#StarsChristmasInvitational Standouts
I have talked about my immediate takeaways from The STARS Basketball Club Christmas Invitational; now, here is a look into a few players that stood out to me. Matthew Akers (6’1/C/2027/CPA) Instagram: matthewakers9 Matthew was a stout post player that…
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Continue ReadingI have talked about my immediate takeaways from The STARS Basketball Club Christmas Invitational; now, here is a look into a few players that stood out to me.
Matthew Akers (6’1/C/2027/CPA)
Instagram: matthewakers9
Matthew was a stout post player that was dominant in the paint. His physical play and strength were just too much for opponents to contend with on both ends of the floor. Offensively Matthew often bullied his way to the rim and finished through contact. When looking at Matthew’s game over the next couple of years, he will have to expand outside of the paint because, as a 6’1/C, it will be challenging to find a place at the next level, at that size, in the paint. Granted, as an 8th grader, one would expect that he has more growing to do, so that will also play a factor in his development. However, looking at the present state of his game, he is a hard-working post player that does all the dirty work, plays with passion, and impacts the stat sheet in numerous ways.
Terry J. DrakeMatthew was a stout post player that was dominant in the paint.
Landan Left (5’8/F/2027/East End Prep)
Instagram: @landan0_
Twitter: @Landan2009
Landan is a creator off the bounce and is one of East End’s top two scoring options. He is a downhill attacking guard that is crafty when finishing in the paint and at the cup. He is very good off the bounce, and he makes his presence felt the closer he gets to the basket because he draws so much attention when collapsing the D. He is not the quickest guard off the bounce, but he has enough burst to get by his defender once he gets a step. He creates off the bounce, and right now, he attacks looking for his scoring opportunity, but as his game and understanding evolve, he will be a good creator for himself and his teammates. He was one of the best in the entire tourney in breaking down opponents and getting downhill in a hurry giving the defense very little time and opportunity to rotate.
Terry J. DrakeHe is a downhill attacking guard that is crafty when finishing in the paint and at the cup.
Keller Rae Putty (5’10/SG/2027/Mill Creek)
Instagram: missionarykeller
Keller is a player that showed his ability to score at all levels. He is a player that can lend himself to point production. He plays with a high-volume scorer that gets most of the touches, so Keller has to be ready when his number is called or when the ball finds him. As he showed throughout the tourney, he is capable of being a scoring option for his team. He has a propensity for creating his own shot when the ball is in his hands; he just has to continue to find his place in playing alongside a prolific scorer with whom he shares the backcourt.
Terry J. DrakeAs he showed throughout the tourney, he is capable of being a scoring option for his team.
Matthew Horner (6’4/C/2027/Legacy MS)
Instagram: @Matthew_Horner2027
Twitter: @Matthewhorner2027
Matthew was one of the tallest players in the entire tourney, so as you can imagine, all eyes were focused on him when he stepped onto the court. He has positional height for a middle school center which was an advantage for Matt on the glass. His defensive presence is ahead of his offensive presence at this current stage of his game. He is an interior threat on the defensive end of the floor, and often times if he did not block the shot, he caused the offensive player to alter his shot which impacted the offense’s scoring opportunity. He not only needs more time in the lab working on his low-block game, but he also needs time to learn how to expand his game outside of the paint. Matt has a lot of development that needs to be addressed, but he is a presence on the middle school level right now and will be for the remainder of the season.
Terry J. DrakeHe has positional height for a middle school center which was an advantage for Matt on the glass.
Jacob Nixon (5’10/SF/2027/Brentwood Academy)
Instagram: jacobnixon_13
Jacob was one of the smoothest players I saw during the entire tourney. He has a swagger that makes you keep your eyes on him, and he delivers in all aspects of the game. He is a player that is skilled with vision and good passing ability. He plays at a great pace and never gets rushed. He is listed as a small forward but can play the 1-3 and maneuver between them all with no lack of production. This will not be the last time you hear his name because Jacob is an emerging prospect to monitor over the next several years. He doesn’t depend on scoring to be seen but can score the rock when opportunities present themselves. His strength is being a playmaker, and he was really at his best when the rock was in his hands, and he was able to make plays off the bounce. There is a lot to like about Jacob’s game, and I like the trajectory I see with him.
Terry J. DrakeJacob was one of the smoothest players I saw during the entire tourney.
Bryson Wade (5’8/PG/2027/Brentwood Academy)
Instagram: @bryson_manning_wade
Twitter: _Bryson_Wade_
Bryson is a ferocious playmaker that has good vision and passing ability. He was constantly attacking off the bounce and making plays in the paint and right at the rim. Some of the plays he made for others resulted from seeing things develop before they were even there, which is a testament to his excellent vision. He is a good finisher at the rim as well as a good passer when defenders cut off his drive. He was dropping dimes by making on-time and on-target passes that made scoring opportunities easy for his teammates. He definitely is a player that makes others around him better. He is a valuable piece of Brentwood’s roster as he brings on-floor leadership and is an unselfish floor general.
Terry J. DrakeBryson is a ferocious playmaker that has good vision and passing ability.
LJ Funk (G|F/Brentwood MS)
One of the most gifted scorers I saw in the entire tourney was LJ. He came out strong and in attack mode and never took his foot off the pedal. He wasn’t hesitant with the rock in his hands as he got downhill with a purpose. He is a good finisher in the paint and at the rim. He is a player that needs touches, and he knows what to do with them when he gets them. He is a swingman that knows how to attack inside and out and, as a result, was a difficult cover for all who took their chance attempting to guard him. He tries to dominate every possession and will be a name common in grassroots basketball in the state of TN.
Terry J. DrakeOne of the most gifted scorers I saw in the entire tourney was LJ.