Nike Hoop Summit Spring Showcase Preview

<p>In conjuction with 2019 Nike Hoop Summit game, the Nike Hoop Summit Spring Showcase takes place this Saturday and Sunday at various locations around the Portland Metro area. The top 17U and 16U teams will be centered around the Beaverton YMCA Hoop facility and many of the top teams in the Pacific Northwest will be in attendance.</p> <p>Here's a quick preview of some of the top teams expected to be playing:</p> <p><strong>Seattle Rotary EYBL</strong> - Rotary will be running on the prestigious Nike EYBL circuit but will be making their season debut at the Hoop Summit Spring Showcase. <strong>Paolo Banchero</strong> (2021 O'Dea) is back to headline the 17U squad and has ascended to become one of the top players in the country in any class. As usual the rest of the roster is loaded and some others to watch include <strong>Shane Nowell</strong> and <strong>Nolan Hickman</strong> (2021 Eastside Catholic).</p> <p><strong>Rose City Rebels</strong> - The Rebels won the 16U bracket in their debut last weekend at the NETS Showcase in Seattle and will be looking to do the same to the 16U field this weekend - although Rotary's 16U team will certainly provide plenty of competition. <strong>Ben Gregg</strong> (2021 Columbia Christian) is the main attraction but he's surrounded by plenty of others looking to amp up their profile including <strong>Kaden Perry</strong> (2021 Battle Ground), <strong>Kamron Robinson</strong> (2021 Jefferson), <strong>Darius Gakwasi</strong> (2021 Central Catholic), and <strong>Demontae Burns</strong> (2021 Parkrose).</p> <p><strong>Jordan Fly Select</strong> - The "South" team coached by Jeff Williams won the 17U title at the Portland Classic last weekend and they are hoping to continue the trend in Beaverton. Guards <strong>Braeden Sato</strong> (2020 Sunset) and <strong>Drew Carter</strong> (2021 Tigard) got off to fast starts in their AAU campaigns and the play of <strong>Payton Richardson</strong> (2020 Western Christian) and <strong>Koby Williamson</strong> (2020 Santiam Christian) opened some eyes. The "North" team coached by Kendall White is still looking to jel together with their core of <strong>Jesse White</strong> (2020 Barlow), <strong>Silas Bennion</strong> (2020 Churchill), <strong>Aiden Clark</strong> (2020 South Eugene), <strong>Erik Fraser</strong> (2020 Grant), <strong>Jack Chlumak</strong> (2020 Newberg), and <strong>Andre Best</strong> (2020 Oregon City).</p> <p><strong>Hoop Salem</strong> - The host team has gotten off to a quick start these past two weekends and should be in contention for the 17U title. <strong>Mason Lomax</strong> (2020 Sprague), <strong>Kaelan O'Neil</strong> (2020 Churchill) and <strong>Drayton Caoile</strong> (2019 West Linn) have all had their moments so far and others such as <strong>Jacob Tompkins</strong> (2020 Summit) and Select team members <strong>Trey Galbraith</strong> (2020 South Salem) and <strong>Isaiah Wallace</strong> (2020 Churchill) have also turned some heads with their play.</p> <p><strong>Deep III</strong> - Deep III is back at it again after a runner-up finish at the Portland Classic and head coach PJ Gilbert's team is loaded with talented unsigned seniors such as <strong>Trevon Richmond</strong> (2019 Jefferson), <strong>Tyler Newsom</strong> (2019 Pendleton), and <strong>Lukas Findley</strong> (2019 Dayton) - all of whom did some damage last weekend.</p> <p><strong>PNW Sixers</strong> - The 17U Black team has done some damage so far this spring and the Vancouver-area based squad should make some noise this weekend as well. <strong>Peyton Brammer</strong> (2020 Hockinson), <strong>Kyle Gruhler</strong> (2020 Skyview), and <strong>Brad Lackey</strong> (2020 Union) are three standouts who have stood out so far.</p> <p><strong>Team P.U.S.H.</strong> - One of the Portland area's newest teams makes their local debut this weekend and will field two teams, Black and Red. The headliner is big man <strong>Nate Rawlins-Kibonge</strong> (2020 Jefferson) but he'll be flanked by a number of promising guards in <strong>Emmanual Steward</strong> (2020 Grant) and <strong>Elijah Munyan</strong> (2021 Columbia Christian).</p> <p>Other teams to watch out for include Eastern Washington Elite, Northwest Coastal Elite, Seattle Select High Academic, 509 Elite 2020, and Boise Flite.</p>