Prep Hoops Special: Best Available Handles
Few things are more fun to watch than a player that has the ball on a string when handling it. The ability to not only get to your spots on the floor, but to toy with defenders that attempt to…
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Continue ReadingFew things are more fun to watch than a player that has the ball on a string when handling it. The ability to not only get to your spots on the floor, but to toy with defenders that attempt to pressure you, will land you on this list. We have excluded all players that have already made college commitments.
Holland Woods (2017): Holland Woods is one of the best players in the state, period. Perhaps the best aspect of his game is his ball handling ability. It is rare that you will see a single defender capable of pressuring him with the ball in his hands and, as his highlight mixes can show you, he has the ability to humiliate an entire defense with his handles. Woods will surely have more memorable moments this season as he leads his talented Apollo team aiming for a 5A state title.
Jovan Blacksher (2019): Yes, Shadow Mountain lost a lot from last year’s title team, but with Blacksher having the ball in his hands, they are still in good shape. He is a highly intelligent player that is just about unflappable. Small, but quick, he gets by defenders and into the lane with relative ease. He, Jaelen House, and Marcus Shaver should go unchallenged as the best 4A backcourt.
Deven Breckner (2018): In recent years, the evolution of basketball training has led to many players having “workout handles” that don’t translate to an actual game. This does not apply to Breckner, as his hesitation move often leaves defenders as still as the cones in a workout session.
Nico Mannion (2020): Mannion has been dominant, doing any and everything he wanted on the court for the past few years against other middle schoolers. After the summer he had, both with Pinnacle and Earl Watson Elite, it is safe to say that he has already quieted those that doubted if he can do it at the high school level. Don’t reach against this guy, and you better get a hand up.
Andrew Salasek (2017): This Notre Dame Prep guard is lesser known than the other players on this list, but it won’t take defenders very many possessions to figure out why he landed here. He has a knack for embarrassing defenders with his dribble. If you get a chance to Watch the Saints play this season, you will not be disappointed.