The Weekend: 15u All-Tournament First Team
The 15u divisions of several Georgia-based AAU events featured some top talent and several long-term prospects to keep an eye on. The players listed here are reflective of this weekend in a vacuum. Who did well during this tiny, albeit…
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Continue ReadingThe 15u divisions of several Georgia-based AAU events featured some top talent and several long-term prospects to keep an eye on. The players listed here are reflective of this weekend in a vacuum. Who did well during this tiny, albeit revealing sample of games?
First Team
F Rodney Broadnax Rodney Broadnax 6'5" | PF Cleveland | 2023 TN – Fastbreak AAU
Rodney’s weekend thoroughly impressed both his high school coach and his AAU coach. “Rodney was big-time this weekend,” said AAU Coach Bryon Lawhon. “He was a rebounding machine. I think he had 2-3 games with double digit rebounds. Ran the floor really well. Shot his free throws well. Finished through contact. Defensively, he stood his ground.”
Broadnax dressed Cleveland High School varsity his entire freshman year, which in itself is an honor.
“The kid just attacked the offensive glass,” said Coach Lawhon “Attacked the defensive glass. He was a beast in the paint. He is a 6’3″/6’4″, so he is not going to out-size anybody. This weekend we went against a couple of 6’5″ and 6’6″ and a couple 6’3″ and 6’4″. He had double-doubles in two of the four games. In my opinion, he was the top 2 bigs in the whole event.”
Was this typical greatness from Broadnax? Was it unique?
“This weekend he came with a whole different intensity,” said Coach Lawhon. “Last weekend he showed flashes. This weekend he was consistent all four games with his energy and how he came across in his leadership. He was more vocal with the guys on the team, kinda getting guys in positions. He and Jasen did a phenomenal job with that. This weekend he played with such a high level every game. Defensively, he really made a difference with his rebounding and getting in the way of a lot of people driving.”
F Braiden Staten Braiden Staten 6'5" | PF Green Hill | 2023 TN – Tennessee Panthers
Uncommonly tall. But, what else?
Braiden was an active rim-runner for the Panthers all weekend. Rebounded well. Knows where his teammates are at all times. Entering his sophomore season at 6-foot-5, Braiden will be a member of Green Hill High School…their very first varsity team, in fact.
G Jasen Brooks Jasen Brooks 6'1" | PG Cleveland | 2023 State TN – Fastbreak AAU
Fast Break gets it done, 2023 PG Jasen Brooks turns in another great performance with 20 points to lead all scores. Scored on all the 3 levels to help Fast Break finish (3-1) and 3rd place. @PrepHoopsTN @BCCoachLawhon @PQSports @AndrewForce8 pic.twitter.com/zSnJp5Ui3b
— FastBreakAAU (@FastBreakAAU) July 20, 2020
G Sean Aldridge Sean Aldridge 5'10" | PG Green Hill | 2023 TN – Tennessee Panthers
Technically sound. The two most encouraging aspects to Aldridge’s game were his slick footwork defensively and shooting touch. One tiny play that really impressed me occurred against JSI. Aldridge coughed the ball up in a precarious situation (alone in his own backcourt). The recipient of his turnover was a 6-foot-5ish big. Sean really had no business keeping the big away from an easy layup, just based on size and perceived power. Instead of swiping at the ball or leaping fruitlessly, Aldridge slid his feet and just stood in the predicted path. He made the layup difficult, but not impossible. Instead of fouling or just checking out mentally to pout, Aldridge actually “encouraged” a miss with his positioning and the turnover ended in an opponent’s missed layup. High IQ, great patience, technical. The play revealed many important intangibles.
“He loves to compete and is fearless,” said Tennessee Panther Director McGinnis. “He has a mature demeanor and works.”
G Jayson Nixon Jayson Nixon 6'1" | PG Brentwood Academy | 2023 State TN – Nashville Stars-South
Speedy. Nixon is quick and destructive with the dribble. Can cross solid defenders as Nixon is both very light on his feet and also fully committed to his driving lane after the first step.