Grind Region Finals 17U Standouts

Drive Nation had some of the best 17U action I have seen in July as Prep Hoops decided the champions of the Grind Region this past weekend. The 17U circuit saw players from eight states come together and have competitive match-ups that brought out some of the best performances in players. There were standouts players on each team that competed during the three days in Irving, Texas. In this Grind Region Finals exclusive, we will take a look at a number of players who stood out during Finals weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="969431" first="Kadyn" last="Betts"] (6’8" | P.L.U.T.O. Prospects | 2023) Betts and his teammates bowed out in the 17U semifinals but gave a full picture of his full game before they did. Betts is a three level scorer who is just as good at nailing a corner three, posting up on the block, and filling the wing on the break. There are several reasons why he is Power 5 commit (the University of Minnesota) and all parts of his game exemplify it. He is a very high level player. Jaedyn Brown (6’3" | 24MD Team Daum ’23 | 2023) Brown may not be the fastest or jump the highest but he was able to score the rock with the best of them on the weekend. Faced with 3/4 man-to-man pressure, Brown handled the rock well enough to get to his spots on the floor and showed a sweet mid-range jumper from the charity stripe. His shooting ability was apparent and helped his team reach the Grind Region quarters due to his high rate of makes. [player_tooltip player_id="1332842" first="Cole" last="Franklin"] (6’4" | Dallas Showtyme UA | 2023) Franklin was one of the best guards on the weekend at Drive Nation. His ability to do everything on the floor was quite apparent and he showed it during the championship game. Franklin attacked the lane to score and find players either cutting to the basket or setting up for jump shots. His ability to find teammates showed a very high basketball IQ and was a key reason why Dallas Showtyme won the 17U title. [player_tooltip player_id="1160826" first="Jacob" last="Lafferty"] (6’5" | All Missouri Attack | 2023) Lafferty was a handful in the paint against opposing teams on the weekend. He showed he could score over each shoulder and was very good at rebounding on the offensive and defensive glass. Sunday versus LA Fire, Lafferty displayed all of these skills and showed his vertical as he flushed a dunk after a steal. He is a player that is very athletic with a nose for rebounding as he displayed this weekend. TK Lawson (6’5" | TX Takeover Elite ’23 Greg | 2024) Lawson was definitely one of the more highly skilled players to play at over the weekend. He is a tall and athletic wing who attacked from the wing and shot the corner three. Lawson also rebounded the ball and led the break as well as ran the wing as a finisher. He showed he could switch 1-4 defensively too. He is a player with a very high sealing because of the number of things he can do on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="1141684" first="Jordan" last="Moreno"] (6’0" | Belief Basketball Sharpshooters | 2024) Moreno was one of the best shooters over the weekend. He showed that movement and preparation is key to getting open shots. Moreno was able to make them at a consistent rate due to those things and a lightning quick release. While his team ended up 1-2 on the weekend, Moreno was a long distance sniper all weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="1213624" first="Reece" last="Seicshnaydre"] (6’2" | FIFA Elite ’23 | 2023) Seicshnaydre helped FIFA Elite reach the title game by playing both guard positions at a high level. He took some of the point guard duties at times for FIFA and was very good using the high screen and roll to get into the paint or using the dribble to take defenders off the dribble. His elbow jumper was money the entire weekend as he displayed great elevation on each attempt. Seischnaydre showed that he is a combo guard who can perform at a high level. [player_tooltip player_id="1139551" first="Luke" last="Wagstaff"] (6’8" | 24MD Team Daum ’23 | 2023) Every team that played Team Daum had a problem guarding Wagstaff. The 6’8" post was a key figure in helping Team Daum get to the quarterfinals because he kept rebounding the ball. Teams could not keep him off of the glass. When he got the rebound, Wagstaff would either score it, get fouled, or find a guard to restart the possession. Wagstaff also scored the ball with up and under moves and using great footwork. He was very good in the paint and one of the better post players on the weekend in DFW. There were a ton of impressive standout players who graced the floors of Drive Nation. Look for some of them to play during the live period at the Last Dance in Chicago or many of the other live period events going on around the country,

Drive Nation had some of the best 17U action I have seen in July as Prep Hoops decided the champions of the Grind Region this past weekend. The 17U circuit saw players from eight states come together and have competitive match-ups that brought out some of the best performances in players. There were standouts players on each team that competed during the three days in Irving, Texas. In this Grind Region Finals exclusive, we will take a look at a number of players who stood out during Finals weekend.

