Prep Hoops Route 66 Kick Off: Day 1 16U Stock Risers
Day 1 of the Prep Hoops Route 66 Kick Off was rich with talent especially in the 16U pool.
The young guys have a great opportunity to make a name for themselves heading into their junior years.
Here a few Stock Risers from Day 1:
Jacob Germany 2019 Team Griffin 16U
Germany is a long impressive looking big man who held his own in the paint Friday night.
Playing an undersized team can be uncomfortable for young bigs because they are used to just sealing and posting up against a body. Germany did a good job of adjusting and setting solid ball screens and rolling to the basket as a threat.
Kobe Burgess 2019 Team Griffin 16U
Burgess is a stud but he continues to impress with his ability to make a plays on defense and turning them into transition points.
Length and quickness make Burgess a player that makes the offense think twice before making a lazy pass. The 2019 guard led Team Griffin 16U to a lopsided victory over Memphis Magic 75-32.
Kwane Marble 2019 Colorado Hawks Nations 16U
Marble looks like a 5-star defensive lineman but he is actually a raw big man with a ton of tools. Marble needs to work on his balance and footwork down low.
However, he showed great touch with jump hooks and layups around the rim. Marble will be a force for Colorado Hawks Nations 16U for the rest of the weekend.
Ben Smith 2019 Team Griffin 16U
Smith started the game with a dynamic play that shows his potential. The Edmond Santa Fe product caught the ball at the three point line, shot faked and drove to the basket and threw down an emphatic dunk with two hands in traffic.
Smith needs to improve his jumper and add some arc to his release but he has a solid foundation since his midrange J is solid. The bouncy 2019 forward is off to great start to AAU season.
Ian Bell 2019 Oklahoma Power 16U Elite
Bell rose his stock by playing outstanding defense and converting some crafty layups over size.
The Norman North guard has a strong body but you wouldn’t expect him to have such quick feet on defense. He consistently cut off drivers and made them turn.
Bell isn’t a great athlete but he uses craftiness to get the job done. You can tell Bell has been playing this game for awhile and it showed vs the Bulldogs Friday night.
Julian Smith 2019 Team Griffin 16U
Smith is a great combo guard who can score from anywhere on the floor. Smith used his powerful build to get in the paint versus the Memphis Magic and showed off some “Kyrie Irving” type layups around the rim.
Smith showed improved effort on the defensive end which led to the opposition turning it over and Team Griffin 16U converting on the other end.