AAU Workout Visit: T.R.U. Elite 17U

<p>Really enjoyed dropping by a T.R.U. Elite practice last week and getting my first extended time with director/coach Ernesto Ifill and former professional player and assistant coach Brent Jennings, both of whom have great energy and backstories which highlight both their experience and commitment to the game. </p> <p>The T.R.U. organization and the 17U’s practicing that evening are fascinating and encompass a lot about what’s great about grassroots basketball. Osborne standout guard Justin McCarter, having a breakout summer, was not present while nursing a hip injury, and both Ethan Long and Trey Harding were also not present.</p> <p>Some standouts in a mixed 2022/2023 group from the evening:</p> <p><em><strong>Chandler McDade, 5-11, PG, Pope, 2023</strong></em></p> <p>TRAITS: Playing up, set to be among a group that includes SEBA FCI Warrior 2022 Areeb Khan to assume the mantle left behind by record-breaking [player_tooltip player_id="869626" first="Will" last="Kolker"], smooth handle reminiscent of Kolker, good poise and control in traffic, slick feeder with head up and attuned, can knock down the 3-ball with proficiency, a 2023 with floor time over in Northeast Cobb who could see a quick rise.</p> <p><em><strong>Quinton Partee, 6-3, SG/SF, Roswell, 2022</strong></em></p> <p>TRAITS: Averaging 20+ ppg for the spring, downhill driver adept at getting to the basket and scoring through contact, nice mid-range game, often has to go down inside for this roster without a ton of size and handles himself well with good feet and strong lower half, if utilized well could have a breakout winter for the Hornets looking to fill roster holes around star 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="873086" first="Jase" last="McCullough"].</p> <p><em><strong>Rudy Arnao, 5-11, SG, Campbell, 2022</strong></em></p> <p>TRAITS: Shot lights out from 3 on the night, surprisingly not much more than a bit player for the Spartans last season but clearly has good offensive skills and nice defensive instincts, helps this team with all-around play and can certainly help the Spartans his senior year.</p> <p><em><strong>Jahmeir Chapman, 5-11, CG, Osborne, 2022</strong></em></p> <p>TRAITS: Impressive athlete has tremendous speed off the dribble, great lift for a guy under 6-0, that foot speed serves him well on D also as he can lock you up, gives this team an extra burst of exciting athleticism and explosiveness both in the halfcourt and out in the open floor, with McCarter and [player_tooltip player_id="598771" first="Zocko" last="Littleton"] provides the Cardinals with a talented trio.</p> <p><em><strong>Davonte Thompson, 6-5, PF, Wheeler, 2023</strong></em></p> <p>TRAITS: Like the Grayson’s and McEachern’s pf the ATL-Metro so has Wheeler become something of a factory for talent, part of next year’s reload up from could include this intriguing big man, strong frame, smart and teachable he’s got some work to do on his variety in the low post but the will and the inherent athletic skills re there, a solid rebounder and rim defended right now who can make a jump as his O-repertoire develops. </p> <p><em><strong>Will Simonson, 5-11, PG, Roswell, 2022</strong></em></p> <p>TRAITS: The other half of the 2-headed PG duo with McDade, more of a tactician but has noticeable pick-me-up in space and sneakily gets from point A to B, nice shooter and smart floor leader he’s another Hornet who could finally see significant floor time for what has been was an underachieving Roswell squad in 20-21.  </p> <p><strong>OTHERS: Yusuf Abutunis (Roswell, 2022), Cameron Martez-Foster (Lovett, 2023), Salvador Stewart (Sprayberry, 2022), Andy Madesko (North Springs, 2023)</strong></p>