The Finale: Top Performers (Part 3)
There was plenty of talent that came through Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri this past weekend at The Finale hosted by Prep Hoops. The 17U and 16U divisions were deep with teams and prospects and the younger divisions had…
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Continue ReadingThere was plenty of talent that came through Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri this past weekend at The Finale hosted by Prep Hoops.
The 17U and 16U divisions were deep with teams and prospects and the younger divisions had some really good performances as well.
Here is a look at some of the standout performers I saw.
Malachi Murrell Malachi Murrell 6'2" | SF Shadow Hills | 2022 CA-S | 6-3 | Gamepoint Inland Empire Supreme/California La Quinta
One of my favorite all-around talents at The Finale was Murrell. The 2022 guard/forward is a positionless player who doesn’t care who he faces defensively or tries to score against on offense. He had a huge second half in a win over the Gateway Basketball Knights on Saturday morning. He impressed me with his ability to finish with strength in transition. Murrell had a flashy one-handed slam and played hard all game long. A recent transfer from Shadow Hills to La Quinta, the two-sport star is also a standout on the football field. Murrell is as talented as they come.
Brayden Dutton Brayden Dutton 6'2" | SG Yukon | 2022 State OK | 6-1 | H&H Elite/Oklahoma Yukon
For the H&H Elite 16U squad, Dutton stood out all weekend long in my eyes. He was always a full go and on a Saturday morning loss to the Champaign Heat he was a true leader. He has a very reliable and steady outside jumper. Dutton was active on both ends of the floor and always hustles back to slow down opponents. He had 23 points in that outing and continued to score and defend hard over the two-day event.
Alex Tong & Koor Kuol Koor Kuol 6'4" | SF SF Roosevelt | 2021 State SD | Force Bartlett
Making the trip over from South Dakota, Force Bartlett have a very intriguing and versatile 2021 pair in Tong and Kuol. Tong, a 6-6 forward from Lincoln is a banger inside in a Saturday victory over Missouri Flight White. His length is clear and if he can continue to be aggressive, he will be just fine. As for Kuol, the 6-4 Roosevelt guard/forward is quite dynamic with his size and ability to handle the rock and shoot. Both are South Dakota prospects that deserve much more attention from college programs.
Noah Josse | 6-6 | Gamepoint Inland Empire Supreme/California Rancho Christian
A multifaceted forward, Josse made things happen this weekend. He is a very athletic forward who can play anywhere on the floor from the 2-5 position. Josse connected on some very important jumpers in a loss to Gateway Basketball and slammed home a one-handed dunk in the second half which lit fire into his team. He is packed with effort.
Trent Ellison Trent Ellison 6'3" | CG Owasso | 2021 State OK & Jake Gendron Jake Gendron 6'5" | SF Bishop Kelley | 2021 State OK | Tulsa Hawks Elite
The Tulsa Hawks Elite team showed off a high scoring duo in Ellison and Gendron. Starting with Ellison, the 6-3 guard is a highly gifted driver who can get to the basket at will. His jumper is seasoned and he can hit shots in bunches. Gendron, a 6-6 forward is a tough player who reels in boards and finishes buckets on the other end. He is a very skilled two-way player.
Damian Ruiz Damian Ruiz 6'2" | SG Linfield Christian | 2022 State CA-S | 6-2 | Gamepoint Inland Empire Supreme/California Murrietta Valley
Alongside Murrell, Gamepoint Inland Empire Supreme has a naturally gifted shooter in Ruiz. The 2022 guard is a fine lead point man and his jumper was clicking as he hit step back and knocking down long-range shots. Ruiz is a steady presence on the floor and someone who makes life easier for everyone around him.
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