The Stage: The 17U Top Guys Part 3

Ryan James April 15, 2022 @ 01:50 PM

Part 3 of Top Guys, the best of the best from The Stage. Another batch of future college basketball prospects from the massive event in Indy. (5'11 PG 2022) of Team Cray. This young man will punish a bad closeout. Closeout Shamir poorly his attack will become a rim finish, pull-up, or one dribble into a three. Or if you closeout short or sloppy, he will score over the top. Scored 17 in the game I took in and had another game where he made 5 of 7 threes. Plays with patience and looks to make efficient decisions that have helped both his high school and AAU teams win games. Isaiah Dietz (6'6 Forward 2023) of North Playmakers. I really liked what I saw from Isaiah Dietz. First of all, he gets off his feet much better than expected. His rolling off the screen into dunks, high at the rim finishes caught the eye just like his boards off the rim did. Plays the screener, rebounder, low post battler role very well for a team that went 5-0 in Indy. Isaiah averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds a game this winter making over half of his shots. If I'm a D3 school I am looking hard at Isaiah now as should those NAIA schools or D2 schools that use smaller, active forwards. (6'4 SG 2023) of North Dakota Phenom. How was Darik's weekend in Indy? Good enough to be offered a scholarship by homestate North Dakota after the event. Dissette sized up and scored athletic guards from around the country all weekend and found his way to scores. Spin move after the attack to score, attack off the separation into a rim finish, and there were a couple high lifting rim finishes that not many players can match. Darik's ability to finish in the paint after finding a clearance impressed and he did it from all points in the paint. Had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the game I watched which is similar to the 22 point, 8 rebound average he put up this winter. (6'4 SG 2023) of DC United. When it comes to 2022 talents at the The Stage, I would say that Julius was one of the five 2022s that colleges should really take a strong look into. DC United went 3-2 this weekend and their two losses were by one score. The leader much of the weekend was Joseph-Brown. So who is ? A Broadfording Christian Academy talent this is physically ready right now. Joseph-Brown slashed his way to double digit numbers and rebounded in big numbers for a guard. The lift on the Joseph-Brown jumper allows him to get looks in situations that look tight, and I really like the form of his jumper. Joseph Lezeau II (6'6 Wing 2023) of Florida Suns. Lezeau is a strong, explosive slashing wing that scored 25 points in the game I watched, put away a top opponent. Lezeau's advantage right now is his strength and agility and few guys that are defending him can match that. But even more important was Joseph's persistent effort willing his team to a win. This is a player that goes at the rim with a big lift and he physically puts up numbers: aggressive attacks, finishes, and strong wing boards. In the two games I saw, Joseph had a combined 46 points and 15 boards. He averaged a double-double over the winter which fits with his weekend numbers. What can Lezeau do for a team the next level? Become a top defender, give a team a rebounding forward, and if they use a player his size at both forward spots, Lezeau can be that guy. (6'8 Big 2023) of Starks Elite. Isaac has one of the nastier drop steps you will see. The drop step dunk is his go to but his drop step shoulder the opponent into a balanced finish with touch is looking really good as well. Used leverage to get around posts in Indy as well touching in shots (extra step in the post was used really well too) and the floor run was high quality as well. Nyakundi is not Reggie Lynch of course but he has a very similar frame to Reggie so when he covers ground to get a block you say, is this shade of Reggie? Keep your eyes on Isaac, he's a scholarship player. (6'1 Guard 2023) of Starks Elite. Asher is a better prospect than I originally thought. Why? He is a much, much better passer than I thought. I was actually taken aback at how well he passed the ball and then I found out that Asher had an 11 assist game this weekend! Zubich is a permanent member of the 40% Club as a career 40 percent three point shooter in high school but this year he also averaged five assists a game while scoring 27 points a contest. Shooter? We all know that. Passer/Creator? Yes and it makes him a much more interesting prospect going forward.