Pitt Jam Fest: Friday Night Standouts

[caption id="attachment_1168124" align="alignleft" width="138"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Ron-Brown-III-2024.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1168124" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Ron-Brown-III-2024-240x300.jpg" alt="" width="138" height="173" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1123911" first="Ron" last="Brown III"] of Philly Pride Select 16U. Photo: Liam Brennan (@leprechaunfilms)[/caption] <p>The 2022 Hoop Group Pitt Jam Fest tipped off on Friday night with a slate of contests that featured high-level prospect playing in intense and extremely competitive games.</p> <p>Below is a review of seven prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania who impressed on Friday night at the HG Pitt Jam Fest.</p> <p><strong><u>17U (2022s/2023s)</u></strong></p> <p><strong>Ethan Dodson – 6’2” / Junior / Central York / York Ballers HGSL / Shooting Guard:</strong> Dodson is a high percentage three-point shooter with deep range. But when a defender closed out on him too quickly, Dodson executed a nice head and ball fake, then used the bounce so he can get to the mid-range or the rim. Dodson’s jumper features textbook shooting mechanics. Dodson proved to be an underrated athlete who can elevate for a flush.</p> <p><strong>Gabe Harris – 6’8” / Senior / Academy of the New Church / We R1 Select / Power Forward:</strong> During the 2021-22 a slew of injuries plagued Harris. Yet he still managed to post 10.7 ppg. and 8.2 rpg. (58% on FGAs). Good news -- Harris looked fully healthy tonight (Bad news -- his squad lost.). Harris used his muscled-up frame, intensity, and endless motor to dominate the glass at both ends. He scored the ball on second chance opportunities and a variety of mid-range / interior moves. Harris has unlimited potential. It will be interesting to see to which college program has the long-term vision to scoop him up.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1185924" first="Danny" last="Nemitz"] </strong><strong>– 6’0” / Junior / Mid Valley / NEPA Elite-Coyle / Point Guard: </strong>Nemitz (12 ppg. this winter) can knock home threes (from anywhere) and create scoring opportunities off the dribble. But what really grabs your attention is his court vision as well as the touch and accuracy of his passes. Nemitz is also a shifty ball handler who can push the rock in transition. On defense he is a plus defender with good instincts.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ruben-rodriguez-3/">[player_tooltip player_id="1378453" first="Ruben" last="Rodriguez"]</a> – 6’2” / Junior / Reading / Team Final Red HGSL / Point Guard: </strong>Rodriguez (19.4 ppg., 2021-22 Berks Conference POY; 1,000-point scorer) continues to take on more of a scoring role this spring and there appears to be no stopping him. His versatile, well-rounded skill set was on full display in a loss to Team Loaded (VA). Rodriguez scored the rock at all three levels. He plays an attacking, downhill style. The speed at which he changes direction is jaw dropping.</p> <p><strong>Dante</strong><strong> Weise – 6’2” / Junior / George School / Jersey Force HGSL / Point Guard: </strong>Weise is an unselfish, dime dropping, floor general who possesses tremendous court vision and anticipation skills. He excels at facilitating for teammates in transition and in the half court too. When Weise is looking to score, his slick handles allow him to get into the mid-range where he can stop on a dime and pop the jumper. He can also continue all the way to the rack for a lay-in.</p> <p><strong><u>16U (2024s):</u></strong></p> <p><strong>Myon</strong><strong> Kirlew – 6’2” / Sophomore / Norristown / Gibbs Elite / Combo Guard: </strong>An athletic, dual threat perimeter player, this past season Kirlew was a major part of Norristown’s run to the 2^nd round of the 6A state tourney. He excels at using the dribble drive to get into the paint where he can score at the tin in creative ways or unleash a floater. Kirlew is skilled at absorbing contact on those drives. His three-point shooting is a solid threat as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1123911" first="Ron" last="Brown III"] – 6’2” / Sophomore / SCH Academy / Philly Pride Select / Combo Guard: </strong>With a breakout high school season under his belt, Brown is looking to use that momentum to produce an outstanding spring. He is a talented scoring guard with a gift for putting the ball in the hoop. In Philly Pride Select’s overtime win against LI Heat Lightening, Brown exhibited a unique, physical brand of guard play that created space for his mid-range Js or shots in the paint. Brown was also clutch in this contest, knocking home a buzzer beater three to send the game to OT.</p>