Notebook: EYBL and UAA

The EYBL in Lexington, Kentucky and the UAA in Louisville, Kentucky were a pair of the hottest spots in the nation this past weekend for top prospects and coaches. We were able to get a look at some of Indiana's best homegrown talent at each event. <h2>EYBL - Spiece Indy Heat 17U</h2>Vijay Blackmon - 6'3" G Marion Blackmon showed off his ability to hit jumpers. His stroke is pure and quick, and he was able to splash a couple treys and deep two point field goals. I'd like to see him attack the paint more often, but he has a high IQ on the court and handles the ball well enough to run the point. Brian Warren - 5'10" G TC Howe Warren is a lightening quick combo guard. He is a bit undersized and needs to add some weight to his frame, but he always finds a way to impact the game. He provided a huge spark off the bench for his team doing what he does best; attacking the rim fearlessly and finished in creative fashion. He can bring it offensively. CJ Walker - 5'11" G Indianapolis Arsenal Tech Walker is a gamer. He is the best player on a team full of mid to low major guys in the high powered EYBL, and he is able to lead his team to wins. Walker can score in a variety of ways, but he is best bullying his way to the basket and finishing through contact. He is also one of the best leaders I saw throughout the weekend. Reggie Jones - 6'6" SF Marion Jones has the size, frame, and athleticism to play Division I basketball. He attacks the rim with a purpose and finishes well. He can hit the mid-range jumper as well. Reggie disappears for long periods of time in the game, but if he can put it all together he can be a solid player at the next level. Kyle Mallers - 6'6" F Fort Wayne Carrol Mallers has the size and frame to play the three at the next level. He struggled to score the ball in this one, but he can shoot the basketball. He needs to improve his handles and his athleticism, but he has a basketball IQ to help him make up for what he lacks. Brachen Hazen - 6'8" PF Columbia City <div>Hazen impressed me with his play in this one. Despite struggling to hang on to the ball early on, Brachen finished with double digit points and rebounds. He is very fundamental blocking out and he goes to the basketball to grab boards. He's also a very solid low post defender. Hazen has a nice stroke from three, and he can put the ball on the deck effectively. He has a chance to be a solid mid-major guy at the next level. </div> <h2>UAA - Indy Hoosiers 17U</h2>Joey Brunk - 6'10" C Southport Brunk is a high-level post prospect. He is so skilled on the offensive end. He has the ability to step out and shoot the basketball from 15 feet, and once he gets low post position you can chalk up two points. Joey can use both hands very well and he loves to use the backboard. Defensively, he could be more aggressive on the boards, but overall he is a very good high school big. Keegan Northern - 6'7" PF Martinsville Northern is a pick-and-pop specialist. He can shoot the basketball well and he gets it off quickly. I'd like to see him be a bit more aggressive by attacking the rim and posting up, but he prefers to drift around the three point arch. He is also a solid low post defender. Chris Palomobizio - 6'5" SF Chesterton 2015 Palomobizio has a solid frame and size to play on the wing at the next level. He can shoot the ball well and he brings consistent production on the offensive end. Chris had a couple of really impressive drives to the rim, and he was able to finish through the contact. He keeps his head on the rim very well. He needs to improve his handles and athleticism, but he plays hard and defends. <h2>UAA - SYF Players 17U</h2>Tevin Farris - 6'8" PF Theodore Roosevelt Farris was not much of a factor on the offensive end, but he still left his mark on the game. He has a long wiry frame, and he uses it well. He is very active on the glass on both ends. Eugene German - 5'8" PG 21st Century German was impressive in this one. He can shoot the ball from three and he is excellent in transition and attacking the rim in the half court. He is so quick that most defenders have trouble keeping him in front of them. He facilitates the ball to his teammates, and ran the team well. Demond Wilkins - 6'4" SG Merrillville Wilkins is a thin lefty with enough size to play the two at the next level. He can shoot the ball well and he has speed to run the floor for easy transition buckets. He needs to improve his handles a bit more, but he is more of a catch and shoot guy right now. Damien Jefferson - 6'6" SF East Chicago Central Jefferson is the top wing in the state. He has ideal size on the wing with a solid, long frame. He is an excellent athlete, and he uses this to his advantage on both the offensive and defensive ends. He is great at getting to the rim and finishing over defenders, and he is very efficient from mid-range. He has the makings of a great defender, and all-around player. <h2>UAA - Indy Hoosiers 16U</h2>Paul Scruggs - 6'3" G Southport 2017 Scruggs has game. He has the size colleges look for in a point guard, and his wingspan allows him to play even bigger. He is strong and athletic, and he can score and facilitate the basketball at a high level. He set his teammates up with multiple perfect passes in transition and in the half-court. He is special with the ball in his hands. He can shoot the ball on a self-created mid-range jumper, and he is effective driving to the hoop. He is one of the best in the state. Zach Gunn - 6'7" F Hamilton Southeastern 2017 Gunn is one of those guys that doesn't do anything great, but he does everything well. The lefty has the makings of a "Butler" type of kid. He can shoot the ball, put it on the deck, and handle the rock. He is a bit undersized for the four position, but he rebounds the ball very well. He is a great fundamental basketball player. L'Christian Smith - 6'5" G Wayne 2018 Smith has the size and body already as a freshman. He was a very efficient scorer off the bench, and he put the ball through the net in a variety of ways. He showed off his power game in the post by using a drop step, then he nailed a mid-range fade-away jumper, and he can attack the rim off the dribble. If he can buckle down a bit more defensively and add a three point shot to the mix, he has a chance to be very solid. Cooper Neese - 6'4" SG Cloverdale 2017 Neese is a role player on this team. He can shoot the three well, and he seemed to pass up a lot of shots by being a bit too unselfish. He has a high IQ, and he is very poised with the basketball. He will need to add some more moves to his offensive package, but he knows his role and he plays it well. Tra Landers - 6'1" G Cathedral 2017 Landers is a bit undersized, but he is an excellent on-ball defender. He is quick and handles the ball well. He can hit the open three, but he prefers to set up his teammates. Kris Wilkes - 6'8" F North Central 2017 Wilkes has the most potential in the state. At 6'8" he has the ability to play both the three and the four at the next level. He can shoot the ball, but he is best when he is attacking the rim. His long frame helps him defend the paint and rebound the basketball well. When he adds some weight to his frame, he has a chance to be special.