Prime Time Top 40 Showcase: High Ceiling Prospects
While there were a lot of players making the case to be the guys to watch right now, there were also a handful of younger players exhibiting the talent and promise to be the names of the future. These kids…
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Continue ReadingWhile there were a lot of players making the case to be the guys to watch right now, there were also a handful of younger players exhibiting the talent and promise to be the names of the future. These kids already play with immense confidence and skill, but they have yet to come close to reaching their ceiling. Here are the prospects from the Prime Time Top 40 Showcase that showed the most promise going forward.
Patrice Mpouli
Patrice Mpouli
Mpouli is a high-upside player with great length and quickness at the point guard spot. His length and athleticism allow him to play both guard spots and he has a good eye for jumping passing lanes and accumulating steals. There was one game in particular at the showcase where he racked up six points, two rebounds, and three steals, that really highlighted his potential as a stat-stuffing guard. Mpouli is explosive to the rim and has the potential to be an elite finisher through traffic. His handle and his recognition of spacing and movement in the half court are already well-developed and he could be a key contributor for Rainier Beach as soon as this season.
Katrelle Harmon
Katrelle Harmon
Harmon clocks in at 6’3 but with his length he plays closer to 6’5. He had a few breakaway dunks that looked too easy, and in general he plays at a methodical pace with the patience to work for a good shot. The game often seemed to slow down for the young guard, and he approached each possession with calm and poise. The potential is obvious for Harmon who could rise to an elite-level combo guard, scoring and defending with the best of them. Harmon already has D1 interest and has the look of a future high-major player.
Varani showed off his versatility and unique skillset at the showcase, draining threes from deep beyond the arc, dunking home fast breaks, and showing how disruptive his length can be on defense. He made the long-range shooting look easy, in fact, I did not record a miss from him behind the arc all day. Varani’s upside is huge as an elite scorer from three, an athlete around the rim on both ends of the court, and a versatile defender able to pick up 1-4. The next step for Varani is getting stronger and taking guys off the dribble. Once he starts doing that at a higher rate, he can really round out his scoring profile and start dominating games on the offensive end.
Highlights
Yeabsera “Yabi” Aklog
Yeabsera “Yabi” Aklog
Aklog is a big presence with a soft touch and good ball skills. He showed he can handle the rock a little bit, probably well enough to run a break or put some nice moves together from in close, and also displayed range on his jumper by splashing home 2/2 3PT attempts. He’s already a physically strong player but his skill and finesse are what stood out at the showcase. Once Aklog begins to mature a bit more physically – get a bit quicker, stronger, better feet – his game should explode. He is still raw, but there is a dynamic player inside that already exhibits great feel for the game. It will be interesting to watch him develop as he gets to play with and learn from Jacob Cofie Jacob Cofie 6’10” | PF Eastside Catholic | 2024 State #97 Nation WA for the next two years.