#PHLive: 16U Top Bucket Getters
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Kansas City, Missouri — Prep Hoops Live was a major event on the Prep Hoops Circuit that brought out over 300 grassroots teams from all across the country, making this one of Prep Hoop’s largest events ever. Teams traveled far and wide to be a…
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Continue ReadingKansas City, Missouri — Prep Hoops Live was a major event on the Prep Hoops Circuit that brought out over 300 grassroots teams from all across the country, making this one of Prep Hoop’s largest events ever. Teams traveled far and wide to be a part of something special, filling up 3 different arenas and 28 courts all at once. The best grassroots basketball clubs as well as some of the top-ranked players in the nation showed up, showed out, and made this weekend in Kansas City worthwhile. Every type of prospect a college coach could possibly be in search of was in attendance, multiple 7-foot centers, next-level scorers, remarkable shooters, high flying dunkers, lockdown defenders, dime droppers, shot blockers, you name it, we had it. Here we’ll take a look at a few of the top scorers that really stood out and made major impacts on the outcome of the game.
Bralyn Smith Bralyn Smith 6'5" | CG St. Benedict's Prep | 2023 State #265 Nation NJ – Combo Guard – Texas Impact 4:13 UAA
Texas ranked prospect, Bralyn Smith Bralyn Smith 6'5" | CG St. Benedict's Prep | 2023 State #265 Nation NJ did it all, he was an excellent rebounder for his position, a relentless defender, a top-notch bucket getter, a ball-handler that created shots for himself as well as teammates, and an awesome distributor that consistently threw pinpoint passes. His footwork was phenomenal and he displayed a high basketball IQ, along with the ball skills to be an all-around offensive threat. This high-level playmaker showed natural instincts with the ball and proved to be comfortable as the primary ball-handler, scorer, and facilitator. Very alert and aware, Smith keeps his head on a swivel and sees all of his moving pieces. Tough to defend, Bralyn Smith Bralyn Smith 6'5" | CG St. Benedict's Prep | 2023 State #265 Nation NJ put a lot of pressure on the defense with his offensive versatility, he has a variety of ways of putting the ball into the basket at any given moment. Quick, high release on his pull-up jumpers, can shoot off balance and still get the same results, and also play above the rim. Not only can the Texas Impact guard beat a defense playing on and off the ball but he also had full control of the offense, everything seemed to run through him first.
Moses Horne – Point Guard – Team Buddy Buckets 2023
This dynamic bucket getter easily created offense for himself off the dribble, Horne consistently found ways of getting to his spots and putting a shot up from all over the court despite being tightly guarded. The elevation and high arcing release point on his jumpshot allowed him to shoot over contesting defenders with ease. A true shooter’s touch, anytime a defender allowed Moses to get to his sweet spots he made them pay, particularly in the mid-range where he was practically automatic. This young man was incredibly difficult to defend in one-on-one situations, smooth, tight, and under control handles, Horne was able to break down a defense using his shiftiness and savviness. High basketball IQ, he did and noticed things that others didn’t. Moses Horne proved to be a pure playmaker with the ball in hand, after he began attracting the attention of the defense, he started kicking the ball out and dropping off passes to his big men every time he drove.
Ibrahim El-Amin Ibrahim El-Amin 5'10" | PG Minnetonka | 2023 State MN – Point Guard – D1 Minnesota 2023 (Harris)
This D1 Minnesota point guard is explosive, highly productive, with supreme speed, great effort, good poise, and a true competitive nature. El-Amin started every game hot from the field, letting it fly, torching teams early on, scoring from all three levels, and making his presence felt by hitting a number of shots off the dribble. A very basketball savvy point guard that has a counter move for everything, reacts well off the dribble, stays low to the ground, and is great at finding angles to attack. Ibrahim was able to get his own shot by creating space or initiating contact on the drive and scoring through it, which often led him to the foul line at a high rate. His pull-up jumpshot from mid-range and from deep was deadly, he can stop on a dime, and he loves the step-back jumper, El-Amin ate teams up with his between the legs pull-back, step-back jay. Even when tightly guarded by longer defenders he knew exactly how to get the shot up and in by simply fading away. Ibrahim El-Amin Ibrahim El-Amin 5'10" | PG Minnetonka | 2023 State MN brought leadership, toughness, and intensity to the team. Not only did he show the ability to make others around him better, but he also proved to be someone you could always count on to give you heart, hustle, and effort.
Daron Davis – Point Guard – Tulsa Hawks White 2023
Slashing point guard, Daron Davis looked to attack and get a bucket on a consistent basis. Davis showed true potential to become a high-volume scorer. His game is all about explosiveness, which made him a tough matchup for most point guards to handle. Daron utilized his physicality, strength, and speed well when penetrating the lane and finishing under the basket, Davis had no problems powering through his opponents to get a bucket or get to the foul line.
Pharaoh Amadi – Shooting Guard – Texas Impact 4:13 AE
Texas Impact guard, Pharaoh Amadi put up numbers all weekend long, averaging 22 points throughout 3 games, with a game-high 28 points in his final game. This baller is becoming a high flying threat, Amadi displayed phenomenal body control, the hang time, and the concentration under the basket to make some jaw-dropping plays. Offensively, he’s highly aggressive whether he’s playing on or off the ball. His lightning-quick first step got him around the defense and inside the lane with ease. When using his long strides, Pharaoh needed only 2 or 3 steps from beyond the perimeter to get all the way to the basket. He also invited and initiated the contact on the drive, Amadi used his strong broad shoulders to bounce off of defenders, often leading him to the free-throw line. Amadi was a great slasher but his stop-and-pop mid-range jumpshot was his bread and butter, once he put the moves on his man and got to his spots you could expect a bucket. Incredibly confident and plays with a will to be the best player on the court at all times. This talented young man, Pharaoh Amadi, has sky-high potential and he’s only getting better and better by the week.