Hustle Region Finals Recap: Gamechanging Bigs
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The Hustle Region Finals is in the book. The event culminated in the Spring and Summer long circuit, which featured teams from Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. After 9 stops, the circuit concluded in Seal Beach California. The 15U title was taken home by Swoosh Elite, Rancho Elite took home 16U honors and Roots Academy hoisted the 17U trophy. The event was home to several big-time big men. In this article, we take a look at some gamechanging Bigs from the event.
Erick Paye 6’4 PF Bearstail Bears 2024 - Paye has a good frame and is explosive off the ground with his first jump. The powerful, power forward runs the floor well and shows the ability to finish around the rim.
Jordan Culderson 6’4 PF Team Eleate 2024 - Culderson moves well. He was able to sprint the floor and scored his buckets off catch and finishes around the rim. A solid student, the 6’4 low post scorer boasts a 3.6 GPA.
Kevin Syila 6’8 PF D1 New Mexico 2024 - Syila is a big body banger type that brings a physical presence. He showed that he can run the floor well, and was able to follow plays in transition. When he stayed out of foul trouble, he was effective scoring with his back to the basket.
Angel Corona 6’7 PF Sac Hoyas 2023 - Really loved the way Corona played with his back to the basket. He showed good patience in the low post, understanding where doubles were coming from. When he was defended straight up, he showed the ability to score the basketball using a nice strong hand jump hook. He has decent hands and used them to snag more than his share of in-traffic rebounds.
Graham Eikenberry 6’11 C BDH Elite 2023 - I watched Eikenberry make a quick jump hook, turning over his left shoulder. This simple yet effective move showed just how much the big man has improved during the circuit season. He provided his usual rim protection and rebounding, however, his evolving offensive game makes him one of the better stockrisers on the circuit this season.
Dominic Cesario-Scott
Dominic
Cesario-Scott
6'7" | PF
Cherry Creek | 2023
CO
6’7 C Colorado Titans 2023 - DCS’s contributions didn’t always show up in the stat sheet, however, I thought he contributed a great deal. He rebounded his position well and scored both with his back to the basket and when facing up.
Ryan Dixon
Ryan
Dixon
6'5" | PF
Valor Christian | 2024
State
CO
6’6 PF Team Revenge 2024 - I liked Dixon going into the Finals. I like him even more after. A good at every type prospect, Dixon impacted games on the defensive end, with his ability to score with his back to the basket, and from the low post. In addition to his skills, the 6’6 forward is an underrated R&J guy that uses his springs to grab in-traffic rebounds and finish over the rim.
Andreas Engholm
Andreas
Engholm
6'8" | PF
Olympia | 2023
State
WA
6’7 PF Roots Academy 2023 - Andreas has always been a rugged interior player. What impressed me most about him this weekend was his skill. The big man showed some good post moves and a lot of touch around the rim. Engholm even showed an improved outside game, showing the ability to stretch the floor by knocking down open three-point jumpers. The big man’s big play, helped Roots capture the 17U crown.
Bradey Henige
Bradey
Henige
7'0" | C
Cactus | 2024
State
#192
Nation
AZ
6’11 C D1 Arizona 2024 - Heinge was unstoppable, and was not able to be defended by just one opponent. The lefty does everything with quickness, including getting off the ground and getting off his shot. He has a nice quick turnaround, over his left shoulder which allows him to score, and he recognizes double teams quickly, allowing him to get rid of the ball to the open man. Defensively his ability to block shots is a huge deterrent. Heinge landed on my first team 16U All-Tournament team.
Christian Wilkins 6’5 PF D1 Southern California 2023 - Wilkins was one of the most unique players at the tournament. The big man is a wide-body post, with a tremendous skill set. Wilkins is a talented passer, with the ability to deliver to teammates off the bounce. He will stretch the floor with the occasional 3 and his face-up game allows him to get all the way to the rim. Perhaps his best skill is his motor, as the big man is a high-energy, high-effort stud.
