AAU Wrap-Up Player Analysis: All-Iowa Attack 17U
With the 2020 AAU season coming to a close, it is an appropriate time to look back on the unprecedented, Coronavirus-altered season that will be so memorable for all involved. I will choose a handful of players from programs around…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2020 AAU season coming to a close, it is an appropriate time to look back on the unprecedented, Coronavirus-altered season that will be so memorable for all involved. I will choose a handful of players from programs around the state to detail before we begin the high school season. First up: All-Iowa Attack 17U.
Angelo Winkel Angelo Winkel 6'9" | C Bishop Garrigan | 2021 State IA – 6’9″ C
The biggest takeaway I have from watching Angelo’s film is his ability to use his body effectively. He does not have the biggest frame, but he is physical under the basket. When finishing, he absorbs contact well and can adjust in the air to finish over defenders of all sizes.I also appreciate his mentality in the paint, never settling for a soft layup and choosing to rise up quickly and finish with a two-hand dunk whenever possible. When defenders reciprocate that physicality by leaning on him or overplaying him to one side, he counters with an effective spin dribble. Angelo also works to carve out good post position early in possessions which is deadly when a capable entry-passer is on the floor. And when he is in an advantageous position on his defender, he wastes no time going to work. He is an active rebounder who positions himself well to fight for boards. He moves his feet pretty well on defense which allows him to guard multiple positions.
Karson Sharar Karson Sharar 6'2" | SG Iowa Falls-Alden | 2021 State IA – 6’2″ SG
I came away very impressed with Karson’s game, and his shooting especially. He has a consistent and high-release point which gives him well-earned confidence in his shot. If he has a step on his defender coming off a screen he will pull without hesitation, knowing any contest just won’t be good enough. An important part of his game that improves his shooting ability is his ball-handling. This is why I think he can handle more pick and roll opportunities. I saw flashes of good passing with both hands. On one play in particular, he received the ball on the left wing. With nothing for him immediately, he took a few dribbles towards half-court before rifling a pass with his left hand to the right corner right in the shooting pocket for an open three. In the pick and roll he would be able to read and react the defenders who will be forced to make tough decisions given his dribble-drive ability and high-level shooting. While he isn’t the most gifted defender he navigates screens very well, contorting his body and staying on the hip of his man.
Connor Drew Connor Drew 6'6" | PF Ballard | 2021 State IA – 6’6″ PF
It’s clear Connor has drilled the fundamentals. His ball-fakes get defenders off their feet, and his effective pivot moves open up passing lanes or shot opportunities with ease. Often times he will combine multiple pivots and ball-fakes until a window opens up for him, as most defenders can only stay attached for so long. His fundamentals are also evident in his outside shooting. His lower half is always ready to rise up and pull, whether it be off the dribble, spot up opportunties, or from a standstill. His motion is consistent, and paired with his high release he can be difficult to guard on the perimeter. He won’t beat many people off the dribble but his ability to space the floor is valuable.
Luke Rankin Luke Rankin 5'10" | PG Dallas Center-Grimes | 2021 State IA – 5’10″ PG
Luke knows exactly how he needs to play to be successful. Without much height he won’t finish at the rim at a high volume, but when necessary he shields the defender with his body and get enough of an angle to finish high. I found him to be a very smart play-maker, especially in the pick and roll. He understands when to accept or deny the screen, he can put his defender in jail, and then read the big where he can execute an effective floater or a nice dump off if he attracts the second defender. His speed really shows its value in transition. He is always looking to push, and when defenses converge on him he has an impressive one-handed tap pass which he uses without picking up his dribble. Other times he chooses to not utilize his speed at all, and instead delivers 3/4 court baseball passes to a sprinting teammate who has a step on their man.
Blake Chance Blake Chance 6'4" | PG Albia | 2021 State IA – 6’4″ PG
Blake doesn’t have the same speed that his teammate Luke possesses, but he makes up for it in size. Blake was great at drawing a second defender when penetrating the lane and making the kick out or dump off pass on time and on target. He showed solid footwork in the lane. Improved strength and conditioning would go a long way in helping Blake develop. His shot is effective enough but consistency will come with a more developed and sturdy base.
Amar Kuljuhovic Amar Kuljuhovic 6'6" | C Waterloo West | 2021 State IA – 6’6″ C
Two skills that Amar have in excess are clean footwork and passing ability. His feet are very light on offense and he utilizes his pivots well. He creates his post position using his shoulders and elbows to hook his defender legally for easy layups. He is an above-average passer for any position, let alone as a big man. He can operate out of the high post with the ball, and if he is allowed to read and react to the defense good things happen. On offense, he is fairly active off the ball in the half-court and in transition which adds another layer to his game. On defense, he does struggle with moving his feet and is foul-prone because of this. In some matchups, he struggled with more athletic players, but this can be offset as he learns to use his size more effectively.