Hard Work Region Kickoff: Post Standouts

<p>The Prep Hoops Circuit got underway last weekend, and I was in Iowa to catch the action at the Hard Work Region Kickoff! With teams from Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and more competing, these are some of the post prospects who stood out!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1215285" first="Matthew" last="Moore"] (6’9 2023 PF, Chicago Lockdown)- </strong>Matthew’s game screams long term potential, but he’s also quite productive already. At 6’9 with an extremely long frame, he’s often the tallest player on the floor. But at that size he doubles as an explosive athlete who has the mobility to make plays all over the floor. Time and time against Matthew was sliding into position to swat shots, and then had the speed to sprint up the floor and beat his man to the rim for open looks. When Moore gets an inch of space to elevate, he’s able to take off for some explosive dunks. Best at scoring at transition, but showed some potential to create off the dribble in impressive fashion for a 6’9 player. Will have scholarship level schools watching closely this spring/summer.</p> <p><strong>Gregory Smith (6’5 2024 F, Wisconsin Premier)- </strong>The long and lanky forward out of Madison East has some nice physical tools to work with moving forward. His length allows him to disrupt shots on the defensive end, and he’s also agile enough to step out on the perimeter and use his length to get up in passing lanes. On one occasion he took a steal and turned it into a transition dunk on the other floor, showcasing his athleticism at 6’5. Works hard to rebound the ball, and showed some touch around the basket. Really like his defensive potential long-term.</p> <p><strong>Lucas Austin (6’6 2024 PF, Quad City Shockers)- </strong>Lucas excelled with his inside-out skillset on the offensive end, as opposing defenses just didn’t have an answer for him. Guard him with size and he has the shooting touch to step out and knock down threes, but if you put a quicker player on him he’s just too strong and skilled on the block to stop. When QC Shockers got the ball in his hands, good things happened. Really like how he would hit one of two jumpers early, and then utilize a shot-fake to get is defender in the air before looking to initiate off the dribble. Defensively he showed good timing as a shot blocker as well.</p> <p><strong>Auvon Sager (6’6 2023 PF, Real Phenom - Silas)- </strong>Auvon had a big game on Saturday morning for Real Phenom-Silas, impacting the game in a variety of ways. Perhaps most notably was his ability to dominate on the glass, as he uses his size to find a man to box out, and then is able to attack the ball out of the air. Is a strong interior defender but can also move his feet against wings on the perimeter. Turned defense into offense on multiple occasions, showing he can handle the ball well for his size and has great touch to score in traffic.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1240071" first="Ian" last="Mindrup"] (6’4 2023 F, Iowa Prep)- </strong>With a talented playmaker running the point for Iowa Prep, Ian did a great job of making himself available in spots around the rim. He’s an active player off the ball who sets hard screens, provides a big target when rolling to the basket, and can make short cuts from the dunker spot leading to high percentage looks inside. Ian has soft hands to receive, and the coordination to quickly gather his balance on the move before going up to finish. Strong frame to compete against taller players in the paint as well.</p> <p><strong>Maurice Jones Jr. (6’5 2023 F, Real Phenom - Nick)- </strong>Jones was the only true forward on his team, and was often tasked with defending against bigger players. I liked the way he competed and used his length to contest around the rim, doing a nice job of going straight up to avoid fouling. Offensively he’s active without the ball, and was a threat from mid-range with his ability to face up around the free throw line and knock down some jumpers. </p> <p><strong>Treyvon Taylor (6’4 2025 PF, EZ Work Elite)- </strong>EZ Work Elite has plenty of talent all around, and Treyvon Taylor is the hard working big man who does so many little things for this team. He sets hard screens that free up his guards/wings to attack, his strong frame makes him difficult to move on the block, and he has strong hands to secure every rebound that comes his way. Offensively he’s able to turn over either shoulder and finish with touch, and he has some athleticism in the open floor as he’s skilled enough to put the ball on the floor and initiate the break on his own.</p>