Francisco’s Geico Takes: IMG Acad vs Sunrise Christian–Risen Up

<p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Francisco’s Geico Takes: IMG Acad. vs Sunrise Christian (Risen UP)</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1">FORT MYERS, FL—Each and every season one of the events I look forward to is the Geico Nationals. The combination of high-level talent and effort never disappoints—and this year’s version of the event was no different. Whether it was the potent point guard play of Tennessee-bound <b>[player_tooltip player_id="537220" first="Kennedy" last="Chandler"]</b> or the immense potential of 2022 <b>[player_tooltip player_id="1062409" first="Jalen" last="Duren"]</b>, each and every game did not disappoint.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="s2"><b>On the Rise</b></span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1068606" first="Tamar" last="Bates"] (IMG Academy)</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>2021, WF, 6-foot-5, 175 pounds</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Joel’s Take</b>: Bates is a late-blooming wing-type who excels in transition. The lefty scorer excels in transition due to his slashing ability and bounce. He gets a good lift on his jump shot, has a quick first step to the basket, and he has improved his shooting with deep range. He gets his shot off quickly and overall his scoring package is evolving to all three levels.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="s2"><b>Basketball Player</b></span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="787613" first="Gradey" last="Dick"] (Sunrise Christian)</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>2022, WF, 6-foot-7, 195 pounds</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Joel’s Take: </b>One of the better all-around juniors I’ve seen this season has been Dick. The recent Kansas-bound wing-type affects the game in multiple ways. He stops on a dime and can deliver the jump shot from deep or drop off a nifty pass. He is an instinctive rebounder, handles it well in the open court and he can finish in transition.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="s2"><b>3-Point Marksmen</b></span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1094116" first="Kenny" last="Pohto"] (Sunrise Christian)</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>2021, PF, 6-foot-9, 225 pounds</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Joel’s Take: </b>Pohto is an intriguing 5-man for the next level. The game has changed in the last decade or so, and Pohto is proof of that statement. His touch from beyond the arc is impressive and his shooting mechanics are tight. He isn’t a rim-running “big”, but he can set screens and would flourish in a pick-n-pop offensive set.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="s2"><b>Jaden Shackleford clone</b></span></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>[player_tooltip player_id="611401" first="Jaden" last="Akins"] (Sunrise Christian)</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>2021, 6-foot-1, 165 pounds</b></span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Joel’s Take:</b> Being out in California I became familiar with Alabama shooting guard Jaden Shackleford—and that is who [player_tooltip player_id="611401" first="Jaden" last="Akins"] reminds me of heading forward. The Michigan State-bound combo-guard has a feathery stroke and the ball skills to get to the rim.</span></p>