Luke Homan Showcase Standouts
BROOKFIELD — Individual standouts from Saturday’s Luke Homan Showcase… Malik Abdul-Wahid – 2020 – SF – Winona State I really like this get for Winona State. Abdul-Wahid had a nice second half to help put Wisconsin Lutheran away. Still scratching…
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Continue ReadingBROOKFIELD — Individual standouts from Saturday’s Luke Homan Showcase…
Malik Abdul-Wahid – 2020 – SF – Winona State
I really like this get for Winona State. Abdul-Wahid had a nice second half to help put Wisconsin Lutheran away. Still scratching the surface of his potential, Abdul-Wahid is already a pretty good prospect with plenty of upside left. The 6-foot-5 wing is expanding his offensive package. He looked really good as a drive and dish threat on Saturday, getting himself out of trouble in traffic by finding open cutters.
Abdul-Wahid is also better at getting on the glass and making things via hustle and effort. At his size, Abdul-Wahid has turned into a promising isolation scorer and on-ball defender. He likes have space on the perimeter where he can just go to work and pull-up from 12-18 feet. Defensively, Abdul-Wahid has the length, athleticism, and anticpation to be a stud on that end as well. He’s also a game changer with his weak-side shot blocking ability.
Tyrese England – 2020 – G – Wisconsin Lutheran
Without England, Saturday’s loss to Brookfield Central was a blowout. The senior guard almost single-handedly led the Vikings back into the game and actually got Wisconsin Lutheran within six points in the second half after being down by about 20. England is one of the best isolation scorers in the state. He’s got terrific change of pace, handles, and sauce with the basketball that just keeps defenders guessing. While he’s undersized, England has great hang-time ability around the rim and can adjust his shot in traffic as well as any guard I’ve seen in Wisconsin’s 2020 class. England can score from all three levels and also has a consistent and very soft touch on his floater to avoid shot blockers. England finished with a team-high 23 points on Saturday. Junior college programs are currently lining up for England’s services.
David Joplin – 2021 – F – Brookfield Central
Joplin has hit another level this season and I could definitely see bigger and better offers coming his way if this type of play translates to the travel circuit. The junior forward had 25 points against a pesky Wisconsin Lutheran team that would not go away. Joplin was simply dominant as a scorer and couldn’t be stopped by an undersized frontcourt. Despite being 6-foot-7, Joplin prefers to create from the wing. Joplin has a sweet mid-range game and is comfortable pulling up and drilling shots with a hand in his face.
A more consistent shooter, Joplin looks extremely comfortable from the 3-point line. He’s also improved his body and motor on the interior to own the glass and protect the rim. In a college system, Joplin could really be a nice mismatch problem. He doesn’t show it much, but Joplin has advanced post footwork and can take smaller defenders down on the block. He’s also comfortable scoring on the fade away or facing up from mid-range and shooting over the top.
UNLV, DePaul, UW-Green Bay, and Valparaiso have already offered Joplin. Wisconsin, Butler, Santa Clara, and Loyola (IL) have been involved since the fall.
Ethan Kelly – 2020 – SG – Homestead
Kelly had arguably the surprise performance of the day. The senior guard scored 23 points in a loss to SJNMA. Kelly came into the game averaging just shy of 10 ppg with a season-high of 19. Kelly was very aggressive from the opening tip. The 6-foot-2 guard has some good length and lower body strength. It looked like he caught some people by surprise with his inside-out game, knocking down shots from the perimeter and getting elevation around the rim when he attacked.
John Lovelace – 2021 – W – Wauwatosa East
Lovelace had 21 points in a blowout win over Racine Horlick in which he didn’t need to play much of the second half. Horlick was overmatched against the 6-foot-4 wing who can absolutely get out and run in transition. Lovelace can often turn defense into easy offense, playing the passing lanes or getting into his man and causing havoc. A much improved defender, Lovelace is one of the better two-way players in the state. Offensively, he’s also a three-level scorer who shoots consistently both off the catch and off the dribble. A couple of mid-major programs are currently evaluating Lovelace and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he eneded up at that level.
