Premier Shootout: 17U/16U Sleeper Mash-Up
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Mateen Usui Mateen Usui 6'6" | PF Archbishop Murphy | 2025 State WA , 6’5, Forward, FOH Seattle 16U, Archbishop Murphy, C/O 2025 As one of the younger prospects on the Friends of Hoop 16U squad, Mateen struck me as…
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Continue ReadingMateen Usui Mateen Usui 6'6" | PF Archbishop Murphy | 2025 State WA , 6’5, Forward, FOH Seattle 16U, Archbishop Murphy, C/O 2025
As one of the younger prospects on the Friends of Hoop 16U squad, Mateen struck me as a kid with a high ceiling and shined on a big stage at the shootout. He could be a serious name to keep tabs on down the line. at 6-foot-5 with extreme length, he stands out as a player who can become an intimidating shot blocker and perimeter defender. He flashed both those things in Auburn over the weekend, and showcased some tools from his offensive game as well. He moves very well for a player who hasn’t quite grown into his body yet, being able to make his way into the lane and score in the 5-10 foot range quite easily, making quick moves with and without the ball.
Xavier Santana Xavier Santana 6'3" | PG Great Futures Prep | 2025 State WA , 6’3, PG/SG, Hooptown 16U White, Clarkston, C/O 2024
Santana has continued to show his upside as a dynamic lefty combo guard with an intriguing offensive game since the end of his breakout sophomore season (20.7 ppg, 4.2 apg). He is tough to slow down when he attacks the basket going left and is an excellent rhythm shooter from 3. He heats up in a hurry once he sees one drop and just seems like a player who makes plays happen when things get out of control. He looks like he’s spent some time in the weight room and his added strength was evident over the weekend when fending off opposing defenders with the ball in his hands.
Keaine Silimon, 6’0, PG/SG, North City 2023, Shorecrest, C/O 2023
Keaine Silimon has had a solid spring with North City and is proving it with his all-around combo-guard game. He has great touch on his perimeter shot and is a deadly corner 3 guy when he gets it going. He fits well into the ’microwave’ role but can also bring the ball up the floor and initiate the offense as a secondary or primary ballhandler. He gives it 100% when he’s on the floor, and in a tournament where there was no shortage of elite guard play, he competed well against them.
Mande Wanlemvo, 6’4, Forward, EBC 16U, Auburn Mountainview, C/O 2024
Mande brought a nice physical post presence to an under-sized 16U EBC team. When I saw him play on Day 1 of the tournament, he worked inside the paint and was an excellent rebounder and post defender, out-hustling others to the boards. He’s an athletic player who takes a ton of contact inside and has an explosive second jump. He’s a standout football player as well, and he has that type of strong body that allowed him to play primarily as a post.
Dane Sykes, 6’5, Wing, Built4Ball 17U, Pullman, C/O 2023
A multi-positional off-ball threat, Dane Sykes is a player I’d expect to make a decent leap in the next high school season. He performs well as a catch-and-shoot player and it was on display at the tournament. He has the mobility at 6’5 to play the 2-4 and hold up on both ends. He is long and rangy and covers a lot of ground on defense and did a good job of staying in front. He is extremely active off the ball offensively, and showed that he’s a good player to have on the wing when spotting up for 3.