NW Live Recap: 5 Surprise Risers
With so many teams in attendance, there are always bound to be guys that surprise you. These are players who weren’t on my radar going in, but left lasting impressions as I headed out. Look for these guys to fill…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith so many teams in attendance, there are always bound to be guys that surprise you. These are players who weren’t on my radar going in, but left lasting impressions as I headed out. Look for these guys to fill major roles as the summer rolls on.
Jake Arthur 6’3 SG Newport 2023 Elite Prep
Arthur was the definition of a surprise this weekend. Listed on the Elite 17 Gold team, Arthur jumped up and got to play with Elite Prep when I watched Sunday. The only thing separating him from his teammates was the different styled uniform. Arthur came off the bench and played poised minutes, handling the ball with skill, attacking the middle of the defense, and providing a controlled scoring boost during a lackluster performance from the team overall. Arthur showed an ability to knock down pull-up jumpers from the free-throw line with ease and was able to prod inside with patient but assertive drives. He can run point but still get you buckets and seems to be a guy that keeps a level head.
Kohlby Sorweide 6’5 SF Shadle Park 2023 Built4Ball
This is the type of player who doesn’t need a bunch of touches in the offense to make an impact. He uses cuts, positioning, and good spatial awareness to make himself available for shots he can get off quickly and under minimal pressure. This isn’t to say he can’t make things happen when the ball swings his way. Sorweide is an exceptional athlete who gets up on his finishes at the rim and showed he can be a reliable three-point shooter from the corners. Where he really made his mark Sunday, was on the glass. The combo of athleticism and spatial awareness makes him a legit threat on the offensive glass. He had a handful of tip-ins and only needs a few fingers on the ball to guide it back up and through the net. This weekend he gave the impression of a strong glue guy but has the potential to be a lot more.
Jaiden Blackmon 6’2 PG Juanita 2024 FOH Seattle
Blackmon lists as a point guard but his primary skill set is putting the ball in the hoop. He can be streaky at times but boy, when he gets going he can be downright unconscious. He lit it up from long range throughout the weekend, getting shots off quick and showing he can hit from a few feet behind the arc. Blackmon is a player that keeps defenses honest. If anyone guarding him thinks they can take a play off, they are badly mistaken. His first thought on the catch is to score and attack the defense, and with his great length for his size, he constantly finds success at the rim. He adds good strength to the point guard spot and is outstanding at finishing on the break. No slouch on defense, Blackmon gets his fair share of steals too. He’s a guy that could make a big leap over the summer.
Michael Wakocco 6’1 SG Auburn 2024 Renton Select
It’s rare you find a player at this age that truly loves to play defense. Wakocco looks like one of those players. He can swing momentum and demoralize other teams with his defensive effort. He has the quickness, timing, and hands to get steals and blocks on a regular basis. It looks natural to him. The timing aspect is key because even at his size, he can block taller players’ shots using his quick spring, and he can help off his man to steal the ball away from unsuspecting players. Offensively, he can hit the three-ball consistently enough to be a weapon and is a scrappy finisher. On top of that, he’s a worker who’s willing to make the hustle plays that buy extra possessions.
Andrew Rayment 6’5 SF Mt Spokane 2024 Spokane Flight
Rayment is a solid all-around player who limits mistakes and does all the little things around the court. He sets good picks, rolls hard and ready for the pass, fills on breaks and runs the floor hard, and crashes the boards on both ends. When you send him out there, you are confident he’s a guy who is simply going to make plays. He has great energy, a high IQ, and good athleticism to match his 6’5 frame. Rayment can also hit open shots all the way out to three-point. He fits perfectly on a talented Spokane Flight team and is going to fill in nicely with a strong Mt Spokane squad in the high school season.