Spiece Run N' Slam: 17U Standouts

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Breaking down the top individual standouts in the 17U Division from the 2021 Spiece Run’ Slam...   [player_tooltip player_id="727972" first="Andrew" last="Alia"] - 2022 - G - Wisconsin Playground Club PGC made a move in their starting lineup and started play Alia a lot at the point guard position. It worked really well and think Alia definitely boosted his stock by showing his willingness to play on the ball more and create for his teammates. Just really liked his pace all weekend. The Kenosha St. Joseph guard with decisive with his decision making, was able to run the pick n’ roll, and deferred to his teammates nicely. Showing a different side of talent, Alia added all that to his sharpshooting from 3-point range, above the rim athleticism in transition, and blue collar toughness as someone who will dive on the floor for just about every loose ball opportunity. [player_tooltip player_id="761404" first="Leon" last="Bond"] - 2022 - SF - JH1 Elite [caption id="attachment_1017117" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Leon-Bond.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1017117" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Leon-Bond-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="761404" first="Leon" last="Bond"][/caption] The thing you appreciate about Bond -- almost every time you see him, he’s a little bit better. Two years ago, he was a raw, high-upside prospect that was just scratching the surface. While he’s still far from his ceiling, Bond has turned himself into a multi-dimensional prospect who impacts the game in so many ways. Two years ago, this kid couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. The 6-foot-5 wing is now a very reliable jump shooter in the mid-range and can score off the bounce and/or when fading from the basket. His handles in the halfcourt and ability to create something positive when the game isn’t a track meet is also far improved. A very coachable prospect that also does the little things, Bond can guard multiple positions, rebound, protect the rim, and plays with a consistently high motor. [player_tooltip player_id="727955" first="Jeffery" last="Brazziel"] - 2022 - SF - Wisconsin Playground Club Brazziel still has a lot of company for the No. 1 spot in the 2022 class, but he scored it well all weekend against some top-level talent. The 6-foot-5 wing is silky-smooth off the dribble. If he gets to his left hand, it’s already over. Brazziel’s length and touch is too good for most defenders to bother. Brazziel has a simply deadly floater game. Although he’s athletic enough to play above the rim with ease, Brazziel can mix it up and score with finesse. Thought the Martin Luther standout played some pretty strong defense this past weekend too. He’s willing to pick guys up 94 feet from the rim and see if he can get some cheap steals. [player_tooltip player_id="801136" first="Maximus" last="Nelson"] - 2022 - PF - Wisconsin Playground Club When Nelson gets on a roll, he’s a very good-looking prospect. A knockdown 3-point shooter with a guard-like stroke, not many bigs have a more pure shot than Nelson. The 6-foot-8 forward is a terrific catch-and-shoot big that also thrives in the pick n’ pick pop. He’s also got a strong frame and takes people by surprise with how explosive he is athletically. A couple of times, defenders got caught on posters as Nelson could go up off two feet around the rim and slam it home. A prospect that should have a lot more mid-major offers, Nelson continues to show flashes of being a three-level scorer. Aside from his outside shooting, he can face-up and shoot from 16-18 feet. He’ll also take defenders down on the block on occasion and has a nice drop-step layup. [player_tooltip player_id="988976" first="Greyson" last="Pritzl"] - 2022 - SG - Wisconsin Rap [caption id="attachment_1021224" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/EJBd5svWkAA0BSm.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1021224" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/EJBd5svWkAA0BSm-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="988976" first="Greyson" last="Pritzl"][/caption] Pritzl scored the ball well against Indy Heat Red. The West Allis Central standout is a high-confidence prospect. It doesn’t matter if he’s made five in a row or missed five in a row, his shot selection and belief in himself does not change. Using a quick release, Pritzl shot it well under duress. He was able to get defenders off their feet with an excellent shot fake, step to the side, and hit a one-dribble trey. Pritzl isn’t overly athletic, but he’s gonna make defenders respect his dribble drive. Pritzl is tough with the ball and can take a bump en route to the rim. He knows how to draw contact and gets to the line quite a bit. [player_tooltip player_id="865854" first="Marcus" last="Tomashek"] - 2022 - SG - JH1 Elite Tomashek has just been shooting lights out all spring. A prospect that doesn’t need much room to let it fly, Tomashek can knock down shots with a hand in his face if he catches in rhythm. While he’ll make his hay as an outside shooter, Tomashek is more athletic than he gets credit for. The 6-foot-4 wing is vastly improved as a mid-range shooter and can knock down off-balance shots as well. Holding a Division 2 offer from Michigan Tech, Tomashek has been automatic from downtown. [player_tooltip player_id="727964" first="Jack" last="Rose"] - 2022 - SG - Wisconsin Playground Club Think Rose is taking the next step as a prospect. Fresh off his first high major offer from Maryland, Rose looked really good in a variety of high-level contests. He’s always been a terrific 3-point shooter, but now you’re seeing him release the basketball a lot quicker, especially off screens. He’s catching at full speed and effortlessly squaring his shoulders to the hoop in one seamless motion. Athleticism has always been the knock on Rose, but he’s creating good space off the dribble in the mid-range. A hard-nosed, tough-minded prospect, Rose is also a standout defender and underrated shot blocker from the guard spot. Jackson Urban - 2022 - PF - Wisconsin Rap A new name that jumped out in Fort Wayne, Urban looked pretty solid defensively against Indy Heat Red. The 6-foot-7 forward is long and mobile. He blocks/alters a lot of shots and not all necessarily right around the rim. Like his activity offensively as well. Urban is a guy that will bounce back and forth between posting up or screening on and off the ball and just never felt stagnant. Urban is obviously coached really well, because when he screens, he puts a body on someone every time. Urban also understands dribble replace and and how to float back out near the perimeter when his teammates attack the hole. He’s not overly skilled yet, but Wisconsin Rap likes to get him the ball in the high post where he can slash a bit or distribute the ball from a high percentage area. [player_tooltip player_id="801141" first="Casey" last="Verhagen"] - 2022 - PG - JH1 Elite There aren’t many times Verhagen steps on the floor and doesn’t make an impact with a handful of exciting plays. Always petal to the metal, Verhagen loves to push the pace, put pressure on the defense, and play drive-and-kick basketball. A quick decision maker who gets into high percentage areas, Verhagen gets defenders out of their lanes and sets his teammates up beautifully when they cut hard to the basket. A crafty and exciting finisher at the rim, Verhagen has a unique layup package with a variety of different finishes, including a one-hand scoop which he’ll kiss of the glass and float above shot blockers. He’s not a guy that’s going to take a lot of jump shots, but if the ball is kicked his way and Verhagen is open, he’ll knock down a good percentage of his attempts. Northern Michigan is one the board with an offer here to the Sheboygan Lutheran product.