Nebraska Top 250 Expo : All Expo Team
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Prep Hoops Nebraska hosted our annual Top 250 Expo this past weekend at Iowa West Fieldhouse. The gym was loaded with some familiar faces and also some new faces, but the prospects put on a show. I was watching court…
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Continue ReadingPrep Hoops Nebraska hosted our annual Top 250 Expo this past weekend at Iowa West Fieldhouse. The gym was loaded with some familiar faces and also some new faces, but the prospects put on a show. I was watching court 1 and lucky for me I got to watch every player there. Here is the my Nebraska All Expo Team.
Paxon Piatkowski Paxon Piatkowski 6'4" | SF Elkhorn North | 2023 State NE | 6’5 SF | Millard North 2023 (pictured)
Piatkowski started off game one on an absolute roll. He scored 7 of his teams 10 to start the morning off. He threw down a one hand dunk to start off the game, followed by an up and under layup, and then knocked down a corner three. Had a pair of really nice euro steps that got him some uncontested layups. He can shoot the ball from beyond the arc but especially did a great job at getting to the rim using different pickups and finishes. He communicates on both ends of floor. Defensively he is alert and makes sure he is there help side. Uses his length to fly out and get contests on shots. Rebounds well and protects the basket.
Kevin Brown Jr. | 6’5 SF | Westside 2023
Kevin Brown Jr. was one of my favorite players to watch on Sunday simply because of how vocal he is on both sides of the ball. Being at a showcase with people you may not know did not stop him from stepping up and being a leader for his squad. He communicated with his team in nearly every aspect of the game. Brown showed he could do just about anything and everything. He handled the ball well as at times was bringing it up for his squad. Didn’t shoot it a ton but most of his points came from drives, high post touches and low post touches. Strong finishes and utilized the pump fake. He runs the floor well and really got out in transition both with and without the rock. Also displayed some vision as he had a couple nice pocket passes. He grabbed plenty of boards throughout the morning and afternoon and was able to grab and go. Going to be fun to see how he and the Westside Warriors do this up coming winter.
T’andre Perkins T’andre Perkins 6'5" | SF Omaha North | 2023 State NE | 6’5 W | Omaha North 2023
Perkins did what he does best at the Top 250 Expo, slash to the rim. Got a great handle, keeps defenders guessing, changes speeds, creates space, and can blow by. He’s very explosive driving to the cup and can rise up and throw down some dunks off the drive. Also will absorb contact, show off the athleticism and get crafty with his finishing. He didn’t shoot a whole lot when he was on the court I was watching but I did like the dribble pull up from the key I saw from him, didn’t show shot till last second to keep defender from getting contest. He’s quick laterally on the defensive end, able to keep his man in front of him, and shows off the bounce on that side of the floor grabbing boards.
Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'5" Mitchell Senior High | 2026 NE | 6’5 SF | Mitchell Senior (SD) 2026
I’m going to start off this evaluation saying that Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'5" Mitchell Senior High | 2026 NE can flat out go. He was one of two 2026s that I really liked and two of three at the showcase but that did not stop him one bit. He ran more the wing for his squad but also got some touches at high post and low block. Quick first step off the catch, and was able to finish through and around defenders. Utilizes a quick spin move a lot and goes up strong off two down low. If he missed his layup he was the one grabbing his own board and putting it back up. Lot of off-ball movement, mainly baseline. Set quite a few screens both on and off ball and got some easy finishes as the roll man. Primarily defended the 3 and 4 but jumped straight up more often than not on drives. Uses his bounce to grab boards and advance it to a leaking guard. Should make an impact on varsity as a freshman.
Jaden Jackson Jaden Jackson 6'1" | SG Bellevue West | 2024 State #312 Nation NE | 6’1 CG | Bellevue West 2024
Jackson was the smoothest player at the Expo. Everything about his game just flows. His game has just about everything and it looks effortless out there. For how good of a shooting stroke he has he sure does a good job of distributing the basketball. He was great at drawing two and kicking it to teammates. HIs jumper from deep is super fluent and he converts quite often. Uses his step backs and side steps to create space on his triples. Had some nice takes at the rim, using euros, or just absorbing the contact and finishing through his man. Grabbed a handful of boards in his first game and was able to get out and run.