NY2LA Association Saturday Standouts
Day two at the NY2LA Spring Extravaganza and NY2LA Basketball Association was a huge success as we evaluated games from 8 AM until 10 PM seeing kids from across the state. New names emerged and several stars showed out. See…
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Continue ReadingDay two at the NY2LA Spring Extravaganza and NY2LA Basketball Association was a huge success as we evaluated games from 8 AM until 10 PM seeing kids from across the state. New names emerged and several stars showed out. See who shined in Minnesota on Saturday in our top performers!
SG Zach Couper (Team RWA 17U)
Welcome to the big show Mr. Couper! His high school coach at Rockford Boylan has spoke very highly of him and in my first chance to see Couper play in person I have to agree. The 6’5” shooting guard has great size for the position and plenty of game to go with it. Plus shooter from three that was lethal off the catch. Also jab stepped a couple times faking his man then pulled up for three. Big time shooter that is strong with the rock in traffic. Smooth ball handler that got where he needed to get his shot off. Passed it well showing a good flare for a wing especially on a few drive and kick opportunities. He had 24 points. Low-majors need to get on him ASAP!
C Addison Lubert (Team RWA 17U)
Lubert is a 2017 prospect that will jump up the center board with his performance in Minnesota. At 6’9” he has legit size and tremendous length. Defensively his mobility plays well being able to move blocking and altering shots. Good area rebounder that fights for 50/50 balls and is tough on the glass. Offensively runs the floor very well for his size. Good footwork around the hoop. Definitely should be on low-major radar!
SF Nana Akenten (Illinois Celtics/Hoopers 17U)
The signature performance of the weekend was without a doubt this Bolingbrook wing. The 6’6” small forward put on a complete show on Saturday including the best single performance we have seen all spring by any individual player. Akenten has a strong and athletic frame. He is a freak athlete which plays well on both ends of the floor. Offensively he had every single part of his game going. Jump shot was on point both off the catch and pulling up from both mid-range as well as three. Clean stroke with pure mechanics and elevation. Akenten is a go to scorer that can get to the rack off the bounce by using his explosive first step as well as shot fake to blow past defenders. Completely unstoppable in transition as a finisher. Mauled opponents on the offensive glass for put backs. He is a plus defender on the other end that has lockdown potential. First game of the day had 16 points. Followed that up with a 35 point performance at night. Mid-major plus prospect!
SG Lacey Watson (Quad City Elite 16U)
Watson is one of the more underrated kids in the 2018 class. At 6’3” Watson has a strong and projectable body. He is a born scorer. Tremendous acceleration with the ball in his hands when going downhill. Finishes with acrobatics through traffic on the interior. Play of the day for him was when he stole the ball, went behind his back, and dunked it home. Watson showed a more complete game than we had ever seen out of him. Even displaying a nice passing flare. D1 prospect in the rising junior class.
PG Keondre Schumacher (All-In/Young & Reckless 17U)
Fitting that on the day the Warriors started the playoffs “Baby Steph” went off! He isn’t quite an NBA MVP or even a high major recruit, but this low-major prospect can flat out shoot the rock. At 6’0” the Normal U-High point guard is best when spotting up as a catch and shoot guy or pulling up off the bounce for three. Moves well without the ball after initiating the offense. Solid feel for the game and showed improvement as a decision maker.
PG Tai Bibbs (Mercury Elite 17U)
Bibbs is among the more highly recruited lead guards in the 2017 class. The West Chicago standout is a rangy 6’3” combo guard that has long arms. He is a streaky shooter that went cold for a while, but also had a hot streak. Very smooth with the rock in his hands and works well in the pick and roll where he can turn the corner then make decisions to scorer or dish. Hit a couple nice runners in the lane. D1 prospect that is being looked at by low and mid-major schools.
PF Taylor Bruninga (Illinois Irish 17U)
Our staff was impressed with Bruninga at Swish N Dish a couple weeks ago and he continued his strong play in Minnesota. The 6’7” face up four man can really shoot it. Spots up in the corners and on the wings for threes. Clean stroke with consistency accuracy. Solid area rebounder. Didn’t show a ton handling the ball or in the post. One to track throughout the spring at the D2 level.
PG Chase Adams (SYF 16U)
Marion Catholic’s 5’8” point guard gave his opposition fits with his constant defensive pressure. He is so pesky and just keeps putting pressure on the opponent time after time. That eventually paid off with several steals which he turned into points on the other end. Speed in the open floor and changes gears quickly. Did a nice job getting the ball to his hot hand in Zion Young.
PF Orlando Allen (SYF 16U)
This 6’6” power forward intrigued me during the high season and he showed flashes again in Minnesota. He is uber bouncy and quick off the floor when blocking shots. Allen had a few possessions where he blocked multiple shots in a row. Offensively he is a bit raw, but relies on his athleticism and quickness around the hoop to finish. Potential D1 prospect especially if he grows more.
PG PJ Pipes (Illinois Stars 17U)
Pipes was solid on Friday, but was outstanding on Saturday. The power guard had it rolling scoring! Pull up jump shot from both mid-range and three was straight money. Attacks the hoop with strength, but is also slippery getting through traffic. Showed developing point guard skills even while scoring. He had 24 points. Mid-major to low-major point guard in 2017.
PG Yaakema Rose (Yanders Law 17U)
The 5’9” point guard is small, but super strong and has the heart of lion! He uses his strength to be physical with his opponent getting in their grill and not letting them move when he is on the defensive end. Offensively he is a quality shooter pulling up from mid-range and hitting jumpers from three off the catch.
SG Anthony Fairlee (Illinois Irish 15U)
Fairlee is a 6’3” 2019 prospect from Springfield Southeast. His athleticism jumps off the floor literally! His head was at the rim for most of their game. He has nice length and uses his freak athleticism to hit the glass for tip dunks as well as get out in the transition game where he excels. Definitely one to watch going forward.