Adidas Gauntlet Gold Tournament Champions Review c/o 2022

Over the summer had the chance to catch a few tournaments games for some upcoming seniors this year. A team that caught my eye and I felt had a lot of underrated kids on the team was the OSA 17U team. Coming off winning the Adidas Gold Gauntlet Championship I have compiled a list of the players who are sleepers this year in terms of ranking but will have a major impact on their perspective schools.   [player_tooltip player_id="1031436" first="Evan" last="Inselman"] | 6-6 F | Bellevue West/OSA 17U National Freeman <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Evan.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1320448 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Evan-257x300.jpg" alt="" width="257" height="300" /></a> Great Shooter now with open opportunity, ready to be unleashed. Knocked down a lot of his open opportunities. The knack to quickly set his feet, square shoulders to the basket and his fast release is the reason for so much of his scoring. His catch and shoot ability mixed in with always running without the ball will definitely translate into more buckets for the senior. Not just a shooter, more times than none he put it on the deck and got to hoop and finish. While being able to battle with the big bodies down low on both sides of the ball makes him a well all-around player that many teams would love to have on their squad this upcoming season. Scoring is going to come easy for Evan this year while averaging 12 ppg over the summer in the Adidas Gold Gauntlet Tournament, I expect that to trickle over to this upcoming high school season. Would love to see more playmaking out of the forward, should be a little easier with the help of another Top 10 player of the state along his side and many other pieces.   [player_tooltip player_id="890581" first="Jakson" last="Page"] | 5-11 G | Millard North/OSA 17U National Freeman <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Jakson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1320459 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Jakson-300x286.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="286" /></a>   Two-way guard that’s going to give you heart and effort on both ends of the court. His leader ship and patience was very needed during the tournament. No Longer at Omaha Central, the now-senior says he is ready for a fresh start as he gets the opportunity to showcase his skills for the Mustangs. The 5’11 guard plays bigger than his listed size, with the uncanny ability to finish around the hoop with both hands and a nice floater that he’s added to his bag, this guard lived at the free-throw line during the tournament and will continue to do so during the course of the season. An improved knock-down open shooter that showed during this summer, will consistently come in handy for the guard while playing alongside the Number 2 prospect in the state. His added quickness help him be able to get to his spot for his shot as seen throughout the tournament. Packaged with a nice set of handles will definitely keep defenses on their heels. His defense is what stood out to me as he took on the challenge of a couple of high rank players from other states in the tournament. In lockdown position, he’s an on-ball pest forcing steals and turnovers all thru out the tournaments this summer, while also being a disruptor in the passing lanes and on help defense. His playmaking is going to come more easy playing alongside the talent he’s with at Millard North. Look for Jakson to make noise come the first game of the season and be a great duo threat with [player_tooltip player_id="787647" first="Jasen" last="Green"] this year.   [player_tooltip player_id="890584" first="Payson" last="Gillespie"] | 6-3 G | Westside Highschool/OSA 17U National Freeman <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Payson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1320469 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Payson-300x275.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="275" /></a> A pair of Westside Seniors players played along side each other on this team which makes for good comrade this upcoming season. First to be mentioned is the Sniper from behind the arc, Payson. This young man has the quickest release I have seen from a kid his age. Was able to showcase how he sets feet and gets into his shooting motion fast as if he’s been doing this his whole life. Didn’t just shoot the lights out he looked really comfortable putting the ball on the floor and driving to the basket. True Definition of a 3D player. Plays defense just as hard he plays offense, takes no plays off. Lateral quickness was on display, as it allowed him the ability to stay in front of many opponents combined with his wingspan that helps clog up passing lanes. I feel like that’s going to translate to more defensive production this upcoming season for him. Playing with more than a few other seniors on the Warrior squad I expect not only for him to be the scorer he is but to embrace his leadership and become more of a playmaker. Has shown glimpses of his playmaking ability as he found numerous teammates open during the tournament. Averaging 10 ppg last season as a junior shoot 44% from the field and 41% from the 3 point range it’s hard to see him improving much more than he already has, but I feel he has the opportunity and skills to take his game to the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id="1019017" first="Logan" last="Wilson"] | 6-5 F | Westside/OSA 17U National Freeman <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Logan.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1320465 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Logan-228x300.jpg" alt="" width="228" height="300" /></a> The second of the Westside senior’s pair is Logan. The 6’5 forward battled it out down low in the paint with a lot of big fellas during the tournament all ranging in size and was able to hold his own. Stretch forward with a defensive presence. Offensively a beast in the pick and roll offense. Torched defenses with his roll to the basket or his ability to knock down the open shots off the pick and pop. Getting to the open space on the floor is going to be big for the Warriors this season and shown that he’s been working on that this summer. A hustler for the ball has high energy, and motor on rebounds and loose balls. Not afraid to hit the ground. Has glue hands able to catch about anything in proximity. Over the summer looked to improve strength and confidence in his shoot and he did both. On defense, he’s able to hold down the middle while being able to guard the perimeter and keep guards in front of him. Has a lot of upside coming this season as I have seen throughout the summer’s tournaments and workouts. Playing with the other seniors on this team will give him extreme confidence which will help him move up in the rankings hopefully this season.   [player_tooltip player_id="1164531" first="Dane" last="Petersen"] | 6-4 F| Elkhorn/OSA 17U National Freeman <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/DAne.