Midwest Showdown: Top Stock Boosters
A look at 11 players who boosted their stock the most following the Prep Hoops Midwest Showdown over the weekend… Jameer Barker Jameer Barker 6'2" | SG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State WI – 2021 – SG – Wisconsin…
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Continue ReadingA look at 11 players who boosted their stock the most following the Prep Hoops Midwest Showdown over the weekend…
Jameer Barker Jameer Barker 6'2" | SG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State WI – 2021 – SG – Wisconsin Sharks
Schools in need of a bucket getter, that’s what Barker does. A 6-foot-2 guard with some added length, Barker is a shot creator that makes difficult attempts look easy. Barker can size defenders up and just wait for them to make a mistake. The Racine St. Catherine’s product can settle too much at times, but is a smooth operator off the bounce that shows a willingness to slice through the defense and get to the rim. One of those prospects that just never loses confidence in his shot, Barker is the same player whether he’s missed five in a row or made five in a row — he’s always attacking.
Amillion Buggs Amillion Buggs 6'4" | SF Wausau West | 2022 State WI – 2023 – SF – ABC Young Lions
This sleeper out of Wausau West jumped on the radar this weekend. Buggs is a strong, athletic wing who affects the game defensively and in transition. Buggs is an excellent shot blocking wing who swats the ball away with authority. The 6-foot-3 sophomore gets up and down in transition and loves to give the ball up so he can get it back with a clear path to the rim.
Prospect that jumped out last night — 2023 SF Amillion Buggs Amillion Buggs 6'4" | SF Wausau West | 2022 State WI . Long, strong, athletic wing that sets a tone for @abcyounglions. pic.twitter.com/yTZJuiakv6
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) July 18, 2020
Josiah Butler Josiah Butler 6'3" | CG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2022 State WI – 2022 – SG – Wisconsin Crusaders
Glad Butler dropped us his film in the spring and put himself on our radar. The Fox Valley Lutheran shooting guard came up big in the 16U title game, dropping 25 points, most of which came in the second half as the Crusaders rallied from a double-digit deficit. Butler just wouldn’t let his team die and ripped off consecutive possessions where he was scoring the basketball. The 6-foot-2 junior can score in a variety of ways and really doesn’t let the defense get comfortable. He’ll operate in the pick n’ roll, isolation, coming off screens, and can shoot it from all three levels.
Josiah Butler Josiah Butler 6'3" | CG Fox Valley Lutheran | 2022 State WI TOOK OVER the 16U title game at the #MidwestShowdown @JosiahButler20 @WICrusaders @PHCircuit pic.twitter.com/zPMk8myLJl
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) July 21, 2020
Jameson Dougherty Jameson Dougherty 6'9" | PF River Falls | 2021 State WI – 2021 – PF – Wisconsin Playmakers
Always been hesitant to bump Dougherty into the top 40-50 of the rankings. He’s always been very intriguing from a physical standpoint. A long, 6-foot-9 forward with some skill, Dougherty always grabbed my attention from an upside standpoint. Now, the River Falls forward is grabbing my attention from a production standpoint as well. Dougherty had some impressive flashes over the weekend. He’s a lot more comfortable with his go-to moves on the block and especially as a face-up threat. When he’s 8-10 feet away from the rim, the Army commit shows the ability to shoot over the top when the defender’s hand is down and put on the deck and get to the rim when he’s being crowded.
Cal Klesmit Cal Klesmit 6'2" | CG Neenah | 2023 State #235 Nation WI – 2023 – G – Wisconsin Blizzard
We’ve been high on Klesmit since last fall, but he’ll be climbing the rankings a bit after his performance against Wisconsin Playground Club. Facing three of the top guards in the state, Klesmit finished with 22 points, eight assists and had the game-winning steal/lay in at the buzzer. Facing a zone defense, Klesmit showed good understanding of how to beat it. Off the rebound, he pushed the ball up the floor and didn’t let the opposition set up. In the half court, he moves defenders with his eyes, connected on skip passes, and found lanes to get the ball into the teeth of the defense. Klesmit also wasn’t great early. He got off to a rough start shooting the ball, but overcame it to help his team get the win. Also watched Klesmit spend a large chunk of the game defending PGC’s 6-foot-9 star forward, which I thought took a lot of moxy.
