Posts who impressed at the MLK Day Classic

Gerry Freitas

January 21, 2021 @ 01:41 PM

Post Men Who Impressed at the Arizona MLK Classic There were a number of post-men who played well at the January 16-18 Arizona MLK Classic at the Arizona Grand Resort. This report takes a look at those who were most impressive.   6’8 PF [player_tooltip player_id="931157" first="Malek" last="Gomma"] of Ingraham HS (WA) 2023 (Elite Prep Maroon) Gomma had an outstanding performance and showed he is a legit high level 2023 prospect. He has a very nice all-around package that is highly unusual for such a young player.   He is an active and athletic four man with fairly good hands who does a lot of different things effectively.   Gomma can post up some, he’s a decent (set) shooter with 3 range (has a little slow release) and he is a capable driver. He also moves well without the ball and he can pass it.   He is a real good rebounder who goes after the ball and has the athleticism to get to it.   Put him HIGH on the 2023 radar. He belongs there.     6’8 C/PF [player_tooltip player_id="787643" first="Joshua" last="Jefferson"] of Liberty HS (NV) 2022 (West Coast Select 17) Jefferson is a pretty well-known prospect and demonstrated he is being recruited where he belongs- at the high major level.   His email is <a href="mailto:bignblessed@hotmail.com">bignblessed@hotmail.com</a> and that is an accurate description of him. He IS big and he IS blessed (with talent). He is a strong-body combo post-man with an accomplished skill set.   Jefferson has a solid one-bounce drive and a nice drop step move on the block. He shoots it ok with 3-point range and he can pass it.   He is fairly good rebounder who outlets the ball well to initiate the fast break.   He does need to be more consistently aggressive, but he is a sure-fine high-level prospect.   6’10 C [player_tooltip player_id="843731" first="Derek" last="Kramer"] of Interlake HS (WA) 2021 (Elite Prep Black) Kramer is another relatively unknown prospect who has put himself on the radar and proved his merit at the Division 1 level.   He has long arms and he possesses a versatile skill set. He can dribble operate on the block effectively and has a solid drop step move and an ok turnaround shot and a clever mini jump hook.   Kramer is a good passer who can find the open man against a double team. And he can hit the mid-range shot.   He does need to increase his athleticism some but he will definitely play Division 1 basketball. 6’11 C Alex Tew of Cooper International Academy (CA) 2021 Tew has firmly placed himself on the Division 1 radar with his recent play and this event was another example of that. (He had been a complete unknown coming over from the UK and has definitely made a name for himself).   He is a strong and hard-working true five-man who is “hard to guard” on the block. He does a nice job scoring in traffic and has wide variety of moves.   Tew has a no-jump hook, a drop step and a real nice turn-around shot. He can counter any way the defense plays him.   He is also a good rebounder in his area who is consistently active on the glass. If he gets his hands on the ball it is his.   College coaches will no doubt like what they see when they watch this kid play…. 6’7 PF/C [player_tooltip player_id="946524" first="Robert" last="Vaihola"] of Riordan HS (CA) 2021 (Arsenal 17 KP 1) Vaihola continues to impress and show his merit as a Division 1 prospect.   He is a very skilled poet-up player with good hands who has an impressive jump hook on the block. He can dribble operate effectively and has a turnaround shot as well.   Vaihola can hit the mid- range shot and also get to the basket on the face-up drive from the high post area.   He is among the many player in this COVID era who has been over-looked due to coaches not being out there to see him live…. 6’7 PF [player_tooltip player_id="674447" first="Will" last="Woodward"] of Eastlake HS (WA) 2022 (Cloud 9 Elite) Woodward was a relative unknown prior to this event. His performance indicated he is a legit Division 1 player. But he is a university of Washington Baseball commit and is uncertain about playing hoops in college. (And with a baseball scholarship counting towards the basketball limit it appears unlikely.)   He has an impressive all-around offensive game and can score in many different ways. He is a solid post up player who can dribble operate and has a real nice drop step.   Woodward gets to the hoop on the face-up one-bounce drive effectively, and he shoots it well with 3-point range.   He certainly demonstrated he has what it takes to play at the next level.