UAA Session 1: Friday Top Performers

PrepHoops took in the first night of the Under Armour Assocation on Friday in Aurora, Illinois at Supreme Courts. Check out who played well on the first night at UAA!   SG Max Christie (Illinois Wolves) It was a late night game for the home squad Illinois Wolves, but it was worth staying for as the top 2021 prospect in the state of Illinois put on an absolute show in the second half. Showed flashes in the first half on a skilled up and under move along with a three. He got it rolling in the second half in a major way! Everything was falling for the 6’5” 5-star talent. He drilled crisp one dribble pull ups, made an array of threes from all around the arc. Clean and picture perfect form on his shot. Also got to the hoop several times on slick drives where he was fouled. Christie went for 30 points.   C Chris Hodges (Illinois Wolves) The highest ranked post prospect in the Illinois 2021 class displayed his promise on Friday night. Hodges played physical against players a year older than him. He had a couple of power moves where he showed sound footwork and strength inside for scores. Continues to improve every time we see him with his fundamentals on the block. Rebounded well in his area winning several 50/50 balls. He had 8 points.   PG Jalen Cone (Team Felton) Cone had some buzz coming into the event and the 5’10” point guard from North Carolina did not disappoint. He is a dynamic lead guard that can create for himself and others. Burst of speed off the bounce and is blur in transition. Cone also is an excellent pull up jump shooter knocking down several threes and mid-range jumpers. Has some Jared Harper from Auburn in his game. Finished with 13 points.   PG Jalen Suggs (Grassroots Sizzle) Suggs opened the night showing he is the best player on the UAA circuit. The uber talented floor general from Minnesota has an advanced floor game and now the assertiveness to match. He took it right at the defense over and over. Drawing defenders and kicking to teammates on a regular basis. At times he was a bit out of control, but for the most part he made sound decisions with the ball. Got in the lane at will all night long where he would often score at the rim or get fouled. One area that really impressed was how well he rebounded for a guard. Great at taking it off the glass and pushing it the other way for points at the other end. Jumper has gotten more consistent since I last saw him as well. Knocked down several threes. He fouled out late and his team struggled to close out the game with him on the bench. Suggs scored 26 points.   C Chet Holmgren (Grassroots Sizzle) Holmgren was an absolute force. This rail thin 6’11” center blocked everything that came in the lane. I mean EVERYTHING!!!!! Holmgren swatted 15 shots on the night! It might be the most I have ever seen in any game in high school basketball. Louisiana Elite kept coming inside and he kept turning it away. What was most impressive is I don’t think he had a foul called on any attempt all night. Consistently was straight up and down on the blocks. Offensively he displayed pick and pop range knocking down multiple threes and slammed home two powerful alley-oops in the early going. Needs to continue to add strength and improve as a rebounder. He had 19 points and 15 blocks on the night.   PG Jalen Cook (Louisiana Elite) Cook is a dynamic lead guard who got things going for Louisiana Elite early. The point guard is a sound jump shooter that knocked down three triples in the first quarter. He is a solid ball handler that is almost like a bowling ball with the rock in his hands. Strong throughout the lane and finished through contact on his way to 16 points.   PG Carvell Teasett (Louisiana Elite) Teasett ignited the Louisiana Elite run that would ultimately get them the victory. Quick twitched point guard knocked down several momentum swinging threes along with floaters in the lane.   SG Jalen White (Houston Defenders) This two guard has excellent size for position, long arms, and a frame to add strength. Ultra smooth pull up game drilling quite a few off the bounce. Solid rebounder getting on the offensive boards for several put backs.   C Eddie Lampkin (Houston Defenders) Lampkin is a massive human being! The best part about his game is how well he moves for his size. Nimble footwork and has a soft touch around the hoop. Used a right handed hook shot to punish his opponents. Uses his size to his advantage positioning himself well in the paint. Rebounds well and is a communicator on the defensive end of the floor. Went for 16 points.   SF Kendall Lewis (Atlanta Xpress) Lewis is another rangy wing that put himself on our radar with his performance. This small forward has a projectable body and game. He can slash it off the bounce with long strides getting to the rim for explosive slams. Hit a three and was also a factor on the defensive end. He netted 20 points.   PF Rongie Gordon (Atlanta Xpress) Gordon is a junk yard dog at the four man spot. This face up power forward likes to mix it up and be physical on the glass rebounding on the offensive end. Also hit a hook shot and showed feel in the paint. Gordon has more to his offensive skill set stepping out hitting a couple of jumpers including two threes on his way to 15 points.   G Jaden Springer (B Maze Elite) Springer was billed as one of the top players on the circuit. He had a nonexistent first quarter. Then a 360 dunk got him going. The combo guard has plus athleticism and smooth handles. Relies on his athleticism to score at the rim off the bounce. Did hit one mid-range jumper while we were watching. Look forward to seeing him again this weekend.   PG Emory Lanier (B Maze Elite) Lanier is a point guard that showed scoring pop. The high energy lead guard knocked down three triples off the catch. Microwave scorer for the B Maze squad out of Tennessee.   PG Ashley Jones (District WAWG) Jones is a 6’1” point guard that was the top performer for WAWG on the first night of UAA play. He won off the dribble getting in the lane for and-1s. Regularly made trips to the line. Decent jump shooter.