Prep Hoops Top 250: Tony’s First Team All-Expo
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The annual Prep Hoops Top 250 took place on Saturday at Kingdom Hoops in Des Moines. Over the course of the next week or so, myself and East Hovelsrud from our Nebraska site will be breaking down each player in…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Prep Hoops Top 250 took place on Saturday at Kingdom Hoops in Des Moines. Over the course of the next week or so, myself and East Hovelsrud from our Nebraska site will be breaking down each player in attendance. I was responsible for covering teams 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15 at the event, getting a chance to see each of these teams play a full game. Below are the top five players that I saw during my viewing.
Yamilkoski was the most dominant player that I saw throughout the morning and afternoon, scoring at will from all three levels with remarkable efficiency. He started the day off with back-to-back 3-pointers off of good off-ball movement, showing that he can really light it up when shooting off the catch. He has his feet squared, balanced, and is ready to release immediately upon receiving the pass. He followed those 3s up with a pair of strong takes to the bucket, taking advantage of aggressive closeouts to get to the rim and finish through contact. He never slowed down, scoring time after time. He has really improved his all-around game over the last 12-18 months as well, showing that he can be a strong on-ball defender as well as a viable playmaking option for his team.
An explosive athlete who thrives in this up-tempo style of play, Fisher put on a clinic in getting to the bucket throughout the afternoon. The powerful lefty never shies away from contact and is always looking to dunk on someone, whether that’s in transition or off a few dribbles from a catch on the wing. He’s certainly at his best when he’s playing downhill and attacking the rim, but his mid-range game has really developed nicely, and he’s adding more range to his arsenal. He’s a quality playmaker with good court vision who isn’t going to force something if it isn’t there. Another strong showing for the 2023 from Liberty.
Kleppe started the day off with a few strong takes to the rim, finishing through contact, and he didn’t slow down. A strong, physical 6-3/6-4 wing, he does a great job absorbing the contact around the bucket and finishing. His ball-handling has really improved since the last time I saw him play, and he can now create looks for himself in the halfcourt. He showed a smooth release on his jumper with range out to the arc as well as some solid court vision, getting others involved.
Collins played like a man possessed in the game that I was able to catch of his team. His overwhelming athleticism jumped out immediately, springing high above his opponent to emphatically win the opening tip, and then it was off to the races for him. He’s a long, bouncy athlete who can protect the rim or defend on the perimeter. He did a great job getting into passing lanes and turning his defense into quick and easy offense, finishing a few breakaways with powerful dunks. But what was most impressive was his ability to stretch the floor. He was constantly moving without the ball in his hands, making his defender work, and he knocked down a number of 3s, an added element to his game. His jumper has a bit of a Lonzo Ball feel to it, where he brings the ball a little more towards the middle of his body, but he looks comfortable with it and the results were strong. He may have been the most impressive player that I saw and will be in line for a nice bump in the 2024 rankings when those are updated.
Bockman may have been the best pure shooter in the gym on Saturday, showing that his 42.0% from behind the arc as a sophomore was no fluke. He showed that he can bury shots both off the dribble and the catch. He moves really well without the ball in his hands, utilizing off-ball screens, and is always balanced on the catch. His stroke is pure with range basically anywhere inside halfcourt, and he has improved his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, using his length to get into passing lanes and contest shots.