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1320440 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/DAne-244x300.jpg" alt="" width="244" height="300" /></a> An undersized forward but makes up for it with his leaping ability. Plays above the rim and it shown throughout the tournament as no one was able to touch the heights he was jumping too. Athletism made it easy for him to get the basket and finish above and around any defender. Did most of his damage inside but was able to knock down open shots from mid-range to the 3 point line which is going to help him a lot with this upcoming season. Where he showed out this summer was on the defensive end of the floor. His quick feet and a great second jump made him able to guard the point to the big man. Great anticipation results in him being a terrifying rim protector. Swatting everything that came in made it hard for offenses to drive which resulted in taking long away from baskets shots. That then in return helps him snag rebound after rebound. With his bounce and glue hands, he grabs rebounds at ease. Now senior he will have more than enough opportunity to prove why he’s a leader and main component of his team. I see a lot of highlights in the future.   [player_tooltip player_id="1018810" first="Brandon" last="Orgilbold"] | 6-1 G | Elkhorn North/OSA 17U National Freeman <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Brandon.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1320432 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Brandon-176x300.jpg" alt="" width="176" height="300" /></a> Coming in at 6’1 this guard is more than his height. Playing any position that is required of him this senior is one of the most versatile players in the state and showed that against some of the best talents across the nation in the tournament. At a young age, Brandon said he was able to develop finishing skills around the rim because he always played a big man or multiple other positions. This has definitely translated into the games I saw him play over the summer in this tournament and even last season. He’s bawler with the ball while driving to the cup. His frame helped him be able to bounce off defenders and with great finishing ability, he was still able to finish with either hand comfortably while also drawing the foul. A well-capable shooter if let open, will make you pay as teams found out time and time again. Played very tenacious defense during the tournament, with a high basketball IQ he was able to be in the right spot at the right moment which results in steals and deflections. Coming off the bench this summer for his summer team he averaged 10 ppg, but the senior starter will have more playing time to make his mark on this season. With a lot of seniors returning for Elkhorn North, I see them making a big leap this season and Brandon being a big factor for their success.   [player_tooltip player_id="1235584" first="Ian" last="Medeck"] | 6’3 G | Papillion-La Vista South/OSA 17U National Freeman   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Ian.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1320451 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Ian-268x300.jpg" alt="" width="268" height="300" /></a>Although listed as a guard during the tournament Ian with his size and mobility was able to guard each position and kept up very well with each opponent, rarely being scored on. Has a smooth stroke. He displayed it all throughout the tournament knocking down open shots time and time again. I see this building a lot of confidence this upcoming season for the senior. Ian’s play during the summer made me coin the name "high motor glue guy". Meaning he can be plugged into any system and going to give you a lot of effort while making the right decision with the ball. Which showed during the Adidas Tournament where he had a 3 to 1 assist-turnover ratio. Being a willing passer as well as a team-first guy is going to hold well for the Papillion La vista this upcoming season. The Concordia College commit will be able to display a lot of skills this season that he picked up during the summer that lead to him getting a scholarship offer. Shooting over 40% from 3 pointers during the summer tournaments, I look to that transfer to the upcoming season.   [player_tooltip player_id="1235583" first="Chase" last="Hultman"] | 6’0 G | Millard West/OSA 17U National Freeman <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Chase-H.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1320438 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Chase-H-264x300.jpg" alt="" width="264" height="300" /></a>Although time was limited for some of the tournaments due to a small injury, that didn’t stop Chase from leaving an impact during the tournament. Small guard but plays big. Wasn’t afraid to guard any of the players that he went against. His perimeter defense set the tone for the rest of the squad as everyone locked in. His ability to poke the ball out on driving opponents or during key positions able to come up with a stop is what going to have chase being looked at during this upcoming season. On the offensive side, he gives up no slack either. Mostly played point guard during the tournament. He was very much responsible for a lot of his teammate’s buckets as he average over 4 APG in the limited games he played. Able to find the right person on the break or initiate the offense and find the open teammate he was dishing out dimes left and right. Being on varsity since a sophomore I expect Chase to take that leap to dominance with help of a few seniors on his squad, should prepare for a great season for them.     [player_tooltip player_id="1199906" first="Casey" last="O’Malley"] | 6’3 G | Creighton Prep/OSA 17U National Freeman   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Casey-crop-2106x1383-1635812994.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1320437 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Casey-crop-2106x1383-1635812994-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> A slashing guard that was carving up the defense all tournament. While playing wing he was able to get the cup with ease, with no one being to stay in front of him he finished time and time again with both hands. A streaky shooter that has the capabilities to catch and shoot or shoot off the dribble. As an initiator on offense Casey was able to see the floor completely which resulted in averaging over a couple assist per game during the tournament. With that vision, he was able o set up teammates with nice easy buckets on fastbreaks or cutting to the hoop. Look to see more of that from his this upcoming season with an improved shot-making and taking ability he worked on over the summer. On the defensive end, he was very much a clog in the passing lanes with his anticipation of passes along with his long wingspan made it easy for him to rack up steal after steal. The summer really helped Casey with his confidence and experience from his first year on varsity last season to now I see an all-around player in the making with terrific upside.