NBT Mil-Town Throwdown: Sunday Standouts

A look at the top individual performances from Sunday’s action at the NBT Hoops Mil-Town Throwdown... Chianti Clay - 2021 - G - Movement Hoops Elite A quick trigger guard with in-the-gym range, Clay put up 31 points in the 17U title game. The former Milwaukee Washington standout, now at Hillcrest Prep in Arizona, Clay exploded in the second half to help Movement Hoops Elite overcome a double-digit deficit. Clay simply can not be left unattended on the perimeter. He’s also developed a deadly pump-fake, one-dribble jumper -- able to take advantage of over-aggressive defenders. When Clay is active off the ball, forcing defenders to trail him and chase him around the arc, it also opens up so much for his teammates, distracting the help-side defenders who have to know where Clay is at all times. [player_tooltip player_id="701998" first="Donald" last="McHenry"] - 2021 - PG - Milwaukee Storm [caption id="attachment_1041727" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200705_145540.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1041727" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200705_145540-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="701998" first="Donald" last="McHenry"][/caption] McHenry faced off against some quality guards on Sunday and had perhaps the most complete and consistent performance of anyone. The Milwaukee Academy of Science lead guard is a prospect we continue to elevate around the top 30 due to his explosiveness on the ball and drive and dish ability once he gets into the paint. McHenry is so quick and decisive in traffic, it feels like he knows how the defense is going to react before they actually make their move. Also a standout defender, McHenry is a plus-length guard that can pick pockets and turn defense into offense. [player_tooltip player_id="1041690" first="Miles" last="Nation"] - 2023 - SF - Power 5 Like the upside of Nation and his long-term prospects. A plus-length, athletic prospect, Nation showed a ton of flashes in a loss to Sayteez. Nation looked very promising as a mid-range scorer. The Nicolet product looked very smooth and confident off the dribble going to his right. Nation is also a standout defender. He’s got the length and lateral quickness to switch onto guards on the perimeter and take away rhythm jumpers as well as straight-line drives. WIth everything the Knights have coming back in 2020-21, Nation may not make a huge impact next season, but definitely keep him in mind as a breakout junior/senior. [player_tooltip player_id="1041672" first="Mohamed" last="Niang"] - 2021 - SG - Milwaukee Storm This was the biggest stock booster of the entire weekend. Niang, who’s currently unranked, had a monster Sunday while leading the Milwaukee Storm to the 17U title game. Niang can make a case as the most explosive leaper in the 2021 class. Haven’t seen a kid that gets off the ground as quick and can simply get above people the way the 6-foot-3 guard did on Sunday. If Niang gets in the open floor or is able to blow by his man to the baseline, it’s already over. The Milwaukee King standout also shoots it really well from 3-point range, leading to some big offensive performances. Think this a perfect prospect from junior college programs to grab, develop, and send him to the Division 1 level. [player_tooltip player_id="804904" first="Brian" last="Parzych"] - 2021 - G - Fox Ball Parzych always seems to show up. One of the most consistent players n the state, Parzych brings energy, toughness, and leadership every time out. The Northern Michigan commit had a very strong second half, giving Fox Ball a chance down the stretch during a loss to the Milwaukee Storm. Helping his team overcome a second-half deficit, Parzych carried his team for a long stretch in that game. Parzych’s will to win was on full display. The Tosa East standout has a knack for getting into the paint, drawing contact, and finish against multiple bodies if needed. Parzych is a "get it and go" type guard that can operate at top-end speed. He doesn’t waste dribbles, pushes the ball up the floor, and finds his teammates for easy buckets at a high rate. [player_tooltip player_id="1041691" first="Taylor" last="Smith"] - 2023 - F - Sayteez [caption id="attachment_1041729" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200830_105028.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1041729" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200830_105028-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1041691" first="Taylor" last="Smith"][/caption] A new name on our radar, Smith led Sayteez to a win over Power 5 in the 15U semifinals. One of many promising youngsters for Martin Luther, Smith is an athletic, high motor combo forward that can impact a game in a variety of ways. Smith impressed as a shot blocker. He times things well and gets off the ground quickly. Offensively, Smith can push the tempo and handle the ball in transition. As a post scorer, he showed good hands to catch passes down low or away from his body and the ability to finish efficiently in traffic. [player_tooltip player_id="880029" first="Tre" last="Valeriano"] - 2021 - G - Movement Hoops Elite One of the most improved players in the state, Valeriano had 18 points in the 17U title game victory over the Milwaukee Storm. The Milwaukee Washington guard has developed a lot of tools as a scorer. Valeriano is so crafty with his ability to probe in the paint, buy time with the dribble, and create a variety of shots. Valeriano is very good at creating space, leaning into defenders, getting them off-balance, and then fading away from the rim or even shoot off one foot. A quick guard with range and floor vision, Valeriano can play on or off the ball. Putting together a breakout summer, Valeriano is poised to be a much bigger name in the state this winter.