Francisco’s Finest: Geico Top Flight Invite (Prolific Prep)

Francisco’s Finest: Geico Top Flight Invite (Prolific Prep) GILBERT, AZ.—Since school started in this virtual world of learning, my mind has been working at a frenetic pace developing lessons and projects for my students. However, when a colleague of mind—and fellow Prephoops writer—Devin Ugland text me about this event on ESPN2, it was a no-brainer to put my studies down and watch some hoops. It began with a tilt between national powerhouse Big Red (Mater Dei) versus one of Arizona’s in Tri Starting 5 (Sunnyslope). Toss in the likes of consensus No. 1 prospect Chet Holmgren, Nate Bittle, and scoring dynamo Jaden Hardy translated into an epic day of hoops viewing. Isa SilvaIsaSilva6'2" | PGProlific Prep/ Jesuit | 2021State (Prolific Prep) 2021, PG, 6-foot-3, 170 pounds One of nation’s best 2021 true point guards Joel’s Take: The Stanford-bound Silva is a high IQ true point guard who is specialty is game management. He facilitates the offense with aplomb and his passing is high-level. He isn’t a burner and his jump shot needs to get more consistent to keep his crafty driving game going. Against LV Orange (Bishop Gorman), he uncharacteristically turned the ball over more often than I have grown accustomed to. However, due to his savvy and strong mindset, this will be more of an aberration than commonality with Silva. Adem Bona (Prolific Prep) 2022, C, 6-foot-9, 210 pounds Joel’s Take: The rim-running Bona plays with a high motor at both ends of the floor. He has a nice frame with good length and he’s a good athlete. Whether it’s rebouding in traffic or finishing through contact, Bona measures up with the best in his class. His skill set is still in it’s rudimentary stages, but best of all he knows what he is and doesn’t play outside of his comfort zone. Nathan BittleNathanBittle6'11" | CProlific Prep | 2021State#20Nation (Prolific Prep) 2021, PF, 6-foot-11, 220 pounds Joel’s Take: Bittle, who is committed to Oregon, has been on the recruiting stage since his freshman season. The stretch 5/4 has a nice touch out to the 3-point stripe and he’s a bouncy athlete in the paint area. He runs very well, can post up and finish over either shoulder, and has soft hands. However, there are times he plays too straight up and down and he needs to get much stronger to play through contact at the next level. Kamari LandsKamariLands6'6" | SFLa Lumiere | 2022#65Nation (Prolific Prep) 2022, WF, 6-foot-6, 200 pounds Joel’s Take: Lands is that prototypical wing-type that every college coach covets. He has solid ball skills, is a high-level slasher, and he possesses deep range on his jump shot. He plays with an even keel and is always on balance when attacking as he rarely forces the issue. High-major talent right here. Mouhamed Gueye (Prolific Prep) 2022, C, 6-foot-11, 190 pounds Joel’s Take: One of the more intriguing prospects at this event was Gueye. The Senegal transplant has great length, long arms, and is extremely quick for his size. He showed signs of some perimeter skills and he can even hit the occasional 3-point shot. Defensively, due to his length and nimble feet, he can hedge out nicely on screens and he slides his feet remarkably well for someone his size. However, going forward, he needs to get considerably stronger, play with a stronger base in the paint, and slow down while attacking the defense. Jordan PopeJordanPope6'1" | CGProlific Prep | 2022State#48Nation (Prolific Prep) 2022, PG, 6-foot-1, 155 pounds Pope was arguably the best point guard in the game. Joel’s Take: Pope is one of my favorite point guards in the country, regardless of class. He stood out at the Pangos Frosh/Soph camp a couple of years ago and he has steadily added to his game since then. His jump shot is buttery and he is crafty with his ball handling to keep defenses off balance. Overall, he is one of the most polished point guards in the country, regardless of class.