Summer Challenge: 15u/16U Saturday Morning Perimeter Pacesetters

<p>The PrepHoops Summer Challenge continued play Saturday morning and featured a number of impressive guards at both the 15U and 16U levels. Take a look at some of the players that caught our eyes this morning.</p> <p><strong>Jaquanis Rhodes  (2021), Wisconsin United 16U /West Allis Central High School</strong></p> <p>As a lead guard, Rhodes does a great job getting his team out in transition. The 5’11" guard is dynamite off the dribble and led the break for countless United points. Rhodes has the ability to finish with both hands around the rim, a great compliment for his blazing speed. In transition, Rhodes ignored contact and  finished a pretty left-handed layup for an and-one bucket. In their 76-67 win against Heart of Illinois, Rhodes used his handles to create separation and nail perimeter jumpers. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="880005" first="Jeremiah" last="Burke"] (2021), Wisconsin United 16U/Saint Francis High School </strong></p> <p>At the other guard position, Burke is a phenomenal compliment to Rhodes. The 6’5" wing reminds me a lot of former Tar Heel guard and new member of the Phoenix Suns, Cam Johnson. Burke is a deadeye shooter and can not only kill you with spot-up triples, but uses the hesitation to pullup over smaller defenders. When Heart of Illinois seemed to creep back into the game, Burke responded with back-to-back gut wrenching triples. Along with his terrific shooting ability, Burke’s long frame makes him a very intriguing prospect.</p> <p><strong>Michael Williams (2022), Oakland Elite 15U/ West Bloomfield</strong></p> <p>At 6’3", Williams has tremendous size for the 15U level and is extremely physical. In Oakland Elite’s matchup against MBA, Williams used his strength to overpower his opponent, ripping a rebound away and then using his tremendous skill to dash the other way for a bucket. Williams is always ready in the corner, being a very reliable spot up shooter.</p> <p><strong>Gabe Calhoun (2021), Heart of Illinois 16U/Dunlap</strong></p> <p>Gabe is a very smart offensive player. The 2021 wing is a slasher and is very creative around the rim. What impressed me the most is Calhoun’s skill with his back to the basket. Maybe a lost art to some, but Calhoun posted up smaller defenders inside and was able to score easily on Wisconsin United guards. When Calhoun drew bigger defenders, he used his quickness to get to the basket. A bright spot for Heart of Illinois, and his combination of intelligence and skill is a nightmare for oppossing defenders. </p> <p><strong>Ryan Warren (2022), Select Davis 15U/Eden Prairie</strong></p> <p>Warren provided Select with a huge second half spark in their gritty 64-54 win over UTS Elite. The 6’2" wing is a great isolation player and is very saavy, using jab steps in either direction which kept UTS defenders off-balance. In the second half, Warren blew by the primary defender and could have forced a contested layup, but instead made a fundamentally sound play stopping at the elbow for an easy midrange jumper. Warren was also not afraid to sacrifice his body, soaring into the lane for offensive rebounds. Warren displayed his speed and athleticism in transtion, bolting from one end to another for a coast to coast basket. </p>