The Stage: Five Points of The Top Prospects Part 1
In this article:
The Stage. Talent performed on The Stage. Here are some of the top names from The Stage and we give you five points of the prospect talking about some other talents at the event.
Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq Marzouq Abdur-Razaaq 6'7" | SF Accelerated Prep | 2023 State CO (6’6 SF 2023) of PLUTO Prospects
- Recent offers from Montana, North Dakota and Radford and a big reason for that is Marzouq’s ability to handle the basketball and dribble separate into an attack or jumper. Few guys his size dribble separate the way he does.
- Marzouq is one of the best rebounders you will find that have wing or small forward next to their name. He’s been at or near ten boards every game I have seen the past two weeks
- Balanced finishes. Catching on a cut or attacking himself, has the strength and body control for balanced finishes.
- Love that shooting form. The crossover, nasty at 6’6 but I really like his shooting form as well
- I think he’s a prospect that the Missouri Valley, Mountain West, A10, West Coast Conference, CUSA should really have a look at
Chance Berry (6’0 PG 2023) of DMV Stags
- I really enjoyed watching the patience of Berry as he made decisions waiting for the defense to have a breakdown
- Looks to be a quality shooter as he hit multiple perimeter jumpers in both games I saw
- Combo guard role for his team at times and he did it well because he was able to knock out jumpers and attack
- Speaking of attack, Berry made all the foul shots he took in the games I saw, 10 of 10. The guy you want at the line
- Composed.
Matthew Bothun Matthew Bothun 6'9" | PF St. Francis | 2023 State MN (6’9 PF 2023) of Minnesota Fury
- Can Bothun perform at a high level against good competition? Absolutely. Was a great second option for the Fury all weekend
- Not just the model of what a stretch four is now, Bothun hit clutch shots including a double overtime three that got his team a win
- I really like how he is using the ball fake to get his man to move so he can lift into a shot or dribble once into a shot
- He is moving within this Fury offense and scoring at the cup
- Thought Mathew is doing a better job of getting his length up on defense and making it an issue for opponents.
Kyle McNeal Kyle McNeal 6'1" | PG Dwyer | 2023 #297 Nation FL (6’3 PG 2023) of Ball 4 Lyfe
- Love his first step. McNeal attacked like a shark when his guy was leaning or he had an angle off the screen
- Great lift into his finish at the cup. Was able to beat the help to his look because of that lift
- Good size at lead guard and he uses it well too. Love how he uses his off shoulder to finish
- He gets great lift on his jumper. A clean look in space every time because of that lift.
- He’s a really long guard. Shot blocks, deflections, extensions to finish on his attack, length really helps him.
Garrison Phelps Garrison Phelps 6'6" | SG Saint Marys Catholic | 2022 State AZ (6’6 SG 2022) of Arizona Select
- One of the elite athletes at this event. Phelps puts that athletic ability to good use, was a first team all state player this year
- Love his defensive potential. Phelps is strong, long, and he puts that to good use. Has the agility to be an elite defender in college
- Nothing forced. This is an efficient numbers guy. Will get to 14 points without hitting double digit attempts regularly
- This is where it must be said, he’s a team guy. He talks on D, works hard to all spots on D, cuts hard on O, moves the ball on O, knows the offense and puts it to use.
- Back to the athletic ability. He’s a take the ball off the rim rebounder, impossible guy to block out on the backside, high percentage finisher on the cut.
Blaise Porter Blaise Porter 6'1" | PG New London | 2023 State #298 Nation IA (6’1 PG 2023) of Iowa Barnstormers
- The Barnstormers run some of the best stuff you will see in AAU. Their first read/first pass are crucial and Blaise made the right one every time
- Efficient. Scored well but his scores were well timed’
- Loved his use of the ball screen. Attacked at from the right angle to get space, his decisions off it were outstanding
- Did a great job verbally directing his team
- Used his body well to attack and finish. Was able to hold his man and then extend to space while shielding as he went to the cup