Event Preview: Adidas Gauntlet Finale
The first of three live NCAA evaluation periods is almost upon us. Beginning this week, players across the country will be attempting to put their best foot forward as they aim to impress in front of college coaches. Three of…
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Continue ReadingThe first of three live NCAA evaluation periods is almost upon us. Beginning this week, players across the country will be attempting to put their best foot forward as they aim to impress in front of college coaches.
Three of Colorado’s top AAU squads — Billups Elite 17U and 16U and Colorado Hawks — will be performing during this period at one of the top events in the country, the Adidas Gauntlet Finale in South Carolina. All three won tournaments during the spring and are looking to carry that momentum forward.
Below, we take a closer look at the three teams heading into the tournament:
Billups Elite 17U
First game: Thursday, 8:40 a.m. MDT vs. The Firm (N.J.)
Outlook: Billups closed the spring in impressive form, capturing the 17U title at the Midwest Basketball Showcase. The blend of Nebraska and Colorado players has really started to click for the group coached by Quincy Sanders. From the Cornhusker State, 6-8 forward David Wingett Jr. has highly impressive for Billups during the MWBS, and he’ll be key for them in the Finale. You can see a little of what he brings to the table below:
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As far as Colorado players, this is a big month for a number of our state’s top prospects. Jaizec Lottie (6-0) added an offer from Weber State in April to go with previous offers from Northern Colorado, Santa Clara and Air Force. Lottie displayed great playmaking ability during the Gauntlet spring run, and was one of the circuit’s assist leaders. Lottie is the engine that can make Billups run at a high pace. We’d also expect Elijah Blake (6-2), Kayle Knuckles (6-6) and Kyle Lukasiewicz (6-3) to pull an offer this July after strong growth in the spring.
Billups Elite 16U
First game: Thursday, 10 a.m. MDT vs. Yes II Success (Dallas)
Outlook: Kaison Hammonds became during the spring one of the first members of the 2018 class in Colorado to receive a scholarship offer, when he picked one up from the University of Denver. The long, athletic and skilled guard, who can play on the ball or off, was one of the spring’s most impressive players regardless of class, growing the confidence to match and expanding and versatile game. We don’t expect 6-3 guard Sam Bannec to be far behind in terms of securing an offer. Few have come as far with their games in the past year or so than this gym rat, who plays with a smooth fluidity without sacrificing aggressiveness. John Harge, a 6-7 forward, who also made big strides this spring and summer after recovering from a knee injury, could also be on the verge of turning some heads during the live periods. He’s physical and has a good set of skills around the basket. This squad, which won the Prep Hoops Spring Kick Off, has intriguing pieces.
Colorado Hawks 16U
First game: Thursday, 2 p.m. MDT vs. Hoop Dreams (Ky.)
Outlook: The Hawks ended a stellar spring with a title at the KC Classic. In that tournament, 6-8 Brendan LaRose really stood out — hitting 3-pointers, finishing above the rim and protecting it and running the floor. He has begun to generate steady interest from low and mid-major Division I programs. He is one half of an impressively formidable front line, which also includes 6-8 Will Becker. The Smoky Hill product worked tirelessly during a strong June with coach Anthony Hardin to improve his ball-handling, and is demonstrating ability to score off the dribble, a scary trait when combined with his great athleticism. Point guard Jon’il Fugett (5-11) is one the biggest risers in the class and has begun to generate heavy D-I interest of his own.
And the top player in the 2018 class, Daylen Kountz, may be on the verge of a huge July, having worked hard the past couple of months to really add muscle and explosiveness to his frame. The lefty who already has five scholarship offers, including from VCU and Rutgers, is sure to draw a crowd of college coaches.
The Hawks have a tough first matchup against Kentucky’s Hoop Dreams. A win there would match them with an Indiana Elite team they lost to by just seven in the spring. This team has the talent to make a run at the title.