Grind SZN Kickoff Notable Wings & Forwards

Prep Hoops kicked off the Grind Session part of their grassroots schedule this past weekend in Oklahoma with some great play from teams based in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and other areas. Players of all skill levels were showcased at two facilities in Edmond, Oklahoma. The 16U teams definitely had their fair share of roundballers who proved they have the goods. In volume one of the notables from the Grind SZN Kickoff, we will talk about some of the players who turned heads on the hardwood up in Oklahoma. [player_tooltip player_id="1139378" first="Zach" last="Hays"] (6’3″ - Rogue 2023) Hays was a player who displayed that he can be a capable wing filling the lane or a scorer in the paint during his weekend in Edmond. Hays showed some nifty footwork with a drop step spin move finishing with a lefty layup at the rim against Texas Impact 2023. He also had one of the best finishes of the weekend flushing a perfect pass on the fast break later in that game. His ability to remain on balance when he powers up for layups in the paint was also impressive. He was able to score or draw fouls on several occasions. Hays also displayed good instincts on the defensive end knowing when and where to help. His versatility as a player may help him go a long way as the summer continues. Landon Miller (6’8″ - Oklahoma Swarm Elite 2023) Miller was another player that showed off a varied skill set during the weekend in Oklahoma. At 6’8", Miller displayed an adequate handle in the open floor and in the half court. There was even a sequence where he put the ball on the deck and blew by another post defender for a layup. He may not be the swiftest but he will make defenders pay for playing less than average defense. His ability to shoot from range was very impressive as well. He has a high release and is very accurate from the wing or corner three. Miller scored in double digits most games he played in these various ways. If he improves his foot speed to go with his game, he will be a sleeper for someone on the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="1211243" first="Sentinel" last="Moore"] (6’6″ - Team Buddy Buckets 2023) Moore is an able-bodied forward who was best at running rim to rim and finishing at the basket. He is good at reading shots off the rim and tracking their trajectory for rebounds. Because of this, he is usually in good position to finish at the glass as well. Something he did several times for Team Buddy Buckets. Moore also knows how to get wide in the paint and make himself for passes from the wing into the post. His ability to rebound and to finish around the rim makes him a very serviceable forward. His play will be one reason Team Buddy Buckets will be a tough out in any team that face in future tournaments. [player_tooltip player_id="1158360" first="Garrett" last="Smith"] (6’4″ - Team United Texas 2023) [player_tooltip player_id="1158360" first="Garrett" last="Smith"] seemed to always be around the basket every time he made a bucket. The ball just seems to find him on the floor. One thing he definitely knows is how to put it in the hole. Smith is very good at trailing plays and cleaning up the misses of his guards. He has a quick first jump which allows him to corral the ball before others and then he springs right back up for the finish. In the Saturday games, he had his own rebound and putback party. When his confidence started to soar, he stepped out and shot the ball from the mid-range and the three hitting one from the top of the key. Smith is also an active rim protector. If his offense continues to expand with his adept rebounding skill, Smith may have a grassroots season to remember. Avrey Payne (6’5″ - H & H Elite 2023) Avrey was Mr. Inside and Outside for H & H Elite through his weekend in OKC. He was able to put in work on the boards and score in the paint. Payne showed a quite a bit of toughness as he got hit on several layup attempts but was still able to get the ball on the glass or in the hoop. He has a face up game as well and knows how to absorb contact in that manner. He caught a couple of defenders sleeping on defense and dropped in a couple from behind the arc as well. At his size, he will definitely be a player to watch as the summer continues. With consistent shooting from deep, Payne may turn some heads this summer. His inside and outside play will definitely interest some schools. Players who can do multiple things on the floor are a wanted commodity on the next level. No matter the size of the school or the institution, every basketball team wants playmakers. These five guys have what it takes to make multiple winning plays on the floor. If they continue to evolve during grassroots play, schools outside of Oklahoma will begin to peak interest in these five as well.

