Summer Challenge: Grant’s Ten Best
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Over 250 teams from all over the country congregated in Chicago this past weekend to compete in the Prep Hoops Circuit Summer Challenge. Here are my ten best from the event, which includes the best team, best scorer, best passer,…
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Continue ReadingOver 250 teams from all over the country congregated in Chicago this past weekend to compete in the Prep Hoops Circuit Summer Challenge. Here are my ten best from the event, which includes the best team, best scorer, best passer, and more.
Best Team: Team Flyght Ohio 16U
I saw this team play twice throughout the weekend. Both times I watched them, they blew out their opponent. This squad ended up taking home the 16U championship, with a convincing 63-55 win over a very good Wisconsin Playground Club 16U team. TFO has multiple impressive prospects, but AJ Braun was their MVP. At 6’8″, Braun has great skill and feel for the game. He does typical big man things like rebounding and blocking shots, but he also makes shots from the outside and has great dribbling skills. Cater Mims was also an impressive prospect for Team Flyght Ohio. The 5’7″ guard is a pesky defender and great facilitator. A plethora of talented players led Team Flyght Ohio to a 5-0 record throughout the weekend.
Best Scorer: Cameron Palesse Cameron Palesse 6'3" | CG Waukesha West | 2021 State #249 Nation WI (2021)
Cameron Palesse Cameron Palesse 6'3" | CG Waukesha West | 2021 State #249 Nation WI can put the ball through the hoop in so many different ways. The 6’4″ point guard is quick enough to get past his defender and strong enough to finish through contact at the rim. The hard-wired scorer is also a high percentage shooter from beyond the arc. With multiple high scoring games, Palesse led WPC to a 4-1 record on the weekend.
Most Versatile Player: Amar Augillard Amar Augillard 6'5" | SF Zion Benton | 2021 State IL (2021)
Watching Amar Augillard Amar Augillard 6'5" | SF Zion Benton | 2021 State IL on Friday and Sunday was like watching two different players. In Friday night’s win, Augillard had multiple dunks and was getting most of his points by throwing the ball off the glass for a layup. On Sunday, Augillard was shooting—and making— threes like they would be banned on Monday. He can plow over defenders when he wants, but also can beat them because of his quick feet. If coaches are not familiar with Augillard heading into the live period this weekend, they will be coming out of it.
Best Shooter: James Dent James Dent 6'3" | SG Springfield Southeast | 2021 State IL Jr. (2021)
James Dent James Dent 6'3" | SG Springfield Southeast | 2021 State IL Jr. made eight threes in a single game. Need I say more? Now playing for All In Adidas Gold, Dent has one of the best three-point shots in the country. It is rare to watch one of Dent’s games and not see him hurling at least one three through the net. It does not matter how or where, if Dent gets off a three-point shot, chances are that he just added three points to the scoreboard.
Best Passer: Kimahri Wilson Kimahri Wilson 6'2" | PG North Chicago | 2021 State IL (2021)
Kimahri Wilson Kimahri Wilson 6'2" | PG North Chicago | 2021 State IL is the embodiment of what a true point guard should be. Wilson’s pass-first mentality is refreshing in a world or prospects who limit themselves to just scoring the ball. The 5’11″ guard has quick handles and flashy passing skills. Y&R Brim has multiple talented prospects, and Wilson makes all of them look even better. He rarely turns the ball over and always makes the right pass.
Top Stockriser: Cade Meyer Cade Meyer 6'8" | PF Monroe | 2021 State #237 Nation WI (2021)
Cade Meyer Cade Meyer 6'8" | PF Monroe | 2021 State #237 Nation WI ’s rise to the top did not start at the Summer Challenge. And it won’t be punctuated there, either. Throughout the weekend, Meyer continued to show why he is one of the hottest names in Wisconsin’s 2021 class. The 6’7″ forward possess unteachable strength and athleticism. Meyer was just offered by UW Milwaukee, and has been getting interest from other colleges as well. When guarding Meyer, defenders have to be aware of his three-point shot. But they can’t guard him too close, otherwise, he can get past them and throw down a dunk. Guarding him has become a lose-lose situation, even for top defenders.
Best Kept Secret: Norvell Meadows Norvell Meadows 6'0" | PG Orr | 2021 State IL (2021)
It’s too bad that the Chicago Grinders lost their first game of the Prep Hoops Circuit Summer Challenge. If the Grinder’s got by the SW IL Jets, Norvell Meadows Norvell Meadows 6'0" | PG Orr | 2021 State IL would have had the chance to do something special. In his first game of the tournament, Meadows was unstoppable, scoring on almost every possession. It didn’t matter how many defenders were attached to his hip, Meadows was scoring the ball. As an underrated prospect in Illinois, Meadows will have a big junior season.
Best Breakout Performance: Jerimiah Burke (2021)
Coming into the weekend, I had never seen Jerimiah Burke play. It didn’t take me long to realize how talented he is. Burke is a 6’5″ wing, who can score efficiently off the dribble and the catch. No matter what circumstance he is in, Burke can put the ball through the net. He also protected the rim during Saturday’s games. Using his long arms and leaping ability, Burke was able to deny opposing players.
Best Overall Prospect: Gabe Madsen (2020)
Gabe Madsen does so many things right on the basketball court. The WPC standout is a lights-out shooter from anywhere. If Madsen is making shots from deep, defenders will have a really tough time slowing him down. However, if he is struggling from downtown, it does not mean that he won’t play well. The SF has enough athletic pop to get to the rim when his shots are drawing more metal than nylon. With multiple high-major D1 offers, Madsen will have to sift through multiple programs before he announces his college commitment.
MVP: Jack Rose Jack Rose 6'5" | SG Westosha Central | 2022 State #213 Nation WI (2022)
Jack Rose Jack Rose 6'5" | SG Westosha Central | 2022 State #213 Nation WI did not do much wrong this weekend. He scored, rebounded, passed, and defended with excellence and aplomb. Rose was the hardest working player on the court during every minute of every game. His effort paid dividends. The 6’3″ guard scored 53 points on championship Sunday, leading his team to a co-championship in the 15U age group. Rose is an offensive playmaker, who can score the ball at a very high level. Rose’s shot chart on Sunday featured makes from three, mid-range, and right next to the hoop. Pushing for a top five spot in the 2022 class, Rose proved that he is one of the best players in the state.