The Finale: Saturday Missouri Standouts

The first day of The Finale in Kansas City gave us many excellent performances from players from the Show-Me State. Here is a look at some of Saturday’s standouts from Missouri.

Animu Mohammed 6’5″ Mission Minded 17U: With the Nike EYBL season cancelled for the summer, this turned out to be first appearance on the local circuit for the Prep Hoops Missouri No. 1 player in 2021. Animu spent the first part of his games being a facilitator and getting his teammates involved. When he began to assert himself on offense, he showcased his explosiveness in getting to the rim and finishing, even when teams were loaded up to stop his drives. Mix in a few step-back 3-pointers and you have yourself a tough cover. Attends Greenwood.

Jalen Hampton Jalen Hampton 6'5" | PF Link Year Prep | 2022 MO 6’6″ Carroll GoL1ve 17U: The bouncy 2021 forward from University City turned in a couple of near double-doubles in two pool-play victories, including 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in his second game. He’s is long and slender, but he plays with a lot of force around the basket as he tried to dunk whenever possible. He can also put the ball on the floor from the wing and knock down a 15-footer. Tough.

“Carter Country”: Gateway-Knights 17U: The backcourt pair of 6’0″ Karter Kekec Karter Kekec 6'0" | PG North County | 2021 State MO from North County and 6’2″ Carter Hoog Carter Hoog 6'2" | SG Valle | 2021 State MO from Ste. Genevieve Valle were both excellent on Saturday. Kekec is a tough, competitive combo guard who can attack the basket and knock down mid-range jumpers. He also puts in the work on the defensive end. Hoog is a versatile wing player who can facilitate offense, but he was also feeling from 3-point range on Saturday. He’s physically strong enough to get things going inside.

Brendan Deters Brendan Deters 6'2" | PG St. Dominic | 2021 State MO 6’2″ Missouri Basketball Club 17U: A slick point guard from St. Dominic who knows how to control the tempo and pace of a game. He has good size and physical strength and a lot of savvy to his game. He can get to his spots well and create opportunities for his teammates with his passing. He can also call his own number and get buckets it is needed. 

I’Ryan Allen I’Ryan Allen 6'2" | PG Ruskin | 2022 State MO 6’2″ Team KC-Derrick 16U: The 2022 point guard from Raymore-Peculiar was one of the most impressive on ball defenders I saw during the day. He moved his feet well and his length enabled him to pick a few pockets without risking a foul. He has a quick first step and a long stride that enables him to get into the lane. He has a very effective pull up jumper with good elevation.

Alijah Carter 6’2 St Louis Cobras Elite A.N.M: The athletic 2021 guard from Pattonville enjoyed a productive day as he averaged 18 points in his two games. His game is always at full-tilt boogie as he looked to attack the basket at every opportunity. He worked just as hard on the defensive end as he darted into passing lanes.

Nate Straughter Nate Straughter 6'2" | SG Chaminade | 2022 State MO 6’2″ Gateway Basketball Club 16U: The 2022 wing from Chaminade is an old-school bucket-getter who can score in a variety of ways. He is a guard playing forward on a team full of perimeter players, but he was comfortable scoring around the basket against taller opponents. He can also score on the drive, knock down perimeter jumpers and crash the offensive boards for put-backs.

Miles Fant Miles Fant 6'6" | SF Park Hill South | 2022 State MO 6’5″ Team KC 16U: The 2022 combo forward from Park Hills South showcased a versatile skill set. He can score inside and was also a solid rebounder who will get out his area. He can also put the ball on the floor and create a shot with a nice touch from 15 feet. He also has a nice turnaround jumper.

Mason Ballay Mason Ballay 6'0" | PG Mt. Vernon | 2021 State MO 5’11″ Missouri Flight 17U: The 2021 point guard from Mt. Vernon really checks the boxes for the positive attributes to play the position well. He is a pinpoint passer with his excellent court vision and he has excellent ball toughness when facing pressure. To top it off, he can shoot the ball from long distance, which opens the court up for when he attacks the basket.

The Future: We got a chance to see a pair of incoming 2024 prospects in 6’0″ All Wright of SSA Elite Black 16U and 5’10″ Jobe Bryant of 34Hoops 17U. Both are young players playing up at the older levels, but you would never know they were young with the talent and poise that they exhibited. Wright is a deluxe perimeter shooter with a quick release and the ability to move and get himself shot ready all the time. Bryant is a point guard with the poise and basketball IQ of a high school senior. He’s quick and he can pass the ball and he can finish well in the lane. He is also an excellent on-ball defender. Wright will attend Joplin and Bryant will attend Park Hills Central.