Rock N Ball: Team Mamba vs Next Level Black
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Action continues to roll along across the state line at the Rock N Ball featuring top Illinois prospects. Here we dive into a matchup featuring the super highly touted 2024 group against one of the most skilled posts in the…
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Continue ReadingAction continues to roll along across the state line at the Rock N Ball featuring top Illinois prospects. Here we dive into a matchup featuring the super highly touted 2024 group against one of the most skilled posts in the state as we examine the top performers from Rock N Ball: Team Mamba vs Next Level Black.
Morez Johnson (St. Rita – 2024)
Johnson is primed to be a no doubt about it high-major prospect. The 6’7” 209 pound power forward has so many intriguing tools at a young age. Excellent length and athleticism. Moves incredibly well on the perimeter. Can play either end of the high/low as passer or finisher. Handles in traffic including the most impressive play of the day when he stole the ball went coast to coast between three defenders and dunked it for an and-1. Absolute force on the offensive glass with his second jump and endless energy. He had five put backs in this contest. Defensively he is a rim protector that moves his feet and competed all game long against one of the most skilled front line players our state has to offer.
James Brown (St. Rita – 2024)
Brown has all the physical tools you could ask for in a young elite big man prospect. He is 6’8” with a great frame and strength. At 210 pounds he runs the floor with such ease in transition. One play he stole the ball, sprinted the floor, and got it back for a layup. Good passing feel for a big man. Snatches rebounds with both hands.
Jaedin Reyna (St. Rita – 2024)
Reyna is an ultra-high IQ guard that has feel for the game well beyond his years. Works well around ball screens and knows how to run a team in the half court with pace and crisp passing. His ability to knock down shots with consistency from deep doesn’t hurt. Hit four of them from the land of three in this one. Competes on the defensive end with his feisty nature and active hands.
Christian Henry Christian Henry 6'1" | PG St. Rita | 2021 State IL (St. Rita – 2021)
Henry is an explosive point guard with burst in transition. Got loose in transition several times where he displayed his passing. As a shooter he knocked in an array of pull ups along with a wing three. D2s should take a look at the unsigned senior.
Kaiden Space Kaiden Space 6'2" | SG St.Rita | 2023 State IL (St. Rita – 2023)
Space took a while to get going, but the St. Rita combo guard got hot from distance knocking in a couple threes and was fouled on a drive. Upside guard with his best basketball being ahead of him.
Darrion Baker Darrion Baker 6'8" | PF St Rita | 2023 State #227 Nation IL (St. Rita – 2023)
Baker has flashed this fall/winter. He did again here running the floor for a layup, grabbing a steal then taking it the other way for a dunk, and also had a slick step back jumper. Face up four with bounce is one to watch. Consistency is the key for him.
Evan Jackson Evan Jackson 6'6" | SF St Rita Chicago | 2023 State IL (St. Rita – 2023)
Jackson continues to catch our attention. The lengthy small forward handles it with fluidity in the open floor. Cat quick around the glass getting on the offensive boards for finishes. Lot of upside here.
Josh Pickett (St. Rita – 2024)
Pickett is the unsung player of the St. Rita freshman, but he has a chance to be a legit college prospect down the line too. The wing hit a spot up three and was aggressive on an and-1 drive.
Robbie Avila Robbie Avila 6'9" | PF Oak Forest | 2022 State #225 Nation IL (Oak Forest – 2022)
Avila is a top 5 prospect in the 2022 class and he displayed why in this outing. The Oak Forest junior is one of the most skilled prospects regardless of class in the state of Illinois. Did a little bit of everything in this contest. Knocked down threes especially in the pick/pop. Excellent passer out of the high post and on the block finding cutters on the regular. Put it on the deck himself quite a few times for scores on drives including an impressive left handed take through the D. He doesn’t wow you with his athleticism, but Avila just produces every single time out with his IQ, feel, and elite skill level.