Proving Grounds: Sunday’s “Best Of” Part 2

<p>And now Part 2 of Sunday’s "Best Of" as we wrap up coverage from a tremendous Prep Hoops Circuit event at LakePoint Hoops.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Best Breakout Players</strong></em></span></p> [caption id="attachment_1031144" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200802_085801-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1031144 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200802_085801-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="870199" first="Davis" last="McCarn"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="870199" first="Davis" last="McCarn"] (Reach Higher Kings 16U)</strong> - I had heard the name a few times leading up to the tournament and was I ever glad I sat down for a glimpse, love the combination of his fire and competitiveness together with an absolutely deadly stroke from anywhere on the floor, right now he prefers the spot-up mode either from the line or as a catch and shoot in transition, but at 6-4 once he adds a more featured dribble-drive game to the arsenal the Providence Christian junior-to-be could easily emerge as one of the truly breakout performers coming up this winter.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1016314" first="Josh" last="Hughes"] (Deep South Blue Devils 16U)</strong> - Highlighted in our Saturday look at bigs, Hughes was once again excellent on Sunday, again showing a developing game at both ends shown in his soft shooting touch, battler’s mentality inside, and instincts as a rebounder and defender.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1016313" first="Ezra" last="Milton"] (Deep South Blue Devils 16U)</strong> - As with Jade Rose from the Outlawz, it may be a battle for Milton to crack the incredible depth in the Indians program, but he has the skills to make a run at it, a terrific athlete with a confident stroke from outside, he runs the floor, defends and rebounds at a solidly built 6-2 from the guard position as well as any on the circuit.</p> [caption id="attachment_1031146" align="alignright" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200802_090042-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1031146 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200802_090042-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1026283" first="Jackson" last="Lahmann"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1026283" first="Jackson" last="Lahmann"] (Deep South Blue Devils 16U)</strong> - Speaking of tough nuts to crack, the Cherokee program appears stacked yet again, but what has been fun to see is Lahmann’s willingness to do so many of the little things to help a club, a high IQ allows him to play either guard spot and handle each proficiently, he can add shooting to a lineup and has versatility guarding multiple spots.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="869657" first="Andrew" last="Peacock"] (Skillset Worldwide 17U)</strong> - A good fit with this lineup of players at Skillset, the 6-3 Peacock has continued to show his versatility, hustle and shooting, he’s a floor leader not playing as a lead guard which has value not seen in the stat line, rightfully garnering attention from some smaller programs looking for more of the full package than just a talented scorer.</p> <p><strong>Keon Smart (Skillset Worldwide 17U)</strong> - Saw Smart step in last winter after Omar Cooper was injured for Walker and he made an impression, he continued that this past weekend showing even at 5-9 he can be a very effective PG at this level, terrifically confident with the ball, also showed a very good shooting touch from out past the arc, plays fast and will be underestimated at the peril of opponents.</p> [caption id="attachment_1031147" align="alignleft" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200802_110318-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1031147 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200802_110318-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> CJ Hawkins[/caption] <p><strong>CJ Hawkins (Judah Nation (FL) 17U)</strong> - Perhaps the event’s best overall player, Hawkins has seen some mid to high major attention, at 6-7 and built like a tight end he simply was too much physically in spots for defenders, good ballhander off the wing, he can bull his way to the basket or pull up with a nicely refined mid-range game, got out on the break and bent some rims as well, excellent motor and enthusiasm, wasn’t much not to like about the Tampa-area prospect.</p> [caption id="attachment_1031145" align="alignright" width="225"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200802_140731-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1031145 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200802_140731-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1012728" first="Keith" last="Murray"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1012728" first="Keith" last="Murray"] (Mva Outlawz 17U)</strong> - After being a key contributor for Chattahoochee in their march to a 6A state title, Murray has quietly been emerging as someone to watch, previously known as just a spot-up bomber he’s added some variety his game this summer, a better mover than he appears and at a long 6-4 the addition of a dribble-drive option will make him very difficult to deal what with uber-scoring teammate [player_tooltip player_id="830573" first="AJ" last="White"] drawing defenders at a high rate.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1020668" first="Steven" last="Lyles"] (Mva Outlawz 17U)</strong> - Joined his backcourt teammates in that dominant win over Auburn Raptors Sunday doing all the things we’ve highlighted - scoring from multiple spots at 6-4, running the floor, defending at a high level, handling the ball - as said a developing riser who will be hard to miss for recruiters as they descend on Johns Creek.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="870202" first="Dylan" last="Wolle"] (Georgia Legacy 16U)</strong> - (Pictured at top) Like Lyles, and well-documented, has positioned himself after another outstanding weekend as a summer breakout star, will be one of Sequoyah’s centerpieces with the likes of rising senior [player_tooltip player_id="869618" first="Ayden" last="Watson"] as well, can get hot enough to change a game from 3-land, but I love the increased strength overall and use of that to attack the basket more aggressively off the bounce.</p>