Wildcat Select Training Day: Standouts

<p>Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the NCAA has delayed their live period sessions for the foreseeable future. With college coaches unable to hit the road and recruit, AAU programs are scrambling to find creative ways to help their kids get the proper exposure and competition. Wildcat Select, an adidas sponsored program based in Pittsburgh, ran a <em>Livestreamed Event </em>this past Saturday bringing in 50 of the top prospects in the PA/OH/WV region for classes 2021-2023. The coaches put the players through drills, then split them up into teams, playing games in front of a virtual audience of college coaches and scouts. We take a look at some of the standout performers:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="991329" first="Rodney" last="Gallagher"] | 2023 Laurel Highlands (PA)</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/IMG_3983-1.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1004172 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/IMG_3983-1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="136" height="136" /></a></p> <p>Gallagher was outstanding all day long as he showed why most scouting services include him in the top 100 national rankings. He doesn’t need to score the ball to make his presence felt, as his mere intangibles are far advanced and always on exhibit. A pace-setter, Gallagher controls the tempo of the game by understanding when to push in transition, and when to slow down the offense and operate in the half-court. He handled ball-screen situations extremely well, reading the defense and making plays for others first, then himself. Gallagher got to his spots anytime he wanted and showed off his patented mid-range game. Defensively, he plays low to the ground, moves his feet well laterally, and cuts guards off in space. After watching him this weekend, there’s no doubt in my mind that he can run the show for the majority of High Major Division-1 programs.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="991337" first="Dellquan" last="Warren"] | 2023 Erie Cathedral Prep (PA)</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/IMG_3985-1.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1004178" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/06/IMG_3985-1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="133" height="133" /></a>The breakout performer of the day for me was Warren. Coming into the weekend, I knew that he was talented, elusive and quick with the ball in his hands. What I didn’t know was that he may be the best instinctual passer on this side of the state. Warren always seems to be a couple steps ahead, having an innate ability to see plays develop before they happen. Defensively, Warren uses his length and anticipatory senses to get into passing lanes, as he continually caused issues for opposing point guards all day long.  When you mix the intangibles together with his athletic tools (quick-twitch, bounce, long arms), you have one of the best sleepers in the 2023 class. I fully expect Warren to have a monster sophomore season at Prep and for his recruitment to take off sooner rather than later.</p> <p>Chris Moncrief | 2022 Kiski School (PA)</p> <p>The rising junior wing had a nice showing at the camp. Operating best as a slasher, transition attacker, and versatile defender, Moncrief had those skills on display this weekend. He didn't stand out amongst the crowd, but was very steady and consistent with his activity level and production throughout. A solid athlete in space, Moncrief mixes in sweeping drives and floaters with acrobatic finishes at the cup. His jumper wasn't working for him, but he found ways to contribute by getting on the glass and making solid open-court decisions. He did enough for the scouts to place him in the Top 20 game, but we still would like to see improvements to his overall perimeter skill-set going forward.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="990945" first="Sam" last="Sherry"] | 2021 Cumberland Valley (PA)</p> <p>There’s a lot to like about Sherry. I hadn’t seen him play live during the high school season, and had received mixed reviews from some trusted sources in Central PA. The thing that stood out right away to me was his body, looking noticeably stronger than on film. He is a legit 6’8, and the lefty brings a ton of versatility on the offensive end of the floor. Sherry thrives in pick/and pop situations where he can utilize his passing and shooting skills to the fullest extent. While at times he tried to do a little too much and forced some things, I liked his overall aggressiveness and confidence in this setting, as he wasn't intimidated by the high-major opponents he was matched up with . Low-major programs on the east coast have started to take notice, and if he can continue to improve his physique and consistency, his recruitment could take a step up. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="991215" first="Eli" last="Yofan"] | 2022 Fox Chapel (PA)</p> <p>A relative unknown to the majority of scouts and college coaches viewing the event, Yofan came in with a chip on his shoulder. Matched up against higher ranked opponents game in/game out, his intensity and toughness on the defensive end stood out helping him make the Top 20 Game. Continually picking up full-court and never allowing ball-handlers to get comfortable, Yofan did a great job of disrupting the flow of the opponent's offense, never letting them get into rhythm. Offensively, he was aggressive but struggled to finish effectively over length and he missed some open perimeter jump-shots; being that this was his first time competing against high level length and talent, an adjustment period is expected. He certainly helped himself Saturday, as schools like Wofford, Dartmouth, and Holy Cross have been in contact since.</p>