January Standout Playmakers
January has been brimming full of playmakers and creators. These ballers stood out in a talented field and showed why they are some of the top playmakers this month. Theo McMillan Theo McMillan 6'2" | PG Camas | 2023 State…
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Continue ReadingJanuary has been brimming full of playmakers and creators. These ballers stood out in a talented field and showed why they are some of the top playmakers this month.
Theo McMillan Theo McMillan 6'2" | PG Camas | 2023 State WA 6’3 (2023) PG Camas
The junior standout runs point for the Papermakers but that isn’t the only way he makes plays. He’s a solid point guard, I mean that physically, and creates as many opportunities off the dribble setting up his teammates as he does chasing down loose balls. McMillan isn’t afraid to crash into opponents if it means securing an extra possession for his team. He uses clever footwork to slip between defenders and takes angles that aren’t easy to see. Good vision, and a willingness to sell out, are key factors behind McMillan’s leadership as a playmaker for the Papermakers.
Ethan Mitchell 6’3 (2024) W Kelso
Mitchell doesn’t have trouble getting to the hoop. His first step is long and gets on defenders quick. Add to that a nice little rock in his crossover and Mitchell has some shiftiness to his game. He slices between defenders and finds lanes to the rim, even though his finishing could be a little more consistent. Mitchell is a hard-nosed hooper that gives a full go all game. Stronger finishing and locking down his stroke from the free throw line could help him turn into a menace next season.
Hayden Yore 5’10 (2024) G Kelso
Yore is a great compliment to Mitchell in the backcourt. A good ball handler, Yore also possesses the sometimes-forgotten skill of the outlet pass. He’s able to take a rebound, make a couple dribbles and fling a lofting pass down the middle of the court for a layup. Just like Mitchell, Yore attacks, just in a different way. When the long outlet isn’t there, Yore is comfortable running the break, keeping good spacing and executing the right pass at the right time. There’s a sense he isn’t ever out of his comfort zone on the court, making him a standout playmaker. Give him another year with Mitchell and you could have a dynamic backcourt.
Boen Phelps 6’2 (2023) CG Freeman
Phelps is a creator in a number of ways. In the traditional sense, he can drop a bounce pass off a pick and roll through a small window. He can find and execute passes most players wouldn’t see. But when you watch Phelps you realize he’s most effective at creating space. Whether that’s for himself, running off of screens to perfection, knowing when to flare and when to make a hard curl, or whether that’s though his passing ability, Phelps is the kind of creator that makes shot available in the midst of tough defense. He’s great at using pump fakes under the hoop, and he rarely telegraphs passes. Phelps makes things happen for the Scotties and has the tools to make a big rise in the rankings in 2022.
Caden Roth 6’2 (2022) G Olympia
Roth is a zone buster. Not because he has Inspector Gadget range or anything like that, but because he can run an offense from the middle out. Against Rogers, Olympia had Roth at the high post, and he was able to make himself available for the feed nearly every time down. It’s a spot in the zone offense lots of kid’s misplay. Roth had it down to a T. He faced up towards the hoop and looked to attack, scoring in bunches from 6-7 feet, or taking it all the way. When the middle was plugged, he swung the ball to the wing or dropped it down to the short corner. Each time he got the ball he made a quick decision and was above all else, aggressive. He was a threat each time he caught it and essentially was the Bears offense for a good portion of the game. Roth was smart in keeping the ball moving, and the defense moving with it.
Miles Nelson 6’5 (2023) G Northwest
Nelson is one of the taller guys on Northwest, and as the point guard, he controls the pace for The House. He’s strong and protects the ball well, unbothered by tight defense. He keeps his head up even while focusing on keeping his dribble protected and he’s able to pinpoint his passes inside, recognizing how defenders want to stop it. When he isn’t creating for teammates, Nelson exhibits a sweet stroke that’s almost automatic from the free throw line extended. He can bully smaller guards from the post and still step out to whap a three ball. He’s another one for Northwest that can plug into any lineup at just about any position.
Zoom Diallo 6’3 (2024) G Curtis
Talk about calm with the ball. Diallo never looks like he’s going that fast, or pushing too hard, but they don’t call him Zoom for nothing. He’s a player with sneaky burst, long strides, and good balance too. This kid creates in a variety of ways; side-stepping into the lane, driving all the way inside only to flip it back out for a three, or using one step to get the defender backed up so he can drain a three himself. He’s propelled Curtis to a 7-0 record in January with league wins over Sumner, Graham-Kapowsin, back-to-back wins over Bellarmine Prep, and a big one over Olympia. Diallo creates looks in a myriad of ways, the most difficult part for defenses is never knowing what’s coming next. He is a selfless player looking to win any way necessary.