50/50 Elite Showcase Standouts (3/3)
Scout Source Hoops and Strive for Perfection Athletics jointly ran an Elite 50/50 showcase at Pro Fit Training in Bethesda, MD for local high school and middle school talent from the DMV to showcase their skills through combine testing, training,…
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Continue ReadingScout Source Hoops and Strive for Perfection Athletics jointly ran an Elite 50/50 showcase at Pro Fit Training in Bethesda, MD for local high school and middle school talent from the DMV to showcase their skills through combine testing, training, and full court games over a weekend. Hidden gems and under the radar talent were given a platform to make up for lost ground in their recruitment due to the coronavirus pandemic. We will introduce you to several standouts in this 3-part series from the Elite 50/50, let’s get started!
‘23 6’6 Ralph Martino Ralph Martino 6'7" | SF Shabach Christian Academy | 2023 MD Team Vito/National Christian
Martino was my favorite stockriser of the event, using a blend of high-level finishes at the basket and precise shooting to be an effective force at the offensive end of the floor. Already standing 6’6, Martino uses his length to finish over and around defenders with ease in the key with a flurry of different moves- floaters, runners, leaners after a step-through, fadeaways. His athleticism separates him from the pack whenever a shot goes up and as his positioning instincts continue to develop- I think he can be an elite rebounding wing. His athletic burst and long strides allow him to get wherever he wants off the bounce to draw fouls near the cup, and he converts these trips well with consistent free throw shooting. I fully expect Martino’s recruitment to take off this season as he plays a national schedule and consistently performs in front of college coaches.
‘22 6’2 Dylan Long Dylan Long 6'2" | SG Takoma Academy | 2022 State MD DMV Stags/Reservoir
Dylan was hands-down the most athletic guard in attendance, flying through the paint to throw down putback dunks above the box on multiple occasions. An aggressive driver always looking to get to the basket, he is able to use his upper body strength and balance to finish through contact in midair around the hoop. Whenever his defender sags off after successful drives, he has the confidence and ability to knock down shots from the perimeter with a quick release. Defensively, Long is an absolute ballhawk at the point of attack- pressuring his matchup into picking up his dribble and passing out to the perimeter.
‘22 6’8 Jared Turner Jared Turner 6'8" | SF Gonzaga | 2022 State MD DC Premier /Gonzaga College Prep
A very high-IQ player, I’ve enjoyed watching Turner’s development from pure shooter to a jumbo wing that sees the floor well to deliver on-time and on-target passes in addition to consistent shooting. He always plays with his head up in the post, finding shooters on the opposite wing and corner if he doesn’t have a good look at the basket. Defensively, he has made strides as an on-ball and weak-side defender, making the correct rotation to cut off drives or block shots at the rim.
‘22 5’9 G Jamari Glover Vito Select/Gerstell Academy
Glover used a tight handle to get wherever he wanted on the court, played with great pace, fit passes through tight windows on time and on target to teammates, and took care of the ball. Glover is aggressive in transition, using the above-mentioned task to create high percentage looks for his team. His patience and control of the game stood out in a showcase environment that normally doesn’t exhibit a high level of team play.
HM
‘22 6’5 Jordan Nkoa Abessolo New World/St Maria Goretti
Plays great defense on or off the ball, crashes the glass, finishes well through contact on putbacks, understands and excels in his role, runs the floor like a gazelle, puts enormous pressure on the defense to find him early on box-outs
‘23 6′ Benjamin Landesman Albert Einstein
High academic recruit (4.0), plays bigger than his size, hustles hard to be in the right spot on either end, always in position defensively, can shoot it from deep, deceptive athleticism and leaping ability
’23 6’4 Jaidin Oliver Crusader Nation/DeMatha
Plays with pace offensively, takes care of the ball, works to get deep into the paint to finish on drives, nice touch around the basket, always looking to distribute off the bounce, can shoot it from 3, uses pivot well