Grassroots Team Preview: MO Team Carroll
The organization formerly known as the Missouri Hustle is now Team Carroll, which is named after former University of Missouri standout and current Toronto Raptor Demarre Carroll. MO Team Carroll is based in Mid-Missouri, but they have players from all across the state. Here is a look at Team Carroll.
17U Roster
Mike Akinumi 6’6″ Parkway West (2018)
Nate Bax 6’6″ Helias (2018)
Kaden Evans 6’1″ Oak Park (2018)
Landon Harrison 5’11” Helias (2018)
Jak Kitchens 6’6″ New Bloomfield (2018)
R.J. Lawrence 5’11” Blue Springs (2018)
Trent Lyles 6’0″ Sacred Heart (2018)
Trae Meny 6’5″ Battle (2018)
Xavier Rhodes 6’1″ Rockhurst (2018)
Cason Suggs 6’6″ Washington (2018)
Austin Thompson 6’2″ MICDS (2018)
Outlook: This year’s 17U edition will be guard heavy, which will allow them to play at a fast pace with the depth and versatile group of backcourt performers. Rhodes is a smooth ball handler who knows how to get buckets around the basket while Harrison is tough point guard who can knock down shots while playing with a lot of drive. Lyles has slick handles and a nice jump shot while Thompson is an explosive point guard who can lock down defensively while showcasing an improved overall offensive game. Lawrence and Evans are two more newcomers who can fill it up from the perimeter. Lawrence has three-level scoring ability while Evans has deep shooting range and nice passing skills. Meny is a big wing player who will play a lot of Stretch 4 on this team with his ability to knock down long perimeter shots. Bax is a rugged performer in the lane while Kitchens can score in the paint and step out and hit a jumper. Suggs will bring length and shot blocking and the ability to shoot the perimeter jumper. MO Team Carroll started the season by going 3-2 and winning the Platinum Division Consolation championship at the Route 66 Kickoff in Oklahoma City.
16U Roster
Jamonta Black 6’4″ Rock Bridge (2019)
Quentin Brown 6’6″ Rock Bridge (2019)
Braedon Weitrich 6’2″ Moberly (2019)
Damien Loyd 5’11” Kirkwood (2019)
Malachy Simpson 6’7″ Webster Groves (2019)
Savion Thorpe 6’2″ Moberly (2019)
Braden Wiggs 6’5″ St. Charles (2019)
Cameron Teson 5’10” St. Charles (2019)
Hudson Nilges 5’11” Jefferson City (2019)
Outlook: The team is led by Black, a smooth wing player with good length and an excellent overall skill set. He can slash to the bucket and knock down jumpers. Teson is a point guard who plays the game with a lot of confidence. He can handle the ball, find open teammates and shoot it. Black, Teson and Thorpe all had nice tournaments at last weekend’s Route 66 Kickoff in Oklahoma City.
15U Roster
Cade Berg 6’6″ Blue Springs South (2020)
Isaac Johnson 5’8″ Helias (2020)
Kimaru Maritim 6’4″ Olathe South (2020)
Marcus Anthony 6’0″ Helias (2020)
Marcus Grant 6’2″ Battle (2020)
Markell Hood 6’6″ Shawnee Mission West (2020)
Stefann Black 6’0″ Blue Springs (2020)
Tanner Thouvenot 6’8″ Lighthouse Christian (2020)
Jace Lance 6’0″ Marshall (2020)
Tully Thomsen 6’3″ North Callaway (2020)
Outlook: The 15Us opened the grassroots season by winning four of their five games and the Gold Division championship at the Route 66 Kick Off in Oklahoma City. There is good size on this team with Thouvenot and Berg inside plus Hood on the wing. This team has a chance to enjoy a lot of success during the spring and summer.
Schedule
March 31-April 2: Route 66 Shootout, Oklahoma City, OK
April 21-23: 2017 Prospect Series, Dallas, TX
April 28-30: Indy Live, Indianapolis, IN
May 5-7: Jayhawk Invitational, Kansas City, KS
May 12-14: Adidas May Classic, Indianapolis, IN
May 19-21: Kansas City Classic, Lawrence, KS
May 26-29: Adidas Gauntlet Qualifier, Chicago, IL
July 12-15: Adidas Invitational, Indianapolis, IN
July 21-23: Mullen’s High Profile, Bel Aire, KS
July 26-30: KC Summer Jam, Kansas City, KS