Top250 Expo: Older Session Top Performers
The Prep Hoops Top250 Expo was loaded with talent on Sunday. Who stood out from the rest of the pack in Verona? Malik Abdul-Wahid – 2020 – SF – Brookfield Central Grant Asman One of the most improved players…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Top250 Expo was loaded with talent on Sunday. Who stood out from the rest of the pack in Verona?
Malik Abdul-Wahid – 2020 – SF – Brookfield Central
Grant AsmanOne of the most improved players in the state since last season, Abdul-Wahid clearly isn’t satisfied yet. The Brookfield Central forward showed up and showed out in a major way. At 6-foot-5, Abdul-Wahid’s scoring ability just gets better and better. His quickness off the bounce and ability to play in traffic is far beyond what I expected for him after my first look two years ago. His mid-range game is now one of the best in the state as Abdul-Wahid can knock down some difficult shots from 15-18 feet, including off-balance looks. Then you talk about the defensive versatility he has, able to defend 3-4 positions effectively. Abdul-Wahid is not only a Divison 2 talent, he could be a building block piece for those programs.
Grant Asman – 2021 – PF – Kimberly
The Fox Valley Association better be aware — Kimberly isn’t going anywhere despite some key personnel losses. I think the Papermakers are going to plug Asman into the starting lineup and he’s going to help keep them at the top. The 6-foot-8 forward is one of the fastest-rising players in his class. At his size, Asman is developing into a mismatch nightmare the way he can handle, shoot, and facilitate the basketball. Asman was deadly in the pick n’ pop game and had some Division 2 coaches asking about him on Sunday.
Quentin Bolton – 2021 – SF – Shoreland Lutheran
One of the more intriguing players in the 2021 class, Bolton was a bucket on Sunday. The 6-foot-5 junior is almost a point forward in the way he controls the offense from the top of the key. Bolton has a smooth and effective pull-up game, able to size his man up and if there’s a hand down, he’s looking to burry a jumper. Bolton is also a gifted passer as well and is able to thread the needle in traffic. I’d like to see him get to the rim more. With his size and strength, Bolton can get to the rim and even showed off some nice post moves on the block. Shot selection and ball security will be two big areas of improvement for him going forward if he’s going to elevate himself as a Divison 1 prospect.
Evan Glaser – 2020 – F – Appleton East
Glaser might have been the MVP of the entire camp. The 6-foot-6 combo forward obviously had something to prove on Sunday and boosted his stock in a big way. Glaser was relentless at the basket and showcased some impressive bounce and ability to finish against contact. He’s a lanky prospect, but plays much more physical than you’d expect. A difficult matchup, Glaser can also shoot the ball from the outside and has some three-level scoring capability. Glaser also did a tremendous job on the glass and while the little things like that don’t always show up in camp settings, Glaser was playing outstanding team-first basketball.
Evan GlaserJacksun Hamilton – 2020 – W – La Crosse Logan
I continue to believe that this kid is one of the best kept secrets in Wisconsin. He played a lot on the interior last season for La Crosse Logan, but has proved since the spring, he’s better as a wing. The 6-foot-5 senior, who’s also a standout in track, is a terrific up-and-down athlete. Hamilton is also a two-way player that goes hard on both ends of the floor. His jumper needs work, but defenders have a hard enough time keeping him away from the rim or in the 8-10 foot range for pull-ups. There’s still plenty of upside left here and Hamilton looks like a real steal for a Division 3 program as he’ll continue to develop and expand his skillset at the next level.
Zac Johnson – 2021 – SG – River Falls
As a spot-up or pull-up shooter, it’s been well documented that Johnson is one of the best in the state. Off the dribble and creating space for himself? That was a question mark. However on Sunday, Johnson appears to have made noticeable gains in that department. The River Falls sniper was drilling some difficult, contested step-back triples at a high rate. We’ll see if it translates to the season, but Johnson was also much more willing to attack the basket and challenge bigs at the rim, even though he’s not necessarily an above the rim guard. A top 10 prospect in 2021, Johnson will push for Division 1 offers, but definitely shouldn’t fall past the D2 level and should be a big priority there.
