Throwback Thursday: Adidas Gauntlet Qualifier standouts

<p>IRVINE - Last month's Adidas Gauntlet qualifier showcased an impressive array of Gold and Silver Division teams under one roof at Momentous Sports Center.</p> <p>Who impressed me the most? Here's a nice list of players to start.</p> <h3>Most upside</h3> <p>Chris Bunch, 6-6 W, Hotshots 16u Elite</p> <p>Bunch, who played varsity at Concord De La Salle, immediately stands out because of his frame. At 6-6, he possesses prototypical length, broad shoulders and a body that screams "basketball player." He has an effortless jump shot and can finish above the rim in transition. He tends to be less active when he doesn't have the ball, and his off hand needs work. But his build, shooting and basketball instincts are pretty special. He is an elite prospect in the 2022 class. </p> <h3>Best shooter(s)</h3> <p>Cole Anderson, 6-4 2021 G, Chuck Hayes Elite</p> <p>There might not have been a better shooter on hand than Anderson, whose mechanics are flawless. He shoots with prolific range, and is automatic when left open. But he showed he was much more than a shooter handling the point guard duties for his team.</p> <p>Brandon Angel, 6-7 2020 W, Gamepoint</p> <p>Angel shot lights out over the second half of the weekend, knocking down corner threes in Gamepoint's drive-and-kick sets. Blessed with a 7-2 wingspan and improving athleticism, Angel is rapidly evolving into one of the West's top wing prospects. </p> <h3>Most improved</h3> <p>Kobe Sanders, 6-5 2020 W Gamepoint</p> <p>Sanders has undergone a big growth spurt over the past couple of years. Coaches were intrigued all weekend with his length and shooting ability. He must get stronger and continue to impact the game in other ways (rebounding, scoring off the bounce) moving forward. But with his length, size for position and shooting, coaches are going to take a hard look at him.</p> <h3>Bull in a china shop</h3> <p>CJ McMillan, 6-5 2021 F, Team Lillard</p> <p>McMillan doesn't possess the upside of some of the prospects in the 2021 class, but he is super productive. He gets downhill and throws his girth around, absorbing contact to finish around the basket. And he is surprisingly mobile at 230 pounds. When Team Lillard needed a bucket, McMillan frequently delivered. </p> <h3>Biggest surprise</h3> [caption id="attachment_739504" align="alignnone" width="300"] Dakota Reber impressed in a win over California Select Black[/caption] <p>Dakota Reber, 6-6 2020 W, International Elite</p> <p>I didn't know much about International Elite as a program, but caught their Silver Division quarterfinals win against California Select Black. I left impressed with Reber, a nicely put together wing type with underrated bounce, a nice motor and a fluid jump shot. Reber is an effective slasher to his dominant hand, and can finish above the rim in the half court. </p> <h3>Most underrated </h3> <p>Melo Sanchez, 6-4 2021 W, Gamepoint 16u Elite</p> <p>Sanchez plays the game with a chip on his shoulder, and takes on all comers. He is a diverse scorer who can attack off the dribble, in the post and has improved his touch from three. He reads double teams well and has the court vision to deliver clever no-look passes. In today's positionless game, Sanchez is an intriguing recruit because of his deep toolbox.</p> <p>Trevan Martin, 6-4 2021 W, Gamepoint 16u Elite</p> <p>Martin has always been a bouncy wing type, capable of finishing at - and above -the rim. But he is more than a slasher: He shoots the ball consistently from the college three, delivers strong passes in transition and play the point in a pinch. </p> <h3>Most clutch </h3> <p>Dylan Andrews, 6-2 2022 G, Compton Magic 16u Elite</p> <p>Andrews and Cole Anderson traded clutch plays in the Compton Magic's thrilling OT win over Chuck Hayes. But it was Andrews' big three point play in overtime that proved to the the winner. Throughout the game, Andrews delivered timely buckets and assists and played solid defense.</p> <h3>Most unheralded</h3> <p>Keshon Gilbert, 6-1 2021 PG, Las Vegas Knicks</p> <p>Much of the talk on the Knicks team has been about talented wing Anthony Swift and intriguing 6-5 guard Chris Dockery. But it was Gilbert, a talented "true" point guard prospect, who left the lasting impression. He plays at his pace, changes speeds effectively, and gets to his spots on the court at will. An unselfish playmaker, Gilbert proved to be a more than capable scorer, and his array of floater and runner finishes was impressive. </p> <h3>Notes:</h3> <ul> <li>Coastal Elite 16u Slayers, without 6-9 C LJ Glover and three other players, had a solid 3-1 weekend, finishing with a solid win over ML20 Enforcers. Wayne McKinney led the way.</li> <li>Cali Rebels 17u scored a 1-point win over Gamepoint 17u Elite, and was paced by PG RJ Banks - who played with Gamepoint last season. Banks, who is reclassifying to 2020, has nice size, great vision and defense at the point position.</li> <li>The Compton Magic's three 17u teams - Elite, Premier and Select - posted impressive weekends. Foothills Christian PG Yassine Gharram impressed all weekend with his elite court vision and feel.</li> <li>The Exum Elite 15, 16 and 17u teams were in midseason form. The 16s have a pair of good prospects in 6-7 wing Dallin Grant and 6-4 guard Duncan Reid. The 15u has a speedster in 6-0 guard Cannon Devries. </li> <li>Dream Vision's 16u - playing 17s - had a good weekend. 6-6 wing Maxwell Lewis, 6-7 forward Obinna Anyanwu and 6-4 guard Will McLendon are a handful for teams.</li> </ul>