Top 250 Expo: New Faces

<p>Perhaps my favorite part of the Top 250 Expo is finding those new names that for whatever reason didn't stand out or play during the grassroots season. Here are five that caught my eye on Sunday. <br /> <br /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1226672" first="Jake" last="Slezinger"] 6-3 2022 Gibraltar Carlson (pictured at top of article) </strong>I get asked at times how you get noticed at such a large camp. Slezinger made it very simple. As legs were tiring near the end of the night. This lanky guard ripped off eight straight points against very good competition. That's a simple way to do it. Even before that outburst I had been impressed with his mature play. Good shooter but also athletic enough to get out quickly in transition. Not from a traditional hoops hotbed but could open some eyes with a big senior season. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1300875" first="Luis" last="Capellan-Lebron"] 5-11 2022 Coldwater </b>If you followed me this summer you know my affinity for Coldwater swingman [player_tooltip player_id="863993" first="Ethan" last="Crabtree"]. Well I am also impressed with the smaller half of the Cardinals backcourt. Capellan-Lebron is quick but under control point guard. Gets to the hole with ease and looks for his teammates once there. Strong two footed leaper who plays bigger than his size. Along with Crabtree and [player_tooltip player_id="863976" first="Brandon" last="Downs"] Coldwater is going to have a serious backcourt this year. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/61-Jayce-Cusack.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301202" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/61-Jayce-Cusack-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="986577" first="Jayce" last="Cusack"] 6-3 2023 Lake Odessa </b>Perhaps my favorite player from the fall showcase season. Tall lanky guard with the abilty to play both the 1 and 2 spots. Plays with his head up and with his height can easily see over his opponents. Has a nice smooth release on his outside shot. I wouldn't describe it as automatic but it looks good. Accordingly I would say he is a slasher at this point in his development. Has a soft touch around the rim and with his elevation doesn't need much room. Like Slezinger blazing his own trail at a school not known for producing players. But if he stays on the trajectory of the last month. Cusack has a chance to be a special one. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/13-Brennan-McKenzie.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1301151" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/13-Brennan-McKenzie-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1130946" first="Brennan" last="McKenzie"] 5-11 2023 Adrian [player_tooltip player_id="983494" first="Joe" last="Francis"] </b>wasn't the only Maple (what a great mascot) who had an excellent Sunday. This hard nosed point guard just kept coming all day. Despite not being the biggest prospect was fearless on penetration. Has a sturdy build that allows him to absorb contact. Explosive quickness with good change of pace ability. Also has the ability to quickly stop and change direction on a dime. It will be interesting to watch his development in the next two years. Especially McKenzie's scoring load after Francis caps off his standout career. </p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1300902" first="Christian" last="Zielinski"] 6-3 2023 Homeschool (Coleman) </b>This is a bit of a cumulative award. Zeielinski's game has been growing on me since I first saw him with REAL Basketball during the AAU season. This is the definition of the rare power guard. Isn't going to wow you with one specific skill. But is the type of player who finds a way to be involved with every play. Fundamentally sound and makes few mistakes. This helps him make up for slight physical disadvantages. Competes hard on the defensive end. With two more years development this player who is off the beaten path a little could surprise a coach willing to take a chance. </p>