lefty is extremely fast and covers a ton of ground. As he adds a little more muscle you’re going to see a ton of highlight dunks from him. Primarily a 1 footed jumper, Tupper floats to the rim from distance. He has quick feet and quick hands. He steps in passing lanes and transitions ends of the floor quickly.
Wayne Jamison 6’1 SG Westview 2020 – Jamison is an athlete in the throwback sense. The two sport star is a quick twitch athlete that gets off the ground in a hurry. Great second jump. He often is off the floor a second time before his opponents have landed from their first. Perhaps the speedest player end to end. Jamison is fast, and powerful, and changes ends in a hurry. He gets excellent lift on his shot as well. The rising track star is one of the top two sport athletes in the state of Oregon.