Geico Nationals: Link Academy vs Prolific Prep (Pt. 1)

Geico Nationals: Link Academy vs Prolific Prep (Pt. 1) FORT MEYERS, FL—It’s hard to believe but Geico Nationals is in its thirteenth year of existence and its been quite a ride with a staggering amount of players that have ended up in the NBA, including Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Jaylen Brown to name a few. This year is no different as there are a plethora of highly-talented ballers in Jordan Walsh Jordan Walsh 6'7" | SF Link Academy | 2022 #31 Nation MO , Chris Livingston, Dariq Whitehead, Keyonte George, and Gatorade National POY Gradey Dick.  Mr. Impact Jordan Walsh Jordan Walsh 6'7" | SF Link Academy | 2022 #31 Nation MO (Link Academy) 2022, F, 6-foot-7, 195 pounds  Joel’s Take: Walsh had his fingertips all over this game. His forte is impacting the game with his motor. He uses his length and bounce to slash his way to the rim in transition, catch lobs, and convert the occasional 3-pointer. His face-up skills are on the come as he possesses a quick 1st step. Once he gets in the paint, he has a nose to score. Defensively, he uses his length and active hands to cause havoc. l Stepping it up Tre White Tre White 6'5" | SF Prolific Prep | 2022 State (Prolific Prep) 2022, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds Joel’s take: White was Prolific Prep’s go-to player with MJ Rice MJ Rice 6'5" | SF Prolific Prep | 2022 State #29 Nation out of the lineup. He was the primary playmaker who did an outstanding job of scoring and facilitating. His shot selection can be a bit questionable at times, but he is built to score. He is tough to deal with off the bounce and he can either nail the mid-range pull-up or finish through contact. When attacking he is quite the nifty passer where he set up Jordan Pope Jordan Pope 6'1" | PG Prolific Prep | 2022 State #194 Nation on a number of 3-point attempts. Shooter Alert Jordan Pope Jordan Pope 6'1" | PG Prolific Prep | 2022 State #194 Nation (Prolific Prep) 2023, PG, 6-foot, 165 pounds Joel’s take: Pope had a terrific stretch at Geico. He is equally adept at shooting off the catch or converting the 3 in transition. He sets up his shot well where he is always on balance. He gets great lift on his shot as well. If the defender crowds him he can utilize the pump-fake to free himself and deliver the mid-range pull-up. Pope is one of the better combo-guards in the West.  Paint Nemesis Felix Okpara Felix Okpara 6'11" | C Hamilton Heights | 2022 #51 Nation MO (Link Academy) 2022, C, 6-foot-11, 240 pounds Joel’s take: While Walsh is the perimeter defensive catalyst, Okpara has been the paint protector. Okpara has good feet and mobility and excellent timing. He had a stunning block on a dunk attempt on a probable post finish by Mor Seck Mor Seck 7'0" | C Prolific Prep | 2022 State , and then covered the length of the floor to stuff a rim finish where he showed impeccable timing. With his length, quick feet, and instincts he should be a defensive nightmare at the next level.