Show Me Showdown: Top Out of State Prospects

PrepHoopsIllinois was at the Show Me Showdown in St. Louis over the weekend. Here we dive into the best out of state prospects that we saw from the event with most of them coming from the state of Missouri.   Sekou Gassama (Gateway 17U) Gassama might have been the top prospect at the event. The Desmet 6’10” post has such a bright future! He is a high level rebounder and shot blocker with his athleticism. Aggressively goes after boards in traffic. Offensively he has some skill being able to knock down a mid-range shot and put combination moves together on the block. He has offers from LSU, Kansas State, TCU, Indiana State, and St. Louis. Purdue is also heavily tracking him.   Yaya Keita (Gateway 17U) Keita is a powerful five man at 6’9” that is a man among boys on the boards. He snatches rebounds out of the air with force. Such strong hands! Elite level rebounder and knows how to protect the rim defensively along with being an all-around quality defensive player. Offensively he is still a bit raw, but shows flashes. Most effective as a rim runner, getting put backs, and playing off his guards. On the recruiting trail he has offers from Iowa, Purdue, and St. Louis.   JJ Schwepker (Gateway 17U) This Fort Zumwalt South small forward has excellent size on the perimeter at 6’5” and was a consistent sniper from deep. He is a kid that can shoot it from beyond the arc with a clean release and consistently saw it swish through the net especially from the corners.   Blake Wakefield (Gateway 16U) Wakefield opened up our eyes with a strong performance on Friday night. The two guard is a creative scorer that was the go to guy for Gateway. This 2021 prospect can shoot it from three while also making tough layups in traffic.   David Roberts (Southwest Jets 17U) This Hazelwood Central 6’1” combo guard has a thicker build. He finished very well in the paint spending a significant amount of time at the rim on Friday night.   Rashad Weekly-McDaniels (Southwest Jets 17U) Weekly-McDaniels is a fun player to watch. Thick combo guard that uses his powerful build to his advantage. He loves to pass it was a lot of flair especially in the open floor. At heart he is a pass first point guard that makes others better. Offensively he is an adequate shooter from three that often turned his defense into offense for scores in transition.   Troy Scowden (JH1 Ohio 15U) This power forward from Ohio stands at 6’6”. The 2022 prospect impressed with his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting from the wings. Played well around the hoop as well using hook shots. Also used his strength around the rim to score. Solid rebounder.   Lamontay Daughtery (Team Ramey 17U) The best performance in the 17U championship game came from this Mehlville product who played his first two years of high school ball in Illinois at DuQuoin. The 6’6” small forward has a lot of natural ability, but it is all about getting it out of him on a consistent basis. He definitely flashed it in the title game with a 21 point performance. He knocked down a couple threes, but overall it was his aggressiveness slashing that shined through with scores or trips to the foul line.   Jaylen Boyd (Team Ramey 17U) Boyd is a 6’1” lefty point guard that plays bigger than his height because of his long arms and angular build. He is a flashy passer that makes plays in the open floor. Likes to play in transition and go right at the defense when they are retreating! Boyd was probably the most consistent performer for the 17U champs in St. Louis.   Gary Clark (Team Ramey 17U) Clark has a bright future. The long and rangy Cardinal Ritter power forward has projectability along with a versatile game. He got on the glass for put backs with his quickness. Threw down a big slam. Runs the floor very fluidly. Knocked down a base line jumper. Rim protector and mobile defender on the other end.   Demarcus Sanford (St. Louis Blazers 16U) Sanford was probably the top all-around player on the St. Louis Blazers who took the runner up trophy in the 16U pool. What we liked about his game was how he contributed in a variety of areas. The guard rebounded very well in a highly competitive semifinal contest. Crisp passer. Can hit an occasional three.   Brandon Mitchell (Team Ramey 15U) Mitchell is a very intriguing long term prospect. The MICDS combo forward is oozing potential with his long and lanky frame along with plus athleticism. Played well in transition and was an active defender.   Robert Lewis (Team Ramey 15U) Lewis was another interesting combo forward and this one is from Cardinal Ritter. Played behind a pair of high level juniors last year, but it will be hard to keep this upside prospect off the court this upcoming season with his ability to defend all over the floor and protect the rim. Runs the floor so well.   Carlton Thomas (Team Ramey 15U) Thomas might have been the most productive of the three Ramey prospects in the game we saw. High level athlete that plays with a lot of energy especially on the offensive boards. University City High School rising sophomore.   Nate Straughter (Gateway 15U) Chaminade continues to produce high level prospects year in and year out. Another college prospect at some level will be this 2022 shooting guard. He looked ultra-smooth scoring with jumpers pulling up along with drilling several off the catch. On his creative drives he was adept finishing with either hand.