UAA Session 1: Saturday Top Performers

The 2019 Under Armour Assocaiton first session continued on Saturday with a full day of hoops at Supreme Courts in Aurora, Illinois. Here we dive into the Saturday Top Performers!   SG Hunter Hefner (Houston Defenders) Hefner showed flashes on the first night and was even more productive in their opening game of the day on Saturday. This wing is a great glue guy with athleticism and grit. Consistently made plays in the lane slashing for scoop shots or runners. Also a capable shooter.   PG Selton Miguel (Team Breakdown) Miguel took over in the second half for Team Breakdown! This scoring point guard put his team on his back and carried them to a win. Takes and makes both contested jumpers and difficult scores at the cup. Miguel drilled the game winning three with one second left on the clock. Definitely has the clutch gene!   C Nolan Foster (C2K) Foster is one of the more intriguing 2019 unsigned seniors we saw at the event. At a legit 6’10” this center has a nice frame to continue to add strength. He was a rim protector blocking multiple drives that came his way. Adequate shooter knocking down pick and pop threes.   SF Will Wolfe (Illinois Wolves) Wolfe is currently the highest ranked 2020 prospect on the Illinois Wolves. The junior is a tough as nails wing that is so fundamentally sound. His jumper was on point as he drilled them from three and pulling up in the 15 foot range. Continues to improve his ball handling which allows him to get his shot off with ease. Excellent elevation on his jump shot both off the catch and off the bounce. Made several huge hustle plays throughout the game. He had 19 points in their morning win.   PG Donovan Newby (Illinois Wolves) Newby quietly goes about his business and produces. The Bloom 2020 point guard has improved his three point shooting which he showed off connecting on a pair from beyond the arc. Attacked hard on a couple drives and overall displayed a confident floor game.   SG Max Christie (Illinois Wolves) Christie had a quiet morning with “only” 10 points. The top prospect in the state of Illinois put on a clinic with his ability to hit feathery jumpers from all over the floor. Also combined that with slithery drives through traffic for layups finishing with both hands. He even went to the sky hook late in the game en route to 27 points.   F Keon Edwards (Texas Hardwork) The upside with his jumbo combo forward is through the roof. Long and lanky 6’8” 2021 prospect is so projectable. Incredible length and versatility at the next level. Plus plus shooter with range out three with ease. Smooth shot that he got off whenever he wanted all game against the Illinois Wolves. Edwards also has the athleticism to score above the rim in transition. 17 points in the morning session.   SF Taj Thweatt (Team Rio) Thweatt for Team Rio jumped off the floor with his ELITE athleticism. He had several monster put backs where he rattled the rim and had all the camera men going crazy! Seemed to always have his head at or above the rim flying in for rebounds or dunks. Even hit a three, but his forte is scoring off energy inside.   PG Bryce Thompson (Oklahoma PWP) Thompson is a smooth operator at the point guard spot. Easy to see why many consider him among the top group of floor general in the class. This long and angular guard has easy acceleration with the ball in his hands. He scored on acrobatic layups at the cup. Nifty finisher at the rim. Likes floaters and runners over bigger defenders. Sound distributor including a sweet wrap around pass for a dime.   SF Gabriel Madsen (Wisconsin Playground) Madsen can flat out shoot the basketball! This Wisconsin native has positional size at 6’6” along with a lights out touch from three. He made them over and over and over against Oklahoma PWP. Ultra fluid release as it looks just effortless coming off his hands. Flashed some skill as a passer and rebounds well for a wing. Went for 23 points.   SF Alex Antetokounmpo (Wisconsin Playground) Definitely the best game I have seen out of the Greek Freak’s little brother. Alex played with a super high energy level around the basket getting on the offensive glass for put backs. Also took it at the defense in transition with several finishes at the cup including a nice finger roll. Even hit a pair of threes which isn’t usually a specialty of his. Scored 23 points.   SG Landera Obang (Canada Elite) Obang is a physically and athletic two guard that has a burst with the ball in his hands. Converted reverse layups with regularity. When the defense backed off him he drilled corner threes at a high rate. One to watch from our neighbors to the north!   SG Markhi Strickland (Florida Vipers) Strickland impressed for the Florida Vipers. He has size at 6’6” to see the floor and make plays with the ball in his hands. Gets out in transition for scores. Solid runner. Played above the rim with a steal and dunk followed by another alley-oop. Even hit a three. One to track especially with his versatility on the defensive end of the floor.   G Jamir Reed (Philly Pride) Can’t forget about our Philly duo! Reed is a combo guard that can put up points in a hurry! Did just that drilling half a dozen threes en route to 21 points. Came up huge late in the game for Philly making a three every time they needed a bucket. Hit several really tough ones as well! Went for 21 points.   SF Jamil Riggins (Philly Pride) Riggins is a bully ball three man that has a physical body. The lefty can power through opponents getting to the cup. Proved to be a more than adequate shooter from the perimeter knocking down an array of threes from the wings. Super under recruited player! He had 17 points.   G Jordan Rawls (Team Thad) Rawls was the top player for Team Thad in our eyes on Saturday night. The athletic combo guard is so athletic around the rim. Got to the hoop and finished with a variety of acrobatic finishes and floaters. Aggressive guard that takes it right at the defense!   SF Emmanuel Obaseki (Mudiay Elite) Obaseki had a strong showing to close the night. This 2021 prospect is an angular wing that likes to score in the lane off the bounce. Takes good angles slithering through defenders for buckets. Such a good layup maker! Bright future for this wing as he scored 21 points in a win.   SG Zaakir Sawyer (Mudiay Elite) Sawyer is another wing that showed out for the Texas squad. He also is an attack downhill guard that was powerful through contact converting multiple and-1s. Also rebounded well on both ends of the floor. 14 points.