adidas Invitational: Standout 2020 Guards
In July, we’re focusing on the teams and players that we didn’t fully evaluate during the spring. If you’re coming to the website in July expecting us to continue covering the same set of teams we talked about in the spring, that’s just not what we’re about. There’s roughly 200+ college prospects in each of Ohio’s classes, so we owe it to those kids to be in the back gyms of secondary locations to find the diamonds of the rough this month.
This weekend, our July initiative manifested itself in long mornings at Best Choice Fieldhouse, where Prep Hoops was often the only scout in the facility. As you can tell, it worked out. There’s several fresh new names to cover throughout our adidas Invitational reviews, including this very article.
Brady Uhl, 6’1” G, Shining Star – Red / Alter
Uhl’s level of engagement on the defensive end and glass really stood out for this Shining Star group. He brought inspirational effort into the small things on the court, like fighting through screens and talking on defense. As a scorer, Uhl creates scoring opportunities with his strength and aggressive slashing style. At the next level, Uhl will need to develop a consistent jumper to be effective.
Derek Eddings, 6’2” PG, Shining Star – Red / La Salle
Small college programs who run a motion style offense will like Eddings. He stayed active in their halfcourt sets and showed a high-IQ in his decision-making with the ball. Eddings’ shooting mechanics are fine, but the jumper doesn’t fall consistently enough. He has nice length for a combo guard. Overall, he’s a very reliable and sound basketball player.
Marquis Moore, 6’0” PG, Miller Factory / Hamilton Township
Moore thrives as a playmaker once he’s in the lane. He uses a stocky body to maintain control of the ball and has the poise to make smart passes to shooters. Moore has a little bit of wiggle with the ball, but his effectiveness is mostly predicated on having a strength advantage. True facilitator who hardly took shots. We’re unsure how good of a shooter he is.
Markeece Brown, 6’3” G, Miller Factory / Licking Heights (formerly Bloom Carroll)
Brown was a little hot and cold this weekend when we checked on Miller Factory. We were initially questioning his effort, but Brown turned up considerably during crunch time of close games. In those important moments, Brown flashed highlight-level explosiveness as a finisher around the rim. When he’s in attack mode, his athleticism is a real asset.
Jake Warriner, 6’3” G/W, Mid Ohio Pumas White (Beard) / Upper Arlington (formerly New Albany)
The UA transfer has improved as a jump shooter, especially off the dribble. Warriner plays with great balance on his one-dribble pull-ups and other various quick moves. He is also noticeably more athletic than a season ago, when we mistakenly tagged him as a forward because of our concerns with his foot speed. Warriner also showed some driving ability on a contested finish.
Trevell Adams, 5’10” G, Hidden Gems Black / Columbus South
Adams is an unassuming looking kid in warmups. But once he starts zooming by opponents on the break and finishing at the rim, you start to really appreciate his athleticism. Adams’ hang-time and body control compensates for his height disadvantage at the basket. He finishes almost everything, regardless of shot-blockers’ efforts.
Defensively, Adams showed IQ, quickness, and effort in their pressure defensive concepts. He was shutting off passing lanes on the wing and smartly picking his spots on when to show in help-side. Adams also became a rebounder as other players on the court showed fatigue and he maintained his bounce.
Cali Davis, 6’2” G, Hidden Gems Black / Africentric
Davis has been regarded for his energy and handsy defense in the past. He surely brought those things to the table in Indy. But we were actually more impressed with the unexpected flashes of ball skills this weekend.
Davis was their full-time primary ball-handler and impressed mostly as a playmaker in the open floor. He led the break with speed and often finished it with a timely bounce pass assist. When he decides to take it himself, Davis is pretty elusive and likes to finish with a finger-roll. Although he wasn’t super impressive against a 2-3 zone look, Davis was a handful against a man-to-man and has crafty scoring moves in the paint.
Nate Staib, 5’9” PG, Mid Ohio Pumas Black (Staib) / Gahanna
Even if Staib will continue to be limited because of his lack of size, the kid is a super smart ball player. Staib values the possession and is impossible to take the ball from. The ball-dominant guard can shoot the rock when he has space and was crucial in icing a Saturday afternoon victory at the free throw line. He’s dripping in intangibles.
Will Mfum, 6’2” G, Mid Ohio Pumas 17U / Quality Education Academy (formerly Northland)
Mfum’s commitment to the defensive end of the floor this grassroots season has been fantastic. His low defensive stance on his toes is text book and he’s able to drive through screeners because of it. Mfum also displayed vocal leadership on that end of the floor. Offensively, he’s continues to grow as a willing passer on the drive-and-kick.
Chris Herbort, 6’2” G, Apex / Beavercreek
Herbort is a sleeper name that D-IIs should highlight going into next summer. He’s the leader of this Apex group with his scoring presence and noticeable will to win. In terms of skills, Herbort is confidently stroking jumpers from deep or on mid-range pull-ups. He creates space by moving off-ball and making quick skilled moves. His body has also improved over the last year. Capable of playing both guard spots.