While many college coaches wrapped up their July Live Period by focusing on 2018 prospects this past weekend, we watched everyone. Today and tomorrow, we’ll catch you up on what happened with the incoming juniors and sophomores, starting with our Part 1 on 2019 Stand Risers.
Note: This recap does not include the 2019 Hybrid prospects; they are instead mentioned here.
Payton Jutte, 6’4” G/W, Dayton Nets/Fort Recovery
This Dayton Nets 16U group has a couple kids who’ve shown up to compete on back-to-back weekends to close out the Live Period. Jutte may have the most upside of anyone in that group.
Jutte’s movements are a little stiff, but his outside jumper is very smooth and he uses that to set up straight-line drives. Otherwise, his points come on quick post-up moves against smaller defenders. He’s also shown some flexibility on defense, as he’s been forced to defend forwards on a team that lacks height. Jutte is disciplined as a post defender, as he avoids fouling while contesting shots.
If he can add a little bit of wiggle with his handle and prove able to defend quick guards, Jutte will make the leap into the D-II/NAIA range.
Jarod Schulze, 6’8” C, Northwest Ohio Basketball Club/Minster Local
Schulze is massive, and he takes advantage of the size by beating guys up inside. It’ll earn him a scholarship over the next year, as he listed quite a few D-II programs that are already tracking him.
But what we want to stress here is that he showed competence when defending perimeter guards, despite playing on a tweaked ankle. The Dayton Nets threw out some five guard lineups when he was on the floor, and Schulze truly wasn’t a liability. Even though he gave a couple extra inches when out at the arch, Schulze is quick enough in short areas to make a quick contest.
Trent Williams, 6’ PG, TNBA West Vega/Solon
Williams is reliable team-oriented kid with the ball in his hands. Whenever we watch this TNBA team, time and again Williams is making simple winning plays. He came off the ball the entirety of our viewing, as he played alongside Brandon Rush and
Davin Zeigler. When he caught a pass in the corner or wing, Williams aggressively looked for opportunities to drive and draw attention from the help-side. When successful, his court vision is mature, as he makes assists look very routine. To clarify, Williams doesn’t just make passes to open guys, he passes for
assists — he seems to understand where his teammates should receive the ball.
Kayin Derden, 6’2” G, Pro Bound/Columbus DeSales
Breakout Performer.
Brandon Rush, 6’1” G, TNBA West Vega/Warrensville Heights
Rush has handle, quickness, shooting, and competitiveness. As he continues to work on his strength and speeds up his decision-making with the ball, sky is the limit. In an AAU setting, Rush is able to break-down his defender possession after possession. And he did so this weekend, even against premier competition. With the help of a ball-screen, his three level scoring ability looked like too much to handle for anyone.
We’d really love to see Rush add true floor general abilities, because it would likely take him to the D-I level. Given what we know about his work ethic, there’s no reason to believe that he won’t make the leap.
Ryan Hill, 6’3” PG, Dayton Nets/Fairmont
After he broke onto the scene last weekend in Louisville, Hill proved that it wasn’t a fluke in Fort Wayne. The kid is a good athlete, which was evident on a transition and-one finish over the top of a couple defenders. He creates separation with quick moves up top and hits his open shooters once he gets by his man.
Based on his play lately, Hill should enter his upperclassmen years with some confidence. He’ll be tested by some of Ohio’s best guards playing in the GWOC, which will be a beneficial test and measuring stick for him.
