2022 Underground Invitational Notes II
Continuing on my open gym tour where I go and check out local talent. This was the second week that I came to the underground session. Another great day where defense was played and the games mattered. Sets up for…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingContinuing on my open gym tour where I go and check out local talent. This was the second week that I came to the underground session. Another great day where defense was played and the games mattered. Sets up for an even better setting with some of the top players present. Here is who stood out in the 2022 class.
Elijah Knudsen Elijah Knudsen 5'10" | CG Mead | 2022 State CO – Mead
Knudsen is steadily adapting and getting better and better as a primary ball-handler that is transitioning into being a more complete point guard. The jump shot is there, no questioning that, but can he make others around him better and take over point guard duties? That has been the question about him, and he is showing that he can. He has made it a point to get the ball in his hands and find others. He has also has started to showcase the ability to see a play before it happens and navigate through the defense until it is set up. An aggressive Knudsen with not knowing if he is going to pass it or shoot it makes it extremely hard for the defense to gauge.
Jaeton Hackley Jaeton Hackley 5'11" | PG Douglas County | 2022 State CO – Douglas County
I was high on Hackley last week; this week, it hit a new level. He was arguably my MVP on the day with how well he played, and it was great to see him come out of his shell. Hackley is a player that is completely under control, and that is in every aspect of the game. Hackley is one of the few true point guards in the class, he passes exceptionally well, and he also started to showcase that he could shoot the ball a bit as well. Hackley has excellent body control, is deceptive, and always looking to make the right play. He also made a stand on defense. He is strong, stays in front of his man, and took on the challenge when guys tried to go at him. This was undoubtedly a stock-boosting event for him, and it is informative to see him in this light.
James Shiers James Shiers 7'1" | C Mead | 2022 State CO – Mead
Nobody has to deal with as much as Shiers does. Small guards think that he is slow, so they try and attack him, big guys try and move him on the block, and the expectations are high when you are a 6’10 phenom. But, Shiers does not feed into all of that. He is not going out there and playing beyond himself; he holds his own on both ends of the court. I enjoyed watching Shiers in this kind of setting as he is a player that you can unleash and just let go of. For a player with his size, the way that he moves and his motor stand out. He is always on the move, he can extend the defense with his jumper, and he is getting better about using his length. Shiers is keeping his hands up and altering shots; he is protecting the paint and making it difficult around the rim. Shiers is a player that genuinely benefits from solid open gym sessions.
Tarrance Austin Tarrance Austin 5'10" | PG Pueblo South | 2022 State CO – Chaparral
Speckman is one of the most skilled big men in the state, and what separates him from the rest of the bigs in the class is his ability to play on the ball. He has a solid handle with the ball, can put it on the floor and attack off of the dribble. While he can quickly move around with the ball, what he also does is attack on the block as well. Speckman can move defenders around with his back to the basket and has excellent footwork. He can hold his own defensively down low with his strength and also moves his feet well and switches onto guard. Speckman moves exceptionally well, and watching him play; there are thoughts of him on the wing for moments as he possesses an all-around game. Speckman seems to be a gym rat that loves competing, and he continues to stand out.
Xavier Harris Xavier Harris 6'1" | PG Hillcrest Prep | 2023 CO – Horizon
Harris is starting to evolve as an offensive player as well, and each time out, I see more of him. Harris is a guard with big hands that has complete control of the ball, makes smart reads on passes, and also has a deadly floater that he goes to. He continuously got inside of the defense for floaters and also made the right play on 2 on 1’s. On defense, he is not afraid to switch onto a bigger defender, and he holds his own while being very active defensively. Harris is a true point guard that plays within himself and is a two-way standout. Once his shot develops into a knockdown shooter with all of the other things he has going for him, he will be unstoppable.
Brock Wisne Brock Wisne 6'9" | PF Colorado Prep | 2022 State CO – Horizon
Wisne is evolving as well and is benefiting from a setting where he has to figure out ways to affect the game in other ways besides scoring. Everyone can score when it is players as talented as he is, so how else can he standout? Wisne has shown a great motor and the willingness to also play off of the ball and do small things to win such as set hard screens and roll, rebound hard and also kick it out to open teammates is him showcasing he is more than just a pure scorer as I once believed. Wisne has good size and can alter the game in other ways. He is also able to put the ball on the floor and create for himself and step out and shoot it as well.