Cream City Collision: Standout Sleeper Prospects
The Cream City Collision took place in the Milwaukee area over the weekend, providing the opportunity for a lot of under-the-radar prospects to stand out. These eight players may not have came in to the event as big names, but…
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Continue ReadingThe Cream City Collision took place in the Milwaukee area over the weekend, providing the opportunity for a lot of under-the-radar prospects to stand out. These eight players may not have came in to the event as big names, but they left a lasting impression of why college coaches will want to have them on their radars.
Kyle Haas (6′ 2022 PG, WOTN 2022 Johnson)- Not sure there was a better passer over the weekend than Kyle Haas, as his productive weekend included a 16 assist performance. In one of the games I watched he didn’t score a single basket, but still managed to make a massive impact on the game by his ability to see openings in the defense that not many players can see. Kyle not only has tremendous vision, but his ability to deliver accurate and well-timed passes is also impressive. He zips in his passes with pace, and is able to lead his teammates or put the ball in places that only his target can reach, leading to some easy baskets. On the defensive end he showed great hands to strip the ball from driving opponents, and his strong frame combined with quick feet allow him to compete on the perimeter and in the paint.
Alijah Matthews (5’11 2022 PG, Gallo Sports Center)- Due to playing behind two D1 point guards in the winter, Alijah rarely saw the floor for Racine St. Cats. This spring though he’s been making a name for himself with his quickness on both ends of the floor and composed feel for the game. He’s not the tallest player but has long arms making him a pest defensively as he’s constantly applying pressure to the ball and is able to create loose balls and turnovers consistently. I also liked his effort on the glass as he was able to elevate over bigger players to pull down defensive boards in impressive fashion. Offensively he plays with a nice change of pace, and has a quick crossover to beat his defender and get into the paint where he has a soft touch to finish over size. Alijah was also a threat to knock down perimeter jumpers when given too much space.
Kyle Johnson Kyle Johnson 6'2" | SG De La Salle | 2022 State MN (6′ 2022 G, Minnesota Magic Premier)- One of many talented guards on the Island for DeLaSalle during the winter, Kyle is now a main piece for Minnesota Magic this spring. Kyle showed his potential as a 3-and-D prospect in the game I caught, as he was constantly making plays on both ends of the floor. He excelled at curling off of screens and getting his body squared up with the rim to get off a quick and accurate shot, and Kyle constantly had defenders chasing him around. Johnson was also a major threat from mid-range, able to get into the 15 foot range off 1-2 dribbles with ease, and then elevating to get off a shot over an outstretched hand. Defensively he had an impressive block around the rim, and also ripped his man before going all the way to the other end of the floor to score.
Sam Hoffman Sam Hoffman 6'3" | SG Farmington | 2022 State MN (6’3 2022 SG, WOTN 2022 Johnson)- Sam Hoffman Sam Hoffman 6'3" | SG Farmington | 2022 State MN has been a key piece to WOTN’s success this spring, as he offers some length on the wing with shooting touch to stretch the floor. Playing with a talented passer like Kyle Haas, Sam is freed up to move without the ball, and if he gets even a sliver of space Kyle is going to find him to get off a high percentage look. Not only can Sam shoot the ball, but I was also impressed with his toughness. Sam’s not afraid to compete against size for rebounds, and is able to switch off and guard a variety of spots on the floor.
Devin Griffin Devin Griffin 5'10" | PG Westosha Central | 2022 State WI (5’11 2022 PG, World Hoops Elite )- The high IQ point guard put together some strong games over the weekend for a team filled with talent. Devin plays with poise and great change of pace, allowing him to get by quicker players off the dribble and find himself in the paint often where he can facilitate or score. He has the vision to spot cutting teammates and is able to deliver accurate bounce passes to lead them to the basket. When looking to score he’s able to remain balanced going up and absorbing contact, or he can put up a floater to score over size. He also proved to be a leader on the floor and was one of the more vocal players I watched over the weekend.
Bryce Wallace (6’6 2022 SF, Chapman Academy)- Though he’s still raw as a prospect, Bryce Wallace just continues to show flashes of potential that make him an intriguing prospect. The Kenosha Indian Trail wing has an extremely long frame with athleticism to match, as he can run the floor hard and has some impressive bounce off of one foot that allows him to make some exciting finishes in transition. I caught a glimpse of Bryce throwing down a massive and-one dunk in transition on the next court over from the game I was watching, and I don’t think it’s the last time he’ll make a play like that this summer. He also defended multiple spots on the floor, and on one occasion picked up a steal, beat a defender off the dribble, then went the length of the court for a difficult finish.
Solomon Garrison Solomon Garrison 5'10" | PG Homestead | 2023 State WI (5’9 2023 PG, Chapman Academy 2022)- Playing up a year for Chapman Academy, Solomon stood out with his quickness and poise on the floor. He’s a traditional floor general who is a secure ball handler and knows how to get everyone on the team involved offensively. On the defensive end he’s a competitive player who constantly gives 100%, and is capable of being a pest on the ball. Really liked the way that he ran the team and competed on both ends of the floor all game.
Nick Burke Nick Burke 6'5" | PF Southwest Christian | 2022 State MN (6’5 2022 SF, WOTN 2022 Johnson)- Another WOTN player making this list was Nick Burke Nick Burke 6'5" | PF Southwest Christian | 2022 State MN , as he continued to show off his versatility. He’s got some nice size on the wing at 6’5, but can also defend some forwards in the post depending on his team’s rotation. On the offensive end he made some nice passes from the wing, able to see over his man and zip in passes to cutting teammates. Nick is dangerous on the wing because of his ability to both hit the three at a high percentage, or get by a poor closeout and attack the basket off the dribble.