Battle: Scott’s Saturday Standouts
The PrepHoops Battle at the Lakes continued on Saturday in Minnesota. We spent the day at the 17U venue to check out an outstanding field of teams. See who were Scott’s Saturday Standouts!
SF Naseer Turner (Chicago Demons 17U)
Turner is a projectable wing from Kenwood that has a long and lanky frame with broad shoulders. Didn’t get a ton of tick for his high school team last year, but is making noise with the Chicago Demons on the grassroots circuit. Turner did most of his damage in the lane. Quickness around the hoop. Finished well in the paint. Should continue to get better at that once he adds on strength. Struggled shooting it bricking several jumpers and free throws. Displayed improved feel passing it especially in the drive and kick game. Was solid rebounding it in traffic. Turner should be on the D2/Low-major radar.
PG Kendle Moore (Team Rose 17U)
Moore is a quick and shifty point guard out of Danville. The explosive lead guard played at a high level in both games we saw on Saturday. He is a speedy point guard that makes a lot of his plays in the open floor. It is becoming apparent that he has made significant strides on his perimeter shot. We saw the growth in it during the season and it has continued. Moore drilled quite a few threes off the catch throughout the day. The majority of his scores were transition layups and threes. Moore played off the ball a good portion of the time we evaluated him. Projecting as a mid-major/low-major scoring point guard.
SF Raekwon Drake (Team Rose 17U)
Have a weekend Mr. Drake! The Orr forward was DOMINANT on Saturday! Drake left his mark on the game with his elite athleticism, never ending motor, and improved skill set. He had dunk after dunk against D1 Minnesota as he was the catalyst for them knocking off the hometown squad. Drake rebounded extremely well against nationally ranked post Race Thompson. He took on the challenge and out played the highly recruited big man. The Orr combo forward high-pointed rebounds all game long. Offensively he also mixed in some jumpers and drives from the mid-post. Drake should be on low-major and mid-majors watch lists heading into July after this monster weekend!
SG Robert Hubbard (Full Package 17U)
Hubbard put himself on our radar with his performance on Saturday. The 2019 prospect was playing up on the 17U level for Full Package due to injury. He is a sophomore wing from Loyola High School. This kid can flat out shoot the rock! Hubbard drilled tons of threes off the catch. Clean stroke with balance. Also mixed in a couple other moves including a shot fake followed by a step back. Hubbard had 15 points.
SG Kenny Pittman (Young & Reckless 17U)
Pittman’s perimeter shot was on point on Saturday! The Simeon shooting guard played the best we have ever seen him. He is known as a perimeter shooter, but this was without question the best he has ever let it fly! Pittman hit threes off dribble penetration. He shot it with a ton of confidence. Short and crisp stroke. Was especially special shooting it from the corner. Showed improved handles mixing in a couple nice drives. His transition shooting was without question his strength. He had 26 points in one game. Pittman is a D2 prospect at this stage. With more consistent play like this he could move into low-major consideration.
SG Tyler Chisom (Young & Reckless 17U)
Chisom is a 2017 unsigned senior that is playing with Y&R. The Proviso East wing is tough as nails. He attacked the hoop with authority. Finishes well through contact at the rim. When he is going downhill with a head of steam behind him Chisom is a tough cover. Also plays well in the open floor as a wing finisher filling the lanes. Showed improvements in his passing ability especially in the half court. Chisom is looking for a JUCO program. Would be a very welcome addition for a team looking for a defensive minded and slashing two guard.
SG Derrion Blankenship (Illinois T-Wolves 17U)
Blankenship had quite a game on Saturday. The 6’2” Joliet Central 2018 guard used his quickness to score on the interior. Shot a high percentage from the field because a lot of his points came in the paint. Good speed in transition. Quick second jump off the ground allows him to be a solid wing rebounder. He struggled shooting it throughout. Small college prospect had 17 points.
C Dain Dainja (D1 Minnesota 17U)
This was my first time seeing this big bodied 2020 post. Playing at the 17U level he didn’t stick out as being the youngest player on the floor. He fit right in. Physical body and moves well for his size. The Minnesota post has a fundamentally sound game in the post as well with a soft touch. Showed a hook shot, sealed in the high/low, and displayed his nimbleness on a couple spin moves. Rebounds well within his area. High-major prospect.
PF Dedoch Chan (Minnesota Lace Up 17U)
Chan is another unsigned senior that made an impression. The power forward has a great build at the power forward spot. He is a plus area rebounder that snatches them anytime they are close to him. Finishes well in the paint. Flashes skill, but mostly an athletic post that finishes using his physical gifts. Liked how he defended in the pick and roll. Chan would be worth consideration at the JUCO level as a prospect that can go there and develop into a potential D1 kid after a couple years of seasoning.