Kentucky Top 250 Expo: Initial Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Kentucky Top 250 Expo just wrapped up and these are my very early takeaways that stood out from a great event held in Louisville, Kentucky. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='932773' first='Keith' last='Robinson']</strong> (2023) | 6-5 PF | Pleasure Ridge Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robinson was one of the best players at the event. Played with an extremely high motor and competed on every play. Made some difficult shots, but his motor was what stood out. High level competitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1288980' first='Spencer' last='Breeden']</strong> (2024) | 6-1 CG | Grant County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spencer played extremely well when I watched him. Put pressure on the defense by attacking the rim. Seemed to always get the 50/50 balls. His ability to drive and finish thru contact was what I came away most impressed about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1554444' first='Jackson' last='Wise']</strong> (2024) | 6-1 PG | Taylor County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wise seemed to always make the right decisions. Never really got sped up. His IQ was what I came away impressed with and great at running his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1088813' first='Quentin' last='Simmons']</strong> (2023) | 6-1 CG | Collins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simmons was most effective slashing to the rim and getting out in transition. As the day went on his jumper started to fall. One of the better athletes in the event but loved how aggressive he was throughout the day on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229152' first='Eli' last='Finley']</strong> (2025) | 6-1 PG | Calloway County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eli's maturity and basketball IQ was what stood out. Plays beyond his years. Initially watching him I thought he was a Senior. Has a very polished game for only being a Sophomore. Excited to watch his progression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1043604' first='Sam' last='Gibson']</strong> (2023) | 7-0 C | Holy Cross (Covington)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The obvious takeaway was his size, but what I loved most about his performance today was his composure in the post. Never seemed to rush things and was very unselfish seeing cutters to pass to. His overall presence on the court had a positive effect for his team when he was in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587783' first='Malachi' last='Mcnair']</strong> (2024) | 6-5 PF | William Henry Harrison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNair had a very good day. Always played within himself and finished about 90% of his attempts in the paint. Loved his ability to use either hand around the basket and his footwork. You don't find that often for his age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1287890' first='Noah' last='Lovan']</strong> (2024) | 6-3 PG | Trinity</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lovan expanded his game throughout the day. Got early baskets driving the ball but expanded out beyond 3pt range as the day went on. Loved his footwork finishing on drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1288970' first='Taveon' last='Smith']</strong> (2024) | 6-1 SG | North Hardin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loved Smith's ability to get to the paint. Seemed like anytime he wanted to he could get there. Did a great job using his athleticism and length to be effective finishing as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1123543' first='Hayden' last='Blakeman']</strong> (2025) | 6-4 SF | Green County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blakeman had an impressive showing and was one of the best players today. Scored at all 3 levels. Physical driver that showed he could go either direction. Smooth jumper as well. Overall versatility is what stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1287155' first='Jakob' last='Fredricksen']</strong> (2023) | 6-8 PF | Central Hardin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I came away a big [player_tooltip player_id='1287155' first='Jakob' last='Fredricksen'] fan today. Never got sped up and scored just about every way possible. Although he could score at the rim just about whenever he wanted, he showed a very smooth mid-range game off the dribble which I came away impressed with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1587778' first='JC' last='Walbert']</strong> (2024) | 5-11 PG | Glasgow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walbert's court presence and IQ is what stood out. Although he didn't score it when I watched, he showed he had a feel for the game that not many people have. Was crafty around the basket, but overall loved his IQ and getting his teammates involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->