Summer Jam: Derrick’s Friday Dimes
Mequon, Wi — Friday night I arrived at Homestead High School in Mequon, Wi just outside of Milwaukee to check out action at the NY2LA Summer Jam which began on Wednesday. A loaded field with a lot of Illinois teams playing for the second weekend on the live period. Here in Derrick’s Dimes we take a look at some of the standout performances from Friday night.
NY2LA Summer Jam Friday Standouts
G – 6’2’’ 2020 DJ Steward – Meanstreets
Steward had a good night shooting the ball from deep for Meanstreets 16U in a win over the MBA Select. Steward is a 6’2’’ guard who can create in a variety of ways, and did so on Friday. He opened up the game knocking down a three and then would hit two more in the half including one from well beyond NBA range. A quick twitch athlete he likes to get up and down the court and impressed with his motor on both ends of the court. He uses his quickness to get to the lane where he made solid decisions on if to go up with it or kick it out to a teammate. On defense he moves his feet well and was constantly playing the passing lanes and getting steals. Steward finished the game with 19 points and impressed with an overall solid game.
F – 6’8’’ 2021 Chris Hodges – Illinois Wolves
The young post out of Schaumburg had his moments but I like the potential Hodges showed on Friday. He is a big body post who runs the floor well and is a major threat at protecting the rim. Hodges had 3 blocks in the first couple of minutes, and was very timely on his block shots. Hodges also showed a soft touch at the rim and kept a lot of possessions alive with his ability to grab offensive rebounds. Just a 2021 prospect there is a ton of potential with him if he can continue to develop.
G – 6’1’’ 2020 Tyler Beard – Meanstreets
Tyler Beard out of Whitney Young HS had a breakout spring, and is looking to continue to boost his stock. One of the better rebounders, and athletes from the guard spot. Beard used his quick first step to blow by defenders and used his athleticism to make some tough shots at the basket. In the 2nd half of a win over MBA select Beard got loose in the open court as the pace picked up and make a string of good plays both scoring at the rim and dishing it out to teammates. Beard can defend multiple guard spots even at 6’1’’ and had some blocked shots in the win.
G- 6’1’’ 2019 Chris Burnell – Illinois Stars
Burnell had a good friday night and helped lead his team to a victory over Made Men. Burnell has a good frame and uses it to penetrate the lane and make plays. Had some really nice dishes and kick outs for assists showing good court vision. Was also able to get baskets of his own at the rim driving and working the midrange. He finished with 14 points in the win.
F- 6’8’’ 2020 Jalen Johnson -Phenom University
The Elite prospect out of Sun Prairie, Wi Jalen Johnson put on a dunk show Friday night. At 6’8’’ is a point forward who can lead the break and dish it out with good court vision. Can score from all three levels and rebounds really well. He would get loose out in transition for some highlight reel dunks including a poster where he went baseline and jumped over the defender.
G – 6’4’’ 2021 Isaiah Barnes – Illinois Wolves
OPRF 2021 wing Isaiah Barnes showed a smooth stroke from deep with textbook form, when he sets his feet he can heat up and hit several big threes’ down the stretch in the game i scouted. He his long and uses his length to not only get his shot off but on defense where he rebounds well from the wing and has some steal out in the passing lanes. Barnes recently picked up offers from Detroit and UW-Milwaukee, and Barnes will definitely be a young prospect to track.
PG – 6’1’’ 2020 Janye Griffin – MBA Select
The 2020 PG from South Bend (IN) Janye Griffin caught my eye in a tough loss against Meanstreets. Griffin is a strong compact lead guard who made plays early and often. Griffin got hot from deep and shot it well and then began to pentertrate the lane and either get to the line or dish it out. Showed really good decisions on the break and had some thread the needle assists to teammates. Accounted for a good majority of points from either scoring himself or getting his teammates involved.
F – 6’6’’ Dannie Smith Meanstreets
The former Orr standout Dannie Smith was very active in a win for the Meanstreets 17U. Smith played with a high level of energy and was outworking everyone on the court. He was grabbing offensive rebounds to keep plays alive, finding teammates and showed versatility by stepping out and hitting shots from deep.Smith’s toughness helped lead Meanstreets to the win over WI Swing and he would finish with a team high 13 points.