Derrick’s Dimes – NY2LA Swish N’ Dish Friday Standouts
Derrick’s Dimes – NY2LA Swish N Dish Friday Standouts
Mequon, WI – The Prep Hoops Illinois Staff kicked off the start of Spring grassroots season at the NY2LA Swish N Dish tournament in Mequon, WI. For me I returned to the gym after a break this winter and was eager to check out some hoops and scout some prospects. I am back again with Derrick’s Dimes as we look at some of the standout performances from Friday night action.
F –2019 6’7” Chris Payton, (Meanstreets EYBL) IL
Coming off of a strong junior campaign at Bloomington high. Forward Chris Payton had an impressive start to the grassroots season for the Meanstreets EYBL. We have known about Chris and his athleticism for some time, but Chris showed not only that he is a superb athlete but has continued to work on his game and improve his skillset. Payton had a good game dishing it out to teammates as well as cleaning up the glass in the win over Ray Allen Select. Scoring wise Payton was good in pick and roll action, and scored off the bounce, and had a nice turnaround jumper. Payton was at his best however out on the break where he threw down numerous big-time dunks. Payton showed why he is a top 5 prospect for the class of 2019 in Illinois and could be primed for a breakout spring.
PG – 2020 6’2” Elliot Sieger (KL5AIA) IL
Elliot Sieger out of Whitney Young HS was impressive for KL5AIA in a win over Brad Beal Elite. Sieger was able to penetrate the lane and make plays at the rim. He showed he could handle the defensive pressure applied by Brad Beal Elite, and was clutch down the stretch to secure the victory. He showed a burst off the bounce, and the ability to get by his defenders, and finish some tough acrobatic shots. Sieger has grown since we last saw him at Swish N Dish and is now 6’2”. He has some opportunity to improve his range from outside where he isn’t a threat from outside. I really liked his toughness and maybe was most impressed with his ability to put pressure on defense. Sieger will be an interesting prospect to track this spring and see how he develops with KL5AIA.
G –2019 6‘0” Zach Toussaint (Kessel Heat) IL
Johnsburg 2019 guard Zach Toussaint flashed a quick release in the opening game that I scouted as he got off to a hot start for Kessel Heat. He can really shoot it from deep and was making shots both off the catch and off the dribble in a win over RAS. He is a small guard who plays hard on both ends of the court. Had several steals and even as one of the smaller guys on the court he was able to get stops on defense rebound the ball and then get out on the break to make plays for Kessel Heat.
SF – 2020 6’6” Cam’Ron Fletcher (Brad Beal Elite EYBL) MO
We last saw Cam’Ron Fletcher at the Chicago Elite Classic where he began a breakout sophomore season for Vashon (MO) that saw several HM schools begin to take notice. The 6’6” Wing out of St. Louis runs with the Brad Beal Elite and is a long wing with athleticism a prototype Small Forward he has good mechanic on his shot and uses his length on both ends of the court. He can take it off the bounce and did a good job working his spots in the short corner and midrange areas to get buckets. He can also play above the rim and had some big time dunks out in transition. On defense he can protect the rim and times blocks well for a wing. A leaper that can clean the glass on defense to get right out to the break. I like the upside of Fletcher because he is so versatile and can score from all three levels and guard multiple positions. Don’t be surprised if his name continues to pop up a lot this spring/summer.
F – 2020 6’9” Jamari Sibley (Phenom University EYBL) WI
2020 Forward Jamari Sibley runs with a loaded Phenom University squad that has a ton of length and depth. Sibley stood out with his ability to make plays in a variety of ways at 6’9” he can handle it and showed really good court vision with some nice dishes out to teammates. He is athletic and had some impressive moves on the bounce. His length creates mismatches because he can play inside or out. Sibley and the Phenom University EYBL 16U team with be a major problem for teams out on the E16 EYBL circuit.
F – 2019 6’7” Tray Jackson (Meanstreets EYBL) MI
Jackson out of Belleville, Michigan shot it well from the wing for a Meanstreets team that will have a lot of length and athletes this year on the 17U circuit and Jackson is one that showed he can score from all 3 levels. Has good build for a combo forward that can guard multiple positions. Has a nice touch around the rim and really attacks the offensive glass well to get second chance points. Jackson has several Mid-Major offers and looks to add to that would a good spring. If he can stay consistent from deep and show he can be a defensive stopper he’s be a 3 and D player with plus athleticism that will attract a lot more interest and offers.
G – 2019 5’11” Johnny Smyros (Kessel Heat) IL
Smyros out of Fremd HS lands on the list for Friday with a strong showing in a win over RAS where he showed the ability to slash through the lane and finish at the rim for Kessel Heat. He was one of the smallest players on the court and playing off the ball he showed no fear. He plays hard on both ends and with a lot of grit. What he lacks in size or athleticism he made up with tenacity and grit to lead his team to a victory.