Flyin To The Hoop Top Gun Day 1 Top Performers

<p>The first day of the Flyin To The Hoop Top Gun event brought some top national talent to Butler High School in Vandalia, Ohio. Bishop Walsh (MD) defeated ISA 62-49 in the first game.</p> <p>Ismail Habib, 6’1 PG Bishop Walsh (MD) 2021: Habib led the first game in scoring with 22 points. An impressive finisher on the fast-break, Habib wasn’t afraid to challenge a rim protector on the fast break. With the shot clock, Habib had to force some end of the clock looks, but did knock down 3/12 3-pointers, some coming at crucial moments to help Bishop Walsh get some separation from ISA.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="918958" first="Josh" last="Irwin"], 6’6 PF ISA 2021: Irwin came out firing with eight points in the first couple minutes. While he was held scoreless the rest of the way, I was still impressed by Irwin’s passing ability from the forward position. On the defensive end, Irwin’s communication makes ISA seem much more engaged when he’s on the floor.</p> <p>In the second game, Spire made it rain from downtown and raced past C-Prep Academy 75-66.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="711936" first="Tahj" last="Staveskie"], 5’11 PG Spire 2021: Staveskie hit some from the parking lot in this one, going 5/7 on 3’s in the contest. I was impressed with how Staveskie handled himself in the PNR and made solid reads to open shooters. Staveskie struggled to finish at the rim in this game, not sure how consistent of a problem this is for the point guard.</p> <p>Romad Dean, 6’7 PF C-Prep Academy 2022: Dean looks the part of a high major athlete in warmups, and had some impressive highlight reel plays in this contest. Dean also knocked down two 3-pointers to flash some outside shooting potential. Dean was an animal on the glass, snatching seven offensive and seven defensive rebounds. I was very impressed with the athleticism and slashing ability of Dean.</p> <p>In the third game, First Love Christian (PA) defeated Premier Academy (TX) 53-38.</p> <p>Fray Nguimbi, 6’8 PF First Love Christian (PA) 2022: Nguimbi is another forward who pops in warmups at this event. His length and long strides really allow him to run the floor and be a presence around the rim on both ends. As a run and jump athlete, I thought Nguimbi was very impressive. Nguimbi grabbed 12 rebounds in this game, 11 of them were on the offensive end. The amount of second and third scoring opportunities that were created by his length and hustle proved to be one of the many differences on the scoreboard.</p> <p>Quan Greer, 6’6 PF Premier Academy (TX) 2021: Greer was the man in the middle on the Premier Academy zone defense and he contested a boatload of shots in the paint. Greer did a good job of challenging others at the rim without fouling. Greer also helped finish possessions defensively, grabbing 13 defensive rebounds. He didn’t come out of the game once, and was really the heart and soul of his team throughout the entire game.</p> <p>Finally, Ypsi Prep (MI) defeated Dohn Prep 60-48 in the last game of the evening.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921740" first="Jamal" last="Sumlin"], 6’2 PG Ypsi Prep (MI) 2022: I firmly believe [player_tooltip player_id="921740" first="Jamal" last="Sumlin"] will be a pro basketball player after he finishes his time in college. Sumlin has incredible feel for the game on both ends of the court. Whether this is when he manipulates the big guy in the PNR or makes a smart rotation to help grab a steal. Sumlin does what it takes to win on the court without needing to score the basketball. I’d like him to shoot it a little better from the outside, but I’ll bank on Sumlin learning how to do that before I think some other PG can develop his instincts or feel for the game.</p> <p>Dj Avery Jr, 6’7 PF Dohn Prep 2021: If there was one stock riser from this event, it was Avery. The 6’7 senior forward showed he wasn’t afraid of anybody, going at Emoni Bates and company all night. I was only able to find one offer from Central State University for Avery, but after last night, that number should grow quickly. Avery was knocking down shots from a variety of spots on the floor but more importantly was matching-up physically with Ypsi Prep’s high major athletes. I’d like to see a couple more games from Avery before determining an exact talent level, but he looked like a no brainer D1 caliber player in this game.</p>