Day 1 17U Standouts in the MayB Nationals

<p>The MayB Boys National got underway in Wichita on Friday afternoon, and a few of our teams went out and competed. Here are the 17U standouts from Day 1.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="608058" first="Julian" last="Hammond"] -- Billups Elite 17U</b></h3> <p>Billups had a successful first day out in the MayB Nationals as they blew teams out and forced their brand of basketball. Billups is a talented group that gets after it on both ends of the floor, and a top-3 ranked player leads them in [player_tooltip player_id="608058" first="Julian" last="Hammond"]. Hammond had his way on the first day with opposing guards as he has a well-polished game and the ability to score whenever it is he wants. He got inside of the defense often and finished at the rim, he moved without the ball and found holes in the defense and also turned defense into offense. His full-court pressure caused guards to turn the ball over or pick up the pace, and that was precisely what Billups wanted. Hammond looks to be getting back into a rhythm, and with him being a two-way player that can score in various ways, he remains one of the state’s top players. Day 2 should be enjoyable.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="917015" first="Cole" last="Bowen"] – Colorado Mayhem</strong></h3> <p>Bowen has been the Mayhem’s most consistent player this summer, and what is enjoyable about his run is in each game, he will stand out differently. Last week it was the ballhandling and playing with control, which got him and his teammates some easy shots. Now with the big guys back in the rotation, he understood that he could get into a more free-flowing offense and come off of screens as well as attack the basket. His IQ was on display again as he found open spots on the floor and let it fly. Bowen played exceptionally well by hitting four 3-pointers in the game, which opened up the floor for his big guys going through for easy dunks and finishes. He made set shots, came off of screens, and provided gravity as defenders tried to get in his air space as soon as he crossed half-court. When Bowen is playing at this level with his shots as well as taking care of the ball and applying himself on the defensive end of the floor, it elevates the Mayhem team to new heights. It will be interesting to see how he plays against another team and see if he is still as productive.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759260" first="Deangelo" last="Horn"] – Billups Elite 17U</strong></h3> <p>Horn is a player that stood out from Day 1 and had an excellent game as he just always seems to be in the right spots. He does not have to get plays ran for him as he rotates the ball and moves until he gets an open look or finds holes in the defense. In the first two games, he was able to get most of his work on the offensive boards. He gave his team extra scoring opportunities as a glass cleaner that went straight up. He also showcased his elite athleticism in the open court for dunks and power through layups. As if that were not enough, he got steals in the open court and finished and also stepped out and hit multiple 3-pointers in the game. With so much focus and emphasis on the primary ballhandlers, having a player as dangerous as Horn on the perimeter and running the baseline seems to be a secret weapon for Billups, and they made sure to find him.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="759221" first="Terrance" last="Ferguson"] – Colorado Mayhem</strong></h3> <p>Ferguson is just a month out from declaring his decision to play at the University of Oregon. Yeah, Ferguson is one of the best tight ends in the entire country and is a force to be reckoned with on the hardwood as well. Ferguson is just having fun out there, but that did not stop him from being the best player on the floor in Mayhem’s early game. Coach Verner put his big man in some great positions to succeed, and he excelled on the floor as he dominated on both ends of the floor in a big win. Ferguson used his massive frame to move players around on the block, grabbed boards, and went right up with it. What was more dangerous was Ferguson on fast breaks as he is an athletic specimen that will go up with anyone. Ferguson finished with 16 points and had 12 rebounds in the game. The highlight was him dunking on a defender –twice!! The dunks got the team going and in a flow, and he brought high energy. I am sure they were excited to have him back.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="916959" first="Jordan" last="Whitaker"]  – Billups Elite Select</strong></h3> <p>When you watch Billups Elite play, the thing that stands out is the control. Whitaker has an excellent feel for the game, and a lot of what he does translate to wins. He isn’t a player that is out hunting for baskets, although his team relies on him to score, and he is always making the right play. Rather that is setting a screen and rolling to the rim, setting up for an open 3-pointer, or driving to the basket for power up bucket. He works hard on both ends of the floor and productive on the floor. On day 1, he provided a sense of calmness with everything else sped up around him. He showed an inside out game and produces at a high level. Like what I saw from him.</p>