Grind SZN Kickoff Standouts
The Grind SZN Kickoff was a big event on the Prep Hoops circuit considering the number of teams that participated. Players from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas made their imprint all over the tournament. The five standouts that follow were…
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Continue ReadingThe Grind SZN Kickoff was a big event on the Prep Hoops circuit considering the number of teams that participated. Players from Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas made their imprint all over the tournament. The five standouts that follow were some of the most unique players during the weekend. Because they stood out in their performances, they are my five standouts for the Gring SZN Kickoff.
Arzhonte Dallas Arzhonte Dallas 5'11" | PG Lawton MacArthur | 2022 State OK (6’0″ / Oklahoma Chaos Elite 2022 / 2022)
When a school at the next level is looking for a point guard who can do multple things, Arzhonte Dallas Arzhonte Dallas 5'11" | PG Lawton MacArthur | 2022 State OK should be one that catches their eye. Dallas is a prototypical dribble-drive point who can score and play defense. During the Grind SZN, he played both ends of the floor at a high level. He gathered steals and turned them into transition baskets for himself numerous times. Dallas is able to blow by defenders going to his left and finishing with floaters or layups. His shooting from three was consistent as well. His play should help create a buzz for him. If his play continues to improvement this summer, that buzz will turn into much larger recognition.
Grayson Luwallen (6’2″ / Tulsa Hawks 2023 White / 2023)
Luwallen was one of the better offensive players during the Grind SZN Kickoff. He made defenders pay several ways as they tried to defend him during game play. Luwallen was deceptive with his handle and got to his areas with relative ease. He went by two defenders in one sequence using the wrap-around dribble to get by the first followed a euro step to finish with his left. Luwallen can also set his feet quickly when receiving a pass and lets it fly from deep. He is a crafty point/wing guard who is able to hurt a defense with his handle or his shooting.
Kellen Hall (6’9″ / Arkansas Takeover 2023 / 2023)
The saying is that you cannot teach height. This was definitely true in the case of Kellen Hall from Arkansas Takeover. The 6’9″ sophomore had a good weekend playing to his strengths. Hall eats up space in the paint and is a big target. When he received passes from penetrating guards, he deposited them in the bucket. Hall has soft hands and caught passes with ease. He positioned himself to catch the ball and score and that is what he did. Hall is not swift afoot and does not have a bevy of post moves. Give him some time; however, and he may have that figured out when he becomes a senior.
Derrick Lawrence (6’3″ / Team Buddy Buckets 2023 / 2023)
Lawrence looks the part of a prototypical shooting guard. He has the frame and shooters mentality for it. Lawrence showed flashes of his talent throughout the weekend with the 2023 Buddy Buckets team. He can handle the ball like a point guard and is very calm when facing ball pressure. Lawrence is good at using his handle to back defenders off and create space for his jumper. He is also very good at getting into the lane and getting his shot up. Lawrence showed that he is dangerous at various spots on the floor. He is a player to watch over the remaining of the summer. Lawrence is a highly skilled player.
Azijon Luke (6’0″ / Lubbock Matadors 2023 / 2023)
The Matador guard was a a difference maker in the open floor during the Grind SZN Kickoff. Luke seems to find the ball whether it is from rebounds or steals and takes off like a blur. When his teammates rebound the ball, he takes off like a blur and he beats everyone down the floor for transition layups. He has little trouble getting to the rim and uses floaters and high-arching layups off the glass to make buckets for his team. Luke is a what some teams would covet. He is a lightening fast guard who can play well in transition. If he continues this play for the rest of the summer, watch out.
Catch these players and others on the Prep Hoops Circuit as the spring grassroots season turns into summer.