Breakdown: Crossroads Elite Invitational
The last few years, the Crossroads Elite Invitational has been a great stop in June to see some of the best 8th and 9th grade talent from around the country. For us, the event gives us a look at the best talent in the upcoming age groups. We saw quite a bit of that this weekend. Here are some notes on those who stood out this weekend.
William Grieser – 5’11 PG – 2021 – New Castle (IN) – Grieser is a taller guard with a good frame. Looked like he was a bit more physically mature than his classmates which helped him show some confidence. Interesting guard to watch.
Caleb Furst – 6’8 PF – 2021 – Blackhawk Christian (IN) – Furst looks like one of the best players in the 2021 class in Indiana. Having legit size and a great frame with his ability to play all over the floor is impressive for a kid his age.
Jylen Petty – 6’5 SF – 2020 – South Bend Washington (IN) – Petty looks taller and stronger than last time we saw him. He’s still able to play on the wing and was driving at a high level. Looks more polished this time around.
Michael Saunders – 5’9 PG – 2020 – Lawrence North (IN) – Saunders looked like one of the better point guards at the camp. He’s got such a good feel for the game that he was the guy that seemed to handle all facets the best with the ball in his hands.
Gus Etchison – 5’11 PG – 2021 – Hamilton Heights (IN) – Only got to watch a little bit of Etchison but he was impressive. Really solid ball handler that didn’t back down too much. Could be the latest thing to watch at Heights since the Weatherford brothers and Hunter Crist.
Michael Eley – 6’0 PG – 2021 – Fort Wayne Snider (IN) – Eley is a tall guard with a great frame. Tons of length and showed enough ball handling to impress. Really liked his upside after watching him this weekend.
Curt Hopf – 6’5 PF – 2021 – Forest Park (IN) – Hopf will be one of the better big men in the class early on. Able to be impactful now which is great and has a body that could grow. If he can get more athletic, he could become really good, really quick.
Brayton Bailey – 6’1 SG – 2020 – Bedford North Lawrence (IN) – Brayton looked a bit better physically and his jumper was on point this weekend. Looked the part of a guy that can be one of the better players in the class against some high level talent.
Isaac Vencel – 5’11 PG – 2021 – Bloomington North (IN) – Vencel is a wiry guard who can really score the ball. Showed a lot of slashing ability and had plenty of confidence. Good frame that could still grow quite a bit the next year.
Colson Montgomery – 6’2 SG – 2021 – Southridge (IN) – Colson is a bigger wing who has decent athleticism and a good amount of shot making ability. Good perimeter jumper which seems like the weapon of choice but he could put it on the floor too.
Chris Grubbs – 6’5 SF – 2020 – Hamilton Southeastern (IN) – Maybe the best we have seen of Grubbs so far. Really active and able to play more of a wing than a forward which was nice. Athleticism was a tick up as well.
Tre Coleman – 6’5 SF – 2020 – Jeffersonville (IN) – Really like what I’ve seen out of Coleman recently. Big wing who can handle the ball and score at the rim. Might be able to stretch the floor down the road which would really help.
DeVean Franklin – 6’2 SG – 2021 – Jeffersonville (IN) – Franklin is a big guard with a good frame. Was active with the ball in his hands trying to make plays. Love the size and could be one to watch in Southern Indiana in the 2021 class.