Program Outlook: BMaze 17u UAA

Andrew Force July 7, 2020 @ 05:50 PM

All summer we will be featuring AAU programs and their coaches to help set the landscape. Bobby Maze founded and coaches BMaze Elite. He also quickly got them into the Under Armour Association circuit. The program’s rise was immediate and their impact nationally was large. After earning a Top 15 @PrepHoopsTN Team Ranking most of last season at the 15u level, they are ready to compete in the 16u division.

BMaze UAA

FRONTCOURT: Solid height. Ideally, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield will play around the arc. If/when this happens, BMaze features a frontline of three 6-foot-6+ guys. Minutes from Jamih Springer will be guided by his fitness level. Ben Knight Ben Knight 6'8" | PF The King's Academy | 2020 State TN can run all day, but gives just a little as a scorer.

A smaller lineup will see Brandon as a 3/4.

Ben Knight Ben Knight 6'8" | PF The King's Academy | 2020 State TN was a member of the Class of 2020 at Lakeway Christian Academy alongside Dante Harris Dante Harris 6'1" | PG Lakeway Christian | 2020 State #372 Nation TN (Georgetown). Knight’s game was analyzed more deeply on PrepHoopsTN back in July 2019, but there is some noticeable growth from that moment in time.

<< July 2019 >> Knight was a touch ungainly. In the first half, Knight pulled down an offensive rebound and quickly finished off the putback. His activity offensively was a little indecisive. Though they ran drills together all morning and early afternoon, this game represented their first live action as a unit.

Knight might grow into a bigger role, but it is more likely he serves as a grunt worker on his guard-driven team. << July 2019 >>

This July, Ben is slightly more authoritative defensively. There has been the occasional blocked shot at 10-11 feet. Knight still plays with a troublesome amount of timidity. He can shuffle and drop-step decently, but there is a little hesitation and indecisiveness still in need of resolution.

BACKCOURT: Brandon Huntley-Hatfield is a superstar-in-the-making, widely respected after his year at I.M.G. Academy. More physically imposing, more spry, and a markedly better outside shooter, BHH is deserving of his top 40 national ranking. Consider the State Champion B.J. Edwards as an uncommonly capable sidekick to Brandon. Both Edwards and Quante Berry are longtime BMaze guys, dating back at least three summers.

Tyreik Boyd and Jahsheem Felton each bring a specialty to the deep squad. Boyd is a steady pass-first point guard capable of eroding the defensive via the dribble. Felton hits open shots, typically drifting or floating to the corner or wings. He is by far the youngest player on this team.

KEY TO SUCCESS: Energy. While BMaze clearly has the talent and even more clearly has the size to win basketball games they do suffer from "flatlining" on occasion. AAU basketball is a grind and it can be challenging to emotionally re-charge before every game. BMaze, at least early in this AAU season, appears to be most successful when coach calls the 2-2-1 press. The players buy in and deflect passes often. The turnovers and quick scores quickly give the entire program a blood rush.

Full Squad with projected *Starters

BMaze UAA Roster

Brandon Huntley-Hatfield headlines BMaze Elite.

#3 Quante Berry
#5 Brian "B.J." Edwards Jr.* -- Knoxville Catholic ’22
#20 Tray Curry Tray Curry 6'5" | SG Bradley Central | 2021 State TN *
#2 Brandon Huntley-Hatfield* -- I.M.G. Academy
#22 Ben Knight Ben Knight 6'8" | PF The King's Academy | 2020 State TN *
#1 Drew Williams Drew Williams 6'7" | PG Hamilton Heights | 2021 TN *
#23 Jamih Springer
#11 Lukas Walls -- Knoxville Webb ’23
#21 Aingar William Aingar William 6'11" | C The King's Academy | 2021 State TN s -- The King’s Academy
#4 Tyreik Boyd
#0 Jahsheem Felton

Head Coach: Bobby Maze

NEWCOMERS: Tyreik Boyd joins the Maze project from Miller Grove High School in Georgia. Miller Grove is a regional powerhouse program in a large school division. You might remember Alterique Gilbert (UConn), Tony Parker (UCLA, Pro in Mexico), Aaron Augustin (Stephen F. Austin) or their 8 state championships. Oh, and the school opened in 2005!

NOTABLE ALUMI: