2022 Independent AAU Showcase: 17U Standouts

Chad Graham June 13, 2022 @ 03:28 PM

The Philly area has no shortage of quality and talented grassroots programs. And some of the independent, non-sneaker programs are as well-run as their counterparts. So this year, the Mt. Pleasant Bulldogs organized to Indy AAU Showcase to give a platform for their peers. There were several players who should be of interest to prep schools, NAIA, D2, D3, and JUCOs. Thomas Brown | G ‘22 D Los Elite Brown was a walking bucket for D Los. He consistently punished SW Elite for missed shots by leading the break for easy points. In the half-court, he got to his spots in the mid-range and from three. Thomas knocked down three triples on his way to 17 points in that tip-off game. Kharif Oliver | G ‘22 SW Elite SW Elite came up just short in both matches, but not without a barrage of points from Kharif (16.0 pts/g). His offensive attack revolved around the threat of his pull up game. He got it off from multiple spots on the floor, hitting four total on the day. From there, when defenders over-committed, Oliver slid by to get points in the paint. Naire Poplar | 6’4 W ‘22 SW Elite Nai is a late-bloomer, like his brother Nisine, and continues to get better at a high rate. The defensive flashes were there, as they’d been all season with MCS. The development really showed in his functional handle, which he used to slash to the rim and create space. He’d really benefit from a prep year or an NAIA willing to invest in his tools. Derrick White Jr | 6’5 W ‘23 Mt. Pleasant Bulldogs Derrick was one of the best prospects at the showcase. With time and a plan, his defense can alter games at the next level. He made plays as the low man in pick & roll and as a help defender. Derrick was also effective as the on-ball defender. One of his four blocks against SW Elite came when he rotated all the way from the paint out to a shooter. His 16 points were just icing on the cake. Asim Wilson | 5’9 G ‘22 Mt. Pleasant Bulldogs For someone who had to create every advantage and didn’t come off the floor in game 2, Wilson offensively led the Bulldogs to a victory and gave them a chance for another. Even as teams tried to trap him and force the ball out of his hands, Asim blew by his man and split double teams. Just as important, he forced turnovers and turned them into aerial assaults on the rim in transition. He finished with 17 versus BGC. Salot Young | 6’6 F/C ‘23 BGC Shock Young moves like a kid who is still growing into his body, which isn’t done growing. And yet, he moved his feet well and altered shots around the basket on defense. Offensively, He created second-chance opportunities for his squad with a few putbacks himself. The more reps and touches Salot gets in-game, the better he’ll be long-term. Honorable Mention Samir Boyer | G ‘23 BGC Shock Sabree Glover | 6’6 F/C ‘23 BGC Shock Tracy Knight | D Los Elite Amir Terry | 5’10 G ‘22 BGC Shock [player_tooltip player_id="1472598" first="Aamir" last="Murray"] | 6’0 G ‘23 Mt. Pleasant Bulldogs Stanley Parker | F ‘23 SW Elite For more hoops coverage, follow me on Twitter/IG at CGraham_Sports