Premier Shootout: Sunday Standouts Part 1

<p>From breakouts to some of the best players the Premier Shootout had to offer, these Sunday standouts made the most of the final day of hoops. They each put in huge efforts and were rewarded by stellar play. Here is part one of the Premier Shootout Sunday Standouts.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1450611" first="Nate" last="Schiavo"] <em>(2024) </em>SF 6’4 | West Seattle/WA | <strong><em>Seattle Rotary 16U</em></strong></p> <p>One thing was clear watching Seattle Rotary’s 16U team, Schiavo set the tone physically. He was the most active player on the floor, showing a fighting attitude on both ends. On offense, he crashed the glass hard and benefited with putbacks and one memorably strong and-one. On defense, he worked to get good position, sacrificing his body for charges, and got his fair share of stocks. He constantly found himself in the right spot to make a play and his energy and effort were huge for his squad.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1450568" first="Mason" last="Thomas"] <em>(#23 PHWA 2024) </em>SG 6’1 | Franklin Pierce/WA | <strong><em>Seattle Rotary 16U</em></strong></p> <p>You want a strong, physical presence at guard, then look no further than Thomas. He was able to work his way inside seemingly at will, constantly changing direction and taking any space afforded to him. He has the combo of strength and handles that make his ball security elite. He’s able to go straight through defenders when he gets close in and has magnificent touch at the rim. He has good form and snap from the three-point line, and when he misses it isn’t by much.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1450959" first="Quinn" last="Swanson"] <em>(2024) </em>SG 6’1 | Mount Vernon/WA | <strong><em>D1 Elite 16U</em></strong></p> <p>This guy is a go-getter. He’s got a great natural feel for the game and impacts it across the board. For starters, he’s an excellent shooter from range and straight cash from the free-throw line. He just moves with a flow and fluidity that makes it look easy. He’s just as impactful on defense as he is on offense, and as the go-to guy for his D1 Elite team, made the clutch plays in the biggest moments.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1270840" first="Luke" last="Navarre"] <em>(pictured - #19 PHWA 2023) </em>SF 6’4 | Zillah/WA | <strong><em>Hooptown Elite 17U</em></strong></p> <p>Navarre’s greatest attribute is his shooting. He’s decently tall at 6’4 and has the ability to shoot over just about any defensive coverage. And although he’s not the most physically intimidating player, he’s stronger than he looks and has phenomenal instincts that make up for any lack of quickness. His touch on the outside shot is replicated inside and around the hoop. Navarre also has some surprising bounce and sent back a couple of shots that seemed like sure things. He was a little slow out of the gate when I watched him but he’s a player that can really get going when a couple of buckets fall.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1463070" first="Jaymon" last="Wright"] <em>(2024) </em>SG 6’2 | Meadowdale/WA | <strong><em>Seattle Select 16U</em></strong> </p> <p>I had not seen Wright before this weekend, but he looks to have the makings of an elite scorer. He had one of the butteriest shots I saw, stroking from mid-range with the pullup, on the arc with the catch and shoot, on balance or off. He got to the hoop too and had some creative finishes. He’s a thin kid now, but he’s tall with good length and a little springy. There’s potential for some real scoring prowess and he’s one to keep an eye on as the seasons go by.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1439252" first="Josiah" last="Johnson"] <em>(2023) </em>PG 6’4 | Central Kitsap/WA | <strong><em>Team Stuck 17U</em></strong></p> <p>Team Stuck was one of the most balanced teams all weekend, but the thing that stuck out with Johnson was his consistency. His play did not waver at all game to game. He was reliable from mid-range and in, capable of making tough shots with hands right in his face. He has the unique ability to make a move to get through tight defense, and then quickly find the rim with his eyes to hit the shot. This was apparent on hanging fadeaways under duress, and instances where he split defenders mid-air, needing to relocate the rim after getting squeezed.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="923077" first="Blake" last="Buchanan"] <em>(#6 PHID 2023) </em>PF 6’10 | Lake City/ID | <strong><em>Hooptown Elite 17U</em></strong></p> <p>Simply put, Buchanan showed he is a next-level player this weekend. He has excellent fluidity to his game, can sink the outside shot, dribble drive from the perimeter, and runs the floor both ways. I was impressed with how well-rounded his game is considering how much of a presence he is inside. He’s physical, mean, and looked to throw it down with authority at any given chance. Buchanan has a bright future ahead of him and was easily one of the best players from the weekend.</p>