Obviously Improved Hoopers
MURFREESBORO–
November is the first month of high school basketball. Have any particular players dramatically improved since 2017-2018 wrapped?
Yes.
Most Improved:
Brayden Siren (Riverdale) verbally committed to Middle Tennessee since last season concluded. He could have played college basketball. Clearly he is very talented at baseball and best wishes to his future.
From a basketball perspectiv Brayden Siren is so vastly improved. Brayden’s posture is better. Much stronger. More assertive. Holds his space better. Brayden looks closer to 6-foot-11 now too. Brayden’s lower body strength is night and day from 2017. This makes all the difference as Siren can now anchor down in the paint. Clearly the senior put a lot of work into improving his body in the last eight months.
Jaylon Wooten (Riverdale) has come a long way in a short time. So spry and nimble from a year ago. Back in June Jaylon landed at #171 in the Class of 2020 rankings. Though still not overly productive behind five senior starters Wooten is at least three inches taller now, possibly 6-foot-5 and lean.
Sam Ruzhentsev (Hamilton Heights Christian Academy) earned a caravan of respect December 2017 by scoring against a loaded Oak Hill Academy team. Beyond his constantly improving season Sam soared all summer. The results of his training regimen continue to impress.
Saturday against Riverdale, Ruzhentsev buried three three-pointers. Do not overlook he stands 6-foot-7 with above average straightline speed. The ferocity is catching up and surpassing his elite player peers in America too. The old knock of Euro players was that they were soft. Sam is shedding that label in real-time.
Jermaine Donnell (Whites Creek) will start and play often under WCHS Head Coach Rodney English. Donnell can block shots and finish a little. His confidence is growing with increased playing time. The challenge is to develop and improve his post arsenal which continues to be relatively limited.
Jaylen Negron (West Creek) made another leap heading into his senior year. Negron brings many of the same strengths as last year. He is tall, sees the floor well, and finishes in traffic. Negron’s improvements are decision-making and physical toughness. He still needs more muscle, but there is a lot to like about the NAIA/D2/D2+ prospect.
Follow @PrepHoopsTN for the best statewide high school basketball coverage.