Kadyn Betts Kadyn Betts 6'7" | PF Huntington Prep | 2023 #90 Nation CO (6’8" | P.L.U.T.O. Prospects | 2023)

Betts and his teammates bowed out in the 17U semifinals but gave a full picture of his full game before they did. Betts is a three level scorer who is just as good at nailing a corner three, posting up on the block, and filling the wing on the break. There are several reasons why he is Power 5 commit (the University of Minnesota) and all parts of his game exemplify it. He is a very high level player.

Jaedyn Brown (6’3" | 24MD Team Daum ’23 | 2023)

Brown may not be the fastest or jump the highest but he was able to score the rock with the best of them on the weekend. Faced with 3/4 man-to-man pressure, Brown handled the rock well enough to get to his spots on the floor and showed a sweet mid-range jumper from the charity stripe. His shooting ability was apparent and helped his team reach the Grind Region quarters due to his high rate of makes.

Cole Franklin Cole Franklin 6'4" | PG Red Rock Academy | 2023 NV (6’4" | Dallas Showtyme UA | 2023)

Franklin was one of the best guards on the weekend at Drive Nation. His ability to do everything on the floor was quite apparent and he showed it during the championship game. Franklin attacked the lane to score and find players either cutting to the basket or setting up for jump shots. His ability to find teammates showed a very high basketball IQ and was a key reason why Dallas Showtyme won the 17U title.

Jacob Lafferty Jacob Lafferty 6'5" | PF Sparta | 2024 State MO (6’5" | All Missouri Attack | 2023)

Lafferty was a handful in the paint against opposing teams on the weekend. He showed he could score over each shoulder and was very good at rebounding on the offensive and defensive glass. Sunday versus LA Fire, Lafferty displayed all of these skills and showed his vertical as he flushed a dunk after a steal. He is a player that is very athletic with a nose for rebounding as he displayed this weekend.

TK Lawson (6’5" | TX Takeover Elite ’23 Greg | 2024)

Lawson was definitely one of the more highly skilled players to play at over the weekend. He is a tall and athletic wing who attacked from the wing and shot the corner three. Lawson also rebounded the ball and led the break as well as ran the wing as a finisher. He showed he could switch 1-4 defensively too. He is a player with a very high sealing because of the number of things he can do on the floor.

Jordan Moreno Jordan Moreno 6'4" | SF Apollo | 2024 AZ (6’0" | Belief Basketball Sharpshooters | 2024)

Moreno was one of the best shooters over the weekend. He showed that movement and preparation is key to getting open shots. Moreno was able to make them at a consistent rate due to those things and a lightning quick release. While his team ended up 1-2 on the weekend, Moreno was a long distance sniper all weekend.

Reece Seicshnaydre Reece Seicshnaydre 6'3" | CG St. Paul's | 2023 State LA (6’2" | FIFA Elite ’23 | 2023)

Seicshnaydre helped FIFA Elite reach the title game by playing both guard positions at a high level. He took some of the point guard duties at times for FIFA and was very good using the high screen and roll to get into the paint or using the dribble to take defenders off the dribble. His elbow jumper was money the entire weekend as he displayed great elevation on each attempt. Seischnaydre showed that he is a combo guard who can perform at a high level.

Luke Wagstaff Luke Wagstaff 6'8" | PF Fort Collins | 2023 State CO (6’8" | 24MD Team Daum ’23 | 2023)

Every team that played Team Daum had a problem guarding Wagstaff. The 6’8" post was a key figure in helping Team Daum get to the quarterfinals because he kept rebounding the ball. Teams could not keep him off of the glass. When he got the rebound, Wagstaff would either score it, get fouled, or find a guard to restart the possession. Wagstaff also scored the ball with up and under moves and using great footwork. He was very good in the paint and one of the better post players on the weekend in DFW.

There were a ton of impressive standout players who graced the floors of Drive Nation. Look for some of them to play during the live period at the Last Dance in Chicago or many of the other live period events going on around the country,