John Lovelace – 2021 – W – Wauwatosa East
I knew Lovelace was athletic. I knew he could shoot it a little bit. I didn’t know he was the all-around scorer that he showed on Sunday. If the 6-foot-5 junior is going to knock down contested, off-balance jumpers at this rate, he’s going to be a big problem in the Greater Metro, despite all the talent that conference has. Lovelace had a couple of big-time dunks in transition, setting the tone for his team and catching the attention of the entire gym. Maybe the biggest riser in the 2021 class since April, Lovelace had plenty of dominant stretches of basketball. A prospect that’s starting to believe in his talent and that he can compete with anyone on the floor, I also saw Lovelace often decide to the other team’s best player, even if it was a Division 1 prospect or someone he was giving up 3-4 inches to.
Cael McGee – 2021 – G – Stoughton
A late addition to the roster, McGee made his presence felt quickly. After maybe not having the sophomore season he wanted, which began with a 31-point effort in the season opener, McGee seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder. A relentless attacking guard with excellent strength, McGee relishes contact in the paint. He doesn’t always get the call because he absorbs and plays through contact so well, but this is a prospect who can live at the free throw line. At 6-foot-1, McGee can elevate as well and threw down some monster dunks. His jumper needs to be more consistent in order to keep defenders honest, but McGee shoots it well enough from all areas to be a threat and has the skills to create space off the bounce when he can’t get to the rim.
Brandin Podziemski – 2021 – SG – SJNMA
The thing I appreciate about Podziemski is that he shows up in whatever gym he’s in. He’s a Division 1 talent and there wasn’t much for him to play for on Sunday, but it was obvious the junior guard wanted to take full advantage of the opportunity to get better and test himself against some of the top talent in the state. And guess what? Podziemski validated his top 10 ranking and continues to make a case for being in the top 6-7 by this time next year. The lefty is a smooth and dangerous perimeter shooter. Now that he’s added above the rim athleticism to his game, Podziemski’s stock just continues to go up steadily heading into his junior season.
Gavin RalphGavin Ralph – 2021 – SF – Wauzeka-Steuben
Wanted to see how Ralph handled this type of talent when he wasn’t necessarily the alpha dog on the floor at all times. It was a pleasant surprise that he was pretty much the same player I’ve watched the last two years with Wisconsin Academy. A skilled, versatile wing with sneaky athleticism, Ralph just makes plays. Ralph is a crafty, high-IQ wing that gets into high percentage areas and will make something happen for himself or his teammates. The Wauzeka-Steuben standout has an excellent drive and dish game. At 6-foot-3, he often catches people off-guard with his athleticism and he’s not afraid to dunk on someone’s head if they challenge him at the rim.
Carson Smith – 2020 – G – Sussex Hamilton
Definitely could hear Smith catching the attention of the college coaches in the gym. Smith doesn’t always get a lot of touches with Hamilton and their star-studded backcourt, but Smith is without a doubt one of the best shooters in the state. The 5-foot-11 combo guard has extended range and a quick trigger. He’s also underrated in the paint, able to fake-out defenders and create something going to the rim when he cuts into the high post. Throughout Sunday, Smith was very consistent as a shooter, even from well past the 3-point arc.
Daivon Winters – 2020 – SG – Waukesha North
A kid I had never heard of coming into the event, Winters helped his cause probably more than any other player in attendance. The senior guard earned himself a spot in the next rankings and will be somebody we’ll be tracking during the 2019-20 season. Winter is a long, athletic guard with a high motor. His defensive intensity greatly stood out, constantly challenging people and staying engaged with his teammates. Winter is an uptempo guard who can get coast-to-coast and hang and finish around the rim. He can be a little wild at times, but when he’s in control and playing fast, relying on his instincts, Winters is fun to watch.
Up Next: Under the Radar Prospects in the Older Session