Las Vegas: Thursday Prospect Standouts
The 2021 Las Vegas Big Time and Las Vegas Classic continued action on Thursday. Here’s a closer look at some of the top individual performers from day two… Isaiah Carr Isaiah Carr 6'11" | C Las Cruces | 2022…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 2021 Las Vegas Big Time and Las Vegas Classic continued action on Thursday. Here’s a closer look at some of the top individual performers from day two…
Isaiah Carr Isaiah Carr 6'11" | C Las Cruces | 2022 State NM – 2022 – C – D1 New Mexico
Good pickup here for Grand Canyon. Carr is a 6-foot-10 prospect with mobility and some budding versatility. He’s a long, athletic post prospect that runs the floor really well for his size and has a high ceiling. Carr is just scratching the surface with his post and perimeter skill set, but showed nice flashes of each against Team RWA Thursday morning. Carr is also an outstanding shot blocker that allowed virtually nothing at the rim. Carr still needs to develop into his body, but he’s certainly not soft and doesn’t lack any toughness. Athletically, think he can be a weapon in today’s perimeter-oriented game. Carr moves well laterally and can change direction in space while guarding wings.
Cade Feldhausen – 2022 – PF – Team 1848
Feldhausen had the best performance I’ve seen from him during a Thursday night win over Empower. Granted, he was facing an undersized team, but Feldhausen really used his size well and it appears things are starting to click for him. The 6-foot-7 junior has a wide body, but some nimble feet and mobility. He did a great job of doing his work early and catching in great scoring areas, so by the time the ball had arrived, he had already won. Feldhausen also flashed some 3-point shooting ability, knocking down a triple to start the game. He runs the floor very well for his size and is good for a couple easy buckets per game.
Alex Gutierrez Alex Gutierrez 6'2" | PG DePaul Prep | 2022 State IL – 2022 – PG – Chicago Demons
Like the way Gutierrez goes about his business. He’s a smooth, confident ball handler that knows how to get to his spots on the floor. He’s a little too flashy at times, but Gutierrez has some nice creativity as a passer. When it came to decision making, everything Gutierrez did felt like the right play. The 6-foot-1 guard has some nice length and can play on or off the ball. He shot it really well from 3-point range and moved well without the basketball. Won’t blow anybody away athletically, but Gutierrez is crafty and skilled on the ball. Really liked Gutierrez defensively as well. Breaking up transition buckets, Gutierrez stopped people in their tracks and shut off drives to the rim in the halfcourt. Gutierrez caught fire in the second half from beyond the arc to put the game out of reach for YBA. He finished with 21 points.
Carmelo Harris – 2022 – PG – Team McGee
Harris had 11 of his 15 points in the second half to help Team McGee get past Team Nation. The junior guard just hit big shot after big shot down the stretch, including three triples to put the game away. Harris does a great job of changing pace and direction on the ball. He’s a guy that keeps defenders guessing and plays fast, but never in a hurry. Creating jumpers off the dribble, Harris looked very smooth and confident, selling hard drives to the rim before pulling back or drifting to his spots on the floor. Harris had a very efficient scoring effort and also played unselfish ball. He’s willing to make the extra pass and give up his own good looks if it means his teammate gets a great one.
Emmett Lawton – 2023 – SG – Team 1848
Having a breakout summer, Lawton is getting the green light every time he touches the ball. Team 1848 turned to him late to put the game away against Hard Knox and Lawton came through with some tough shots in the final minutes. The 6-foot-1 guard can knock down shots all over the floor and has some added length that allows him to generate clean looks against contests. Not going to blow anybody away with size or athleticism, but Lawton has scoring tools, confidence as a shooter, and three-level scoring ability. Adding in his extended range from beyond the arc, Lawton should be one of the biggest risers in the next class of 2023 rankings update.
A.J. Lieuwen – 2023 – G – Team 1848
Lieuwen dropped 21 points in a Thursday night win over Hard Knox. A top 40 prospect in the 2023 class, Lieuwen came out aggressive and never took his foot off the gas. The 6-foot combo guard makes defenders pick their poison. He’s very quick on the ball and can get on the hip of defenders after the first step. Once he’s got them sagging off, Lieuwen can pair it with a face-up jumper. Shot selection and developing more point guard skills at his size are two areas of improvement going forward, but Lieuwen has had one of the best travel seasons in the state as a high volume scorer.
Andrew Mason – 2022 – SG – Louisville Magic
Mason performed very well against Next Level Pursuit. A prospect that can do a little bit of everything, Mason stuffed the stat sheet Thursday afternoon. Mason (6-2) is a plus-length wing that can play on or off the ball. He’s a quality catch-and-shoot threat, but also a willing playmaker for his teammates. Mason’s length also makes him a very good defender. He’s tough to get around on the dribble drive and Mason blocked a few shots with authority while not exactly getting a ton of lift off the ground.
Amari Pearson – 2022 – SG – Team Wall
When Pearson has his jumper going, he’s very difficult to stop. Pearson is already an athletic and explosive guard with an electrifying first step to the bucket and some scary above the rim leaping ability. When he forces defenders to respect his outside game, there’s not much they can do. The 6-foot-3 junior had some big time moments in a win over Prospect U on Thursday. Pearson started things off with some momentum-shifting plays in transition and put the finishing touches on the game with some smooth pull-up jumpers down the stretch.
Ryan Sweeney – 2022 – G – Team 1848
Sweeney made his game-high 29 points look easy in a Thursday night win over Empower. The Green Bay East star didn’t require anything special to get it done, he just took what the defense gave him. Flying under the radar in the 2022 class, Sweeney is the type of kid that doesn’t attract much attention to himself. He just kicks your butt and heads to the other end of the floor, but if you try and get under his skin, Sweeney definitely will answer the challenge. The 6-foot-2 guard has always been a terrific transition player, but he’s rapidly improved his outside shot and scoring ability from all three levels. Generating strong Division 2 interest this summer, Sweeney continues to climb the rankings with consistent, high-level play.
Kamryn Thomas – 2022 – SF – Team RWA
Thomas is an intriguing offensive weapon. He’s a legit 6-foot-8 with shot creating tools off the dribble. In the open floor, Thomas can just glide to the rim and cover ground quickly. Thomas got matched up with a 6-foot-10 center and took away that size advantage quite well. He was active as a shot blocker and timed shot really well, sending them back with authority. Thomas has some good mismatch potential with his ability to isolate defenders on the perimeter, size them, and go to work. He’s also got some nice footwork and skills down on the block if he’s matched up against smaller defenders.
Najashi Tolefree – 2022 – SF – Team McGee
Tolefree had 18 points in a win over Team Nation. The West Allis Central standout sparked his team late in the first half with a flurry of buckets to help Team McGee overcome a 12-point deficit. The 6-foot-5 forward finished very well around the rim, powering through contact en route to a couple of 3-point plays. Tolefree works very well in the high post, able to catch, turn, and face from the 12-18 foot range. A junkyard dog on the glass, Tolefree will scrap for second chance opportunities and outwork people under the rim.