Grind Region Finals: Wilk’s Saturday Standouts (17U)

Day 2 of the Grind Region Finals in Wichita was a great one, with memorable games and prime-time performances taking place on all 12 courts all day.  Unfortunately for me, I could only be at one game at a time.  Here are a handful of the standout performers from the 17U action that I took in on this super Saturday:

Daniel Abreu - Missouri Flight Blue

I was fortunate enough to see Daniel on a number of occasions during the high school season, and am very impressed with the progress he has made.  He is bigger, stronger, has improved range, and is playing with supreme confidence.  He is quite literally a walking bucket that can score it at all three levels efficiently.  He knocked down some tough, contested three pointers today right off the catch and pulling up off the bounce.  He continues to have a nose for the bucket when he touches the ball inside the arc.  I was also impressed by his defensive versatility where he proved able to defend the perimeter and muscle up on the block when needed.  He will be a D1 player when it is all said and done.

Maurice Grayer - Missouri Flight Blue

Yesterday, Mo showed off his athleticism.  He did that today as well, but he also put his range on display in MO Flight's Sweet 16 game today where he buried three from long distance.  It was an effortless, quick release that adds a critical element to his game that already includes smooth ball-handling, above the rim athleticism, and pesky defense.

Chase Hettinger - Boykins Basketball Academy

Chase continued his assault on the nets in an impressive come from behind upset win over Texas Supreme Kings this afternoon.  After a quiet, but effective first half, Chase took over in the second.  He scored 12 straight and finished with over 30 in the win.  He has the ability to get hot from beyond the arc and can fill it up off the catch and off the bounce. He has an effective crossover and uses his length and bounce well to slash to the cup and finish.  In transition...look out!  He is a high flyer!

Eric Lee - Team Speights

On a team absolutely loaded with high-level talent, there are several prospects that could have been selected from Team Speights.  However, against Tennessee Edge, the "edge" has to go to Eric Lee who had an excellent game.  Lee is a terrific defender who creates turnovers and turns them into highlight reel dunks in transition.  He took flight multiple times Saturday afternoon and showed why he has received multiple D1 offers.

Paul Otieno - KC Pacers Blue

Paul was dominant in KC Pacers Blue's upset victory in the Sweet 16 over Missouri Flight. He has raw, untapped athleticism and surprised me with a versatile skillset.  He is an animal on the glass and a true rim protector that plays above the rim on both ends.  He showed nice touch with the right-hand jump hook and stepped out and buried a corner three.  He did a nice job of catching in the middle of the floor against pressure and handling the ball effectively until getting it in the hands of his guards.  He was unstoppable in the pick and roll.

Lawson Jenkins - Arkansas Athletes Outreach

Lawson was exceptional in both of AAO's victories Saturday.  He has great size and length at 6'6 with an even longer wingspan.  He has a very smooth stroke from beyond the arc.  His size and quick release allow him to get his shot off with minimal space and he knocked down 6 threes on the day.  He has guard skills with the basketball and can take his man off the dribble and finish with force or finesse at the basket.  He is a big piece to the puzzle for an AAO group that has their eyes set on a title run.

J. Ewing - Tennessee Edge

I need confirmation on who I think this is, but he was too impressive to leave off the list despite not having his first name in the packet.  Mr. Ewing is a HIGH-FLYER!  Although Tennessee Edge was overmatched by a loaded Team Speights, he had several poster slams.  Lobs, put-backs, dump-offs, didn't matter.  He is an above the rim pogo-stick that can throw it down with the best of them.