NY2LA Invitational: Friday Standouts
The NY2LA Sports Invitational kicked off on Friday night at Homestead High School in Mequon, Wisconsin. PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance to check out the Illinois prospects in action. Here are our standouts from the first night. PG Ben Canady…
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Continue ReadingThe NY2LA Sports Invitational kicked off on Friday night at Homestead High School in Mequon, Wisconsin. PrepHoopsIllinois was in attendance to check out the Illinois prospects in action. Here are our standouts from the first night.
PG Ben Canady (Illinois Attack 17U)
It was a breakout night for the 6’1” point guard from St. Viator. We were very impressed with how the Illinois Attack lead guard led his troops. Canady is a crisp passer in the half court with a feel for how to run a team. Makes great finds to shooters and cutters that aren’t always the easiest read. Gets in the lane with ease and changes pace to keep the defense off balance. Sound perimeter shooter that drilled several triples. Canady had 17 points and 6 assists. High level D3/NAIA prospect.
PF Dom Navigato (Basketball Paradise 17U)
Navigato is similar in some respects to the one that came before him at Geneva with the same last name. He stands at 6’5” with a solidly built body. First aspect that stood out was his post defense. He was an active post defender that used his hands to deflect passes. Not an explosive athlete by any means he was able to use positioning to block shots. Quality area rebounder. Gets on the offensive glass for put backs. He flashes post scoring, but is more of a face up four that stretches the floor with his perimeter shooting out to beyond the three point arc. Small college face up four man.
PG Jack Nolan (Mercury Elite 17U)
The Benet guard is one of the top pure shooters in the state of Illinois. He proved that on Benet’s state playoff run and has continued that throughout the spring with Mercury Elite. He had one of his best performances of the spring Friday as he was on fire from deep. Nolan drilled six three pointers on his way to 24 points. He hit several key free throws late to secure the victory over Wisconsin Playground Warriors. Small college shooter that will be great in that role.
PG PJ Pipes (Illinois Stars 17U)
Pipes is one of the state’s top point guards and for good reason. The powerfully built guard can flat out get buckets. Pipes is shifty with the ball in traffic and can really finish around the hoop with tremendous body control. Sound pull up jumper from mid-range. Continues to make strides as a passer. Mid-major to low-major prospect that needs to be getting more interest on the recruiting trail.
PF Cameron Gross (Illinois Stars 17U)
Gross is a bit undersized at only 6’5”, but he makes up for it is his strength and activity level on the interior. The Oak Park River Forest post was quick to the glass on both ends snatching them out of the air with his strong hands. Really rebounded at a high rate. Was a presence as a post defender as well as helping against guards. Offensively scored on some junk points down low. Also showed some improved handles and even hit a three. High level D3 kid that could sneak into D2 territory.
PG Brian Dorn (Kessel Heat Platinum 17U)
Dorn is a 6’1” point guard that hails from Prairie Ridge High School. The rising senior point guard was the man for the Platinum team. He is a sound perimeter shooter that can knock them down consistently off the catch. Showed some shake with a nice up and under move. Worth taking a look at the D3/NAIA level.
SF Terrence Lewis (Wisconsin Playground Elite 17U)
Lewis was a beast going for 19 points on Friday night. The 6’6” small forward is blessed with tremendous physical tools and athleticism. He uses it to his full advantage as the uber athlete has long strides getting to the hoop to go along with an explosive first step. That is a deadly combo for opposing defenses. Flashed the ability to hit a perimeter three. Steaky, but shoots a good ball mechanically. Quick to the offensive glass and is awesome in transition. No doubt high major.
SG Lacey Watson (Quad City Elite 16U)
The 6’4” Rock Island shooting guard had one thing on his mind Friday and that was getting buckets. Watson is a pure scorer that is explosive off the dribble. Gets in the lane where he finishes at the cup, stops and pops for a short jumper, or gets to the charity stripe. When he is going downhill Watson is tough to contain. Forces some shots at times. Once he learns how to be more efficient taking better shots he will be even better. Plus rebounder for a two guard. He had 18 points. Should be on the low-major radar in 2018.