Jack’s 17U Southern Standouts (Part 1)
It is always one of the top events of the year for us guys in Virginia, as teams from all over the commonwealth and neighboring states ranging from the Carolinas to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. With the amount of write…
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Continue ReadingIt is always one of the top events of the year for us guys in Virginia, as teams from all over the commonwealth and neighboring states ranging from the Carolinas to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. With the amount of write ups so many of us are doing, I thought I would just give multiple standouts that I saw from each age group. Here’s a look at part one of my 17U standouts, focusing mostly on the Virginia area.
Khyree Temple | 6’5” F | District WAWG
Temple would have been my MVP if I got a vote, as the unsigned senior made plays throughout the weekend that left spectators in awe and had his teammates excited every time he had the ball going toward the basket. He showed unbelievable athleticism when attacking the rim throwing down tons of highlight worthy dunks, and he was an impact guy on both ends defensively as well. He rebounded well and showed a solid handle as well, and while he’ll have to go JUCO if he gets his grades right he will have a chance to be a high major prospect.
Ashley James | 6’4” G | District WAWG
James was the other part of a duo with Temple who were not just exciting and fun to watch, they were downright unguardable and the biggest reasons that WAWG was able to win the championship. He’s heading to Hargrave where he’ll have to fine tune his skills as a point guard, but he’s so electric and dynamic as a playmaker he has a lot of stuff in his game that simply can’t be taught. He has tremendous quickness and end-to-end speed off the bounce, he changes directions well and has good body control and he’s improved as a shooter as well. He’s one of the fastest stock risers on the east coast and should continue that trend moving forward.
Noel Brown | 6’10” C | District WAWG
One of the more underrated guys in the state, Brown showed that he’s a division one caliber big man and the fact that he’s a high academic kid as well makes him even more intriguing. The Flint Hill big man has a terrific frame that should fill out, he’s mobile and athletic as he can run the floor and finish and he’s a good defender who can wall up and contest shots without fouling but also has good timing as a shot blocker as well. He finished with double digits on most games by just battling and rim running, and he finished with a double-double in the championship game against UNC commit Dayron Sharpe.
Josiah Freeman | 6’3” G | District WAWG
The best shooter of the championship group, Freeman provided an offensive punch with his ability to make shots off the catch and attack closeouts as well. Like many good shooters, Freeman has great form from the feet up, and while he isn’t the most athletic guy he’s very crafty and has great feel, making the right reads and the right plays when he had to put it on the deck. His intelligence and understanding of the game is another reason I think coaches will be impressed, and the more you watch him the more impressed you become with him.
Parker Huffman | 6’8” PF | VA Premier
The only non shoe company player I’m mentioning in this list, Huffman has seen rapid improvement over the past few years and is a guy who can really stretch the floor for driving guards. At 6’8”, he’s a matchup nightmare that you have to prepare for and need a special guy to guard him. He can rebound pretty well for a big, and while he needs to fill out he’s a guy who has a special skillset for his size.
Jordan Battle | 6’2” G | Boo Williams
With Boo’s starters resting for the next EYBL session in Dallas, the Swiss army knife guard out of Norfolk Collegiate got a chance to show his ability and he did so with 25 points in a loss to Team Loaded 434. The 6’2” guard can play on and off the basketball, plays with a ridiculously high motor and can impact the game in a number of ways. His ability to score it off the bounce was on display as he showed a good floater and ability to finish through contact, as well as the ability to shoot from deep too.
Andre Screen | 6’10” C | DC Premier
As he continues to improve he continues to impress, as the 6’10” big man out of St. Stephen’s St. Agnes continues to hold his own against some of the best including UNC commit Dayron Sharpe. Screen’s mobility has gotten better, and while he needs to fill out and become stronger he still isn’t afraid of contact or playing physical. He has good hands and feet, he can score with the jump hook and step out to the midrange and he’s always moving and in the right place to score the ball.
Marcus Dockery | 6’3” G | DC Premier
The Maryland commit was on fire all weekend, and showed why he is a true ACC level combo guard. He’s a smooth athlete who can get to his spots off the bounce, he has tremendous footwork and is able to create space and he can make shots from all three levels. He’s a better athlete than he’s given credit for and he has a good understanding of the game on both ends of the floor.