UAA Circuit/KC: 2024-25 Standouts

<p>April 22-24 I attended the <strong>Under Armour Circuit</strong> event located at the HyVee arena in Kansas City/MO. I mainly watched the 16U and 17U divisions and saw some local and West Coast teams along the three days.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Here were some of the 2024-2025 Standouts:</p> <p><strong>2024</strong></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1172137" first="Adam" last="Njie Jr"] Hillcrest Prep (Riverside Hawks 16 UAA/NY) (Pictured)  </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Adam was one of the best guards I viewed regardless of grade. He got to any spot he wanted to with a tight, shifty handle, strong upper body frame, and a quick burst to go with his fast first step. He can shoot it from mid to the 3pt line off the catch or pull plus he drove and kicked it straight into his teammates shooting pockets. </span></p> <p><b>Zoom Diallo CG/PG 6’4 Curtis/WA (Elite Sports Academy/WA)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Diallo is another top 2024 West Coast guard. He creates almost any shot he wants and he was actually distributing the ball more then usual. He seems like he picks his spots to take over and score or be that alpha scorer from game to game depending on match-ups. He looks a little stronger and maybe an inch taller. His court vision and three level scoring ability are his top traits.</span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1123041" first="Bradey" last="Henige"] Cactus (AZ Select 16 UAA)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A legit sized post player is very fluid for position. He is a phenomenal passer and handles contact well. He challenges oncoming opponents to try and block their shots. He has advanced post footwork and can put the ball on the deck and go to work to create his own offense. He is a strong two-handed rebounder.</span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1123040" first="Anthony" last="Batson Jr"] Notre Dame Prep (AZ Select 16 UAA)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An athletic guard/wing is a transition star. He has a great frame and build with long arms. He is an elite second jumper to rebound and score on put backs. He can make the catch-3 with space and time, and has become more confident shooting it. He makes many 50/50 plays with great energy and effort. He scores well thru contact and is an incredible shot blocker for a guard/wing.</span></p> <p><b>Sebastian Rancik C 6’9 J Serra Orange County/CA (WCE 16UAA)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A good framed five-man has wider shoulders and moves well. He is very fluid and he can handle it fairly well and rebounds on both ends of the court. He can shoot it a little and score on put backs. He is on the Slovakian National team and shows real upside.</span></p> <p><b>Cade Orness PG 6’4 North Kitsap/WA (Team Stuck 16 UAA) </b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A cerebral lead guard who plays above the rim on the break. He can change speeds and has a nice burst of speed to get to the rim. He sees plays developing quickly and threads it in. He can hit the 3 with range but likes getting downhill first. He uses his great size on the defensive end.</span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1297427" first="AJ" last="Thomas"] Eduprize (AZ Select 16 UAA)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A long armed combo guard is shifty to get downhill with some thickness with his build. He uses the pick and roll game well and will throw the dart. He can cross his man over and burst by. He likes posting up opposing guards to score it. He is very calm under pressure and he can thread the needle for a dime. He made some of the best passes I viewed on the weekend in 16U. </span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1152187" first="Luke" last="Shaw"] Valley Christian (AZ Select 16 UAA)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the better shooters in 16U. He gets hot in a blink of an eye and has good shooting form. He rattled off seven deep ones in the teams third place victory. He has a good feel for the game and has that smells blood in the water type of attitude.</span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1225985" first="Jonah" last="Jones"] Phhoenix Prep (AZ Select 16 UAA)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A hybrid forward can play both spots. He is very athletic and moves quickly from end to end like a wing. He covers a lot of ground on defense and blocks many out of area shots. He springs up off the floor quickly. He is now stepping out and hitting 3’s.</span></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1162452" first="Grant" last="Woods"] Gilbert Christian (AZ Select 16 UAA)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A pretty shooting stroke to the 3pt line. He is best off the catch but can give a ball fake and one-dribble pull-up. He gets hot quickly as he hit five threes in the teams third place victory. He rebounds well and can push the tempo a little bit. </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2025</strong></p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="996176" first="Bryce" last="Quinet"] NDP (AZ Select 16 UAA)</b></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">IQ and feel for the game are off the charts. He is a not a burner yet gets passed his defenders with changing speeds and a tight handle. He has a clean 3pt stroke with range, as he squares to the basket quickly. He has deceptively quick hands to collect steals and plays the game from the neck up. He has a very professional approach to the game. </span></p>