The Finale: 17U Day 1 standouts
What more is there to say? It is the final tourney on the Circuit, The Finale. Solid day of basketball. Here are some 16U players that stood out on Day 1. Jacob Hanna Jacob Hanna 6'3" | CG Andover |…
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Continue ReadingWhat more is there to say? It is the final tourney on the Circuit, The Finale. Solid day of basketball. Here are some 16U players that stood out on Day 1.
Jacob Hanna Jacob Hanna 6'3" | CG Andover | 2021 State KS – Team Buddy Buckets Gaddis (KS)
Hanna is a tweener that can play on the wing and also at the forward position as although he is not too big; he plays well above his size. Hanna rebounds well, and his work on the boards gave his team extra scoring opportunities, and it also put him on the board with putback finishes. Hanna did not give up on plays and had a relentless motor. That got his team going. What also stood out was his ability to put the ball on the floor, which allowed him to take bigger players off of the dribble. He put his head down and attacked, refused to get scored on on the opposite end, and read what the defense gave him.
Jack Johnson Jack Johnson 6'2" | CG Andover | 2021 State KS – Team Buddy Buckets – Gaddis
Gaddis was the engine for the Buddy Bucket team as the offense went through him. He was the team’s leading ball handler, and he is also a facilitating point guard that has no problem finding his own shot as well. Johnson is a confident ballhandler that created for himself and teammates off of the dribble. He also stepped out and hit some shots as well as he had to be the teams leading scorer. He did not see a shot he did not like. He was aggressive from the opening tip and assertive on offense. Johnson finished a couple of scoop lay-ins, and once he gets the defender on his backside makes smart-reads. I liked his competitiveness, and although it came in defeat, he was able to show that he can break out.
Baye Fall Baye Fall 6'11" | C Luthern Christian | 2023 State #13 Nation CO – Colorado Hawks
Unsure how many other players in the country is playing up multiple years and still dominating the way that Fall is. This was another tournament where the Top 5 2023 guard played 17U and impacted the game in ways that go beyond the scoreboard. There are not many shot-blockers in the country that protects the paint as he does. He finished with over five blocks in the first game and six in the second, and he alters plenty more. Opposing players have a difficult time trying to get shot up against him, and he also adds tenacity to the defensive end of the floor for his team. On offense, there were dunks and finishes at the rim. Fall is undoubtedly one of the best players in the country, and this was another opportunity to prove it for him as the Hawks won their first two games on the day behind their promising freshman.
Jeremiah Manning – United Basketball
United made it a point to get up and down. They play a fast brand of ball and force the opposing teams to speed it up with traps and presses. That opens up the floor on defense for athletic guards to make plays happen, and that is where Manning thrives. Manning showcased a tight handle and ability to break defenders down off of the dribble. Manning also stepped out beyond the arc and hit 3-pointers as well as a deadly shooter. Manning looked great offensively and comfortable with the ball in his hands, and the opposing team had no answers for him.
Devan McEwen – SSA Elite Black
McEwen was the sharpshooter on the day. He hit the most 3-pointers on the day with seven shots beyond the arc and finished with a game-high 24 points on the day, which was also the high score of the morning. He had to be checked as soon as he crossed half-court, moved without the ball to open spots in the defense, and although there were a couple of understandable heat-check moments, he played within the flow of the offense to open things up for teammates.