Run N Slam: Elite 11
In this article:
Where to start with the ridiculously talented field at the Run N Slam tournament in Fort Wayne. A top 10 list is a little overused. And Elite 11 just sounds so good. Following are eleven of the blue chip level…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWhere to start with the ridiculously talented field at the Run N Slam tournament in Fort Wayne. A top 10 list is a little overused. And Elite 11 just sounds so good. Following are eleven of the blue chip level recruits that caught my eye on the weekend.
Note: I covered Austin Parks Austin Parks 6'9" | C St. Mary's Memorial | 2023 State #166 Nation OH and Dailyn Swain Dailyn Swain 6'7" | SF Africentric | 2023 State #81 Nation OH in my Friday Night Lights column, so I did exclude them from this list. I would encourage you to check that entry out
Reed Sheppard Reed Sheppard 6'3" | PG North Laurel | 2023 State #22 Nation KY 6-3 North Laurel (KY) (pictured at top) Highest ranked prospect in the star studded field and lived up to that billing. The rare elite prospect that doesn’t pass the initial eye test. But once the ball tips you realize what he is very quickly. Not many weaknesses in his game. Strong driver who rises effortlessly above opponents in the mid range. Aided by a vertical that allows him to play well above the rim. Doesn’t need to play the point on this team (see below) But is a good ball handler and seemingly always makes the right pass. Speaking of passing. Has the ability to fire off Kevin Love-like outlet passes with a simple flick of the wrist. You have to wonder at his size if point guard might be his long term position. Showed his clutch gene and defensive chops by locking up Jake Fiegen Jake Fiegen 6'3" | SG New Trier | 2023 State IL . Fiegen had been going off in the championship contest (see below) These winning intangibles and lineage could make Sheppard one of the more popular recruits in Kentucky’s storied recent history.
Gabe Cupps Gabe Cupps 6'1" | PG Centerville | 2023 State #80 Nation OH 6-2 Centerville (OH) Hoosier hysteria was in full effect this weekend when Cupps took the court. Local IU fans showed up to see their future point and he did not disappoint. Like his backcourt partner Sheppard. Seemingly always makes the right play. Rarely dribbles into trouble. But when he does always has a safety valve. Will probably never be a player that plays above the rim. But is very crafty and clever around the basket. Making him a threat in the paint. Good outside shooter who you can’t sag off of. Coming off a state championship with one the better public school teams in the entire nation. Also took home a trophy this past weekend. At the risk of overstating the obvious. The statistics might not jump off the page. But this is just a big time winning basketball player.
Jeremy Fears Jeremy Fears 6'1" | PG La Lumiere | 2023 GA 6-1 La Lumiere (IN) If you could build the ideal Tom Izzo point guard in a lab. This is what it would look like. A tough as nails point guard who plays with a nasty disposition. Has quick elevation and burst. Allows him to finish at the rim like post with simply the use of one power dribble. Operates well in pick and roll and is a pass first point guard. Proved himself in a big way this past year on the NIBC. It was a shame he did not get to match up with Cupps this weekend. That could be a defining BIG 10 battle in the next four years.
Xavier Booker
Xavier
Booker
6'11" | PF
Cathedral | 2023
State
#4
Nation
IN
6-11 Cathedral (IN) The prototype of a modern stretch big. Has eye opening elite length that makes him a huge presence defensively at the rim. But there were plenty of bigs with defensive ability in the stacked field. What set Booker apart was his ability to stretch the floor. Has a smooth and easy left handed release from three. With the lack of windup and his size. He easily gets in off from the perimeter. Lands softly and has good rotation. He is quite skinny and will need to add more weight at the next level. But if he does. This is the type of prospect with lottery pick type potential.
Darrin Ames Darrin Ames 6'1" | PG Kenwood | 2023 State #99 Nation IL 6-0 Kenwood (IL) I would put his stop and start ability up against anyone in this entire class. Really has the ability to put defenders on skates with his lethal step back dribble. Gets into shooting position quickly off the bounce. Finishes well at the rim despite not being the biggest point guard prospect. Does this with creativity and an innate ability to hang in the air. Left handed but goes both directions easily.
