10 Best: Bradley Beal Elite Challenge

Recently Brad Beal Elite held an inter squad scrimmage featuring many of the top prospects from around the Midwest. It was a competitive environment with structure, defense, and high level prospects. We break down the tape here in our 10 Best: Brad Beal Elite Challenge!   [player_tooltip player_id="939073" first="Macaleab" last="Rich"] (East St. Louis HS, IL – 2023) We start out with a standout from Illinois. This East St. Louis small forward is built like an outside linebacker with his strength and quickness. He is extremely efficient with his touches. Excellent at finishing dump off passes in the paint along with catching dimes in traffic from his guards with his strong hands. High level offensive rebounder that is super quick off the floor on his second jump. Snatches boards on both ends of the floor. High motor player. Defensively he has active hands on the perimeter being able to defend outside and inside. Had a steal that he threw down the court for a long outlet.   [player_tooltip player_id="965255" first="Jeremiah" last="Johnson"] (Putnam City North HS, OK – 2023) This was my first look at this Oklahoma rising sophomore and he was very impressive. The guard has good length and projectability moving forward. Got out in transition for several scores using his burst to get to the rim. Drive and kick part of his game showed well. Makes everything look easy.   Nick Kern (Vashon HS, MO – 2021) This two guard from Vashon flashed as a perimeter defender getting into his man and making it difficult on them. Smooth ball handler that can slither though the defense for buckets. Got to the rim at a nice rate and also made several plays as a distributor in the pick/roll.   Omaha Biliew (Waukee HS, IA – 2023) Biliew was probably the top prospect in the gym. The 2023 power forward has excellent size at 6'7” with tremendous mobility and athleticism in the paint. The versatility he brings to play inside and outside is very impressive at such a young age against high major players two years older. He did a little bit of everything. Threw down monster dunks, high pointed rebounds in traffic, knocked down several threes, put it on the deck from the perimeter, bully balled his opponents on post touches, and blocked shots. Elite 5-star.   [player_tooltip player_id="863591" first="Braxton" last="Stacker"] (Cardinal Ritter HS, MO – 2022) Stacker was about as good as we have seen him during his high school career. The long and wiry small forward played both on and off the ball. He was actually really good playing as the point guard using his size getting to the cup with his burst and smooth acceleration. Handled well in the open floor including going coast to coast before dishing off a dime. Long strides allow him to cover a ton of ground in a short period of time. Acrobatic finisher at the cup. Tough perimeter defender that can guard multiple spots. Hit one step back jumper that he banked in. Sky is the limit here as he is a major Midwest sleeper!   [player_tooltip player_id="984513" first="Kristian" last="Davis"] (O'Fallon Christian HS, MO – 2022) I hadn't heard a ton about Davis coming into the event, but he really shined. Lead guard that played under control throughout the games and was a setup man who got others involved. He made sound decisions in the half court with the rock. Won off the bounce for several scores and got to the charity stripe a nice rate. For a guard he rebounded very well pushing off his defensive boards.   Nick Smith (Sylvan Hills HS, AR – 2022) Smith is a big time scorer from multiple levels. The high-major target hit threes, mid-range pull ups, and got to the rack. Played under control and didn't force a ton. Displayed a burst when attacking the basket. Liked his floater game as well. I thought he competed on the defensive end including blocking a three.   [player_tooltip player_id="824111" first="Jordan" last="Nesbitt"] (St. Louis Christian Academy, MO – 2021) Nesbitt was a bucket getter! Strong and physical small forward was lights out shooting it from the perimeter. Drilled three after three whether they were pulling up or off the catch. Can create on his own too with solid handles and his strength allows him to finish through almost anyone. Solid rebounder as well.   [player_tooltip player_id="939058" first="Jeremy" last="Fears"] (Joliet West HS, IL – 2023) Fears is the top rising sophomore guard in the state of Illinois and there was no denying he played like it at this showcase. We love how poised he is for such a young prospect. High IQ guard that has an advanced understanding of the game. It was his passing that stood out as he hit shooters in the drive/kick, pick/pop, cross court dishes, and shovel passes. Works very well in ball screen action. As a scorer he got to the cup for a sweet scoop shot and drilled a crisp pull up three from deep. Fears got after it on the defensive end with his quickness and tenacity.   [player_tooltip player_id="787649" first="Brandon" last="Miller"] (Cane Ridge HS, TN – 2022) Miller is a future McDonald's All-American in a couple years and his name might be called a year later in the NBA Draft. That is how talented this small forward is. He has elite size and length on the wing. Feathery jump shot that he can get off over anyone that tries to contest it. He had several explosive takes in the half court where he just blew past his defender with his long strides for a monster jam. Makes it look easy getting to the cup. Has a little Paul George to his game. Snatched rebounds and length plays well on the defensive end as when he wants to lock in on that end he can be elite.