Cancer Research Classic Takeaways Day 1

<p>For the past two years now the <strong>Cancer Research Classic</strong> in Wheeling, West Virginia has been my home to open the new calendar year and on day one of the event, it showed why it is one of the best events during the whole high school basketball season. Below are five takeaways I have from the first day of the event.</p> <h3><strong>Marshall Did A Good Job Keeping Obinna Anochili-Killen In State</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marshall did a good job of keeping Obinna in his home state as his versatile showed off in the opening game of the CRC. The Thundering Herd commit finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds and looks to be ready for the CUSA. Obinna is 6’9 and displayed some outside shooting hitting two from deep.</span></p> <h3><strong>Charles Bediako Shows Why He Is Elite</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 6’11 center showed why he is one of the most touted prospects in the junior class after finishing with a monster double double of 16 points and 15 rebounds while also blocking 3 shots. There was no stopping him around the rim as he knows how to finish around the rim and adjust his shot when necessary. Defensively, even if he did not fully complete a block he was there using his size and length to alter shots. Occasionally he would be doubled team but displayed a good sense of passing to the perimeter when there is an open man. Charles is an elite high major prospect that looks ready to compete in college as soon as he steps on campus.</span></p> <h3><strong>Wasatch Is Team Of The Day</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The most impressive team of the day in my opinion was the Wasatch Tigers from Utah. Down low they are led by 6’9 <strong>Michigan State</strong> commit <strong>Mady Sissoko</strong> who was efficient around the rim going 6/8 from the field and finishing with 13 points. <strong>Utah</strong> commit <strong>Caleb Lohner</strong> also has a nice presence in the paint. On the perimeter they are led by<strong> Cincinnati</strong> commit <strong>Mike Saunders</strong>, who was tremendous yesterday by either scoring the ball or dishing out to teammates, finishing with 17 points. However, the surprise of the day for me might have been from 2020 6’5 <strong>Richie Saunders</strong>. Saunders is a sniper from deep finishing 5 for 6 from three point range. He is going to cause serious damage during his time at <strong>BYU</strong> as he can get shots off in a variety of ways. After the graduation of Mike Saunders, he is going to hand over the torch to <strong>Richard Isaacs</strong> who is more than ready to be the point guard for Wasatch. Isaacs is one of the top point guard prospects in the class of 2022.</span></p> <h3><strong>Devin Askew Will Bring A High IQ To Kentucky</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smart move by Devin to move up to the 2020 class because he is more than ready to compete in the SEC. The lead guard has one of the best IQ’s and feel for the game that I have seen in the 2020 class. He literally almost finished with a perfect game going 5 for 8 from the field and 4 for 4 from the charity stripe with all that tallying to 15 points. I fully expect Askew to make a statement in the SEC immediately next year when he is suited up for John Calipari and Kentucky.</span></p> <h3><strong>Jalen Duren Shows Out</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Going up against Michigan State commit Mady Sissoko was no issue for the elite sophomore as Duren showed why he is one of the best big men in all of high school basketball right now regardless of age. For one, his size pops out right away as he looks the part and has a college ready body already. Given his long arms and length, it allows him to do so much on both ends. He blocks shots at an elite level and can hit shots even when he is out of position. Even in a loss against an extremely talented Wasatch team, it was Duren that really stood out finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks.</span></p>