War Before The Storm: Standout Performers Part I
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War Before The Storm: Standout Performers Part I The 2022-2023 AAU season is now upon us. Many high-level elite teams took to the floor this weekend to see what the outlook of their spring and summer will be. This…
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Continue ReadingWar Before The Storm: Standout Performers Part I
The 2022-2023 AAU season is now upon us. Many high-level elite teams took to the floor this weekend to see what the outlook of their spring and summer will be. This weekend we saw the high flying 6’9-6’10 players to the long athletic 6’4 wings, to the small but fast and agile 5’8 guards. Whatever you were looking for going into the War Before the Storm, I can guarantee you that you found it there. Every game was a thrilling show stopping performance by either an elite known name or an under the radar player looking to let the world know that they are up next. Here is my mix of them both.
Kole Williams | G | Southern Assault 3SSB | Carter HS
Williams is a do it all performer for Southern Assault 3SSB. He gives it all on both ends of the floor. I enjoyed watching him on both ends of the floor. With his size standing at 6’5 with an athletic frame he was able to get up into the opposing teams guards and cause havoc without fouling. A notable point to me within the game was when the opposing team attempted the pick and roll option to place Williams on their 6’9 center. Williams dug deep and defended the big man well while creating a steal that led to a run out for Southern Assault 3SSB. On the offensive end Williams played under control and with composure. Creating offense and providing everything that Southern Assault needed to execute their offensive scheme. Williams used his big frame to finish strong at the basket, but he also showed how unselfish he was by attacking the rim to create open shots for his teammates. Williams is in for a big spring and summer for Southern Assault 3SSB.
Gary Williams | PG | MMB Elite | Little Elm HS
Williams is one of those “Under the Radar” players that I was referring to in the opening of this article. He walked in the gym; I saw how athletic he “looked” I was curious to see how his athleticism would come into play within the course of the game. I was highly impressed with his ability to first use his athleticism to pick up full court. He turned his defender on multiple occasions which also led to steals for MMB Elite. Offensively Williams played the point guard position well. His vision is amazing. He saw players before they were even open. I am watching his eyes as his teammates ran to spots as he scanned the floor for opportunities to get them an easy opportunity. Williams made the right play every time to the right person. He hit shooters in stride, allowing them to take great open shots.
Dorian Johnson | F | Forth Worth Firm |
At 6’6 Johnson was a man amongst boys!!!! His ability to rebound and get the Forth Worth Firm out on the break served to be a powerful and unstoppable offensive weapon for the Firm. Johnson is strong athletic and showed off a variety of scoring moves when he received the ball near and around the rim. He’s a formidable rim protector, nothing was coming into the paint during his watch. Johnson either blocked the shot away or caused the defender to take a horrible shot which allowed his teammates to get out on the break to finish on the other end. Johnson showed off pure dominance on the both ends of the floor.
Colby Robinson | PG | N.W.A. |
Robinson is a point guard extraordinaire in the making. He gave me “point god” vibes. Robinson possess a great handle that allows him to get to wherever he need to get to on the floor. H’s always in control of what is happening on the floor whether the ball is in his hands or not. He is the undisputed leader of his team from the stand point of not only a floor general at the point guard position but as the one who every trusts to guide them to victory. Robinson is an aggressive defender, I loved how he shows no mercy on the defensive end. Robinson gives his coaches every ounce of who he is as a player which allows his coaches to trust him to lead the troops.
Gage Nuckolls | G | BBSS 16U | Bullard HS
Nuckolls playing two grades up showed that he is an elite level performer. Nuckolls came into the War Before the Storm as one of the relative unknows or as I best put it “Under the Radar” players. Upon entering the game, he immediately made it known that he no longer wants to be known as an “Under the Radar” player. Known for his ability to shoot the ball like his older brother. Nuckolls started the game with strong attacks to the rim finishing over the towering players, some even leading to trips to the free throw line. After getting to the basket attacking with either hand, Nuckolls began show off the one thing he knows he for certain does best. Shoot! Nuckolls knocked down three point-shot after three point-shot to keep the Sharpshooters in the game. One of the most impressing things I saw from Nuckolls this week was he ability to defend at a high level. Deflecting passes, on ball steals and even help side blocks. Nuckolls has started off with a blast virtually leading the Sharpshooters in scoring over the course of the War Before the Storm Tournament.
Jamie Vinson Jamie Vinson 6'10" | C Oak Hill Academy | 2024 State VA | F | Southern Assault 3SSB | St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, TX
Vinson impressed me a lot with his versatility at 6’10. As soon as I walked over to take a look at the game, he was knocking down a pick and pop three pointer. He followed that up with a defensive block and rebound to get his team on the break only to receive the post entry that led to him getting fouled. For me as a former athlete and now scout, I said too myself what a sequence I need to see more. He battled with the opposing teams 6’10s and defended them well. He applied pressure off of the dribble that led to him either getting fouled or scoring the bucket. Playing him at the five for Southern Assault 3SSB made me feel like that had five guards on the floor. Vinson has an amazing shooting touch that allows him to space the floor for his teammates but also a physical presence downlow that requires him to be double teamed or there will be problems in the paint.