Kyler’s Week 2 Player Evaluations
In this article:
This week was full of great games that had lots of great players in them. I saw some exciting prospects and look forward to giving you my evaluations each and every Sunday throughout the season. It is time to recap…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis week was full of great games that had lots of great players in them. I saw some exciting prospects and look forward to giving you my evaluations each and every Sunday throughout the season. It is time to recap this week and look at what our exciting prospects did.
Fishers: vs Indianapolis Metropolitan 11/30
Jeffrey Simmons Jeffrey Simmons 6'7" | PF Fishers | 2022 State IN – 6’7 2022 PF: Although he will be playing football at the next level (Miami OH), he will always be one of favorite forwards in the state because of his physicality around the basket. Was a beast on the boards and gave the Tigers a ton of second chance point opportunities. Made a few baskets from the outside too and the best play came from him as he converted a And1 near halfcourt buzzer beater at the end of the 2H. The all-time leading scorer and rebounder in the school’s history is going to continue to cause problems for any opponents as the season goes on.
Charlie Smith Charlie Smith 6'1" | PG Fishers | 2022 State IN – 6’1 2022 PG: Smith is a skilled guard that can play on or off the ball consistently. This game I felt he was making better plays more off the ball with great cuts to the rim and scoring on easy layups. When he had the ball, he displayed an excellent, aggressive first step on a wing drive. Smith can battle on both ends with the best of them. Underrated guard for Fishers and in the entire state.
Bryce Williams Bryce Williams 6'1" | PG Fishers | 2022 State IN – 6’0 2022 PG: Williams is a lighting quick guard that is the glue that holds this Fishers team together. Lot of things to like about Williams as he sees the floor well, scores all at 3 levels, smooth, explosive on/off the ball, scrappy on both ends, and more. Overlooked athleticism and strength as well. Smaller schools need to be all over this guy cause he can help a team win.
Jalen Haralson Jalen Haralson 6'7" | PG La Lumiere | 2025 #8 Nation IN – 6’6 2025 PG: Without question, there was not a player with a higher upside in this game than the 6’6 lead guard Haralson. Within his first few plays he had already had 2 dunks, one resulting in an And1 and the other a flashy baseline cut. This season is more of a transitional time for him getting acclimated at the varsity level but by the end of the year he is easily going to be one the best in the state. Game comes natural to him and with watching him for really the first time, it is easy to tell why he is in the top 2 or 3 freshman in the state.
Indianapolis Metropolitan: vs Fishers 11/30
Omari Ferguson Omari Ferguson 6'3" | SG Indianapolis Metropolitan | 2023 IN – 6’3 2022 SG: Ferguson is a ultra-athletic SG that is one of the most explosive overall players in the state. Displayed that explosiveness getting through traffic at times with one of those types of plays ending with a thunderous slam. He transferred in from Pike and has really helped Metro play at another level. Just one of the better rim finishing SGs we have.
Quincy Stamps – 6’2 2022 SF/PF: Stamps is a shorter forward that is built like a bull. For his bigger size, he has very quick feet and can bully his way to the basket and finish inside. Even showed the ability to shoot it from the outside with a step-back 3. He fits Metro’s up-tempo, gritty style.
David Meriwether David Meriwether 6'10" | C Lawrence North | 2023 UT – 6’10 2023 C: This was by far the best I have seen the 6’10 true post play. First off, he was an absolute force on the defensive end as he was blocking shot after shot after shot. One big criticism I have had of Meriwether in the past was that I thought he was not playing with energy but this game he was sprinting hard down the floor and converting buckets in transition. If Meriwether can play like this every game, he can be one of the better post players we have in the 2023 class.
Westfield: vs Zionsville 12/3
Braden Smith Braden Smith 6'2" | PG Woodlan | 2024 State IN – 6’0 2022 PG (Purdue Commit): The tough Purdue commit was all over this one tonight. Smooth and quick passes, finishing at the rim, multiple pull-up 3s, there just was not a whole lot that Smith was not doing. The most important thing I saw from him was his defensive plays as he was getting down and dirty on that end until the final buzzer. Overall, Smith just plays with electricity and pairs that well with confidence. He finished with a game high 26 points.
Cameron Haffner Cameron Haffner 6'3" | SG Westfield | 2022 State IN – 6’3 2022 SG: Haffner is a taller shooting guard with one of the quickest shots I have seen out of any player I have watched. Excels very well shooting off the screen and is just so deadeye with his shot most of the time. Made other great offensive plays like a reverse layup off the fastbreak and converting 15ft jumpers. He plays off Smith so well. He finished with 13 points.
Nic Depasquale Nic Depasquale 6'2" | SG Westfield | 2022 State IN – 6’2 2022 SG: Depasquale is a shorter shooting guard that played so physical this game. Not the quickest guard you will see but has strength and plays aggressive every possession. Uses his strength and bigger frame well on the drive and converted a huge And1 down the stretch. Also shot it well off the catch from behind the arc. He just does all the little things so well for this Westfield team.
Zionsville: vs Westfield 12/3
Isaiah Davis Isaiah Davis 6'9" | PF Zionsville | 2022 State IN – 6’9 2022 PF (Huntington Commit): Ever since returning to Zionsville, Davis has been a very dominate part of this talented Eagle team. Started off the game a little slow in the 1Q before absolutely going off in the 2Q hitting multiple shots 15ft and out. However, the best play I saw from him was him grabbing his own missed layup but battling for his own rebound before putting it back in for 2 which that proved be a crucial score down the stretch. He really is one of the most complete PFs we have in the state. He tied the team high of 18 points.
Logan Imes Logan Imes 6'4" | PG Zionsville | 2023 State #202 Nation IN – 6’4 2023 PG: Imes is a taller lead guard that has some of the best playmaking ability in the 2023 class. Westfield was trying to trap him early but failed to do so as he scored though the double team nearly every time. Shot the ball very well from behind the arc and mixed in a smooth floater as well at times. He is the main man in the backcourt for Zionsville and continuing to have a breakout year. He matched Davis with a team high 18 points.
Nick Richart Nick Richart 6'9" | PF Zionsville | 2023 State IN – 6’8 2023 PF: Richart is a traditional big that is so smooth around the rim. Said this multiple times before, but his footwork is some of the best we have out of any big in the state. Started to get it going in the second half and there were moments in the game that Westfield just had no answer for him. Natural rebounder, has a hook shot, soft touch, and legit size. Richart will be a game changer for Zionsville all season long. He is continuing to improve, which is scary.