Next Level Invitational: Thursday Standouts
It was a long day two of hoops at the NY2LA Sports Next Level Invitational. PrepHoopsIllinois was in the house from the first tip to the last buzzer. Here are the standouts from Thursday!
PG Easton Darling (Martin Brothers 15U)
This Winterest High School point guard out of Iowa caught our eye early in the morning. He is a 6’0” point guard that got in the lane with relative ease. The lefty has a knack for getting in the paint and converting with tough layups and runners in the paint. Mixes in mid-range jump shots as well. Darling is a potential low-major D1 prospect that is worth tracking early in the process.
SF Nick Savage (Illinois Irish 15U)
Savage is a 6’3” small forward that projects to grow a couple more inches. The 2020 wing can really shoot it from the perimeter. Clean release and was excellent when we saw him connecting on threes off the catch. Savage has the potential to grow into a plus plus shooter from deep. He is still rounding out the others areas of his game as he is raw attacking and still growing into his body. Has a nose for the ball and is a solid rebounder from the wing position.
SG Ramean Hinton (All-In Athletics 15U)
Hinton exploded on the scene in Mequon. The Curie 6’4” shooting guard went from unknown to looking like a D1 prospect in the matter of a few games. Great size, strength, and athleticism combination for this 2020 two guard from the public league power. Hinton uses his strength to attack the rim with authority. He was relentless taking it to the cup and finished well. When he does miss he uses a nice second jump to get put backs. Best playing downhill and in transition. Flashes shooting ability though and is a good free throw shooter. Snatches rebounds. Could potentially be a D1 player if he plays like he did here.
F Tyrelle Hunt (All-In Athletics 15U)
Hunt is a powerful 6’6” combo forward that relies heavily on his strength and motor. The Curie forward is a physically gifted prospect with great natural strength at a young age. He out works many of his opponents on just his power and motor alone. Plays tough around the hoop and finishes well in traffic. Quick to the offensive glass. Runs the floor well. Flashed a couple mid-range jumpers. This 2020 forward is one to track to see how his skill level evolves.
SG Anthony Lynch (Kessel Heat 17U)
This Larkin shooting guard had a strong game against Example Sports when we evaluated him. The 6’3” wing is a player that really gets to the hoop. Handles have improved which have allowed him to score with more ease and shoots a high percentage on his tough takes to the hoop. Best using athleticism scoring in lane, but can also mix it a perimeter jumper.
C Jalen Shaw (Kessel Heat 17U)
Shaw missed the morning game on Thursday, but was there to close out the night with his team and he made an impact. With a lot of coaches heavily anticipating the play of the Larkin big man he came to play. His rebounding is continuing to improve. A lot of that comes along with his better coordination. Even since the beginning of the spring that has made strides as he isn’t miss timing his jumps as much as before. Shaw is rebounding at a high level and protects the paint with his length and shot blocking presence. Offensively he tried to shoot a few jumpers and they weren’t falling so he went inside where he got on the glass for second chance scores and finishes with strength when he had opportunities to score. The mid-major prospect had 12 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
PF Jordan Boyd (Chicago Lockdown 17U)
Boyd is a crafty 6’6” four man out of St. Joseph’s that is never flashy, but is usually good for a solid productive outing. He isn’t the most athletic big man, but he knows how to use his body and scores well in the paint. Hook shot in the lane is his go to move. Seals well and has a soft touch around the hoop. Potential D2 kid that would star at the D3/NAIA levels.
PG DJ Carton (Quad City Elite 16U)
What more can you say about this Bettendorf (IA) 2019 point guard. The 6’0” lefty has been phenomenal all spring and is continuing it into July. After picking up a pair of high major offers he isn’t resting on that at all. Instead he is elevating his game even more. Quick and shifty guard that has a knack for getting the lane and making plays. Excellent pace and doesn’t rush things. Has a high basketball IQ. Attacks with a burst off the bounce where he likes finishing with runners and is an effective kick guy dishing it to three point shooters. Plus passer with feel for the game. Displayed some athleticism on a few dunks we didn’t know he had. Mid-major plus/high-major point guard.
PG Donavan Moore (Illinois Irish 16U)
Moore is one of my favorite prospects and we have been a fan of his upside since day one back last fall at the PrepHoops Camp. The 6’3” 2019 lefty combo guard is slippery with the ball through traffic as he finds creases and gets to the hoop for finishes. Converts well at the rim and is an improving shooter. Not all the way there yet, but shows growth in this area each time we see him. Plus rebounding guard that clears the glass defensively and gets on the offensive end for put backs. Crisp passer. Huge potential here and every Midwest mid-major should be jumping on him!
PG Kevin Caldwell (Jets-Ramey United 17U)
The Alton 2018 point guard is a pit-bull on both ends of the floor. On the defensive end he gets after it with his on ball pressure and constant in your face mentality. Offensively he is quick and shifty getting to the hoop. Likes to attack off the bounce and make plays for himself and others. He did just that!
PG DeAndre Heckard (Hoops4Health 17U)
Heckard played the best at the event on Thursday night. The 6’3” point guard is a powerful, athletic, and fluid guard that when he is at his best projects as a mid-major prospect. Heckard had several strong takes that he converted at the rim with some athletic finishes. Also uses a floater to get over bigger defenders. Finished well in transition and also had a few nice passes in the open floor. He hit one pull up jumper, but the consistency on his shot is what a lot of people are looking to see this July.
PF Jalen Thomas (REACH 16U)
This 6’9” post out of UD Jesuit in Michigan has a grown mans body. He has broad shoulders and sick strength. Plays physical around the hoop. Finishes at a high rate on his post touches. There aren’t going to be a lot of posts as big as him until he gets to college. Moves well for how bulky he is. Also a shot blocking presence. Low-major/mid-major consideration for this 2019 kid.