Grassroots Stock Risers – Wings & Post
Throughout the grassroots season there has been some phenomenal play from many of the Louisiana teams. Some of the most impressive performances have come from wings and post players trying to improve their game or make a mark during competition. Here are some of the players who have seen their stock rise during the early grassroots season in 2018.
Justino Vasquez / 6’3″ / 2019 / Prodigies / Wing & Post
Vasquez is a wing player who plays post for his AAU team. Because of that, he has probably enhanced his stock more than the average wing player. Justino can face up and drive on big men. He also has a great mid-range jumper that he drains consistently with the space that bigs give him when he pivots and faces up. More than any other player I have seen, he uses the triple threat position to gain an advantage on his defender. Since he shoots the ball so well inside the arc, he has defenders guessing what he is going to do. His fundamentals are an essential part to his game. Vasquez is also very athletic and runs the floor with purpose. He has the ability to finish with or without contact. With his ability to play the wing, Justino should help enhance any offense at the next level.
Kendal Coleman / 6’5″ / 2020 / Louisiana Roundballers / Post
Coleman is a member of the 2020 class who is seeing his stock rise as a member of the Roundballers 17U team. At the SAAU championships, he was unstoppable on the boards. When the ball hit the glass, Coleman was the first one to the ball with his long arms and reach. He either tapped the ball in for a putback (on offense) or gathered the rebound for another possession (offense and defense). When I thought that was the basis of his game, he surprised me with a baseline jumper out to twelve feet. With his long arms and high release, that shot could not be blocked. On the defensive end, Coleman is a game changer. He blocked and changed many shots from guards and forwards on the weekend. Coleman, with his present level of ability, can be a good player. With additions to his offensive game, his stock will rise even more.
Jerry Moore / 6’3″ / 2019 / Team Cenla / Wing
Moore has the all around skills that colleges big and small covet. He has the ability to rebound the ball and push it up the floor like a guard. Against post players, he mixes it up with them underneath and rebounds like a power forward. Moore even shoots the ball from downtown better than most guards. Simply put, he is a jack of all trades and a very good one at that. During the SAAU championships, his full game was on display. He would rebound the ball, bring it down, and set up the offense. Moore would post smaller players and find shooters on the wings. On half court possessions, he would set screens to free up shooters. Jerry also drove to the basket and finished despite contact. He did all of this while being and enforcer protecting his teammates. Jerry Moore is a gem that will only see his stock go higher and higher.
Hobert Grayson IV / 6’4″ / 2020 / All 4 Sports Dream Team Elite / Wing & Post
Grayson has done nothing but impress during the grassroots season. During the Great American Shootout, Grayson used his various skills to show why he is one of my stock risers. He exhibited a consistent ability to shoot the ball from downtown with games draining multiple three point field goals. Grayson also grabbed rebounds on the offensive and defensive boards showing that he is a solid rebounder. Some of his most impressive skills were presented when he took the defensive board and took the ball coast to coast. In these examples, he showed an enhanced ability to handle the ball in the open floor. He finished a couple of those end to end plays with a dunk. Improved ball handling ability mixed with his other skill sets are reasons Hobert Grayson will see his stock continue to rise.
Marcus Jones / 6’4″ / 2020 / Cenla Storm / Wing
Jones has the tools to be a big time basketball player. He is one of those rare players who has feet quick enough to guard smaller guards and height and length to guard taller players. Jones also has the handles of a small guard. During the SAAU championships, he was able to drive against virtually anyone. Small guards could not keep him out of the lane and big men could not stay in front of him. With his length and athleticism, he can finish over taller players. On the defensive end, he can guard four positions. Even with his slight frame, his wing span makes it difficult for people to score over him. Jones causes nightmares for the opposition on both ends of the floor. With his team winning the 16U championship and moving on to the AAU nationals, Jones will see his stock skyrocket going into his junior season. He is a player with limitless ability.
These stock risers will be players to definitely watch moving forward into the second half of the grassroots season.