Summer's Most Exciting 17u Players

As summer basketball is just about wrapped up, I’ll be taking a look back at some of the most exciting players that I watched compete over the past few months. These players stood out at the 17u level with their high flying finishes, flashy handles and passing, or simply their ability to make exciting plays that most players can’t make! [player_tooltip player_id="958675" first="Hakeem" last="Ford"] (6’5 2022 SF, Minnesota Heat Grow)- Even as his overall game has continued to develop, Hakeem remains a massive threat in the open floor. At 6’5 he runs the floor like a gazelle, and is so fluid weaving through defenders in transition with or without the ball. Once he’s around the rim Hakeem is in the top percent of explosive athletes in the state, as he can elevate off one or two feet to throw down some explosive dunks. On the defensive end he found success guarding bigger opponents in the post, while also guarding on the wing using his length and athleticism to get up in passing lanes. The offensive skill showed some improvements over the season, and towards August he looked more comfortable pulling up and knocking down jumpers off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id="850704" first="Elvis" last="Nnaji"] (6’8 2022 PF/C, D1 Minnesota 17u)- Not sure any big brought more energy to the floor than Elvis. Any time he got the ball in the paint he dunked it like he was trying to bring the rim down, and that powerful slam was often followed up by an energetic yell that got his team fired up as they got back on the defensive end. His high flying ability at 6’8 had multiple defenders being put on posters as it seemed like every weekend he was dunking on another defender. His defensive ability may be his best asset at this point, as he can protect the rim, switch on pick & rolls, and he seemed to create one or two turnovers every game with his quickness and length on the perimeter. [player_tooltip player_id="958722" first="Jamez" last="Garner"] (5’9 2022 PG, Real Phenom)- If I was trying to think of the best on-ball defender I saw all summer, Jamez’s name would be in the conversation. Not the biggest player on the floor but he’s so quick laterally and his motor never stops on the defensive end. Time after time he gave opposing teams’ ball handlers difficulty by picking up deep and moving his feet the length of the floor to defend. There aren’t many players that manage to make defense exciting from a fan’s perspective, but Jamez did just that as he was constantly poking the ball free and creating turnovers that led to transition scoring opportunities. Derrick Anthony (6’5 2022 W, E1T1 Premier)- One of the most under-the-radar players in the 2022 class, Derrick is a dangerous isolation scorer who can put up points in a number of ways. At 6’5 he has size on the wing, but can also handle the ball and create his own shot off the bounce. In the games I saw he showed a quick burst to get to the rim and has the explosiveness to finish above the rim after driving through the lane. When he didn’t have the space to finish he’s a flashy passer who can put the ball into tight gaps to set his teammates up to score. Also showed some range that extended a few feat beyond the arc. Should be in for a highly productive senior season at Irondale. [player_tooltip player_id="1143878" first="Leo" last="Torbor"] (6’3 2022 PG, Minnesota Select)- Leo has been one of the biggest stock risers in the state this calendar year, going from a role player who occasionally started for Park Center, to holding a Division One offer after being a key contributor for one of the top 17u teams in the state. It seemed like once every tournament Leo threw down a dunk that got the whole gym off of their feet, as his high flying ability at the point guard spot is matched by few. Whether it was the poster dunk at the Hard Work Region Finals or the put-back dunk in transition at the Battle At The Lakes, Leo lived above the rim. He consistently produced 4-5 buckets a game, was the top ball handler and facilitator for his team, could rebound at a high level, and provided intensity on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id="850701" first="Tre" last="Holloman"] (6’2 2022 PG, Howard Pulley)- Fresh off a commitment to Michigan State, it’s hard not to have fun watching Tre play. The energy he brings to the floor is matched by few, and you can tell he enjoys going against tough competition as it seems to bring out the best in him. He simply refuses to lose, and we’ve seen so many times where his competitive spirit keeps his team in games against tough opponents. Offensively he’s a gifted passer with the vision to find teammates that most point guards wouldn’t be able to locate, and the three point shot off the dribble has also continued to improve. With the ball in his hands he’s so skilled at shifting his defender and being able to get into the paint to make plays for himself or teammates. His on-ball defense is also among the best in the state as he can stick to his man like glue and fight to get through screens. [player_tooltip player_id="958652" first="Makuei" last="Riek"] (6’6 2022 SF, Minnesota Heat MacDonald)- Another gifted isolation scorer on the wing, Makuei has proven to be dangerous in transition and in half-court settings. At roughly 6’6 he has so much length and is an explosive athlete with above the rim ability when he has the space to take off. Not only is he an exceptional athlete, but the handle and awareness of space to create his own shot off the dribble makes him so hard to guard. He can get an opponent off their feet with a quick hesitation before blowing by, or use a quick crossover to create separation and pull up from three. Makuei has never met a shot that he doesn’t like, and it’s that type of confidence that allows him to put up points in a hurry against just about anyone that tries guarding him.