Underground Invitational III 2021 Notes
Continuing on my open gym tour where I go and check out local talent. This was the third week that I came to the underground session and maybe the most competitive week. Defense was played, and players pushed each other…
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Continue ReadingContinuing on my open gym tour where I go and check out local talent. This was the third week that I came to the underground session and maybe the most competitive week. Defense was played, and players pushed each other Here are the new standouts from the 2021 class.
Wade Jones Wade Jones 6'5" | CG Cheyenne Mountain | 2021 State CO — Cheyenne Mountain
Wade Jones Wade Jones 6'5" | CG Cheyenne Mountain | 2021 State CO is a player that does not have a care in the world on the court. He does not care who you are; he is coming at you. He is willing to defend whatever position, and he is a tenacious defender that gets after it. It was a stock boosting day for him because he came straight from a tournament the day before to play more basketball. He just wants to play, and you can see it on every play. He has a relentless motor; he is always moving and making plays, and one that stands out is his ability to score the basketball. Jones scored with ease and went on runs. When he is on the break, as a defender, you have to understand that he is not only trying to get to the rim, but he wants to dunk on you. He challenged players at the rim all day and finishes with multiple dunks on the day. He’s a player.
Blakeley Stoughton Blakeley Stoughton 6'3" | SF Regis Jesuit | 2021 State CO — Regis
I will continue to say it; the kid does not understand how good he is just yet. He was one of the standout scorers on the day that found ways to put the ball in the basket. He dunks, he shoots, he gets to his spots and makes it difficult on the defense. Stoughton has a lethal mid-range pullup and a strong back to the basket game. He is strong and has good size on the block and the smooth lefty scores in bunches. Stoughton was slashing off of the ball and remaining aggressive, and that gave his team easy scoring opportunities. When he makes up his mind to just score – he does it.
Amondo Miller Amondo Miller 6'6" | CG Valor Christian | 2021 State CO — Valor Christian
Miller is a legit 6’6 now, and that is only causing problems for defenses. He uses his size when inside, but he is improving as a ballhandler and also shot maker, which makes him that much more dangerous. Miller was finishing through contact, attacking and getting downhill, and also dunking the ball in traffic. He is a rim-attacker that makes up his mind to blow by defenders with his speed and show off his athleticism. He has consistently put it together and showed progress, and it was great to see him shine in a situation where his teammates were just as good as he was. Miller is the real deal.
Keegan Phillips Keegan Phillips 6'7" | SF Douglas County | 2021 State CO — Douglas County
When Phillips is in a situation where it is free-flowing, and he is moving freely, he is good. Phillips has one of the most college-ready shots in the state as he has a smooth shooting stroke and a quick release. Phillips has good size at 6’6 and natural scoring abilities. He is not afraid to shoot and is capable of pulling up with a defender in his face and closing out as well as shots on the move. Phillips shows off sneaky athleticism as he finishes with dunks on fast breaks and also moves without the ball. Phillips sets hard screens and also has an inside out game. His mid-range turnaround is a shot he feels comfortable going to, and he was able to finish it a few times in the underground run. Phillips continues to shoot up on my radar.
Isaiah Thomas Isaiah Thomas 6'5" | CG Manitou | 2021 State CO — Manitou Springs
Thomas was the newest standout at the run and is a player that many should know about. Thomas has good size at 6’5 and the ability to do it all. He knocked down 3-pointers, he ran the break for finishes, he banged inside and all of the small things that stand out. Thomas possesses a nice shooting stroke and found himself open with his offensive activity. He played well off of the ball and had great chemistry with teammates. He finishes well around the rim, did not get attacked on defense, and continued to make plays for himself and others throughout the day. He is a player that we will undoubtedly have on our next rankings update, and if he continues to show that this is who he could be should be relatively high.