IndyBall: Top 2019 Performers
This past weekend we spent some time at North Central High School getting into some AAU action. It was a great first weekend and now we are ready to take a look at some of the top players from the event.
Jared Hankins – 6’3 | SG | Lawrence North (IN) | Indiana Elite Fastbreak 2019
Hankins might have had the best weekend of anyone as he put up some monster numbers including 29 points against Team Blaze Select 2019 and 51 points against Indiana Faith 2019. He hit 18 threes in those two games combined. He’s a guy who was a little buried on a Lawrence North roster but has stepped up in limited minutes and has been productive. Now, in a leading role, he is thriving and able to make play after play. His touch on his three-point shot is ridiculous and can get it off quick.
Jeremiah Francis – 6’3 | PG | Pickerington Central (OH) | Indiana Elite 2019
Francis is a really big guard with broad shoulders but still extremely quick. He’s a nice add to an Indiana Elite group who needs a dominant scoring threat and he is just that. He had a couple big games including 22 points against EG10 2019. He’s really good in the full court because he can build up steam and become a locomotive. He showed he also had pretty good athleticism with lateral quickness to help on defense and enough hops to finish above the rim.
Cobie Barnes – 6’5 | SF | Floyd Central (IN) | Indiana Elite 2019 – 32 points against Louisville Magic
Barnes is one of a number of big wings on this Indiana Elite team but he’s more of an interior threat than the others with his ability to play in the mid-range and rebound. Offense comes in waves with him but like he showed in his 32-points outing against Louisville Magic in the Gold Championship game, he can mix in enough of a perimeter jumper to make him really potent. He’s got to have more of those games but when he was asked to step up he did.
Trayce Jackson-Davis – 6’8 | PF | Center Grove (IN) | Team Teague 2019
Trayce looks like he is going to be one of those guys that breaks out this summer. With already a pair of DI offers in hand, it is easy to see that number rise as he performs this summer like he did this weekend. The strong sophomore was great around the rim finishing with his left hand so well and has such a great touch. But then, to see him drive down the lane to throw it down and catch a few alley-oops made it even more impressive. He scored 29 points in the two games we got to watch this weekend.
Brandon Vernon – 6’5 | SF | Indianapolis Pike (IN) | EG10 2019 – 25 points against Indiana Elite 2019
In the class of 2019, the amount of wings that will be available are going to be vast but the most interesting thing about it will be how they differentiate each other. For Brandon Vernon, he needs more weekends like this one. The 6’5 forward isn’t the most athletic kid but he can sure shoot the ball and when he gets hot, you better feed him. He did that this weekend when we were able to watch. He got hot and dropped 25 points against Indiana Elite 2019 hitting a bunch of threes.