More Names to Know @ HoopGroup Jam Fest in Westford (Part 2)

<div dir="auto" lang="en">The HoopGroup East Coast Jam Fest was chalked full of talent and high-level basketball. With several standouts at every level, let’s check out a few more names to know from the event.</div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1081718" first="Jayden" last="Brown"] |  6’8" | Wing with versatile big potential | Tilton | BCRI | 2021</strong></div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en">One of the more versatile players of the weekend, [player_tooltip player_id= "1081718" first= "Jayden" last= "Brown"] showcased several different tools in his offensive arsenal during an early Sunday morning victory. Consistent in the post, he also showed the ability to step outside and knock down shots from the midrange and even beyond the arc. Given his ability to shoot in one fluid in motion, I can see a lot of potential for Brown moving forward in the pick and pop setting. He is perhaps the quintessential stretch four at the next level but has the foot speed and strength to guard up and down the positional spectrum. What also impressed me even more about Brown’s game ability to handle the ball moving in transition. A skilled wing capable of guarding the post, I was overall impressed with Brown’s versatility on both ends of the floor. Brown locked down the paint and did a great job of reading and reacting when protecting the rim. He had several week side help blocks and deterred opponents from even entering the painted region.</div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1205450" first="Levi" last="King"] | 6’6" | Face-up Big with wing potential | Woodstock Academy | BCRI | 2021 <br /> </strong></p> <p>During a gritty win against the NE Storm, [player_tooltip player_id="1205450" first="Levi" last="King"] stood out as a versatile and skilled force down low but also showed some versatility to his game. With a solid understanding of spacing, King also converted on a few above the break three pointers as he operated as an inside out big. He did not shy away from contact in the face-up setting but instead absorbed it and showed great consistency on his footwork with his drives to the rack. What impressed me most about Kings’ game was his ability to play at his own tempo. When posted up, he rarely made any rushed decisions as he also made several high-level passes out to open floor spacers when the defense collapsed. On defense, King showed a high level of intensity and did a great job of carving out space with his boxouts.</p> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"><strong>Andrew Butler | 6’2" | Combo-Guard | Woodstock Academy | RI Elite | 2022 <br /> </strong></div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en">Butler was one of the more aggressive and opportunistic slashers I saw this weekend as he constantly forced the offense to collapse with several transition takes to the rack. In the open floor, Butler seemed to excel as there was no wasted motion on his drives. Constantly in go-mode, he even showed the ability to finish above the rim. Butler found critical open driving lanes with a high motor and great burst off the dribble and made several great drop-off dimes. On defense, Butler was constantly causing havoc and took on several point of attack challenges against the Expressions. Butler made several intentional game-saving defensive slides as he won the possession battle and never waived in terms of his intensity level. Butler didn’t shy away from guarding taller opponents as he helped RI Elite secure a Sunday morning victory.</div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> <div dir="auto" lang="en"><strong>A. J. Dybansta | 6’5" | Tall Guard with wing potential | Brockton (Hometown) | Expressions | 2025 </strong></div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en">Having had a chance to watch Dybansta practice earlier this year and compete against older competition, his improved handle and overall confidence were on full display during a competitive Sunday matchup against RI Elite. While I expected Dybansta to take on more of a wing position given his height, he took turns handling the ball and initiating the offense as a secondary ball-handler next to [player_tooltip player_id="1205479" first="Eze" last="Wali"]. Even against smaller, pesky defenders, Dybansta was able to get to his spots and did a great job of playing at his own pace, taking what the defense gave him but also showing a willingness to drive. He knocked down a few long-range shots but did the bulk of his scoring around the painted area, where he showcased a soft touch. On defense, Dybansta was menacing at the top of the zone and came away with several steals and deflections throughout the game. Given his age and newness on the AAU scene, I think Dybansta has many intriguing skills that will translate with more reps.</div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1205583" first="Jared" last="Berry"] | 6’0” | Lead-guard (scorer) | Danvers | MCW Starz | 2022</strong></p> <p>Berry was another player who I had the opportunity to watch over zoom stream during the winter and now finally in person come springtime. A volume scorer at Danvers High School, Berry led the North Shore in points last season as he showed out as one of the more established on-ball forces on Cape Ann. Berry’s ability to get to his spots translated to the AAU setting as well, as he continuously found ways to pierce through the defense, get to the basket and elevate with ease. Simply put, Berry has the basketball on a string but also showcased several high-level dribble moves where he created enough space to operate off these self-created looks. His shiftiness stands out right away, but Berry isn’t shy about getting to the line and creating contact at the rim. Berry also isn’t afraid to hit shots from beyond the arc, and he showcased a very fluid stroke off the dribble. In the two games I watched, Berry also did a great job of making the key dump-off pass where he continuously found his teammates open in the dunker spot.</p> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1205466" first="Jake" last="Rymsza"] | 6’2" | Combo Guard with stretch movement shooting abilities | Ashland High School | ASA Select | 2022</strong></div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en">This was my second time in less than two months watching Rymsza up close, and overall I would call him a high gravity spot-up threat who doesn’t need much space to shoot. Ryzmsa runs the floor with intent and has a high-level understanding of spacing when moving without the ball. During a closely contested game against the MCW Starz, Ryzmsa made the right reads on the ball and took several in rhythm in the flow of the offense-type shots. While shooting may be his standout strength, he has way more dimensions to his game than just pure shooting. There is also something just very controlled about his game, as I would call Rymsza a trusted ball handler. With a fluid handle and keen vision, Ryzmsa was able to knife into the defense and create several open looks out of the drive and kick setting.</div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> </div> <div dir="auto" lang="en"> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div>