AAU Practice Report: International Elite

<p>The state playoffs may be over but the ball doesn't stop bouncing. The page is turned straight over to AAU basketball and teams have been conducting tryouts and getting things going as the start of the season on the circuit arrives soon. International Elite kicked off things with a bang on Sunday with practice and their pre-season photoshoot and we got a chance to catch some of their high-energy scrimmage at the PDX Sports Center.</p> <p>Of note <strong>Dakota Reber (2020 Wilsonville HS)</strong> did not play but here are some others from the 17U and 16U squads that made an impression on us during the time we watched:</p> <p><strong>Matthew Levis (2020 Jesuit HS)</strong> - Levis may be coming off a state title but he's not letting up at all. The 6-foot junior was doing what he did all season, play with intensity on both ends, sticking with his defender while taking it hard to the hole on offense.</p> <p><strong>Blake Jensen (2020 Sherwood HS)</strong> - The junior post showed improvement all season long and he was playing confidently here, posting up strong and finishing plays at the basket. Jensen looks like he might have even grown an inch or so to add to his previously listed 6-foot-6 height.</p> <p><strong>Dane Erickstrup (2021 Beaverton HS)</strong> - Erickstrup played varsity ball for Beaverton this year and played largely in the post since he was the tallest guy on the team at 6-foot-7. With International Elite, he'll get a chance to play a little more outside as he's got a nice touch on his face-up jumper.</p> <p><strong>Vernon Porter (2021 Silverton HS)</strong> - Porter played JV this year at Silverton to give him more experience but he'll be one to watch this year on the 16U squad. The 6-foot-3 swingman showed a lot of motor and energy on the basketball floor, converting some tough buckets and really getting after it on defense.</p> <p><strong>Joe Maqatish (2021 Santiam Christian HS)</strong> - Maqatish is a thick 6-foot-9 and he used his body to his advantage in the paint. The lefty posted up strong and converted some left-handed moves. He's still a bit of a bull in a china shop, but once he is able to harnass his aggressiveness he will be very effective.</p> <p><strong>Shambay Gabriel-Trapp (2021 Cottage Grove HS)</strong> - Gabriel-Tripp was a bit hidden down in Cottage Grove this past year. He's all of 6-foot-9 and is more along the long and lanky end when it comes to his frame. He runs the floor well and it will be interesting to see how he progresses this spring/summer.</p>