NY2LA: Friday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois is covering the NY2LA Sports Invitational this weekend in Mequon, Wisconsin. The games started on Friday night at Homestead High School. Check out who were the standout performers right here!
PG Morgan Taylor (Illinois Fastbreak 17U)
We starting things off on Friday night by checking out this Marist 6’0” point guard. The floor general impressed with his play as he put his team on his back for big portions of the game. Taylor showed well in the pick and roll. Used screens to get himself open for runners in the lane. Also found teammates in the half court with sound decisions with the ball in his hands. Pushed it in transition and made plays for others. Streaky shooter, but he did hit one from the top of the key. Active defender at the point of attack. Worth consideration by D3/NAIA programs.
PG Branden Ellis (Kessel Heat 17U)
Ellis continues to impress us each time we see him. The 6’3” point guard went to work both scoring and distributing. Everything he did seemed to work. Very crisp lead guard with good size. He loves to get in the lane and work in the mid-range where he can hit a pull up jumper or floater over a big guy. Consistently got in the lane which put pressure on the defense to make decisions to either stop him or stay on their man. When the help defender came Ellis did an outstanding job of finding his teammates for dump off passes, lobs, or open jumpers. Ellis should be on D2 radars! Excellent game out of the Warren 2018 guard.
PG Jack McDonald (Mercury Elite 17U)
McDonald was drilling threes for Mercury Elite 17U. The Geneva 5’10” point guard has a strong and stocky build. Crisp passer that made a few nice passes throughout the game, but his skill is definitely shooting. McDonald knocked down four triples off the catch. Quick release and he shoots it with a ton of confidence. Shooting specialist at the D3/NAIA level that will be a great find for a school in that role.
SG Austin Gates (Mercury Elite 16U)
This was my first time evaluating Gates. I came away very impressed with the 6’3” Bartlett combo guard. He has good size, broad shoulders, and a strong build. First aspect that stood out was his perimeter shooting. He has been working on his shot and it definitely shows. Bit of a long release over the top of his head, but they fell at a great clip off the catch. The strong and tough guard brings a lot of competitiveness to the table. Played both on and off the ball throughout the game. Was very impressed with how he used his length on the defensive end of the floor. Extremely active hands getting steals on the ball and cutting passing lanes. Anticipates great on the defensive end and rebounded well for a guard. Gates could be a D2 prospect down the line.
PG DJ Carton (Quad City Elite 16U)
Carton is a 6’2” point guard out of Bettendorf (IA) that is in the midst of a monster spring. The lefty combo guard is so crafty with the rock in his hands. He gets the defense retreating and when that happens it is over. He is quick the ball and is a plus ball handler with slick moves especially in transition. Loves the euro step in the lane. Gets to the rim with relative ease. Not an elite athlete, but he has such a great feel for the game and how to get where he needs to score. One of the top 2019 guards in Iowa.
PG Zach Touissant (Kessel Heat 16U)
The “Baby Faced Assassin” had his moments. He wasn’t the dominant scorer that we are accustomed too, but he was still effective. The 6’0” Johnsburg point guard is a fun player to watch that would remind some of former Kings star Jason “White Chocolate” Williams. Slick ball handler that makes flashy passes. What he is best at is letting it fly from deep. Effortless looking perimeter shot with very deep range. Quick release on three ball. Mixes in floaters in the lane. Uses his quickness to avoid opposing guards, but will need to add on significant weight/strength to play at the college level. He is a big time shooter and playmaker that has a bright future.
F Xzavier Jones (Wisconsin Playground Elite 16U)
Jones is a 6’5” combo forward that is an elite athlete. Strong build and was a complete beast on the offensive glass. Explosive second jump off the floor off the floor to finish second chance opportunities. Finishes well around the hoop mostly getting on the offensive glass and converting dump offs/lobs. Flashes handles some from mid-range and did hit a couple 15 foot jumpers. Mid-major plus talent with high-major upside in 2019.
PF Jamari Sibley (Wisconsin Playground Warriors 15U)
We saw this 2020 out of Wisconsin at some camps back in the fall. Long and rangy post that has tons of upside. He runs the floor tremendously well. Explosive athlete around the hoop that finishes with such fluidity. Gets on the offensive glass and is a monster finisher! High-major prospect. There wasn’t anyone near his height on the floor, but you can tell he has big time talent.