Hardwood Classic (Kansas): Saturday Standouts Part I
Cliff McCray, 6’2 PG (Showtime Hoopers Black 17U)
When we last talked with McCray back in April, he told us that Nebraska-Omaha, South Dakota and North Dakota State were the D1 schools that had been showing him some interest. He’s picked up a slew of D2 offers, but he looks like more of a D1-caliber point guard to us. He was blowing by the elite level talent on Y&R and was just as athletic as the ultra-athletic opponent. McCray’s vision and passing puts him over the top.
Jaleque Dunson, 6’3 G (Sioux City Bombers 17U)
Probably the best surprise of the day, we knew Dunson was a player, we’ve seen him in the past with Martin Brothers and currently have him ranked No. 32 in Iowa’s 2020 prospect rankings. After today, he might be due for a bump. He was showcasing excellent play-making abilities while scoring a team-high 17 points during an impressive win over SSA Elite White.
Jake Hull, 6’3 SF (Iowa Intensity 16U)
Again Hull was terrific, and this time his prolific scoring came during an Intensity win. Yesterday he scored 41 points in a loss, today, he went for 36 points. He’s just bigger, faster and stronger than the guys trying to guard him, and his jumper is much better than we ever remember it. Hull will have a monster season at Grinnell next year.
Nolan Benak, 6’1 SG (SW Iowa Select 17U)
This Millard South guard has had one of the sweeter strokes we’ve seen all weekend, and he either drills his long-balls or narrowly misses. Either way, when he launches one from beyond the arc, the opponent is holding its breath.
Jared Gast, 6’5 C (SW Iowa Select 17U)
He’s a bit of an undersized big-man, but that didn’t stop him from completely dominating the paint during his teams win over SSA Elite. Gast isn’t overly athletic, but rather deliberate and methodical with his approach to scoring. It worked. the St. Albert rising senior scored 19 points in a win over SSA Elite.
Nathan Leaders, 5’8 PG (SW Iowa Select 16U)
A home-schooled guy from Omaha, Leaders was the most impressive on the floor for Southwest Iowa Select during their humbling 62-20 loss to MOKAN Select. He’s small, but has a thick frame and is quick with some really nice handles. He was showing a nice jumper to boot.
Grant Stubbs, 6’5 C (MOKAN Select 16U)
The Kansas City big-man was simply doing what he needed to be doing: exploiting mismatches in the paint against a much smaller SW Iowa Select squad. Stubbs was doing so with great confidence and with better efficiency. We remember him missing very few shots, but making nine field goals during his 22 point performance.
Antonio Reeves, 6’3 SG (Young & Reckless-DeNard 17U)
Illinois’ 27th-ranked 2019, the Simeon guard was like a slow burn during his team’s hard-fought win over Showtime Hoopers. He never forced anything and let the game come to him, and eventually it did. That’s when he showcased a butter stroke from deep and a knack for hitting big second half shots that kept the pesky Iowa team at bay.