Top 250 Expo: Top Underclassmen
The classes of 2021 and 2020 were well represented at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo in Arizona. These young men held their own against some talented upperclassmen. Thus, they were able to demonstrate their ability to play at a high level despite being an underclassmen. Here is a list of the top performing underclassmen from the 2nd annual Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo.
Top Underclassmen
JJ White 6’0 PG/SG 2021 Ironwood
It felt like White had a hand in creating every loose ball. He shot the basketball extremely well as well. White has improved greatly since this summer. He is more aggressive on the offensive end and attempted to guard the best player on the opposing team. His toughness, talent, and work ethic were on full display this past weekend.
Tre Bell 5’7 PG 2021 Peoria
Bell was apart of a team full of talented 2021 prospects. He shined greatly. Bell plays with a chip on his shoulder and believes that he is capable of playing with anyone. Further, he has a skillset that mixes well with that confident mindset. He has a confident and solid handle as well as a good change of pace on his ball handling moves.
Ricardo Sarmiento 5’11 PG 2021 Cesar Chavez
Sarmiento is one of the top 2021 prospects in the entire state and for good reason. He is a bulldog on the defensive end of the floor, and he can shoot the basketball with anyone. Sarmiento was the last of the trio of 2021 players on the same team who were highly competitive. He should be ready for a huge season at Chavez.
Jamel Shaw 5’11 SG 2020 Ironwood
Shaw shot the basketball as well as anyone at the event this past weekend. He is a big bodied guard with a lot of strength. Thus, his ability to shoot the basketball from deep is a huge asset. On the defensive end of the floor, he is constantly talking, sitting in a stance, and in the right position.
Ramon Franklin 5’6 PG 2020 Washington
Franklin had his ups and downs at the event. However, he did demonstrate an ability to find the open teammate and create plays for others. He has a high basketball IQ and gets up and down the floor in a flash. Franklin’s height makes it hard for him to finish in the paint and create shots for himself. With that said, he is a presence of the defensive end due to his quickness.
Dominic Gonzalez 6’3 PG/SG 2020 Ironwood
Gonzalez was not only one of the top underclassmen performers, he was one of the top performers for the whole event. He shot the basketball off of the dribble better than any prospect. He has a smooth shot and nice release. Further, he has long arms that enable him to get his shot off over opposing defenders.
Tyson Legner 6’2 PG/SG 2020 Rancho Solano
Legner, like Gonzalez, was one of the top performers in the entire event. His improved aggressiveness aided him greatly in making a statement at the event. Further, he has a high IQ and shoots the basketball extremely well from deep. In addition, he was solid on the glass and made a number of game changing plays.
Marcus Libman 6’0 PG/SG 2020 Pinnacle
Libman has good quickness, strength, and athleticism. Although he might be a better fit at this point at the 2, he has a good feel for the game. He had a couple of really nice passes to teammates. Moreover, he has a quick release and a nice looking shot. Defensively, he is solid and keeps the basketball in front well while pressuring it.
DeOtis Nunn, Jr. 5’5 PG 2022
Nunn slipped into the event as a 2022 prospect and played extremely well. His ability to shoot the basketball in an array of ways made him a constant scoring threat. Further, he shoots the basketball well off of the dribble as well as in catch and shoot situations. Nunn is going to be a problem at the high school level.
Brady Ramon 6’2 SG 2021 Salpointe
Ramon is a hard worker who does a lot of the little things necessary to be successful at the high school level. I was most impressed with his ability to move without that basketball. As a younger prospect, he had a good feel for the game and a great understanding of how to make an impact without having to have the ball in his hands for the entire possession.
Beau Williams 6’3 SG 2020 Perry
Williams is a bigger guard who moves surprisingly well while having good size and strength. Williams demonstrated some of the best change of pace and change of direction in his ball handling out of any of the prospects at the event. He took a couple of questionable shots, but he does have a good stroke and shooting touch. Further, he uses his strength and size well on the defensive end of the floor.