Battlezone Playoffs – Sunday standouts
I had a chance to make it up to the Draft Sports Complex for the Final Day of the BattleZone Playoffs a couple of weeks ago. There were a ton of excellent players and solid teams, including an impressive Arizona…
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Continue ReadingI had a chance to make it up to the Draft Sports Complex for the Final Day of the BattleZone Playoffs a couple of weeks ago. There were a ton of excellent players and solid teams, including an impressive Arizona Firestorm 16u team that steamrolled Lakeshow and defeated the Compton Magic in the 16u Finals and a Lakeshow 17u squad that defeated the Magic in the 17u Finals.
I know there are a lot of people who will write about those teams, so my focus will largely be on some of the other talent throughout the gym.
Most upside
Ring Malith, 2022 F, I-Can All Stars
At 6-9 and blessed with the skillset of a guard, Malith is one of the most difficult matchups on the West Coast. He has great foot speed and attacks closeouts to set up mid-range shots and drives to the basket. And he’s a proven shooter from the perimeter.
Rishod Brown, 2022 G, Sacramento Magic
When you look at Brown’s frame, you might worry because he is wire thin (145 lbs). But the explosive combo guard has a potent first step, gets great elevation on his pull-up jumper, and is a crafty ball handler who can get into the paint and score. He’s just scratching the surface of his really high upside.
Most improved
Joaquin Strong 2022 F, Compton Magic
Strong, who is the son of former NBA player Derek Strong, is rounding into quite the prospect in his own right. He is a great athlete, runs the floor assertively in transition, and can finish well above the rim. But it’s his improved ball skills and perimeter shooting that caught our attention.
Best unsigned prospects
Isaiah Broady, 2021 W, Team ’Zona
The 6-8 wing was one of the best shooters in the gym this weekend, stroking 7 threes against SDA in a consolation game. His mechanics are picturesque and his release is super quick, plus his size on the perimeter is imposing.
Jon Jon Schooley, 2021 W, Sacramento Magic
One of the most explosive athletes in the gym, what impressed me on the floor with Schooley was his motor. He didn’t take plays off, attacked the offensive and defensive glass, and scored in the paint against much taller players.
Devean Williams, 2021 G, Fastbreak Sports
Very few unsigned prospects have the natural gifts as the 6-3 lefty, who has great length, excellent vertical and lateral athleticism and a smooth game to boot. One of the best pull-up jump shooters in the gym, and he does it from midrange and off ball screens from deep. He has the potential to be a lockdown defender with consistent effort on that end.
Sophomore stud guards
Maurice Wright Maurice Wright 6'2" | CG Santa Clarita Christian | 2023 State CA-S , Jr. 2023 PG, I-Can All Stars
A 6-2 point guard with a nice build, solid burst off the dribble and a penchant for scoring from all three levels (improved perimeter shooter), Wright more than held his own playing 17s this weekend.
Angelo Gil Angelo Gil 6'1" | PG Mission Bay | 2023 State CA-S , 6-1 2023 G, San Diego All-Stars
The 6-1 scoring point guard carved up 16u competition from all three levels, hitting pull-up threes and mid-range jump shots at will and scoring through contact on drives. He is also a very gifted playmaker, elevating his teammates with his passing.
Most underrated
Biko Johnson, 2021 G, Fastbreak Sports
I saw Johnson, a 2020 graduate of King Drew, in a few showcases during the winter, and was equally impressed here. He’s a really strong, physical combo guard who plays hard on both ends. He has a really impressive IQ, which he showed in the midpost operating against a zone defense, making several nice passes and the correct pass/score decisions. And he’s a load to contain off the bounce, where he can absorb contact and finish through bigs in the paint. He’s a college ready guard for a team looking for a jack-of-all-trades type.
Jeremiah Dargan, 2022 G, Lakeshow 17u Black
I don’t understand why more people aren’t on board with Dargan,a long, bouncy wing prospect who has come a long way with his perimeter skillset over the years. Dargan’s facial expression never really changes, so some might mistake it for lacking intensity, but he plays with a ton of effort and scores effectively from three levels.