Geico Nationals: Link Academy vs Prolific Prep (Pt. 1) FORT MEYERS, FL—It’s hard to believe but Geico Nationals is in its thirteenth year of existence and its been quite a ride with a staggering amount of players that have ended…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Subscribe for access to all premium articles and rankings.
Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inGeico Nationals: Link Academy vs Prolific Prep (Pt. 1)
FORT MEYERS, FL—It’s hard to believe but Geico Nationals is in its thirteenth year of existence and its been quite a ride with a staggering amount of players that have ended up in the NBA, including Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Jaylen Brown to name a few. This year is no different as there are a plethora of highly-talented ballers in
Jordan Walsh
Jordan
Walsh
6'7" | SF
Link Academy | 2022
#31
Nation
MO
, Chris Livingston, Dariq Whitehead, Keyonte George, and Gatorade National POY Gradey Dick.
Mr. Impact
Jordan Walsh
Jordan
Walsh
6'7" | SF
Link Academy | 2022
#31
Nation
MO
(Link Academy)
2022, F, 6-foot-7, 195 pounds
Joel’s Take: Walsh had his fingertips all over this game. His forte is impacting the game with his motor. He uses his length and bounce to slash his way to the rim in transition, catch lobs, and convert the occasional 3-pointer. His face-up skills are on the come as he possesses a quick 1st step. Once he gets in the paint, he has a nose to score. Defensively, he uses his length and active hands to cause havoc. l
Stepping it up
Tre White Tre White 6'5" | SF Prolific Prep | 2022 State CA-N (Prolific Prep)
2022, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds
Joel’s take: White was Prolific Prep’s go-to player with
MJ Rice
MJ
Rice
6'5" | SF
Prolific Prep | 2022
State
#29
Nation
CA-N
out of the lineup. He was the primary playmaker who did an outstanding job of scoring and facilitating. His shot selection can be a bit questionable at times, but he is built to score. He is tough to deal with off the bounce and he can either nail the mid-range pull-up or finish through contact. When attacking he is quite the nifty passer where he set up
Jordan Pope
Jordan
Pope
6'1" | PG
Prolific Prep | 2022
State
#194
Nation
CA-N
on a number of 3-point attempts.
Shooter Alert
Jordan Pope
Jordan
Pope
6'1" | PG
Prolific Prep | 2022
State
#194
Nation
CA-N
(Prolific Prep)
2023, PG, 6-foot, 165 pounds
Joel’s take: Pope had a terrific stretch at Geico. He is equally adept at shooting off the catch or converting the 3 in transition. He sets up his shot well where he is always on balance. He gets great lift on his shot as well. If the defender crowds him he can utilize the pump-fake to free himself and deliver the mid-range pull-up. Pope is one of the better combo-guards in the West.
Paint Nemesis
Felix Okpara
Felix
Okpara
6'11" | C
Hamilton Heights | 2022
#51
Nation
MO
(Link Academy)
2022, C, 6-foot-11, 240 pounds
Joel’s take: While Walsh is the perimeter defensive catalyst, Okpara has been the paint protector. Okpara has good feet and mobility and excellent timing. He had a stunning block on a dunk attempt on a probable post finish by Mor Seck Mor Seck 7'0" | C Prolific Prep | 2022 State CA-N , and then covered the length of the floor to stuff a rim finish where he showed impeccable timing. With his length, quick feet, and instincts he should be a defensive nightmare at the next level.