Prep Hoops kicked off the Grind Session part of their grassroots schedule this past weekend in Oklahoma with some great play from teams based in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and other areas. Players of all skill levels were showcased at two facilities in Edmond, Oklahoma. The 16U teams definitely had their fair share of roundballers who proved they have the goods. In volume one of the notables from the Grind SZN Kickoff, we will talk about some of the players who turned heads on the hardwood up in Oklahoma.

Zach Hays Zach Hays 6'3" | SF Westmoore | 2023 State OK (6’3″ - Rogue 2023)

Hays was a player who displayed that he can be a capable wing filling the lane or a scorer in the paint during his weekend in Edmond. Hays showed some nifty footwork with a drop step spin move finishing with a lefty layup at the rim against Texas Impact 2023. He also had one of the best finishes of the weekend flushing a perfect pass on the fast break later in that game. His ability to remain on balance when he powers up for layups in the paint was also impressive. He was able to score or draw fouls on several occasions. Hays also displayed good instincts on the defensive end knowing when and where to help. His versatility as a player may help him go a long way as the summer continues.

Landon Miller (6’8″ - Oklahoma Swarm Elite 2023)

Miller was another player that showed off a varied skill set during the weekend in Oklahoma. At 6’8", Miller displayed an adequate handle in the open floor and in the half court. There was even a sequence where he put the ball on the deck and blew by another post defender for a layup. He may not be the swiftest but he will make defenders pay for playing less than average defense. His ability to shoot from range was very impressive as well. He has a high release and is very accurate from the wing or corner three. Miller scored in double digits most games he played in these various ways. If he improves his foot speed to go with his game, he will be a sleeper for someone on the next level.

Sentinel Moore Sentinel Moore 6'8" | PF Destiny Christian | 2023 State OK (6’6″ - Team Buddy Buckets 2023)

Moore is an able-bodied forward who was best at running rim to rim and finishing at the basket. He is good at reading shots off the rim and tracking their trajectory for rebounds. Because of this, he is usually in good position to finish at the glass as well. Something he did several times for Team Buddy Buckets. Moore also knows how to get wide in the paint and make himself for passes from the wing into the post. His ability to rebound and to finish around the rim makes him a very serviceable forward. His play will be one reason Team Buddy Buckets will be a tough out in any team that face in future tournaments.

Garrett Smith Garrett Smith 6'4" | PG Lipan | 2023 TX (6’4″ - Team United Texas 2023)

Garrett Smith Garrett Smith 6'4" | PG Lipan | 2023 TX seemed to always be around the basket every time he made a bucket. The ball just seems to find him on the floor. One thing he definitely knows is how to put it in the hole. Smith is very good at trailing plays and cleaning up the misses of his guards. He has a quick first jump which allows him to corral the ball before others and then he springs right back up for the finish. In the Saturday games, he had his own rebound and putback party. When his confidence started to soar, he stepped out and shot the ball from the mid-range and the three hitting one from the top of the key. Smith is also an active rim protector. If his offense continues to expand with his adept rebounding skill, Smith may have a grassroots season to remember.

Avrey Payne (6’5″ - H & H Elite 2023)

Avrey was Mr. Inside and Outside for H & H Elite through his weekend in OKC. He was able to put in work on the boards and score in the paint. Payne showed a quite a bit of toughness as he got hit on several layup attempts but was still able to get the ball on the glass or in the hoop. He has a face up game as well and knows how to absorb contact in that manner. He caught a couple of defenders sleeping on defense and dropped in a couple from behind the arc as well. At his size, he will definitely be a player to watch as the summer continues. With consistent shooting from deep, Payne may turn some heads this summer. His inside and outside play will definitely interest some schools.

Players who can do multiple things on the floor are a wanted commodity on the next level. No matter the size of the school or the institution, every basketball team wants playmakers. These five guys have what it takes to make multiple winning plays on the floor. If they continue to evolve during grassroots play, schools outside of Oklahoma will begin to peak interest in these five as well.