Grassrooots Preview: Gibbs Elite 17U (2023s)

[caption id="attachment_1321335" align="alignleft" width="158"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Blake-Deegan-2023-headshot-e1641133309877.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1321335" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Blake-Deegan-2023-headshot-e1641133309877-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="158" height="219" /></a> Blake Deegan of Gibbs Elite & Archbishop Carroll.[/caption] Gibbs Elite 17U is a new, independent grassroots squad out of southeastern Pennsylvania that is turning heads on the 2002 Spring circuit. This team is stacked with prospects who can play at the next level, so college coaches need to take notice immediately. Below is a roster preview for Gibbs Elite 17U. [player_tooltip player_id="1429574" first="Jake" last="Bolyn"] – 6’5” / Owen J. Roberts / Shooting Guard: Bolyn is a high percentage 3-point shooter with range well beyond the college line so opponents should pick up Bolyn the moment he crosses half-court. With his “logo range” and quick trigger, Bolyn is an effective floor spacer. With his height and wide frame, Bolyn is an impactful defensive rebounder. This past season Bolyn averaged 10 ppg. and scored a season high of 26 points (5 threes) vs. Pottstown. Bolyn’s post-season honors list included being selected as OJR’s team MVP, 2nd Team All-Pioneer Athletic Conference and Honorable Mention All-Area. [player_tooltip player_id="1379448" first="Nyles" last="Bunn-McNeill"] – 6’6” / Upper Dublin / Wing: Bunn-McNeil is an incredibly athletic prospect (also a two-way football standout) who registered a stat line of 14 ppg., 8.7 rpg. and 3.4 apg this past winter. He can score at all 3 levels but is especially effective on the interior. Operating from the elbows, Bunn-McNeil can drain mid-range jumpers or use the dribble to score at the cup. In the low post Bunn-McNeil will execute a smooth drop step for a bucket. He is also a beast on the offensive glass. On defense Bunn-McNeil is a versatile asset capable of guarding 2 through 5. Blake Deegan – 6’5” / Archbishop Carroll / Wing: Deegan is a well-rounded small forward / wing who possesses good instincts for the game and a lethal jump shot with range well beyond the arc. He can also operate in pick-n-roll / pick-n-pop action. Deegan’s mid-range stop-and-pop game is a solid asset for him too. His excellent court vision, passing skills and unselfish mentality make Deegan an excellent distributing big man. In early April at the Midwest Mania tournament Deegan averaged 14.8 points per game. [caption id="attachment_1415044" align="alignleft" width="231"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/IMG-7918.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1415044" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/IMG-7918-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="231" height="174" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991335" first="Dean" last="Coleman-Newsome"] of Gibbs Elite.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="991335" first="Dean" last="Coleman-Newsome"] – 6’4” / Archbishop Carroll / Combo Guard: In March Coleman-Newsome posted an impressive 4A state tourney stat line of 14.5 points, 9.25 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. Included in that stretch of elevated play was a 14 & 10 double-double and two near triple doubles (13/10/9; 18/9/7). Then in early April Coleman-Newsome hung a 30-spot on Team Thrill (MD). In short, this is a prospect on the rise. What separates Coleman-Newsome from the pack is his ultra-quick first step that allows him to get to any spot on the court off the dribble. He is also a versatile guard who can play point or shooting guard at a prominent level. When he runs off the ball, Coleman-Newsome will drain threes all day. Joe Green, Jr. – 6’3” / Friends Central School / Combo Guard: Green is a crafty, multipurpose player who can run at either guard spot or as a small forward. Along with his positional versatility, Green can score the ball in numerous ways. A solid head and ball fake sets up his dribble-drives to the rim where he is capable of finishing through contact. Additionally, Green can splash jumpers from the baseline to the mid-range to the three-point arc. Green's step back jumper is next level. His solid instincts and elusive handles allow Green to create easy opportunities for himself and his teammates. Saleem Payne, Jr. – 5’11” / Phelps School / Combo Guard: Payne has always been known as an explosive dribble drive wizard and a lockdown defender who can make an opposing team’s No. 1 option disappear. However, in 2021-22 he showcased a much improved, more well-rounded skill set. On offense a smooth mid-range pull up game is now part of his skill set. Payne’s 3-point shooting developed into a legitimate threat as well. His basketball IQ and ability to direct half court sets took a significant step forward. During the recent Midwest Mania tourney Payne hit for 15 ppg. At the defensive end, Payne is an excellent rebounding guard who pulls in the rock and gets downhill quickly. Teddy Pendergrass III – 6’1’’ / Lower Merion / Combo Guard: A wiry athlete with outstanding foot speed, this past season Pendergrass had an impact for LM as a 3-point shooter and rock steady backup point guard. His drive and kick / dish passing skills put constant pressure on opposing defenses. This backcourt prospect is an effective transition scorer as well. Pendergrass is athletic and has a nose for the ball, thus he rebounds well for a guard. [player_tooltip player_id="1379452" first="Andrew" last="Phillips"] – 6’3’’ / Malvern Prep / Wing: Phillips is a physical (215 lbs.), extremely athletic and aggressive offensive player who is difficult to stop because of his versatility. He is comfortable operating on the interior, or he can play on the perimeter as a high percentage 3-point shooter. In 2021-22 Phillips averaged 15.5 points as well as 5.3 rebounds per contest. He recorded notable games of 26, 23 and 22 points. As a bonus to his scoring, Phillips is a plus defender. He led Malvern Prep in steals and provided solid rim protection. His breakout season resulted in an All-Inter-Ac 1st Team selection. [player_tooltip player_id="1379585" first="Connor" last="Shanahan"] – 5’11” / Downingtown East / Shooting Guard: Back in January Shanahan made headlines when he dropped a school record 40-points (Only 2 threes!!) on Oxford. He went on to average 21 ppg. on 44% shooting from the field, so that performance was not a fluke. Shanahan is dribble drive wizard who excels at beating pressure with his handles, then attacking the rim, and finishing in creative ways. He can also use his dribble penetration to generate opportunities for his teammates. Shanahan continually improving 3-point shooting keeps defenses honest. [player_tooltip player_id="1116047" first="Madison" last="Tatom"] – 6’0” / Upper Merion / Combo Guard: Tatom has been a highly rated prospect for years because he is an outstanding backcourt player who can score at all three levels. His ability to catch and shoot from deep spaces the floor for teammates. Tatom’s quick first step and filthy handles enable him to create off the dribble for himself and others. Tatom possesses a high baseball IQ as well as excellent court vision and is an above average rebounding guard. This past winter he battled a series of injuries that limited his effectiveness, but after the 2020-21 season Tatom was a 1st Team All-PAC selection.   Non-Pennsylvania Prospects on Roster: Azmir Kates– 6’2” / Wildwood Catholic (NJ) / Combo Guard Eli Credle – 6’2” / Cross Christian Academy (DE) / Combo Guard