Big Shots Nationals Recap: 17U

<p>Big Shots Nationals got underway in Rock Hill this past weekend for some top prospects in North Carolina. Take a look at some of the top takeaways from Big Shots Nationals.</p> <h4><b>Team Curry goes undefeated </b></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Team Curry UAA squad went 4-0 in Big Shots Nationals led by the play of 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="1008874" first="Jonas" last="Aidoo"], forward [player_tooltip player_id="932138" first="Logan" last="Threatt"] and point guard [player_tooltip player_id="838021" first="Jamarii" last="Thomas"]. Team Curry took down the likes of Big Shots Select NC, Big Shots Elite NC, B-Maze Elite and Tea Marie Hoops to complete the event unbeaten. Threatt showed off his ability to knock down 3-pointers, making six across four games. Thomas showed off his ability to score and distribute and Aidoo showed his development as an inside-outside threat at 7-foot. Aidoo averaged 14.5 ppg on the weekend and has earned offers from Virginia Tech and Clemson in the past week. They’re a top group to watch in the state of North Carolina with the grassroots season underway.</span></p> <h4><b>BasketPoint USA turns heads</b></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another team that turned heads at Big Shots Nationals was Basketpoint USA led by 2021 high-flying wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1006290" first="Jay" last="Mitchell"]</strong>. Mitchell finished the weekend with a scoring average of 20.3 points per contest while earning wins over PSB Charlotte, Big Shots Select VA and Port City Stars. Mitchell is an electric prospect with a knack for making plays on both ends. He put up his best performance in their opening game with 23 points on four made 3-pointers against PSB Charlotte and was a top performer in the 17U division by the end of the event. </span></p> <h4><b>Team Carolina &amp; Team Hickory go unbeaten as well</b></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Team Carolina is another team that went unbeaten in their pool in the 17U division. They were a talent-rich team led by 2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id="947288" first="Jaylen" last="Curry"], 2021 forward [player_tooltip player_id="932045" first="Jacob" last="Morgan"], 2020 big man [player_tooltip player_id="833117" first="Luke" last="Davis"]. Morgan led the way in their opening victory with 19 points on two made 3-pointers. Curry led the way in scoring with 22.0 ppg and Davis closed out the weekend with a big 26-point outburst to go out with a bang. They showed off their ability to share the basketball and win with ease throughout Big Shots Nationals. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Team Hickory was another intriguing squad led by 2021 explosive point guard [player_tooltip player_id="932065" first="Javian" last="Cannady"]. Cannady put on a show with 22.3 ppg and nine made 3-pointers to showcase his talent as a floor general and efficient scorer. He’s a three-level threat that’s slowly growing from a sleeper prospect as the grassroots season moves along. </span></p> <h4><b>[player_tooltip player_id="574409" first="Terquavion" last="Smith"] a top performer once again</b></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NC State bound guard [player_tooltip player_id="574409" first="Terquavion" last="Smith"] was at it again at Big Shots Nationals as he finished second in the 17U division in scoring with 24.0 ppg and knocked down nine 3-pointers playing alongside Louisville-bound guard [player_tooltip player_id="838016" first="Bobby" last="Pettiford"] Jr. and UNC-bound forward [player_tooltip player_id="533510" first="Dontrez" last="Styles"] to name a few high-profile prospects on the roster. The target was on their back this weekend but they still went 2-1, losing a close one to Team Curry, 78-76, in their final game. 2021 6-foot-4 guard [player_tooltip player_id="838066" first="Kenny" last="Noland"] is another prospect that continues to improve as a defender and slashing threat with athleticism. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Three of the top scorers in the 17U division at Big Shots Nationals were from the state of North Carolina. [player_tooltip player_id="574409" first="Terquavion" last="Smith"] (24.0 ppg), [player_tooltip player_id="932065" first="Javian" last="Cannady"] (22.3 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="947288" first="Jaylen" last="Curry"] (22.0 ppg) showed off their development as volume scorers. Curry finished in a tie for first in 3-pointers made with Carolina Court’s Elite 2021 guard </span><b>Brock Bowen</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. He’s a 5-foot-11 guard that can fill it up from the perimeter and finished with 15.7 ppg on the weekend.</span></p>