Rayvon Griffith
Rayvon
Griffith
6'6" | SF
AZ Compass Prep | 2023
State
#78
Nation
AZ
6-7 Taft (OH) Admittedly did not see as much of this prospect this weekend as the other on this list. Was not playing on Sunday. Had “better” things to do. Just the minor event of announcing his commitment to stay home and play at Cincinnati. But his Friday play merits mention. In a decisive opening victory scored at will against Chicago Lockdown. Did it both in transition and in the half court. Moved well without the ball and came off screens like a technician. Athleticism was well on display with several emphatic finishes. Highest ranked prospect the Bearcats have had in a while. Could be a program changer in the American Athletic or even BIG 12 conference.
JaQualon Roberts JaQualon Roberts 6'8" | PF Bloomington North | 2023 State IN 6-7 Bloomington North (IN) An electric presence around the rim all weekend for Indiana Elite 3SSB. Just put it up there and he will go get it. Not a wiry leaper. Has a thick and well put together frame. Displayed improved ball handling and overall perimeter ability. Has the size and skill set to toggle between the 3/4 spots easily. This positional versatility could allow for his recruitment to take off shortly. I last saw playing in a one off in last summer at the Prep Hoops Grit Region Finals. Has come a long way in less than a year. Could be player who really blows up at next level.
Cameron Christie Cameron Christie 6'4" | SG Rolling Meadows | 2023 State #76 Nation IL 6-5 Rolling Meadows (IL) I always try and shy away from sibling comps. But the physical resemblance to Max is striking. Not as big or explosive athletically. But let’s not forget who you’re comparing that too. Plenty of pop to be a successful major college contributor in his own right. I was impressed with his ability to essentially run the point for the Illinois Wolves. Plays straight up which makes him appear taller than his listed height. Really wanted the ball in his hands late in a dramatic victory against George Hill-All Indy. Went to hole hard to convert the game winning shot against GHAI’s extreme length (see above) Size also makes him a good kick out passer. Which leads us to…
Asa Thomas
Asa
Thomas
6'6" | SF
Lake Forest | 2023
State
#91
Nation
IL
6-6 Lake Forest (IL) Knockdown outside shooter with good size. As mentioned above the Illinois Wolves did not feature a traditional point guard. As with Christie. Thomas showed the ability to handle the ball and initiate offense when needed. But shooting ability is going to be his card. Was good at finding spots in the half court. Particularly adept from the corners in the games I viewed. There is always a home from shooters with size at the next level.
Mason Jones
Mason
Jones
6'7" | PF
Valparaiso | 2023
State
IN
6-7 Valparaiso (IN) Began the summer running with Meanstreets. So understandably was playing with purpose in the Friday night upset victory over the EYBL squad. A jack of all trades type of forward. Physical and strong enough to bang down low. Seeks contact and is able to finish through it. But can step outside on the perimeter when needed. Not afraid of the moment. Played a big role in many of the clutch opportunities during GRIII’s closing double overtime thriller. Wanted the ball in his hands and knew what to do with it. Fits the mold of the Valparaiso stretch four.
Jake Fiegen Jake Fiegen 6'3" | SG New Trier | 2023 State IL 6-3 New Trier (IL) Might not fit into this category as an elite national prospect. But with his performance this weekend. Might be knocking on the door. One thing that is unquestionably elite is ability to shoot the basketball. Proved that all weekend leading Full Package Black to an undefeated record and a place in the Platinum Championship against Midwest Basketball Club. In that contest finished with 8 threes against arguably the best backcourt in AAU basketball. Did it in an efficient manner and did not force shots. Moves well without the basketball on knows how to come off screens. More than just a shooter. Good enough ball handler to play the point. Size and overall foot speed are going to determine where he ends up the next level. But proved this weekend that he can shoot and play with just about anyone.