The Stage: 17U Top Guys Part 2

Our next group of top performers from The Stage in Indy.  Some of the top players that you should get on your recruiting board who had great weekends.  

Ahmere Carson Ahmere Carson 6'2" | PG Anderson | 2023 State IN of EG10 (6’2 PG 2023).  The conversation with Carson has to start with his toughness.  This Anderson High guard simply won’t back down.  He’s that guy that will be right there looking you straight in the eye ready to do battle at every turn, and he may come at you in that Patrick Beverly kind of way.  And I love the confidence he has in his game.  Jumper?  Confident and quality.  Attack?  Seems to seek some type of contact so he can control it, and finish while taking that contact.  Big numbers the first two weeks and that is why schools like Indiana State, IUPUI, Northern Kentucky and Valparaiso were at The Stage looking on.  

Daemon Ely of D1 New Mexico (6’9 Big 2023).   After watching Ely closely possession by possession for a game I feel like someday he could be a really nice prospect at the college level.  First off he’s about 215 pounds and he uses that weight to get great position in the post.  And even better, he held it well.  After clearing his man to get the catch, Ely’s turns were physical with the shoulder and done on balance into the attempt.  I also liked how Ely played facing up in the high post area.  Had a couple nice passes, shot the ball well making a couple shots in that midlane area, and used one dribble well.  He’s coming off a 15 point, 8.5 rebounds a game season his junior year shooting nearly 60 percent.  

Asher Fleming of Texas Impact AE (6’6 SF 2023).  One of the more consistent players at The Stage was Asher Fleming out of Lubbock Christian.  This was a 6/7 score a game guy that rebounded at his position exceptionally well.  We saw Fleming score on the moving using his body to touch in shots, he scored on the move with the ball or on the catch and pulled up to show a nice touch, and he hit a fair share of his three point attempts.  Used the fake well to clear defenders and showed some nice body control scoring on the move as well.  Interesting to see how he continues to grow as a scorer but because Fleming found away to produce points every game.  And again, really good rebounder for his spot. 

Isaiah Hagen Isaiah Hagen 6'3" | PG Orono | 2023 State MN of Minnesota Select (6’3 Guard 2023).   I don’t care how long or how far I have to drive this train, I am going to tell you that Isaiah Hagen Isaiah Hagen 6'3" | PG Orono | 2023 State MN is a scholarship prospect to start recruiting now.  The growth in his game in the last twelve months has been outstanding.  Hagen took Orono to a much better season than many expected and Isaiah became a go-to combo guard scorer that I feel can come at a team in any way to produce points.  If he makes another jump like he has in the last twelve months, I’m not sure who teams are going to find to defend him because Isaiah has good size, great feel, he’s quick, and just has a special feel as a scorer. Sometimes it’s like he’s playing freeze tag with his man before attacking them and I love how he has patience with the ball screen and then attacks space for results.  

Mardecus Moreland Jr of Alabama Celtics (6’0 PG 2023).  I was able to see nearly two games of Moreland playing and what I saw was one of the nastiest step-back jumpers I’ve seen in some time.  By the time the defender figured out that Moreland had stepped back they were already too late trying to get their feet back into position.  And Moreland has the touch to make this shot at a high percentage.  He also has some of the deepest handles you will find and his change of direction is too sharp to try and move with.  Keeping Mardecus in front of you is like trying to stay in front of a rabbit in the backyard.  Stopped on a dime and played with toughness.  

Declan Ryan Declan Ryan 6'7" | PF Canisius | 2022 State NY of NEBC (6’9 Big 2023).   I saw Declan go against a 6’10 post that has had D1 schools in watching that player in the past year, and Ryan put some post moves on that player that really caught my eye.  The biggest thing I took from those scores was how Ryan’s contact and turn after the catch and getting into the move, was outstanding.  And Declan has a really nice touch.  The short block touch using one hand to place shots off the glass or two to power in a finish was impressive.  What was equally impressive was the pick and roll set of plays where he cleared defenders and rolled, or cleared the defender to step out and make a good looking jumper.  Declan has a really nice handle at his size as well and he comes out of his fake to make a shot very well.  Averaged 20 points and nine boards this past winter.