Chi-Town Tip Off: 15U Wings
It was a beautiful weekend in Chicago this past weekend for the Chi-Town Tip Off, and we were blessed with some outstanding team basketball and talented individuals. There were five versatile wings who caught my eye, so let’s discuss their…
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Continue ReadingIt was a beautiful weekend in Chicago this past weekend for the Chi-Town Tip Off, and we were blessed with some outstanding team basketball and talented individuals. There were five versatile wings who caught my eye, so let’s discuss their talents:
Langdon Norgaard | Wisconsin Blizzards Norgaard
Langdon was a major reason for his team’s 4–0 record in Chicago. He passes it well, and constantly moves without the ball. His skill for rebounding was the most impressive aspect of his game. He will fly in from the wing while reading the flight of the ball the whole way. He has a knack for tracking down missed shots and loose balls. The focus and anticipation he possesses make him an excellent team defender who can guard multiple player, and cover up mistakes or miscommunications around him.
Clark Easley | Big 3 Basketball
The 6’6″ wing plays with excellent energy and passion. He was diving on the floor, sprinting on closeouts, and finishing plays with multiple efforts. He is a bit clunky sometimes handling the ball or making moves, and doesn’t have great touch at this point in his development. Already, though, he is a really intriguing shot blocker and rebounder, and he has shown an ability to create shots in the midrange. As he expands his basketball database and grows more comfortable moving on the court, he’s absolutely a player to watch out for.
David Gorsline | Iowa Mavs Grey
Gorsline stayed sealed to his man like a suction cup. He did it not with maximum effort and overexertion, but rather excellent footwork and balance. Short, quick steps allow him to change direction to mirror his man. This makes him a tough player to screen. On the offensive side of the ball, he lived in the lane. He is a solid ball-handler and can get there himself, but his teammates also did a great job of rewarding his cuts and seals in the lane. He wasted no time in attacking the rim and putting pressure on the defense. He is a physical player inside, and is a smart foul-drawer.
Nick Taylor | All in Athletics Rodell Black
Taylor can play inside and out with a nice balance of physicality and quickness. Guarding the perimeter is a strength of his that will pay off big time in the future. I was intrigued by his defensive performance. He moves his feet and keeps his man in front more often than not, and when guarding away from the ball he provides great help, especially at the nail.
Michael Barnes | Illinois Outwork
The most tenacious rebounder I saw on the weekend was the 6’3″ Barnes. He is quick off the floor and a good leaper. Even against the bigger centers at the event, he won a lot of rebounding battles just by sticking with it longer than the bigs could. He has the energy to have energetic impact on both ends, possession after possession. The offensive skill is not quite there yet enough for him to create on his own, but in the meantime he impacts the game as a screener and rebounder.