Buckets In The Big Red: Max’s 16u Standouts

Breaking down seven of the prospects who impressed at the 16u level over the weekend at Buckets In The Big Red!

Dhimani Tucker (5’7 2024 PG, MN Chill Elite)- Don’t let his size fool you, Dhimani’s game spoke volumes on Sunday afternoon. He’s just so quick with the ball in his hands, and he uses that quickness in both half-court and transition situations. Dhimani is dangerous in pick & rolls because he can get down low and split the defenders to attack the basket, or he can thread the needle with an accurate pass to his rolling big man. He just gets into the paint whenever he wants to off the dribble, with the ability to finish with touch over the top of defenders or dump it off to a big for a high percentage look inside. Really like the intensity he brings on the defensive end with the ability to get right up under opposing ball handlers and disrupt the offense. 

Isaiah Johnson Isaiah Johnson 6'7" | SF Totino-Grace | 2024 State #161 Nation MN (6’7 2024 SF, Northstar Titans)- There wasn’t much stopping Isaiah from getting to the rim over the weekend. No team had someone with his type of size, strength, and mobility, and it allowed him to put up solid scoring and rebounding totals in all three games I saw. He’s able to get downhill and attack the rim off the dribble as he handles the ball so well at his size, but was also dangerous with quick backdoor cuts the opened up plenty of baseline dunks or reverse lay-ups. Really like how his team would have him catch in the short corner on inbounds plays, with the ability to hand it off or spin baseline and attack the basket. Really unselfish player who would pass up on some okay looks at the basket to get wide open shots for his teammates. Defensively he doesn’t give much up because of his mobility and awareness of his positioning.

Tasean Williams (5’9 2024 PG, Team Dream)- Tasean was one of the best passers of the weekend, as his ability to create shots for his teammates is at a high level. Really good at taking a defensive rebound and immediately picking his head up to see any teammates sprinting up the floor. Also had a couple of passes where he seemed to throw his teammates open around the basket, catching the defense completely off guard. Really quick ball handler who can get into dangerous spots in the half-court. Has some range beyond the arc and a quick release from three which means he doesn’t need a whole lot of space to get off his shot.

Elijah Barret (6’4 2024 PF, MN Chill Elite)- Elijah makes full use of his size in the paint for Minnesota Chill. Does a good job of establishing good low-post position which makes him an easy target for his guards to enter the ball into. Can score with a hard drop step or fight for offensive rebounds and putbacks. Such a strong player powering through contact while also having the touch to put the ball in off the glass. Sets some hard ball screens that open up some driving angles for his guards as well. Defensively he stands his ground on the block and does a nice job of finding a body to box out after every shot goes up.

Tavion Berglund (2024 SF, Gilleylen Elite)- Tavion was scoring the ball at a high level for Gilleylen Elite over the weekend. Has a strong frame with some length which made him tough to stop around the basket. He knocked down a few threes which forced the defense to come out and guard him tighter, which allowed him to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. Does a nice job of staying under control around the basket, playing through contact and finishing at a high percentage. Had a couple of tough reverse lay-ups with a 6’8 defender nearby as well.

Daleron Thomas Daleron Thomas 6'0" | CG Omaha Central | 2024 State NE (5’11 2024 PG, Omaha Elite)- One of the better point guard prospects from the weekend was Daleron Thomas Daleron Thomas 6'0" | CG Omaha Central | 2024 State NE . Such an impressive finisher around the rim who makes difficult lay-ups look routine. Was finding success getting to the basket with speed in the open floor, but also showed some strength to bounce a defender right off of his left shoulder before going up for the easy bucket. Does a nice job of zipping the ball around the perimeter to open shooters, and also showed some potential as a drive-and-kick passer. 

Keech Bior (6’9 2024 F/C, The Next Level Basketball Academy)- Though he’s still a bit raw, there’s a lot to like about what Keech brings to the floor defensively. He’s so long and mobile at his size, and does an excellent job of walling up around the basket. That allows him to contest/block just about everything around the rim while rarely picking up fouls. Was able to guard shorter players on the perimeter at times, while manning the paint at others. Offensively he showed a smooth stroke from beyond the arc, and was scrapping for second chance points around the rim.