Bruce’s Best: High IQ Players
I look at the game different than others. Many focus on the athleticism however, I feel that the mental aspect of basketball is the most important part of the game. Simply put many young players just don’t think the game.…
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Continue ReadingI look at the game different than others. Many focus on the athleticism however, I feel that the mental aspect of basketball is the most important part of the game. Simply put many young players just don’t think the game. Understanding time, score and situation is crucial to winning basketball. The shot you take up 10 with 4 minutes to go in the 1st quarter is vastly different from the shot you take down 3 with two minutes in the 4th. I’ve been so impressed by the players that have shown an advanced understanding of these concepts. In this article, PH takes a look at some of these high IQ players.
Daishen Nix 6’5 PG Trinity International 2020 (#1 2020) – Some players play checkers, others play Chess. Nix is one of those grandmasters that’s playing 8 games simultaneously. He sees the game frames ahead, part of what makes him a generational passer is his ability to anticipate where his teammates are going to be, and then deliver a strike to that spot.
Damion Byrd 5’10 PG Silverado 2022 (#6 2022) – What I love most about Byrd is his ability to get a quality shot for his team every time down the floor. I’ve seen him make his share of physical mistakes, but I’ve never seen him make a mental one. His strongest characteristic is his next play mentality, which allows him to avoid compounding any physical mistake he does make.
Kaden Koch 6’5 PF Desert Valley Prep 2020 (#41 2020) – I love watching Kaden Koch play. The big man is a cerebral point forward who makes plays for his teammates. He will be the first to tell you, he’s not the greatest athletes, however he understands how to use fakes, and deception to get his shot off over longer defenders.
Milos Uzan 6’3 PG Desert Pines 2022 (#3 2022) – Uzan, is the son of a coach and he displays that pedigree on the court. Similar to Nix he does a terrific job of anticipating where his teammates will be. One of his best strengths is playing to his strengths, it is virtually impossible to goad Uzan into taking a bad shot. From a coach’s standpoint when the ball is in his hand, there is a sense of relief.
Joseph Summers 5’10 PG Carson City 2021 (#26 2021) – Summers is a joy to watch play. The Carson CIty PG is extremely heady. He uses his size as an advantage, as he maintains a low center of gravity. So much of basketball is about changing heights and speeds, Summers understands this and does it as well as anyone in the state.
Jake Bevacqua 5’9 PG The Meadows School 2023 (#6 2023) (feature image) – When Jake gets the ball he’s going to take one hard dribble and then give you a head fake. Similar to Summers, he understands how to change heights and speeds. Bevacqua takes it to an entirely different level however, as he’s a lethal shooter that uses pump fakes to lift eager defenders off their feet. Rare that a player this young understands the nuances of the game to this level.