Sam Ludwig – 2021 – G – New Berlin Eisenhower
Ludwig exploded for 33 points in a win over West Bend East. Able to do damage in a variety of ways, Ludwig was unstoppable on Saturday. A strong and skilled guard with a nice frame, Ludwig looked a lot more explosive and shifty on the ball. He simply blew by defenders, got them on his hip, and lowered his shoulder to draw contact and keep them at bay when going to the rim. Ludwig also used his strength well on the offensive glass and down on the block. He’s not afraid to stick his face in the fan and get his nose dirty. Also an adequate playmaker, Ludwig has a good feel for his teammates when he gets into the paint and needs to get rid of the basketball. D3 and NAIA programs should be taking a hard look at Ludwig this spring/summer.
Sam McGath – 2020 – G – Brookfield East
McGath just put on a show in Saturday’s win over West Allis Central. He may have only scored 12 points, but he killed the Bulldogs with sound, fundamental play on both ends of the floor. While he’s going to play football in college, McGath would be a heckuva small school prospect in hoops and a coach’s dream. McGath just gets the game and does everything right. A high-IQ ball player, McGath doesn’t beat people with flash, but with gritty, fundamental decisions. In addition to his 12 points, he had at least six assists and a handful of rebounds. Defensively, he was asked to defend the WAC’s top post player, who is listed at 6-foot-7. Giving up about six inches, McGath did an outstanding job there as well.
Jaqunis Rhodes – 2021 – PG – West Allis Central
Rhodes is an exciting player to watch. The 5-foot-8 point guard has some serious handles and quickness on the ball. Scoring 12 points against an outstanding defensive ball club in Brookfield East, Rhodes showed off some fancy ball-handling and elusiveness to free himself offensively. While he’s got plenty of playground ball in him, Rhodes does a good job of not over-dribbling and still handling his responsibilities as a point guard. Taking defenders off the dribble is how he’ll make his living, but the ball was never really stuck in his hands unless things weren’t flowing offensively and Rhodes opted to try and take over.
Jonah Rindfleisch – 2021 – F – Wisconsin Lutheran
Rindlefliesch opened our eyes and is someone that needs to be ranked in the 2021 class. The junior forward showed some very promising flashes and has some intriguing measurables as well. At 6-foot-6, Rindlefliesch is an excellent shot blocker and leaps pretty well despite his lanky frame. Offensively, he’s got some versatility as someone who can step away from the basketball and shoot our put the ball on the deck. Don’t be surprised if Rindlefliesch emerges as a nice college prospect over the next year. He finished with 14 points against a loaded Brookfield Central squad on Saturday.
Jasin Sinani – 2021 – G – Oak Creek
Sinani had 25 points in an easy win over Muskego. The one thing we’ve always appreciated about Sinani — he may not be great in any one area, but he always seems do just about everything well. Offensively, Oak Creek uses him as a transition playmaker, post presence, a shooter off screens, a facilitator, and an isolation scorer. Sinani has good size at 6-foot-3 and is skilled enough to take advantage of just about whatever matchup he’s presented with. He’s just very crafty and smart on the offensive end and has plenty of tools to get the job done.
Kael Stulo – 2021 – PG – Oak Creek
Stulo contributed 20 points in a blowout win over Muskego. The junior guard shoots the ball really well coming off screens or the dribble hand-offs. Stulo did a great job of moving without the basketball, setting his feet, and letting it fly. Stulo isn’t a guy that wastes a lot of dribbles. If his shot is there, there’s no hesitation. If it’s not, he’s dribbling with a purpose or moving it around the horn. Stulo has the tools and skills to play either on or off the ball. He’s currently averaging 14.1 ppg, up from 5.7 from last season.
Parker Thompson – 2022 – F – Wauwatosa East
Tosa East was going to win the game regardless, but Thompson gave them a very nice lift off the bench. The stretch wing/forward scored 14 points and caught fire in the first half with a couple of consecutive 3-pointers and some nice defenesive plays. Thompson has nice size at 6-foot-5 with some added length. He’s also a better athlete than he looks, allowing him to finish at the rack at times when the defense overplays. From what we’ve seen this season, Thompson is best served as a corner sniper who can make teams pay for over-committing to the likes of Leon Bond, John Lovelace, and Brian Parzych.