Colorado Top 250 Expo: Versatile Wings

The ability for a player to play multiple positions is such a weapon for coaches at all levels. The potential to guard more than one opponent on the floor is a real separator for prospects hoping to catch the eye of college scouts. At the Colorado Top 250 on September 12th, a handful of wing players stood out and really made a case to gain the coveted label, VERSATILE. [player_tooltip player_id="618886" first="Dylan" last="Sanders"] - 6’4" I get the feeling Dylan would be the kind of Swiss army knife, meaning he has many tools at his disposal, any coach would love. He can play 1,2,3 at both ends of the floor, but what stands out for Dylan is he’s tough enough to guard bigger guys and quick enough to guard smaller lightning-quick guys too. This means I would not hesitate to throw him against certain 4’s and wouldn’t be afraid of him matching against guys 3 or 4 inches taller. That is a gift that will earn him minutes no matter what team he plays for at the next level. I loved his attacking mindset in transition and he showed me he is a monster attack with his right hand in the half-court too. He pulled up from three and has a nice stroke, but he’s a PROBLEM when he gets downhill and turns the corner attacking the rim. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/anthony-harris-jr/">[player_tooltip player_id="1284543" first="Anthony" last="Harris Jr"]. - 6’5"</a> <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-13-at-11.34.37-PM.png"><img class="wp-image-1282482 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Screen-Shot-2021-09-13-at-11.34.37-PM.png" alt="" width="196" height="237" /></a>Anthony has special athleticism. His ability to finish with his head above the rim make him an absolute BEAST finishing on the break. Think Gerald Green or Cassius Stanley type bounce. He has great timing on the offensive glass and is a problem for opponents’ ball watching instead of boxing him out. If he gets a running start un-checked, he’s dunking on your head. I love the fact he can guard multiple positions, but as of right now, I’d like to see his handle and jump shot tighten up on the offensive end, as he will most likely transition to the guard spot in college. I’d label his shot as "developing", and with reps it will become more consistent over time.     [player_tooltip player_id="969432" first="Colin" last="Hawkins"] - 6’2" <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/86-Colin-Hawkins.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1281588 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/86-Colin-Hawkins.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="243" height="162" /></a>Colin plays much bigger than his height would suggest. His strong frame and powerful athleticism allow him to impose his will on the floor at any position. I love the fact he relishes guarding the opponent’s best player, which is a perfect snap shot of his competitiveness and mentality. He’s a constant double-double threat as his rebounding from the guard spot is excellent. He demonstrated just how explosive he is with a huge dunk down the lane in traffic. I am looking for him to have a huge season this year and establish himself as a more consistent and deadly 3-point shooter as well. Cheikh Sow - 6’6" <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/119-Cheikh-Soiu.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1281570 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/119-Cheikh-Soiu.jpg" alt="" width="243" height="162" /></a>Long, athletic, and a relentless motor, Cheikh showed why there is a buzz around him at Colorado Prep. I’d like to see him finish with his left hand more, but his ability to get in the paint is very impressive. Twice he drew contact and was fouled at the rim but shot the ball with his right hand when I thought his left was the right play. Once he gets more comfortable doing so, those two-shot fouls will turn into AND-1’s, which is a scary thought. He does a terrific job guarding smaller guys and really gets down in a defensive stance. He has quick, active hands and deflects a lot of balls, which usually directly impacts winning. Cheikh has a huge upside and I am looking for him to have a breakout season. [player_tooltip player_id="921110" first="Archer" last="VanSickle"] <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Archer-Vansickle9.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1243428 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Archer-Vansickle9.jpg" alt="" width="236" height="157" /></a>Archer separates himself from the pack with 2 things, shooting ability and BB IQ. I love the way he sees the floor and lets plays develop naturally, as well as manipulate the defense to make things happen too. I was impressed with his willingness to make the hockey assist (pass that leads to the assist), which shows me he sees the floor really well. His shooting ability will make him a versatile threat on the wing, even if occasionally he gives up a couple inches to taller opponents.   [player_tooltip player_id="1139549" first="Finn" last="Horsfall"] - 6’4" <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Finn-Horsfall.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1233055 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Finn-Horsfall.jpg" alt="" width="271" height="180" /></a>Finn has a lot of weapons in his arsenal. Where I think he could really do damage is from the free-throw line. With his athleticism and physicality, he could be one of the leaders this season getting to the charity stripe. Look at the top NBA scorers every year, they all average huge numbers from the FT line. This is a way could Finn could really separate himself and be an extremely efficient scorer.     [player_tooltip player_id="618878" first="Derik" last="Pranger"] - 6’8" <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/201-Derik-Pranger.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1281529 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/201-Derik-Pranger.jpg" alt="" width="273" height="182" /></a>This was my first time seeing Derik play, and at first, I thought he looked like a big man. After watching a few minutes, it’s quite clear he is a wing with guard skills. I love his ability to attack the paint and use his length to shoot easily over the top of defenders. He uses right and left hand to finish and creates space and separation with spin moves. I can see him getting a lot of attention using his pump fakes getting defenders in the air. The weight room will be his best friend while preparing for college ball, but I loved what he showed me on the floor. I am looking for him to have a monster senior year and his stock to explode. [player_tooltip player_id="1168989" first="Andrew" last="Crawford"] - 6’5" <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/167-Andrew-Crawford.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1281537 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/167-Andrew-Crawford.jpg" alt="" width="276" height="184" /></a>Andrew is another player I saw for the first time this weekend. I loved his ability to attack the paint and shoot with soft touch and demonstrate some power in traffic as well. With his long frame and terrific height, the youngster is going to really turn some heads this season. I am looking forward to getting eyes on him this fall and winter and see his progression.