Prospects Most Likely to Shine in July

<p>Summer basketball is back, and scouts are hungry for another look at prospects. In what’s sure to be a busy period, who can we expect to shine?</p> <p>Ronald “R.J.” Kirk - G - Dominican - 2021<br /> The combo guard is brawny and explosive, built almost like a football prospect, and can go toe-to-toe with bigs in the paint. He shored up his three-point jumper last season, shooting at a better clip and higher volume than in his sophomore year. He struggles with his efficiency, shooting at 34 percent from three and 45 percent from the field. Improvements there coupled with better overall stats (he only averaged 11 points per game last season) will get him over the pesky recruiting hump he’s battled for the past year.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="953956" first="Luther" last="Smith"] Jr. - G - Sussex Hamilton - 2023<br /> We’re going into this grassroots season somewhat blind with Smith. He’s tremendously skilled, but he mostly contributed with threes and steals as a bench contributor for Hamilton. However, guards have thrived in the ABC Young Lions system (notably [player_tooltip player_id="764118" first="John" last="Lovelace"], [player_tooltip player_id="761401" first="Marshawn" last="Robinson"], and [player_tooltip player_id="804902" first="Jayden" last="Jackson"]) and with his experience and flashes of speed, hustle, and smart off-ball movements he could be next in line for a successful offseason.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="804924" first="Isaiah" last="Hammond"] - G/W - Milwaukee School of Languages - 2021<br /> JH1 Elite’s 17U roster is a solid group that can stretch as deep as it pleases, but as the top scorer, Hammond could separate from the pack. He’s a size mismatch at 6’3” and puts constant pressure on defenses to play him a certain way. Because he’s honed his game enough to be able to exploit his defender as a shooter or slasher, there’s potential for him to catch the eye of scouts with consistent strong outings.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="764114" first="Adam" last="Larson"] - F - Fennimore - 2021<br /> Larson has division one potential, and the quickest way to that destination will be a major summer with Wisconsin Playground Club. Many coaches may watch him for the first time, see it as he’s a sleeper in the class, but his versatility could make a lasting impression. There’s guard skill hidden inside his 6’8” frame, as he shot at a 39 percent clip from three this season (on 156 attempts) and can weave into the paint with long, graceful strides. He’s just as good as a big, though, swatting shots and flushing dunks in the paint with ease.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="764101" first="Quentin" last="Bolton"] - G - Shoreland Lutheran - 2021<br /> Bolton received his most attention last summer, and I expect the same this summer. His jumper is poetry in motion, and he’s only adding more muscle to a bulky frame. More activity on defense could help kickstart recruitment, but a bigger platform would help the most. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="880973" first="Colin" last="Schaefer"] - G - Sun Prairie - 2020</p> <p>Schaefer is still seeking college looks as a graduated senior and will be playing with Swing this summer. He’s more than capable of thriving at the division two level in college, but could use the additional year to show skills beyond a knock-down jumper and facilitation. </p>