Spring Underclassmen Shining
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While a lot of these underclassmen often don’t get the looks the upper classmen are getting it doesn’t mean that they are not playing well. Here is a small group of players that are shinning this Spring. Mason Bendinger |…
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Continue ReadingWhile a lot of these underclassmen often don’t get the looks the upper classmen are getting it doesn’t mean that they are not playing well. Here is a small group of players that are shinning this Spring.
Mason Bendinger | Utah Prospects | Woods Cross High School | 2023 |
Talk about a kid who has improved and has just been shining against the best players in the country. We didn’t get to see his true game this past high school season but moving forward I think Mason is one of those players that could just shine in the right system. He is shooting the ball well from deep and he is smooth in that mid-range. Defensively he is starting to figure it all out. Athletically he has sneaky bounce.
Yorgio Golesis Yorgio Golesis 5'10" | SG Skyline | 2023 State UT | Kongo Elite | Skyline High School | 2023 |
Yorgio has put in some work and it is showing. He is quick and his first step is tough as he can create space for his shooting but he can also make some tough and strong moves with defenders on his hip. His shooting causes problems because it causes defenders to play close to him and in turn it allows him to get by defenders and get easy lays. Excited to see what this kid can do this high school season and the rest of the grassroots season as well.
Taki Uluilakepa Taki Uluilakepa 6'0" | PG RSL Academy | 2023 State UT | CDE Elite | RSL Academy | 2023 |
Speedy, crafty and pair that up with some high IQ you have yourself a floor general. Taki is shifty in the lane as he can change directions quickly. He is elite when it comes to finishing at the rim with multiple moves. Impressed with his mature game and mentality.
David Katoa David Katoa 6'4" | CG Layton | 2024 State #255 Nation UT | Utah Prospects | RSL Academy | 2024 |
To teams and players not familiar with Katoa they might say he is a sneaky athlete but for everyone else that knows him knows that he doesn’t need a lot of space to glide through the air and finish above the rim. Katoa is a high energy player that brings it every time and all the time. He plays on both ends of the floor. Really shines on the break as he knows how to fill in those lanes.
Donovan Averitte Donovan Averitte 6'4" | CG Bingham | 2025 CA-S | N/A | Corner Canyon High School | 2025 |
You can see a lot of good things shine through his game. He is driving and getting by defenders and getting some great looks near the basket. He is not settling for jump shots. While Donovan has been on the radar for some time now, it was interesting seeing him play against kids older than him. He has a little bit of wiggle to his game and he made some great reads. He was a player that made you watch him even when he didn’t have the ball. Keep an eye on Corner Canyon as they have some great young pieces.