Program MVP: Zion Griffin
Who was the MVP of each grassroots team program this past spring and summer? This might not necessarily be the best player although in many cases it is. We are looking at the player from Illinois that elevated their game and stepped up when it mattered most taking both themselves and their teams to the next level.
The Hoopers Basketball Club MVP is Hinsdale South small forward Zion Griffin. He left absolutely no doubt to that this summer. The Hoopers have had much success on the circuit the last couple summers. Last year they had a breakout star in Bolingbrook wing Nana Akenten who would go onto Nebraska. Heading into the spring Griffin was a top 25 prospect that was getting fringe D1 interest. After July he had multiple high major offers including some blue bloods. What does Griffin bring to the table as a prospect? He is a physically gifted 6’6” small forward with freakish athleticism to go with his strength. Griffin proved he could shoot the ball from three at a higher clip than we had seen in the past. It was just a monster spring and summer for this wing.
There was not one moment, but rather a collection of moments that defined the summer of Zion. The first came back in the spring. When we saw him during the high school season he was mostly playing the five which limited his ability to show what he could fully do. That was blow out of the water when we saw him during the first live period at the Baylor event in Romeoville. He was slashing to the hoop at will and hitting threes. It was against subpar competition however. That was our question heading into July. Could he do it against big time talent? The answer was a resounding YES! He did it against multiple Nike EYBL teams the last two weekends including an epic performance against Howard Pulley during the second live period. We evaluated him three times against quality competition during the last live period and he put on a show in all three games securing a spot in the top 5 in the 2018 class.
Congratulations to Hinsdale South 2018 small forward Zion Griffin on winning the PrepHoopsIllinois Program MVP for Hoopers Basketball Club.