Oregon Top 250: Under The Radar Players
They say the lifeblood of a program is recruiting. While we’re all familiar with the top players. Successful programs have a knack for finding that diamond in the rough. Recently I pulled up to the Prep Hoops Oregon 250 Expo.…
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Continue ReadingThey say the lifeblood of a program is recruiting. While we’re all familiar with the top players. Successful programs have a knack for finding that diamond in the rough. Recently I pulled up to the Prep Hoops Oregon 250 Expo. The event definitely had it’s share of high ranked players, however, there were several under the radar guys, who made a name for themselves. In this article PH takes a look at some of them.
Joe Juhala 6’7 PF West Linn 2020 (#18 PHO 2020) – Juhala has a great frame. He was one of the best athletes at the Expo. Juhala attacked the rim every chance he got. Showed range out to about 15. He plays with a high motor and runs the floor well. He proved to be a willing rebounder. Juhala has the agility to hedge and switch ball screens, and the versatility to guard post and wings.
Isaiah Gilliam 6’0 PG South Albany 2021 – Gilliam is a true under the radar guy IMO. Never heard of him before I walked in the door, and he wasn’t circled on my sheet. However, you couldn’t take your eyes off him. Elite competitor who brought it every second he was on the floor. Quick penetrating combo that gets to the rim with ease. He was the best through contact finisher I saw all day. With the games only having 1 referee, he had ample opportunities to showcase this skill.
Mason VanBeenen 6’9 SF West Linn 2022 – Hard to say a 6’9 wing is under the radar, however VanBeenen fits the description. Competed with a toughness and versatility that really stood out. He made a ton of plays that stick in my mind. There’s the catch, tripple threat, 1 dribble, drive and dunk. There’s the strong side block when he was isolated in the post. Perhaps the play that sticks out the most, is the one where he grabs it off the glass, advances it to the opposite free throw line and delivers an on time on target bounce pass to his teammate. Good thing this article is going out now, because after his expo performance, VanBeenen won’t be under the radar for long.
Blake Lambert 5’4 PG Life Christian 2020 (#64 PHO 2020) – Blake Lambert is 5’4, get over it. He averaged 14ppg for Life Christian this season. He is a competitive high IQ PG. Lambert squeezes every ounce of talent out of his frame. He continuously made the correct decision in P&R and off dribble penetration. Lambert reminds me of the type of guy, that a small school takes a chance on and he earns a spot. Year after year, they try to recruit and replace him. In the end they simply can’t get rid of him, because the teams chances of winning greatly increase with him on the floor.
Kobe Withers 5’11 PG Sprague 2020 (#34 PHO 2020) – If you’re a coach that has enough shooting, please let me know. If not you might want to take a long look at Kobe Withers. A dangerous sniper with a sweet looking stroke. Textbook form on his shot. Withers doesn’t need a ton of space to get it off either. Showed a nice off the dribble mid-range game as well.
Steven Long 6’3 SG Tigard 2020 – Guess I’ll be making a trip out to Tigard this season. Steven Long is the definition of a hidden gem. He was a JV player last season. Watch 5 minutes of him play, and then ask yourself how. He has a terrific skill – set. The 6’3 combo guard, has a great handle and the ability to blow by defenders. He’s also an explosive athlete. Click here if you don’t believe me. An impressive student athlete, Long rocks a 4.15 GPA and wants to major in Aerospace Engineering. If I was a coach I would jump on him now, because we’ll probably be working for him one day anyway.