2023 guard Cal Klesmit Cal Klesmit 6'2" | CG Neenah | 2023 State #235 Nation WI just took down Playground Club and won the 15U Hard Work Bracket for @WI_Blizzard.@maxklez2 @PHCircuit @CalKlesmit pic.twitter.com/EQakNEl9fz
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) July 19, 2020
Kamari Mcgee Kamari Mcgee 6'0" | PG Racine St. Catherine's | 2021 State WI – 2021 – PG – Wisconsin Playground Club
We were ahead of the curve with McGee last spring, but I think he needs to be even higher, pushing for top 10 status. On a team filled with talent, McGee just continues to stand out and be a catalyst for Playground Club on both ends of the floor. Never a guy that’s consumed with how many shots he’s getting, McGee sparks his team with terrific on-ball defense and harasses the opposition by getting his hands in and creating turnovers. McGee is a pass-first point guard, but if he feels his offense is struggling to score, he can get to the rack or create something for himself or others in the pick n’ roll. A high-energy guard that plays with a lot of passion, whoever lands McGee is going to be in good hands.
Seth Miron Seth Miron 6'4" | SF Kimberly | 2023 State WI – 2023 – SF – Wisconsin Blizzard
He’s not there yet, but I like what the trend that this kid is on. The Kimberly sophomore shows some really good flashes as a floor spacer, but also a skilled wing/forward with handles to create matchup problems. Miron has very good positional size at 6-foot-5 and doesn’t appear to be done growing either. Despite his size, his handles are tight, he bends and gets lower to the ground, and can get past smaller defenders. Miron shoots it well off the catch or off the bounce. He’s also got some nice defensive versatility and can probably end up guarding 3-4 positions by the time his senior year arrives.
Ethan Parker – 2021 – F – JH1 Elite
Parker helped lift JH1 Elite to an upset win over Wisconsin Playground Club. In a game that had a lot of methodical, grind-it-out offense, Parker was a guy that just drilled shots late in possessions. Parker had some crafty scoring plays, getting defenders off their feet or getting them out of position with jab steps. The 6-foot-3 forward has a very nice shooting touch and can hit 3’s coming off screens or play in the mid-range. Currently unranked, Parker definitely grabbed our attention during Sunday’s win.
Greyson Pritzl Greyson Pritzl 6'3" | SG West Allis Central | 2022 State WI – 2022 – SG – Wisconsin Rap
The West Allis Central sniper had a breakout weekend and I expect that to continue into his junior season. Pritzl is a very confident shooter with in-the-gym range. Defender have to check this kid from about 25-feet out. What makes Pritzl intriguing as well is although he doesn’t look the part, he’s an extremely tough kid that seems to like playing through contact and attacking the bucket. Also a scrappy player that’s willing to get after it defensively and come up with 50-50 balls, Pritzl will get headlines for his scoring, but there’s a lot more to his game.
Mekhi Shaw Mekhi Shaw 6'0" | PG Eau Claire Memorial | 2022 State WI – 2022 – PG – Wisconsin Playmakers
Shaw is going to be an undersized guard, but he’s definitely been able to adapt. The 5-foot-9 floor general appears to have worked hard on his body and I definitely don’t look at him as a defensive liability. In fact, I think his size helps him defend the perimeter on that end when you factor in his lateral quickness and ability to get into people. A break-you-down guard that can shoot it well from anywhere, Shaw is explosive when he gets the ball in his hands and does an excellent job of creating space or blowing by people and getting into the paint.
Jasin Sinani Jasin Sinani 6'3" | SG Oak Creek | 2021 State WI – 2021 – SG – Wisconsin Rap
The Oak Creek standout has definitely gotten a lot better over the last year-plus. Sinani showed some terrific wiggle and explosiveness off the ball. He can get defenders leaning one way and attack the open lane. He’s also a creative finisher when a defender meets him at the rim and can finish with either hand. Sinani is also a skilled shot maker who will take advantage of defenders who put their hands down.
Jasin Sinani Jasin Sinani 6'3" | SG Oak Creek | 2021 State WI .
Walking Bucket.@jsinani23 @WisRAPnation pic.twitter.com/Gfa5Uh4LY9
— Prep Hoops Wisconsin (@PrepHoops_WI) July 22, 2020
Carter Thomas Carter Thomas 6'5" | PF Neenah | 2022 State WI – 2022 – F – Wisconsin Crusaders
If you strictly go by points, Thomas probably didn’t move the needle for a ton of people last weekend. If you look his overall impact, Thomas definitely improved his stock. My biggest takeaway from the weekend was Thomas’ post defense, specifically when he was matched up with forwards bigger, stronger, or more athletic. Thomas really held his own inside, didn’t give up position, and timed shots very well to either alter or block them. Not to say he’s not a force offensively. The 6-foot-5 junior can handle the rock, shoot it from the outside a bit, and knows how to attack in traffic and displays nimble footwork and a soft touch around the rim.