Bruce’s Best: Nevada’s Top 6 Big 3’s
It started with KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Then Lebron took his talents to MIami to join D-wade and Chris Bosh. In realty having 3 stars has been the key component of championship teams for quite a while. Lakers…
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Continue ReadingIt started with KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Then Lebron took his talents to MIami to join D-wade and Chris Bosh. In realty having 3 stars has been the key component of championship teams for quite a while. Lakers had Magic, Worthy and Kareem, Bulls had Jordan, Pippen and Rodman, Spurs had Duncan, Parker and Manu. This season several local teams have their own versions of the big 3. In this article PH takes a look at some of the top trios in the state.
1. |Will McClendon 6’4 SG 2021| – |Zaon Collins 6’0 PG 2021| – |Noah Taitz 6’3 SG 2020|: Bishop Gorman
The champs are lead by their guards. Each are accomplished in their own right. Together they make-up one of the nations most formidable trios. Zaon Collins is the primary ballhandler. A tempo changing point with elite run and jump athleticism. Collins routinely beats the first defender, leaving the help side defender vulnerable to being put on a poster. His penetration opens the floor for Will McClendon. McClendon is one of the best big shot makers in the state. The type of player that plays better, the bigger the moment. Ultimate floor spacer, McClendon forces defenses to stay attached to him. His presence opens the floor up for the drives of Noah Taitz. The 6’3 wing is an elite slasher. He scores in transition, off the dribble and in catch in shoot situations. Taitz is one of the best shooters in the state. It’s his shooting, and undervalued athleticism that makes him one of the top recruits in the state.
2. |Milos Uzan 6’3 PG 2022| – |Anthony Swift 6’6 SF 2021| – |Dayshawn Wiley 6’3 SG 2021| Desert Pines
If you had to create a modern prep point guard, you may design Milos Uzan. At 6’3 he has tremendous size. He brings a playground handle, and is a willing and unselfish passer. The son of a coach Uzan understands how to play the game. His ability to space the floor with jumpers, and create for teammates makes him the perfect compliment to the freakish athletic ability of Dayshawn Wiley. Wiley may be one of the most respected players in the city. A natural scorer, last season he lead the team with 14ppg as a sophomore. A quick twitch athlete with explosive leaping ability, Wiley has no issue playing above the rim. He’s also a knock down shooter, that shot %37 from the 3 last season. With he and Uzan leading the backcourt, the frontcourt can be safely manned by Anthony Swift. The 6’6 wing provides a dimension that DP simply didn’t have last season. It starts with his defense, he is fluid enough to switch ball screens, yet long and athletic enough to guard post players. A natural rebounder, swift should be able to provide multiple shot attempts per possession.
3. |Dennis Cash 6’7 PF 2020| – |Dashien Nix 6’5 PG 2020| – |Jaxson Pillich 6’4 SF 2020| – Trinity International
When you have the best passer in the nation, it’s probably a good idea to surround him with some athletes. At Trinity the ball is in the hands of Dashien Nix. The 6’5 PG is a revolutionary passer, elite finisher and ultimate floor general. His ability to find teammates is the perfect compliment to Jaxon Pillich. The 6’4 wing is a bouncy athlete that will probably benefit the most from Nix’s passing talent. Essentially all he has to do is sprint the floor and keep his hands up. Pillich has a good frame and foot speed. He should easily be able to guard 1 through 3, freeing Nix up to focus on running the show. His leaping ability allows him to help Dennis Cash on the boards. Cash provides an inside presence. Similar to Pillich, he’s a bouncy athlete that scores in transition. Cash has a developing post game, however he has a great second jump. Often times he can score simply by throwing it at the rim and beating everyone to the ball. In addition to his rebounding, his quick second jump allows him to provide rim protection as well.
4. |Keshon Gilbert 6’2 PG 2021| – |Anthony Hunter 5’11 PG 2020| – |Kendrick Gilbert 6’4 SF 2020|: Durango
Durango has one of the top backcourts in the state. Throw in the ultimate glue guy and you have a trio. It starts with Keshon Gilbert. The UNLV commit is a pass first PG that keeps everyone involved. He has an elite handle, that allows him to get anywhere he wants on the floor. At 6’2 Gilbert has the size to see over traps and pressure. His ability to play a pure 1, allows Anthony Hunter to use his speed and quickness to score. Hunter is one of the top two way players in the state. End to end it is almost impossible for anyone to keep up with him. He also provides the Blazers with the luxury of having two elite ballhandlers in the backcourt. In Durango’s pressure defense, Hunter’s on ball d will be key, as will the interior defense of Kendrick Gilbert. Gilbert is the type of player that every successful team has. An unselfish teammate willing to do the little things. Gilbert can legitimately guard every position on the court. He provides rim protection, rebounding and interior scoring.
5. |Donavan Yap 6’3 SG 2020| – |Larry Holmes 6’2 SG 2020| – |Jaylon Lee 6’8 C 2020|: Arbor View
Start with one of the states most dynamic scorers. The UNLV commit Donavan Yap gives Arbor View an elite one on one scorer. He can dominate a game off the bounce, or in catch in shoot action. Yap is also an opportunistic scorer as he will contribute with offensive rebounds and by turning defense into offense. His running-mate Larry Holmes also excels at turning defense into offense. Holmes lead the team last season with almost 2 steals per game. He is a great run and jump athlete that provides rebounding from the backcourt. His ability to defend and help on the boards is made easier with Jaylon Lee behind him. Lee is a big bodied post. More of a traditional 5 don’t look for him to step out often. He likes to finish around the rim, and has the strength to carve out deep post space. He’s a vacuum rebounder who lead the team with nearly 8 per game last season.
6. |Freddy Vargas 6’0 SG 2022| – |Jimar Mitchell 5’11 SG 2022|- |Ta’quon Dillion-Hodges 6’0 SG 2021|:Rancho
Rancho has a young nucleus. Vargas and Mitchell saw significant time last season as freshmen, while Hodges was a key sophomore contributor. It all starts with Vargas. He has a terrific skill set including knock down shooting, and ballhandling. Vargas will be counted on to score and create opportunities for his teammates. One of the main players to benefit from Vargas’s playmaking will be Mitchell. The 5’11 combo is poised for a breakout season. The type of player that doesn’t do any one thing great, but does several things well. He’s going to provide scoring, ballhandling and perimeter defense, he aggressiveness and production should make things easier for Ta’quon Dillon Hodges. Hodges is the elder statesmen of the group having averaged nearly 8 per game last season as a sophomore. He’s similar to both Vargas and Mitchell, a combo guard that scores in a variety of ways. Rancho plans on playing up tempo this season, which should be right up TDH’s alley. He excels at transition buckets and creating his own shot.