Jayhawk Summer Finale (Friday Standouts)
Here is a look at some of Friday’s top standouts from Missouri from the Jayhawk Summer Finale in Overland Park, KS.
Jalen Lewis 5’10” Team Rush 17U: The savvy point guard was the smallest player on the court, but he made a huge impact in Team Rush’s overtime victory over Oklahoma Run PwP in bracket play with a team-high 18 points. His showcased has excellent range as he knocked down four long 3-pointers. He was very solid with the basketball and handled himself well when hounded by defensive pressure. He also showed a nice little float game off the dribble.
Yor Anei 6’10” Team Rush 17U: The big fella was a pillar of strength as he scored 16 points, grabbed several rebounds and was a wall on defense on the back line in the overtime victory over Oklahoma Run PwP. He is an excellent rim protector who will try to block anything and everything that comes into his area. He was very active on offense, especially early in the game when he scored on a couple of impressive moves in the paint. He also had some very nice rim runs, including one spectacular dunk in which he ran the length of the court and slammed it home off a pass of the backboard from teammate R.J. Lawrence.
Jordan Walton 6’0″ Yanders Law 17U: On Thursday, we featured Walton’s Yanders Law and Glendale teammate Monty Johal. Walton is the other half of that potent 1-2 combination that has been doing it together since grade school. Walton is an excellent ball handler and passer and he can really shoot the basketball. He shoots it off the catch and does a great job of coming off screens and letting it fly with a quick release with his feet set and shot ready. He plays with a little flair and a lot of confidence in his game.
Marty Jackson 6’5″ NdaGym 17U: The lanky combo forward scored a game-high 24 points in his team’s loss to the KC Magic in bracket play. He was one of the summer’s big finds after missing much of the high school season with injuries. His skill set made him very difficult to match up with and this tournament wasn’t any different. He is just a bucket-getter. He is tough around the basket with nice moves and soft touch, plus he can take the action to the perimeter where he can score off the bounce and knock down a 3-pointer.
Dominique Hardimon 6’2″ SEMO Bulls 16U: The bullish young forward was his normal physical and dominant self as he led the Bulls to the second round of bracket play. It doesn’t matter that he gives away four to five inches to opposing players, he just outworks them because of his strength and high motor. He is able to power his way to the basket, whether it is in the post, on offensive rebounds, or when he drives to the basket against opposing bigs. He will also get out on the break and get buckets in the transition game.
Max Titus 6’2″ KC Magic 17U: An excellent 3-point shooter with a solid all-around game, Titus scored 17 points in the Magic’s victory over NdaGym in bracket play. What was good about Titus’ play is that he took what the defense gave in, especially in the first half when he scored most of his buckets on drives to the basket, as opposed to his normal shooting. He did break look for a couple of transition 3-pointers in the middle of KC Magic runs. He also delivered the key defensive play of the game when he converted a steal and layup in the final minute when his team was holding on to a two-point lead.
Tanner Thouvenot 6’8″ Missouri Team Carroll 15U: The young big was tough in the paint in Team Carroll’s loss to Team Thad in an exciting bracket play game. Tanner scored 18 points and really controlled the action inside against some very athletic Team Thad players. He got great position and caught the ball in traffic and displayed an excellent touch around the basket with drop steps and jump hooks. When his team broke Team Thad’s press, they went inside to him and he delivered key buckets time after time. It was one of the best offensive games I witnessed from him all summer long.