Las Vegas Live Standout 2023s
Las Vegas Live concluded Sunday and for many participants, so did the summer AAU season. So, as the summer season dwindles down, here are just a few standouts from the Vegas event who have shown big growth this summer and…
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Continue ReadingLas Vegas Live concluded Sunday and for many participants, so did the summer AAU season. So, as the summer season dwindles down, here are just a few standouts from the Vegas event who have shown big growth this summer and are ready to ball out in the coming high school season.
Miles Clark Miles Clark 6'7" | SF O'Dea | 2023 State WA (2023) | 6’7 | SF | O’Dea | Seattle Select
Clark was all over the place at the Las Vegas event. He showed an ability to carry the load offensively, creating his own looks off the dribble, whether that turned into a pull-up jumper or him taking it all the way to the hoop. He was effective from each level including some excellent three-point shooting. His length and aggressiveness allowed him to play inside and out. The Seattle Select squad lacked a true inside presence but Clark’s ability to create passing lanes by holding off defenders and stretching out those long arms helped create good looks inside when they needed them. He has an interesting offensive profile and can fill needs at multiple positions, shooting, scoring, facilitating, and always using his length to his advantage.
Emmett Marquardt Emmett Marquardt 6'6" | SF Garfield | 2023 State WA (2023) | 6’8 | SF | Garfield | ECBA
The 6’8 standout has been a hot name throughout the spring and summer periods. His unique combination of strength, size, and shooting, has made him a matchup nightmare for many of the big men he has faced. He continued that play in Vegas and showed he was one of the few players who can protect the rim on one end and come down to walk into a three on the other. His shot is smooth and consistent, while his defensive play has been steadily improving as he’s faced more and more skilled big men over the summer. Marquardt is in for a breakout high school season in 2022.
Jordan Clark Jordan Clark 6'1" | PG Seattle Christian | 2023 State WA (2023) | 6’2 | PG | Seattle Christian | ECBA
Clark has been the regulator for ECBA throughout the AAU seasons. He is one of the more well-rounded point guard prospects in the state offering high-level scoring, phenomenal IQ running the team, and tough defense with the ability to create turnovers. Over the weekend, he continued to show excellent defensive anticipation and showed off some deep range on his outside shot. Clark has the whole package and is one of the strongest performers across the spring and summer.
David Zachman David Zachman 6'5" | SF Arlington | 2023 State WA (2023) | 6’5 | SF | Arlington | Seattle Select
With Zachman, it’s been all about putting everything together and finding that consistency. He’s shown flashes of what he can do and throughout the spring and summer, those flashes have been happening more and more often. There was one particular stretch of play at Las Vegas Live that illustrated his full-fledged impact on the court. It came against the Chicago Demons on Thursday afternoon. Zachman took a pass, drove towards the hoop, and finished through contact and multiple defenders. The next possession down he received a dish in the corner and knocked down a spot up three. Maybe two possessions after that, he came up with an offensive board and finished the second chance. He has the tools to be an impact player across the board, and it feels like he’s getting close to putting it all together.
Cooper Aitken (2023) | 6’7 | PF | Spanaway Lake | Tacoma Swish
Aitken is a long, athletic forward who had a huge role in Tacoma Swish making it into the Emerald bracket championship. He’s long, active around the rim, runs the floor, and has excellent ball skills for his size. His biggest impact is around the rim using his leaping ability and soft touch to clean up misses and finish breaks. He’s able to create a little off the dribble too and was constantly overmatching defenders with his length and athleticism. Aitken has a good motor and is able to sustain that activity through all four quarters.
Sylas Williams Sylas Williams 6'6" | SF Jackson | 2023 State WA (2023) | 6’6 | SF | Jackson | North City
This guy has really blossomed through the spring and summer to become a dominating player. From good footwork to great hands, and a basketball brain to make it all come together, Williams has ended the summer on a high. He goes out there and makes plays, and I’d be hard pressed to recall a bad performance from the talented forward. He was stellar again at Las Vegas Live, putting up points, snagging rebounds, and bringing it every single time down the floor. He is a joy to watch and is primed for a huge high school season.