Proving Grounds Day 2 16u Standouts

<p>On day 2, the final day of Prep Hoops Proving Grounds, the gym was stacked full of talented prospects trying to make a name for themselves. These are players that I watched over the period of 2 12-hour days in the gym and found to exhibit qualities that made them stand out from the rest of the pack. For some of these guys, it wasn’t just what they did in terms of PPG but what they offered to their team and the game as a whole.  </p> <p><strong> 6’3 Jack Burkard Guard 2024</strong></p> <p>Burkard did a lot of the things that don’t stuff stat sheets, but coaches and those with a basketball eye pick up on quickly. He was a vocal player, boxed out almost every shot, and played lockdown D on the perimeter and in the post. Now with that said, it should also be noted Jack can score the ball with great efficiency.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/God-first.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1432470" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/God-first-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Nothing ever seemed forced. He shot the 3 well and got to the basket when his team needed a bucket. Seemingly a very high IQ Prospect on and off the court. These are the kids that make a coach’s job a joy. </p> <p><strong>6’2 Dillon Costello Guard 2024</strong></p> <p>This young man was a large part of PSB Elite’s success and posted an impressive 4-0 record.  Costello was a confident shooter with great form hitting several clutch threes.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Nicholas-Simes-nicho2fly.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1432501" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Nicholas-Simes-nicho2fly-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p> <p>The 6’2 prospect was deceptively quick, he got to the basket several times with a well-timed jump stop pump fake, drawing the contact and finishing. He remained in double-digit points the entire weekend. </p> <p><strong>5’10 [player_tooltip player_id="1424461" first="Rey" last="Daniels"] Guard 2024 </strong></p> <p>305 Elite has an absolute stud on deck. [player_tooltip player_id="1424461" first="Rey" last="Daniels"] is quick with the ball, no wasted dribbles. He stays in attack mode, most times finishing tough lay ups, or allowing the defense to collapse before kicking the ball to his shooters. And when 305 needs a bucket, he has no fear being that guy. Over the last two prep hoops events he’s averaging 18 ppg.  </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/26-2.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1432527" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/26-2-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p> <p>This tough guard from Miami is fearless and is ready for the state to know his name. Easily one of the best guards in the 2024 class for the state of Florida. Expect his stock to rise substantially after this weekend. </p> <p><strong>6’6 [player_tooltip player_id="1163362" first="Ralph" last="Blanc"] 2024 Wing </strong></p> <p>Admittedly the first couple times I watched Blanc, I was impressed, but I needed to see more for me to consider him a legit college prospect. This weekend Blanc delivered in a big way. If it wasn’t some monstrous dunk on the opposing defender, he was hitting a corner 3 to put his team out in front. he showed great form on his jumper and knocked down a few from the games I watched. He dominated the paint both in scoring and rim protection.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG_8271-e1649134110756.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1420804" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG_8271-e1649134110756-300x293.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id="1163362" first="Ralph" last="Blanc"] | The Traveling Hoopers" width="300" height="293" /></a></p> <p>He even showed glimpses of ball-handling blowing by a defender to finish at the rim with a dunk.  The only thing this prospect needs to work on is body language and defensive effort on the perimeter. Fixing these two small things I can see coaches during upcoming live period giving this rising junior legitimate interest. It’s up to Blanc and his effort that will determine what level of college basketball he will play. </p> <p><strong>6’4 [player_tooltip player_id="1296022" first="Jordan" last="Naylor"] 2024 Guard </strong></p> <p>I was impressed by Naylor’s game and effort. He was an all-around solid player. The prime rebounder for this PSB squad, and an anchor on defense. He shot the 3 ball well, and finished at the rim when needed.  He completed his sophomore outing for Canterbury with a respectable 14 ppg and 7 rebounds.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/69-Jordan-Naylor.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1292847" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/69-Jordan-Naylor-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>Those are great numbers for an underclassmen varsity player. He was a pleasure to watch. I’d like to see this prospect develop his off-hand a little more both in finishing and ball handling. Doing so would make him immediately one of the better 2024 players in the Tampa area. </p>