Five 2021 Western PA Prospects who were set to Explode this AAU Season

<p>Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, AAU/Grasroots Travel Basketball has been cancelled through the month of July and has significantly altered the college basketball recruiting landscape. With no physical, on-court action this summer, we are left to imagine how this travel season would have played out. In this segment, we take a look at five 2021 Western Pennsylvania prospects who were poised for breakout summers.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="990953" first="Angelo" last="Reeves"] | </strong>6’7 F Vincentian Academy</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/IMG_3753.jpeg"></a>Reeves had a highly successful junior campaign, leading his Vincentian Academy team to another class A WPIAL title. While only averaging a modest 12 points per game, Reeves excelled in a number of other areas that helped him earn PIAA first-team all-state and Post Gazette Class ’A’ Player of the Year honors. Reeves is a hyper-athletic forward with a penchant for playing well above the rim. He possesses a serious motor, crashing the glass with reckless abandon on both ends of the floor. He has shown the ability to knock 15-foot jumpers down with some consistency, which is an area that he has vastly improved over the last year. As he continues to add upper body strength and works on his overall skill-set, "Boom" Reeves will be a commodity for most of the Division 2 programs in the region. Had there been a summer evaluation period, I firmly believe he would have a number of PSAC offers under his belt.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="990964" first="Brayden" last="Reynolds"] | </strong>6’2 G Chartiers Valley</p> <p>A strong, heady guard who had a fantastic junior season accumulating 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists per contest. Reynolds can really shoot the basketball from deep; he displays nice balance, footwork, and a smooth, repeatable release on his jump-shot. He is crafty and deceptive with the ball in his hands, showing a high IQ and overall feel for the game. He has improved his finishing ability, withstanding contact and finishing over defenders with either hand effectively. As he continues to maximize his skill-set and athletic tools, Reynolds stock will continue to rise. I envision many of the D2 programs in this region will be jumping in the mix sooner rather than later.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991034" first="Wes" last="Kropp"] | </strong>6’5 F Penn Hills</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/IMG_3752.jpg"></a>As a junior, Kropp averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game on a talented Penn Hills team. Offensively, he is efficient and effective from 15 feet and in, plays within himself, and doesn’t take bad shots. He shows craftiness and patience around the rim, and uses his body well to finish over length. Kropp also rebounds the ball well; he has a knack for finding the ball off the rim and creating second chance opportunities for his teammates. Unselfish and willing to sacrifice for his team, Kropp consistently outworks his opponents, and simply produces. Although he may be a bit undersized for his position, D2 and NAIA schools should absolutely monitor him closely this upcoming season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="990962" first="Dante" last="Spadafora"] | </strong>5’11 G OLSH</p> <p>When referring to [player_tooltip player_id="990962" first="Dante" last="Spadafora"], some people question his size and his position. Is he a point guard? Is he an undersized 2-guard? Frankly, I don’t really know and I don’t really care, because he is an absolute gamer, fierce competitor, and proven winner. Spadafora, a first-team all-state selection and 2x WPIAL champ, plays with an abundance of confidence and aggression on both ends of the floor.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Offensively, he is in constant attack-mode, scoring the ball in different ways and using his vision to set up teammates for easy baskets. On the other end of the floor, Spadafora plays aggressive defense staying locked in at all times; he has swift feet, good anticipation and a quick first-step to the ball. Look for Spadafora’s recruitment to pick up when high-school basketball resumes.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="991005" first="Enire" last="Bowens"] | </strong>6’9 F/C Ambridge</p> <p>There aren’t many prospects in Western PA as intriguing as [player_tooltip player_id="991005" first="Enire" last="Bowens"]. At 6’9, Bowens possesses great size, plus length, and a menacing physique. However, he isn’t strictly a bruising, rugged post-player; he boasts soft hands and a nice touch around the rim, plus a growing arsenal of post moves <em>when</em> he chooses to fight for position. His junior season was productive, averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. With a shortage of legitimate post prospects in the 2021 class, this late-bloomer has an even better chance of stepping into the spotlight this upcoming high school season. Look for a number of local and regional D2 programs to have eyes on Bowens during his senior campaign.</p>