Prep Hoops Spring Kickoff: Versatile Prospects

The ability to play multiple positions and/or score the ball in a number of ways poses a matchup nightmare for opponents. At the Spring Kickoff, these 10 prospects were the ones who caused the most problems with their combination of size and skill. 

Michael Phillips (2020) | 6-7 F | Team Speights 17U / Creekside (FL)

Phillips has all of the physical tools — a strong body, long arms, and bounce to name a few. He maximizes those tools by staying active on the glass and chasing down loose balls. Phillips can both provide rim protection and switch onto guards in a pick-and-roll situation and contain their dribble-drive. Good touch inside but he looks to finish over the top whenever possible. 

Taeshaud Jackson (2021) | 6-6 W/F | Knights Elite 16U / Dakota Ridge (CO)

Jackson's rebounding ability and long arms jump out at you right away. He plays hard and had a notable size advantage in the two games we watched Knights Elite 16U. All of this is why his ability to bring the ball up the floor and make a play was shocking. Jackson not only provides defensive rebounding prowess, but he is comfortable taking it off the glass and going coast-to-coast. Uses his steps wisely around the rim on drives, often euro-stepping in traffic. 

Caden Kuhn (2020) | 6-7 F | Utah Premier 17U / Olympus (UT)

Kuhn proved to be an effective scorer on the inside and outside. Projects as a pick-and-pop forward who was able to convert catch-and-shoot triples with regularity throughout the weekend. Kuhn, though, doesn't need to stand around the perimeter all day. He is also capable of going inside to use his size and skill from the mid- and low-post. Rebounds the ball well. Impressive lateral quickness. 

Dalton Knecht (2019) | 6-6 W | Colorado Anarchy 17U / Prairie View (CO)

Knecht is an extraordinarily long wing prospect with a knock-down jumper and creative finishing ability. Provides secondary ball-handling ability and can make a shot coming off a ball screen. Knecht has a pretty jumper but also got down-hill before finishing with finesse — brings his body low into the defender before pulling back off one foot for a floater-type shot. Uses the glass when he's inside. Knecht also caused deflections when defending smaller guards. 

Owen Koonce (2020) | 6-5 F | Colorado Titans Gold 17U / Centaurus (CO)

Koonce combines a powerful build with effort and physicality — something you'd see out of an undersized center. While his intensity in the paint allows him to be productive around the rim, it was Koonce's face-up ability that really set him apart. Very confident and capable outside shooter. He can also slide past opposing posts when he puts it on the floor. Defends 4s and 5s. 

Luke Obrien (2020) | 6-7 W | Colorado Miners Gold 17U / Columbine (CO)

The future Colorado Buffalo and Prep Hoops Colorado's no. 1 prospect in 2020 was wildly impressive in their near-upset of Team Buddy Buckets in the Platinum Bracket. Obrien is a terrifically skilled wing with a strong body. Used his strong frame and long arms to slash and finish from the wing. Seemed like he never missed an open jumper from the outside. Provides a rebounding presence, too. Makes good decisions with the ball.

Isaiah Carr (2022) | 6-8 F/C | New Mexico D1 Ambassadors 15U / Las Cruces (NM)

Carr is a slender 6-foot-8 post with a natural scoring touch and the ability to stretch out opposing post players. He also provided rim protection when opponents weren't forcing him away from the basket on defense. Keeps the ball high on put-backs and when he turns to the basket for a quick shot. 

Micah Leslie (2022) | 6-4 F | Chauncey Billups Elite 15U / Valor Christian (CO)

Leslie dominated 15U competition with his combination of a strong body and footwork inside. Consistently twisted up his defenders with euro steps or post moves near the basket. Finished through contact and had his way with slow-footed post defenders. 

Brock Wisne (2022) | 6-7 F | Colorado Roughriders 15U / Horizon (CO)

Wisne not only scores it over the shoulder with touch, he was also an asset for the Roughriders against a trapping press. He is poised when he catches in the open floor and on the wing. Makes good passes and can knock down a shot if he has space on the outside. Bright future ahead for this versatile 4. 

Runey Hernandez (2021) | 6-3 G/W | KC Pacers 16U / Truman (MO)

Hernandez knocked down shot after shot from the outside on Saturday morning. He's very confident from distance and shoots it with collegiate range. Also, Hernandez used a strength advantage on the wing against small guards by crashing the glass and scoring from the mid-post. Skilled player with the ability to finish with either hand.