270 Hoops Proving Grounds Week 2 Winners
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270 Hoops was back and presented another week of the proving grounds, an event where four teams compete to see who can get to seven wins first, this week presenting ball players from the class of 2023. This was a…
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Continue Reading270 Hoops was back and presented another week of the proving grounds, an event where four teams compete to see who can get to seven wins first, this week presenting ball players from the class of 2023. This was a competitive day with these sophomores putting their games on the line for numerous college coaches and scouts from all over the country. Some players stood out above the others and will begin to attract interest very soon from some of the schools involved. Columbus area basketball is in very good hands with these young players who came out on Sunday and really grasped the importance of the event and it played out on the court with some fun games to watch. If these young men continue to improve and add on to their skillset over the next two seasons, many of them will have opportunities at the next level to be special.
Devin Royal Devin Royal 6'6" | PF Pickerington Central | 2023 State #49 Nation OH – Pickerington Central: This athlete was all over the floor offensively and defensively as well, scoring and rebound and trying to dunk on people, Royal was truly imposing on Sunday. He showed off his handle a few times as he grabbed rebounds, started the break and finished all by himself. Royal has good moves on the perimeter and can also take players in the paint and punish them with his size and skill. He is more athletic than he looks at first glance but once he loses what old people call “baby fat,” and slim down some then those athletic capabilities will shine through even more. He dominated games at times during Sunday’s action, looking like the MVP of the day early and winning it at the end of the day.
Dailyn Swain Dailyn Swain 6'7" | SF Africentric | 2023 State #81 Nation OH – Africentric: Swain gets better and better every single time he touches a basketball, and Sunday was no exception as he continuously made big plays when he was on the floor. The scary part about this young man is that he does not even realize how good he can be. He got into the paint effortlessly and at will on Sunday and finished at the basket with ease with his eagle like arms. He never got sped up with the ball in his hands and always made the right decisions as well as some off the charts passes to players who did not even realize how open they were. Swain’s day was validated by winning co-MVP of the day.
Chase Walker- St. Charles: He showed last week that he is literally and figuratively a load to handle as a defender, this week was no different. Walker threw his weight around down low as he scored over other players. The big man carved out space for rebounds all day long, no one was able to keep him off the glass. He had a couple of really impressive passes out of the post when he was double or triple teamed, as well as some bullet outlet passes as if he were Patrick Mahomes. Displayed his ability to get steals, racking up a nice amount of steals in different ways.
Joey Zalewski Joey Zalewski 6'3" | SF Thomas Worthington | 2023 State OH – Thomas Worthington: This young man is first team “all-I look like I play basketball,” he is built differently than some of the other young men that played. He put on a performance that showed he was much more than just an athlete as he stretched the defense on numerous occasions with deep three’s. He played tough and fast defensively, showing an ability to be a legit stopper and potential three-and-D type of player in the future. Zalewski ran in transition and understood how to fill lanes, even at his young age. Thomas Worthington will be able to utilize this young man and build around him and his other teammate who stood out during the day, Caleb Miller.
Ryan Nutter Ryan Nutter 6'3" | PG Dublin Jerome | 2023 State OH – Dublin Jerome: The other co-MVP, Nutter led his team to the best record on the day. Nutter played big all day, flying around and making plays everywhere. He made a bunch of winning plays, out toughing the competition in the process. Nutter busted timely shots to keep his team in games, allowing them to pull out the majority of them. Defensively, Nutter showed grit and good lateral movement to stay in front of his man and making it hard for his man to score. Zach Fleer called this “the most competitive event,” that he has ever run, so winning a share of the MVP honors should go a long way for his confidence. Dublin Jerome will have a good time finding a place for this young man to fit in.
Caleb Miller-Thomas Worthington: Miller was far and away the best shooter in the building on Sunday and he was one of the better all around players as well as he battled all afternoon long. Miller hit a number of baskets that made people’s jaw drop, along with a step back three that got the entire gym fired up. This young man started hot and stayed that way while showing fearlessness in his shot selection, being willing to shoot from places other people would not. He showcased pretty good vision by making a couple of impressive passes to driving teammates in the half court offense. Nailed majority of his game-sealing free throws, proving that he is mentally tough when he is called upon to be. The Thomas Worthington duo that was in attendance showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with.