Day 1: LakePoint Live Showcase 15U Risers
The summer hoops calendar has begun its relentless pace, and last weekend under the sprawling ceiling of the LakePoint Sports Complex, the first of 3 exciting days at the LakePoint Live Showcase set forth plenty of highlights and outstanding performances.…
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Continue ReadingThe summer hoops calendar has begun its relentless pace, and last weekend under the sprawling ceiling of the LakePoint Sports Complex, the first of 3 exciting days at the LakePoint Live Showcase set forth plenty of highlights and outstanding performances.
A marquee matchup in the 15U’s on Day 1 was between North Metro Elite and Atlanta All-Stars, standouts included:
Nathan Rodriguez Nathan Rodriguez 6'3" | C North Paulding | 2023 State GA (North Metro Elite, 6-2, PF, North Paulding) – Playing without 3 of their top players in Earnest Ofremu, Aaron Wesley and Kael Cotton Kael Cotton 6'0" | CG McEachern | 2023 GA , all of stud-factory McEachern, Rodriguez took on a much larger role and didn’t disappoint against a solid Atlanta All-Stars team, he battled hard against good size from the All-Stars and showed an offensive craftiness that was beyond his years, he also showed grittiness in the defensive glass and had good feet at both ends creating space for his short-range accuracy or defending the low block.
Zavier Askew (North Metro Elite, 5-10, SG, McEachern) – Askew may have been missing his Indians compadres, but it didn’t show in his game as his shooting prowess was hard to miss, he showed a smooth, easy stroke from long range, knocking down a slew of 3’s throughout the contest, yet another good-looking guard prospect for the folks in Powder Springs.
BJ Brown (North Metro Elite, 5-7, PG, Harrison) – Brown got it done from all three levels offensively, showing control getting into the lane for finishes, being proficient in the mid-range and also knocking them down from 3-land, he showed a lot of moxie handling the ball as a lead guard and will be someone to watch as the summer progresses.
Carter Connelly (North Metro Elite, 5-11, SG, North Paulding) – Connelly found his way into my notes as a hustler on the offensive glass from the guard position, but also showed a nice all-around offensive game both from the mid-range and from beyond the arc, he was controlled and poised, looking forward to seeing he and his other talented, young NPHS teammates develop this summer.
Mason Etter Mason Etter 6'5" | SF Etowah | 2023 State GA (Atlanta All-Stars, 6-2, SG, Etowah) – Etter is coming off a freshman season where he turned plenty of heads for the Eagles emerging as one of the state’s best 2023’s, he’s picking right up this summer after clearly working on his body some during the lockdown, there isn’t a shot he can’t get or make, he’s as complete a player at his age as you’ll find on the circuit, he won’t blow you away per se with blinding foot speed, but makes up for it with an on-court IQ which puts him where he needs to be nearly every time down the floor, more comfortable inside the arc with a lethal mid-range game, and even after cooling a bit in the 2nd half against NME he still made enough plays and had enough court savvy to affect the game in a winning fashion.
Tayden Owens (Atlanta All-Stars, 5-9, PG, Cherokee) – Younger brother of current Warrior star Taihland, this Owens is cutting a nice path for himself this summer with some polished play at the point, he can really explode off the dribble either to penetrate with purpose or find space for a jumper, he also stepped out past the arc making him a true dual-threat PG to watch as the grassroots season brews.
Carson Cole (Atlanta All-Stars, 5-11, SG, Model) – Cole made a nice living in this matchup from long-range, showing a terrifically fluid stroke from distance and willingness to pull it in crucial spots, knocking down a late 3 to help his team to a win, he spelled Owens at the point in spots adding to his repertoire.