#GrindSznKickoff: Bigs With Upside (17U)
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This past weekend, Solid Rock Basketball in Edmond, Oklahoma had some really good talent come in through the doors. At the #GrindSznKickoff, the wheels were in motion and the COVID-19 safety protocols were in place from Prep Hoops. In looking…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend, Solid Rock Basketball in Edmond, Oklahoma had some really good talent come in through the doors.
At the #GrindSznKickoff, the wheels were in motion and the COVID-19 safety protocols were in place from Prep Hoops.
In looking at the 17U group, specifically some bigs with upside, here are some prospects that stood out to me on the weekend.
ICYMI:
#GrindSznKickoff: Top Shooters (17U)
#GrindSznKickoff: Poised Playmakers (17U)
DJ Freeman DJ Freeman 6'4" | PF Casady | 2021 State OK | 6-6 | Oklahoma Casady/H&H Elite
The upside with DJ Freeman DJ Freeman 6'4" | PF Casady | 2021 State OK (pictured above) is endless. The kid is highly athletic, can handle his responsibilities inside as a rebounder and slasher and is a nimble shooter. Freeman is flying under the radar to a degree and still has room to fill out his frame, but he is a crazy athlete who had two quick monster dunks against the North Florida Hurricanes. He can play the wing and even double as a lead guard with his abilities. With offers out from Hampton and Oral Roberts, I expect more programs to jump on Freeman as he heads into a huge senior season at Casady.
Shakiru Odunewu | 6-9 | Texas Universal/Team F.O.E.
Averaging 18 PPG and 12 RPG, Shakiru Odunewu is a legitimate inside talent. He serves a steady anchor in the paint and his arrow is pointing up at the right time. Against Missouri Flight Blue on Saturday evening, Odunewu had some brilliant sequences including some very athletic finishes. He has nimble feet and as he continues to work on his speed and strength, he will be a load to stop on both ends of the floor.
Abraham Aghasedo Abraham Aghasedo 6'8" | C Edmond North | 2021 State OK | 6-6 | Oklahoma Edmond North/Oklahoma Power
Against Tulsa Hawks Elite on Sunday, there wasn’t a better big on the floor or perhaps even prospect overall than Abraham Aghasedo Abraham Aghasedo 6'8" | C Edmond North | 2021 State OK . The 6’6″ undersized power player knows his role on the boards and he doesn’t let many get by him. Down low, he was working endlessly to score as a slasher/attacker and with his floater. Getting stronger in his lower body will help his hops and footwork moving forward.
Reese Smith Reese Smith 6'7" | F Hebron | 2020 TX | 6-7 | Texas Hebron/Team F.O.E.
Shooting for Reese Smith Reese Smith 6'7" | F Hebron | 2020 TX is his favorite aspect of the game and that is clear. The 2020 prospect has very good range for a long forward and he can score from anywhere on the floor. His speed isn’t the best, but his jumper off a pass or from his own creation boosts his value. Plus, he isn’t going to back down defensively, always looking for a block and to make life harder for the opponent.
Jordan Mertens Jordan Mertens 6'7" | PF DeSoto | 2021 State MO | 6-7 | Missouri DeSoto/34 Hoops
Strength is on Jordan Mertens Jordan Mertens 6'7" | PF DeSoto | 2021 State MO side and at his frame, he isn’t little by any means. He certainly passes on the eye test, works on the boards and can battle against bigger players and guys his size. His ability to get inside and score is reliable when he needs to. He isn’t dominant, but he is steady and he knows his role for sure.
Other Names To Know:
Keither Florence | 6-7 | Team Buddy Buckets Gaddis
Kansas native Keither Florence previously of Campus is headed to play at Colorado Prep in the Grind Session in the fall. Before, he does that he is running with Team Buddy Buckets Gaddis and certainly showed this past weekend his raw ability against BTR. He got better as the game went on and is someone for college programs to monitor closely as an attacker and long bodied forward.
Keynan Russell & Addrian Scott | Triumph Gold
As for Triumph Gold, big men duo Keynan Russell (Texas Frisco Wakeland) and Addrian Scott (Texas David Carter) both played well off of one another. Neither is crazy athletic, but Russell is a surprisingly good shooter at his 6-9 frame and his ability to rebound and finish around the cup is steady. Scott is an unselfish player at 6-8 and he loves to get everyone involved before he goes down and finishes buckets.
Timmie Heflin | 6-4 | Florida Lincoln/North Florida Hurricanes
Playing bigger than his size, North Florida Hurricanes forward Timmie Heflin cleaned up a lot of traffic and space against H&H Elite on Saturday. He earns his way off feeds and finishes and can hold his own inside on both ends of the floor.