Arch Elite Showcase: Top Standout Underclassmen

Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at some of the top underclassmen who were in action at last weekend’s Arch Elite Showcase at the Center of St. Louis Sports. The event was presented by Premier Hoops.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/22AF4A2A-9612-41DA-A664-B9F3FEC26CCC.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463794" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/22AF4A2A-9612-41DA-A664-B9F3FEC26CCC-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1259025" first="Iziah" last="Purvey"] (JRock Ballers 17U): The 6’4" 2024 forward from Webster Groves was a matchup nightmare with his strength and overall skill set. In the one game I watched him, he scored 18 points in one half and he did it in a variety of ways. The big lefty was creating off the dribble to hit mid-range jumpers, knocking down 3-pointers off the pick and pop and using his nifty footwork to outmaneuver bigger defender to score in the low post. He is just a bucket who is difficult to defend with his versatility.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/E4086F60-B4C7-4DEB-A697-1A153610138A.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463799" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/E4086F60-B4C7-4DEB-A697-1A153610138A-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Darrion Sutton (Hardwood Elite 17U): A very slender and talented 6’9" lefty with good length and a skill set that rivals most guards. He has slick handles and he uses them to tantalize defenders before blowing by them with his long stride. He could swoop in for the finger roll or throw down an explosive dunk. His perimeter jumper is solid and he runs the court in transition like a gazelle.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/C3A7CA8E-E6DD-4A0A-BF52-4AD6229CF4C1.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463801" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/C3A7CA8E-E6DD-4A0A-BF52-4AD6229CF4C1-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1273888" first="Nashawn" last="Davis"] (Team Ramey 16U): The 6’4" 2024 forward from Cardinal Ritter helped lead Team Ramey to the 16U championship with a big weekend. He is a mobile athlete who was very good in the transition game. He was very comfortable with the ball in his hands as he could make good decisions as a playmaker. He scored well in the paint on slashing drives and good cutting movement off the ball. He was also a strong rebounder who could start the break after taking down a board.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/14E57439-10D5-4946-B337-63056A1E2E3F.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463803" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/14E57439-10D5-4946-B337-63056A1E2E3F-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Dontrez Williams (Hardwood Elite 16U): A 6’5" wing from Sikeston who was one of the bright young talents that I watched during the weekend. He plays an excellent all-around game with his size and versatility. He is a very good playmaker as he could handle the ball well and see over the defense and deliver pinpoint passes to open teammates. He has a smooth offensive package with 3-point range and the ability to score at all three levels. He also displayed some explosive athleticism at times during the tournament.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/48A2DEF0-09B3-4F3F-BCE2-7145503F90FD.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463804" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/48A2DEF0-09B3-4F3F-BCE2-7145503F90FD-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Evan Simon (Arsenal Hoops-Barnes 16U): A 2025 point guard from DeSmet who really excels at the 16U level with his perimeter shooting ability and offensive repertoire. He gives me a bit of a smaller Tyler Herro vibe with how he can create separation from defenders with the dribble and bounce up and hit jumpers either from the mid-range or from long distance. He has good quickness and he moves without the ball well to keep defenders guessing.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/2C32F9F4-D23D-4752-9625-FAA9760C56E5.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463808" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/2C32F9F4-D23D-4752-9625-FAA9760C56E5-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> player_tooltip player_id="1430520" first="Trent" last="Menke"] (Arsenal Hoops 16U): A 6’3" 2024 wing from Fort Zumwalt North who did a lot of damage on offense around the basket. He was cutting to the basket, posting up and using his footwork and pump fakes to score effectively in the lane. He was also getting his share of offensive rebounds and putbacks. He could also step out and hit the 3-pointer. I was just very impressed with his motor.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/77BA31D4-B90F-4642-BDC2-AACABEF5BB12.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1463810" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/77BA31D4-B90F-4642-BDC2-AACABEF5BB12-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> player_tooltip player_id="1424409" first="Jayden" last="Creighton"] (JRock Ballers 17U): A 6’4" 2025 forward from University City who was very impressive while playing up with the 17Us during the weekend. He plays a very active game around the basket as a rebounder and shot blocker. He always seemed to be around the ball and he didn’t mind the contact against older and stronger players. He operates on the baseline well to get buckets and he also works the weak side for offensive rebounds and putbacks.