Bigs & Wings from the RI Elite vs. Team Spartans 17U Battle

On Saturday, April 3rd, I had the opportunity to scout an intense RI Elite vs. Team Spartans battle. With a lot of talent on the floor the the Spartans secured an 88-81 victory in a game of runs. Be on the lookout for another piece highlighting the impressive guard play, but let’s dive into some of the wings and bigs in attendance. [player_tooltip player_id="1081778" first="Donovan" last="Clingan"] | 7’1" | Rim Protecting Big with Stretch abilities | Bristol Central | Team Spartans | 2022 Clingan had complete command over the paint and post during Saturday’s hard-fought battle. In classic form, he finished Saturday’s game with 21 point, 14 rebounds, and six block performance, but more importantly, deterred opposing slashers from even entering the paint. Physical but not too foul prone, Clingan showed great second bounce off the floor. While height helps, he was all hustle all the time. He followed plays, cleaned up the glass, and made a crucial quarter-ending block to save an easy bucket. He said well-angled screens and made high-quality reads out of dribble handoffs. Clingan was the consistent offensive engine instrumental in helping secure a Spartan victory. [player_tooltip player_id="1081858" first="Isaiah" last="Miranda"] | 7’1" | Rim Protecting Big with Stretch abilities | The Phelps School | RI Elite | 2023 Miranda’s afternoon started with a bang as he caught lobs, cashed in on a total of four three-pointers, and brought a much-needed spark to the RI Elite. These weren’t all wide-open catch-and-shoot looks either, as he even cashed in on a step-back triple over an outstretched Clingan contest during the first half. https://twitter.com/PHNewEngland/status/1378406384274968580?s=20 Again, Miranda’s ability to stretch the floor, picking and popping felt extremely translatable at the next level. While his shot and energy were the two main aspects that popped for on the afternoon, he also ran the floor in transition, caught lobs in the half-court setting, and altered shots at the rim. Overall, a very productive afternoon for the stretch big. Massai Graham | 6’7" | Athletic Wing with Guard Instincts | Tapestry Charter School | RI Elite | 2023 Massai Graham will be on the rise this summer, both physically and in the recruiting sphere, as he was by far the bounciest player in the gym. Bounce aside, he was also the most versatile player from Saturday’s game, as he guarded a wide array of players on the positional spectrum. From Clingan to [player_tooltip player_id= "1081797" first= "Tony" last= "Felder"] Jr, Graham was willing to take any defensive assignment thrown his way. Graham was willing to do the little things on a play-by-play basis. He stood out as the best fluid mover throughout the game. https://twitter.com/PHNewEngland/status/1378419825601548289?s=20 He set screens, made plays off the drive, and kick as he showcased a fluid stroke from behind the arc. His portionless play suggests that he has several scalable aspects to his game that will easily translate at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="1081799" first="Kalu" last="Anya"] | 6’7" | Wing with Positionless Small-Ball Big Potential | The Governor’s Academy | Team Spartans | 2022 Much like Graham, Anya will also be on the rise this summer. His positional versatility, translatable skill set, and overall motor on both ends of the floor stood out. Back in December of 2020, I had the chance to watch Anya during a Spartans practice. Since then, I saw a notable improvement on Saturday, especially in the ball-handling department. Generally speaking, he looked more willing and comfortable to play make for others. https://twitter.com/PHNewEngland/status/1378414495048032258?s=20 Anya was making plays on the open floor, pushing the ball downhill and cleaning up on several transitions put-back dunks. He also made a number great post-entry passes throughout the game. While he brought a fearless energy level in the half-court setting, it was his transition play that stood out. He finished with 21 points, 15 boards, and six assists, as he came through many times during the clutch with his tremendous effort on the glass. Pipe Ajayi | 6’6" | Wing / Small-Ball Five | Woodstock Academy | RI Elite | 2021 A physical force on the boards, Ajayi constantly carved out space on the offensive glass, kept plays alive with his hustle, and ran the floor with purpose. He set tough screens, rolled hard, and finished above the rim even in traffic. I liked his body of work in the pick-and-roll setting as he even made great passes out of the short roll. He made a great spot-up corner triple over an outstretched Clingan contest, as he is much more than just a traditional rim running power wing. Ajayi made some great anticipatory decisions moving without the ball in the dunker’s spot and capitalized off the great position with some easy scores at the basket. He also took turns guarding up and down the positional spectrum but did a great job of holding his own in the paint against the much taller Clingan. [player_tooltip player_id="1081810" first="Hayden" last="Abdullah"] | 6’8″ | Big with stretch potential | Northwest Catholic | Team Spartans | 2022 In my opinion, [player_tooltip player_id="1081810" first="Hayden" last="Abdullah"] had the play of the game with his Tayshaun Prince-style rejection at the end of the first half. While also showcasing a fluid stroke from beyond the arc, Abdullah made many high-quality interior reads and kept the ball moving throughout Saturday’s Spartan victory. He did a great job of not fouling on his shot contests when matched up against smaller guards on the perimeter and stayed vertical when guarding the post. Similar to Anya, I also had the opportunity to scout Abdullah in December as he’s one of the more skilled bigs in New England, given his ability to stretch the floor and finish at the rim. His head was constantly on a swivel guarding off the ball, as I can see Abdullah bringing this same level of focus to the next level. https://twitter.com/PHNewEngland/status/1378411492450693125?s=20 Will Johnson | 6’5 | Wing capable of playing at the guard spot | Paulo Freire Charter School | Team Spartans | 2022 Noted as the high-level slasher, Swiss army knife positionless glue guy back in December, Will Johnson brought more than just energy to Saturday’s victory as he showcased the ability to score from different levels. When the Spartans had scoring draughts, he picked them out it. He made several highly contested tough perimeter looks while also converting on a big contested dunk in traffic. Another high motor, bouncy and switchable wing capable of guarding down at the guard spot, Johnson kept the ball moving and made sound off-ball cuts. Overall, a great showing for Johnson with an impressive level of production and activity. [player_tooltip player_id="1081828" first="Josiah" last="Diaz"] | 6’7" | Wing with Stretch Big Potential | Storm King School | RI Elite | 2022 Getting to the gym early helps, as it allowed me to watch [player_tooltip player_id="1081828" first="Josiah" last="Diaz"] take part in some one-on-one’s. Offensively, Diaz plays with a measured fluidity and has smooth movements both with his shot and the dribble. A physical and skilled big capable of guarding power wings, Diaz showed a picture-perfect form, as I could see him translating well as a pick-and-pop big at the next level. Diaz provided physicality on the glass and made several vital boxouts throughout the game. With a guard-like handle and skilled midrange game, I think Diaz can operate as a smooth face-up big/ power wing at the next level. Timmy O’Toole | 6’5" | Wing Capable of Guarding up | Dexter School | Spartans | 2022 Timmy O’Toole deserves the PJ Tucker award for his Saturday performance and mixed it up on all fronts. One could also call O’Toole Mr. Intangible, or Mr. First to the Floor, as his energy level stood out. His willingness to pass and play within himself was noteworthy, as I think O’Toole would fit perfectly into any system at the next level given his commitment to winning the possession battle. Don’t let the hustle distract you from the fact that O’Toole also has great shot mechanics and can convert on looks from beyond the arc.