Prime Time Top 40: Washington Prospects

<p>The Prime Time Top 40 Showcase is run out of Portland but every year a number of talented players from up north of the Columbia cross the state line to participate. This time around even more guys came down to participate and they certainly made an impact with their performances. Here's a look at the Washington guys and how they played.</p> <p><strong>Nolan Hickman (2021 Eastside Catholic)</strong></p> <p>Hickman came in to the event with the most decorated resume and he more than lived up to billing. The 6-foot-2 point guard was the best player in the gym and in some eyes, it wasn't even close. Hickman pretty much did it all on the offensive end, whether it was scoring or passing, and his smoothness in doing everything was quite evident. He's currently ranked #4 in the PrepHoops Washington Class of 2021 rankings.</p> <p><strong>John Hart (2020 Rainier Beach)</strong></p> <p>Likely the top raw athlete in the building, Hart certainly had his share of highlight-reel plays. But the 6-foot-3 combo guard really impressed us with his level of skill, especially in the passing department. There were times where Hart really showed some outstanding court vision with some quick-twitch passes to teammates for easy scores under the basket. He was solid rebounding and on defense as well.</p> <p><strong>Mutdung Bol (2020 Edmonds-Woodway)</strong></p> <p>No player in the gym played as hard as Bol - bar none. The 6-foot-3 wing was all over the place offensively and defensively, seemingly flailing his arms and legs constantly up and down the floor. Bol knocked down perimeter shots, drive hard to the basket, and finished with authority. Truth is he's probably a bit underrecruited at this point in time but he's definitely a D-I prospect.</p> <p><strong>Kyle Gruhler (2020 Skyview)</strong></p> <p>Gruhler started off the scrimmages with a bang, knocking down jumpers and really hitting the defensive glass. While things definitely slowed down after that first game, the 6-foot-5 wing overall did a solid job hitting his shots and using his size and improved athleticism to help out on the boards and defensively.</p> <p><strong>Tanner Toolson (2020 Union)</strong></p> <p>There were some in the gym that felt Toolson was one of the best players on the floor on Sunday and honestly we can't disagree. The 6-foot-5 wing kind of did it all on the floor, hitting long range shots but also getting to the hoop and finishing above the rim.</p> <p><strong>Noah Pepper (2021 Selah)</strong></p> <p>Pepper has a rock-solid physique at 6-foot-4, 215-pounds and he utilized it to its fullest in all three games. He moved well without the ball which often put him in position to receive passes or grab offensive boards for some easy buckets inside, but also showed a nice touch from the perimeter out to three-point range. With his size and skills, he's a potential matchup nightmare for opponents.</p> <p><strong>Tyler Linhardt (2022 Kings)</strong></p> <p>Linhardt has a very mature body at 6-foot-6, 217-pounds especially for his age and he definitely used it to his advantage at the PT40. While at first he seemed to be in love with the three, when that wasn't going he was able to use his physicality to bully his way to the basket for some buckets. He was also tough on the boards.</p> <p><strong>Tre Blassingame (2022 Auburn)</strong></p> <p>Blassingame is a rangy 6-foot-4 wing who has some bounce to his step. He was definitely not shy about attacking the basket and get to the rim, often absorbing contact along the way. Blassingame was able to finish through that contact converting a couple of traditional and-ones in one game.</p> <p><strong>Isaiah Watts (2022 West Seattle)</strong></p> <p>Watts is the son of former Washington Huskies guard Donald Watts. He's still physically developing at about 6-foot-2, 140 pounds but despite his frame wasn't afraid to mix it up in the paint. Watts was active on both ends of the floor and scrapped around for a couple of buckets near the hoop and from mid-range.</p> <p><strong>Brooklyn Hicks (2023 Timberline)</strong></p> <p>Unfortunately Hicks only briefly played in one game in scrimmage time. But we saw a little of the 6-foot-1 guard in the drills and he was an impressive athlete with some hops. It will be interesting to see how he comes along at Timberline.</p>