The Hoop Madness Spring Showcase kicked off on Saturday and we got the opportunity to take in a few games in the evening session. Here are the top performers in the four games we watched. Antonio Salinas (2019 Zillah HS/Hoop…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inThe Hoop Madness Spring Showcase kicked off on Saturday and we got the opportunity to take in a few games in the evening session. Here are the top performers in the four games we watched.
Antonio Salinas (2019 Zillah HS/Hoop CWS Black) – Salinas put up the performance of the night with a 43-point explosion against Maeko in pool play. The 6-foot senior was scoring in every which way possible, getting to the basket with ease and hitting quick trigger threes all the way out to 30 feet. The unsigned senior wasn’t hogging the ball either as he used his quick dribble and shifty moves to create and dish to teammates for open shots. Salinas was flat out dominant and will make Hoop CWS Black a tough out in bracket action.
George Sadi (2020 De La Salle North HS/Maeko) – Sadi is a walking bucket. The power guard simply got to the basket at will, using his strength and athleticism to get past opponents and finish at the rim. He nailed threes on the catch and shoot and also off pull-ups on the break. At 5-foot-8, Sadi even got up on one break to finish with a one-handed jam. There’s no question at his size he’ll need to develop more of a point guard mentality, but his athleticism and ability to score is definitely something to watch.
Malik Kelley (2020 Roosevelt HS/Maeko) – Kelley is a tough guy to handle as while he may lack height at 6-foot-4, he is strong and athletic underneath which allows him to finish plays at the basket with either hand. The junior forward was extremely tough on the glass and has the ball-handling ability to grab the defensive rebound and immediately take the ball up the court to create for himself or for others.
Cobee Crawford (2020 Benson HS/Maeko) – Crawford made an impact simply with his motor and how hard he competed on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot junior didn’t quite have it going with his outside shot, but he fearlessly took it to the basket and was able to earn a lot of points from the free throw line. Defensively, he was constantly around the ball and in the face of his assignment. Despite the fact Maeko played back-to-back games, Crawford never let up and gave maximum effort all night long.
Kaelan O’Neill (2020 Churchill HS/Hoop Salem 17U) – While it was definitely against an overmatched team, O’Neill was very impressive on Saturday night. The 6-foot-4 wing attacked the basket relentlessly on offense and almost tried to dunk everything when he got the chance. O’Neill ended up with at least four dunks, one of which was an and-one over an opponent that brought about oohs and aahs from the crowd. He was very aggressive on the defensive end as well. The key will be for O’Neill is if he can further develop his ball-handling and outside shooting.
Jacob Tompkins (2020 Summit HS/Hoop Salem 17U) – Tompkins largely operated in obscurity at Summit this past season but he should get a chance to make himself more known with Hoop Salem. The 6-foot-3 wing showed off a very smooth stroke from long range but he also was able to put the ball on the floor a little and create off the dribble. Tompkins is a high-academic student who is currently hearing from some local and East Coast Division III schools.
Brody Rowbury (2021 Meridian HS/ML20 16U) – Rowbury is definitely a load at 6-foot-10. But where the Boise native made a mark was with his perimeter shooting. The sophomore spotted up for no fewer than four threes in a pool play game against Team Jones and his shooting stroke looked very smooth. There’s no question that he lumbers a bit getting up and down the floor and quickness is an issue, but he definitely takes up space underneath and his ability to be a stretch five is quite enticing.
Jaylen Alexander (2021 Columbia HS/ML20 16U) – Alexander, a native of Nampa, Idaho, is a long and springy athlete who can really finish around the rim. The 6-foot-4 sophomore attacked the basket when given the opportunity and he was very effective in transition. Alexander used his length and leaping ability to block some shots on defense as well.
Logan Pruitt (2019 Pleasant Hill HS/Team Jones) – Pruitt did what he has done his entire high school career, use his craftiness to score baskets down low and also step out and hit some perimeter jumpers. At 6-foot-5, he’s an undersized post player but he works hard and creatively finds way to get it done. Pruitt will play out the spring with Team Jones but noted that he will likely attend Linn-Benton College.
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