Circle City Shootout: New Faces
This spring and summer are always the best times to discover talent. With that, we take a look back at this past weekend and look through our notes for the best players we saw for the first time.
2018 Prospects:
Logan Smith – 6’2 | SG | Mt. Vernon-Fortville (IN) | IE Central 2018 – Logan is an athletic wing with some skill to him. Really good off the bounce where he can drive or pull-up from three. Will need to play more under control at times but the skill is there for him to be an offensive weapon. Like what he could be on defense with added energy. Showed good rebounding ability.
Maurion Martin – 6’3 | SG | Portage (IN) | IE Region 2018 – Martin is a tall guard with skill and handles. He’s not going to be the flashiest player but he’s really creative when driving as he can cut and slash really well. Has a big body that can take contact on the way to the rim. Can put up points pretty quickly.
Xavier Hines – 6’3 | SF | Noblesville (IN) | Northside Spartans 2018 – Xavier is a big, strong wing with skill to play on the wing but a body to battle down low. Isn’t real fast with the ball in his hands but can shoot and be physical when in the post. Can be a really good rebounder with time and should be aggressive enough to search out offense. Could use a couple inches to become a true wing.
2019 Prospects:
Avery Paddock – 6’3 | SG | Alexandria (IN) | IE Force 2019 – Paddock is a long, skinny guard with pretty solid handles and can create along the wing. Can overplay his hand at times against athletic wings but could be a really productive scorer with time.
Travis Sturm – 6’5 | C | Avon (IN) | Indiana Faith 2019 – Sturm is a big, thick forward who can play faced up but is tough enough that it is hard to stop him in the post. Really physical at times and showed good hands in the post for rebounds and dumpoffs. Can finish with either hand in the post and will battle for position. Interesting player if he can add more size. Assertive enough to be productive.
2020 Prospects:
Daniel Asher – 6’5 | PF | Indianapolis Roncalli (IN) | IE Side Orange 2020 – Daniel is a big, tall forward with a ton of mobility and a great frame that is likely to grow a ton more. He’s active in the post as a rebounder and finisher, just needs to add a bit more strength to finish some plays. Good footwork and mobility might allow him to stretch the floor a lot more.
Justin DeGraaf – 6’4 | SF | Center Grove (IN) | GP Premier 2020-O’Connor – DeGraaf is a tall gaurd with loads of strength and a mature frame. He’s got decent speed and can play in transition as well as the half court. Finishes well at the rim with strength. Moves pretty well and could be a solid defender that could play on guards and wings. Should have the ability to play inside offensively as well.