Hustle SZN Kickoff Recap: Wings & Bigs
Spring is here and that can only mean one thing. It’s Circuit Season! The Prephoops Circuit is upon us. I will be covering and providing exposure for the Hustle Region Circuit. The Hustle Region Circuit consists of AAU Programs from…
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Continue ReadingSpring is here and that can only mean one thing. It’s Circuit Season! The Prephoops Circuit is upon us. I will be covering and providing exposure for the Hustle Region Circuit. The Hustle Region Circuit consists of AAU Programs from California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and New Mexico. The circuit features 10 stops including the Hustle Region Final in Irvine July 15th – 17th. Stop number one got underway this past weekend in Seal Beach California, with the Hustle Season Kickoff. The event which took place on Saturday, April 2nd through Sunday, April 3rd featured 46 teams ranging from 15U to 17U. The event also featured a lot of good wings and bigmen. In this article, we take a look at the top bigs and wings from the event.
Ringo Aguek 6’7 SF TMP Elite (#41PHA 2022) – Aguek has the frame of a prototypical wing. The sleek aerodynamic slasher was able to get to the rim off the bounce. He was one of the top grab and go, guys, I saw, as he routinely snagged the ball off the glass, pushed it up the floor, and led the break.
Timmy Parker 6’2 SG Cal Elite 2022 – I liked Parker’s game. It was a bit unconventional, but he was effective. He’s kind of a hybrid perimeter player, who spends time playing some 1, 2, and 3. He was able to knock down a couple of threes and was effective at slashing and finishing around the rim.
Caleb Tinker 6’10 C Team Eleate 2022 (featured image) – Tinker is a two-sport high academic prospect, that has received some D1 interest. I can see why. He’s a fluid moving post, that showed the ability to change ends. I was most impressed by his ability to catch the ball and finish around the basket. Tinker is mulling over some baseball opportunities, but he showed that if he does choose basketball, he’ll have opportunities there as well.
Bryson Goldsmith 6’2 SG Nike Pro Skills El Paso 2023 – Goldsmith was one of the top bucket getters I saw this season. I liked his ability to not only get baskets when he had the ball in his hands but also his ability to move without the ball. Goldsmith did a good job coming off screens, and Pro Skills did a good job of running sets for him. He shot the ball well but is more scorer than shooter. Whatever he was, he was effective.
Cameron Wood 6’4 SG D1 Southern California 2023 – I caught Wood during the end of the weekend, and I’m glad I did. He was money from the corners, proving to be one of the top snipers at the event. His scoring wasn’t limited to just his shooting, as he also stuck his nose in and scrapped for more. Wood had one of the better all-around games at the event, going for 20-10 in a 79-65 victory over No Fear Elite.
Tausulu Misaalefua 6’0 SF Coastal Elite 2023 – I always enjoy watching “Big Boy” play. Misaalefua is a big guard with some skills. Despite his size, he moves well and is a very skilled player. Misaalefua was one of the best passers I saw. He has good instincts and fooled defenders several times with backdoor door dimes.
Ely Elgado 6’0 SG IE Fire Elite 2025 – Elgado was one of the top 15U players at the event. His best skill may have been his shooting, but he displayed a good all-around game. When he wasn’t splashing 3’s from the wings, he was playing passing lanes, getting tips and deflections. In transition he showed some advanced finishing skills, using euros and 1, 2 steps to avoid defenders.
Tai-run Williams 6’5 SF No Fear Athletics 2023 – Williams had one of the best frames of any player at the event. He has long arms and they show lean muscle. He played with a lot of power, sometimes simply bullying opponents to the cup. Williams was good when he was playing downhill. He was a diligent floor runner, who didn’t rest on his physical ability alone. Williams played with maximum effort sometimes scoring off sheer heart alone. His best skill may be his defensive versatility, Williams was put into several ball screens but showed the ability to hedge and recover or to straight up switch.