NY2LA Summer Jam: Wednesday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois was in the house for the opening games of the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam on Wednesday night. Lots of stars showed out and a few new names emerged. Take a look at the standouts from night one! SF…
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Continue ReadingPrepHoopsIllinois was in the house for the opening games of the NY2LA Sports Summer Jam on Wednesday night. Lots of stars showed out and a few new names emerged. Take a look at the standouts from night one!
SF Justin Smith (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
The Stevenson small forward is among the best prospects in the state of Illinois in the 2017 class. Smith had his offensive game working on Wednesday. He opened up with a strong first half and continued it into the second. Smith is a smooth operating wing that has become a much more consistent player with his motor and production game in and game out. Smith had a few monster dunks as he is an elite athlete. Plus shooter from deep with great form and elevation on his shots. Has the skill level offensively to score at all three levels. High-major prospect.
PG Devin Whitelow (Illinois Irish 17U)
The 5’9” point guard from Washington High School was his usual brilliant floor general on opening night. As coaches filled into the gym for the tip off they were seeing Whitelow display his complete game. The point guard is a great distributor that makes sound decisions with the basketball. He is electric in the drive and kick game finding open shooters as well as his big men on the interior. Really pushed the pace of the game in transition. Capable of hitting a pull up mid-range jumper. He was a major factor on the defensive end with his on ball capabilities getting up into his man and being a pest. Whitelow is going to start garnering looks at the D2 level.
SG Brandon Trimble (Indiana Elite Magic 17U)
It was good to see Trimble play again. The St. Joseph’s Ogden shooting guard led his team to a state championship in 2A back in March, but has been a bit out of the spotlight playing for an out of state team. Trimble stands at 6’3” and is a plus athlete. He is best getting out in transition where he flies down the floor as a wing finisher. Moves well away from ball. Solid scorer off the bounce. He went for 14 points. Worth a look at the low-major level and D2.
PG Tray Buchanan (Kingdom Hoops 17U)
Kind of like Trimble Buchanan has been a bit hidden on the circuit playing for Iowa based Kingdom Hoops. We caught the second half of their game and the United Township senior 6’0” guard was very good. He has a thick and physical body which allows him to finish around the cup through contact. Is at his best getting downhill and attacking the basket. Plays with a great motor. Rebounds well for his size. Not a consistent jump shooter at this stage. One to monitor going forward.
PG Ayo Dosunmu (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
The Fire stepped right on the court without warming up. After a little getting used to the flow of the game the state’s top 2018 lead guard went to work. Dosunmu got heated up with a wing three. That opened up a variety of drives where he got to the rim for layups or converted floaters. Also showing a nice euro step. Speed in transition is at another level that any other point guard in the state. Scores in bunches. Plus passer and pressure on ball defender. No doubt high major prospect.
SF Bakari Simmons (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
The Simeon 6’5” small forward displayed the versatility that makes him intriguing. He is a bit of a steaky shooter and he showed that again, but it definitely has potential. Hit a pair early from the wing with a pure lefty stroke lots of arc on his shot. Then missed several after that. Love his passing ability as a wing. He can almost run a point forward at times with his vision and court awareness. Still refining his game and figuring out what type of player he is going to be, but the tools are very intriguing.
PG Courtney Ramey (Jets-Ramey 16U)
Ramey was without a doubt the best player we saw on Wednesday night. The 6’3” point guard from Webster Groves (MO) flat out put on a show against UPlay Canada. Ramey is a slick handling point guard that used that handle to get anywhere he wanted on the floor. He was great at finding his teammates and putting them in perfect positions to succeed. Crisp entry passes into his posts. Displayed a pretty consistent three point shot off the catch and mixed in some floaters inside. Without a doubt high-major all the way.