Hard Work Finals: Collin’s Day Three Standouts

Today served as the cherry on top of every Sunday of the circuit. Champions of the entire field were crowned at JFK high school and the best prospects stood out amongst other top players. So, which guys put together gaudy stat lines? What players shouldered programs three, four, even five games into bracket play? Below are my favorite performances from the day, the most fitting standouts for the finale of the circuit.

Massimo Malterer, WI Starz Elite 16U: The 2022 guard played up with the 16U team this weekend, though the age gap was masked by a dominant performance and aggressive play. He shared the MVP with Nick Feller in their 75-60 win over Team 1848. Malterer put his driving game on full display, making swift combo moves towards the bucket, maneuvering around defenders in the paint and finishing with fade-aways and scoop shots. He has untapped potential as an elite scorer, and he’ll be an interesting prospect to keep tabs on as he continues developing physically and as a player.

Leon Bond, JH1 Elite Jannsen 15U - I was more of a thoroughly entertained fan watching Bond than a scout, and it’s hard not to be. At 15, he’s a monster athlete who continues to raise his ceiling with weekly improvements. His jump shot looked polished today and he drove past other potential college players with relative ease. He may be one of the biggest risers in the next rankings update.

Taison Chatman, DTA 14U - DTA is a team that is memorable because of their dominance, how they win and the talent level of their players. Today, Chatman emerged from that talent trove showing why he’s poised for next-level basketball. Chatman’s offensive game and his pace have an apparent smoothness. He finished today’s game against Illinois Blaze with 17 points, converting on 3 threes along with a few takes to the rim. He never appears flustered, as he plays with poise and exudes confidence.

Jeffery Brazziel, Wisconsin Playground Club White 15U - Wisconsin Playground White fell to a near-mercy rule deficit against Minnesota Fury - Wilde. Brazziel, though, managed to stand out amongst an uninspired group. He shot well from the outside, using his fluid lefty stroke to launch a bomb from near halfcourt to end the first half. He mixed in a few pull up mid-range jumpers, a move he’s coined through repetition and accuracy. Before tensions reached fever pitch (there was a scuffle that caused both teams to settle down), a physical game brought out Brazziel’s down-low game. He is a very lengthy player, and he attacked the rim and finished strong early in the first half.

Chucky Hepburn, Team Factory Gold 16U - After nursing an injury through Saturday and Sunday, Hepburn returned to action on Friday looking completely up to speed. In the opening minutes of Team Factory’s lopsided win over Illinois Jaguars, Hepburn was a defensive pest, getting his hands dirty with loose balls and steals. His passing, too, oiled their offense and kept the juices flowing through the entire 32 minutes. Hepburn is molding into a modern floor general. He’s a jack of all trades whose skill set is far-reaching, but at the same time, incredibly comprehensive and developed.

‪Ashton Janowski, JH1 Elite Jannsen 15U - It was my first time watching JH1 Jannesen this summer, and just from watching Janowski warm-up and I knew instantly that he was going to be a skilled prospect. His playstyle is already imprinted with advanced guard skills. Janowski has a great feel for the game, as his tight handle allows him to maneuver around defenders. That paired with a smooth jump shot and finishing ability helped him string out big plays and a memorable performance versus Wisconsin Playground Black.

Nick Feller, WI Starz Elite 16U: Feller was the most “on fire” of any shooter I watched today, and maybe the most energized. In the first half, he worked off the pick n’ pop and drained a few threes in a row, getting more hyped up after every clean swish. As if the two minutes during halftime seasoned him into a stoic superstar, he began making shots from all over the floor and driving to the hoop. Feller popped on my radar after today as a young shooter that could develop into a nice prospect if he continues to grow taller.