Battle of the Brands: Indiana Elite Team Indiana 2023
This past weekend, Indy Heat and Indiana Elite got together to play each other in one of the best scouting opportunities you could have in the climate we are currently in. This was extremely helpful and gave us a much…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend, Indy Heat and Indiana Elite got together to play each other in one of the best scouting opportunities you could have in the climate we are currently in. This was extremely helpful and gave us a much better look at some of these top players in the state.
Today, we are taking a look at team-by-team with how they played and our overall thoughts on each player on their rosters.
Indiana Elite Team Indiana 2023
Jermaine Coleman Jermaine Coleman 6'7" | SF Park Tudor | 2023 State IN – 6’6 SF 2023 – Park Tudor (IN)
Jermaine is a long, lanky wing that has a tremendous amount of upside over the next couple of years. He played well against Indy Heat Red showing his shooting ability a ton early and then more of his play in transition. He’s going to have to learn to reel in the jumper when it isn’t on which he struggles to do at times. However, when he is on, he is on and hits everything. Defensively, his length comes into play a ton right now and as he learns to utilize it more, he’s going to end up being a pretty solid two-way player. Not sure how much more size he is going to get but right now he’s looking perfect for a high-end scoring 3/4 wing. More size and strength could push him to a forward but best defensively right now on 2s and 3s. As long as the jumper continues to improve his stock should stay high.
Caleb Washington Caleb Washington 6'5" | PF Floyd Central | 2023 State IN – 6’5 PF 2023 – Floyd Central (IN)
Caleb is the most polished and efficient forward, and maybe player, in the 2023 class in Indiana. He’s a 6’5 interior forward that can hit jumpers, dribble, and rebound. High-IQ and doesn’t make many mistakes. Showed just in this one game he can hit a little dribble in pull-up from 15’, and elbow jumper, and a turn-around jumper from 12’. Not much if anything will ever need to be ran for him specifically, he has the IQ and freedom to pick his spots and score. He’s a bigger kid right now that will probably see his frame lean up a bit and could have another growth spurt in him. A couple inches to get him to more like 6’7 could make him a monster. His level of play is up in the air right now but he’s one of those guys that is just going to produce wherever. He doesn’t shoot many threes and that will be a big part of his development, stretching the floor all the way out to maximize his versatility.
Nickens Lemba Nickens Lemba 6'6" | PF Southport | 2023 State IN – 6’6 PF 2023 – Southport (IN)
Nickens is a big, bruising forward that has some high-level athleticism and more polish than you would think. Not a big shooter but he does seem to have the mechanics close enough and has been able to hit some shots. None today but he did a good job on the boards and had a huge dunk early in the game. He does a good job of doing what he is good at and not making too many needless plays. He reads balls coming off the rim pretty well and will track them down when needed. Crashes the boards for missed shots too. The key for him will be how much skill he can gather between now and later. His ball handling looks pretty good for his position but needs improvement and if he can work in a capable jumper that would really allow him to take off.
Kaden Oliver Kaden Oliver 6'2" | PG Silver Creek | 2023 State IN – 6’1 PG 2023 – Madison (IN)
Kaden is a quick, solid lead guard who fits in really well around guys. He’s not been a guy we have seen to this point take over a game but each game, he shows that he can make plays and score and dish out enough assists to take advantage. He’s got a solid frame and strength right now and will likely grow a bit more down the road. He’s not a guy that is going to put up a ton of points in any one stretch but can shoot well enough from three and play in transition that he could grow into that. Defensively, he is a willing participant and can do well on other guards. Has some speed for that, more top end speed than quick twitch which would help more as a transition defender. The thing to watch will be that aggressiveness and with it, the efficiency. Can he just produce more within the normal offense? If so, that would be a big bump for him.
Cooper Horn Cooper Horn 6'2" | SG Columbus North | 2023 State IN – 6’2 PG 2023 – Columbus North (IN)
Cooper is an interesting guard prospect to watch. He’s big and physical and passes at a high level. His passing and vision are what make him more than likely a point guard for me than playing off the ball at this point. He’s a guy that moves so well off the ball and always seems to get points of cuts and slashes at the rim, losing his defender on the way. Solid shooter too and willing to take at least a couple every game. He has some pretty handles so while he doesn’t come off like he is going to be a big driver and finisher, he’s likely to be that more down the road. When he rounds out his game offensively and starts putting up more points game-to-game, he’s going to become a hot name in the state.