Top 2024 + 2025’s from Holiday Hardwood Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Holiday Hardwood Classic hosted four games at the Cintas Center on the campus of Xavier University on Tuesday. In this article we'll take a look at the top 2024 and 2025 prospects from the three boys games that took place at this event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1718515"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The first game went down to the wire and it was Arnold stepping up on a La Salle squad that relies on a lot of younger pieces to produce right now. I was impressed with the feel for the game that Arnold showed, finishing off two feet and his ability to get to the paint without turning the ball over. Another skill that I enjoyed when watching Arnold was his enjoyment of defending opposing ball-handlers, he really made things difficult on the other team when they tried to attack him off the bounce. In the second half Arnold did start forcing the issue a little bit, but I was still thoroughly impressed with the young guard and think La Salle has a nice core of 2025 prospects to build with over the next couple years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1222347"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of the elite big men in the country for the class of 2024 and showed why on Tuesday afternoon. A dominant force on the inside, Burgess had numerous dunks off cuts, putbacks and dump off passes. Burgess also knocked down a couple 3-pointers, something he was doing a lot more on the grassroots circuit than with Sycamore so far this season. A quick processor with the basketball, Burgess is making the right play quickly when the ball is in his hands, giving the defense not much time to read and react. Burgess has numerous offers from high major programs and will be recruited heavily until he makes a final decision on where he will play college basketball.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1539879"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"One of the more intriguing new names that I've seen this high school season, Dalen has some intriguing physical tools to work with at 6'8. With long arms and a skinny frame, Dalen has some impressive athleticism and ball skills. Still learning how to play, Dalen needs to get lots of reps in varsity and grassroots action plus get stronger for the college level but there's a lot to work with considering what I saw on Tuesday. Dalen knocked down a couple jumpers, was aggressive around the basket and played hard on both ends. This is a prospect I think that scholarship programs will be looking at starting this spring.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1718498"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Another new name who really intrigued me, Johnson has had a really solid season for Elder so far. A versatile forward, Johnson could face up and attack off the bounce and either look to finish at the rim or make the extra pass. Good size, knocked down a 3-pointer, skilled off the bounce, Johnson has a lot of skills that Division II, NAIA and Division III programs look for. I'll have to watch Johnson again to get an exact feel on what level of college prospect he is, but he's going to have some fans at the next level due to his skill set.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1462535"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Williams was another bright spot for Elder, showing off his high feel for the game and ability to handle the ball under pressure. He was given the freedom to bring the ball up the court and make plays off the bounce, also took a charge and passed the ball at a high level. I liked what I saw from Williams in the one grassroots game I caught of his, but seeing him in a high-pressure high school environment even furthered my belief in him as a prospect, he should be one of the most important players in the GCL during the next two years.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1432021"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Another young guard who plays with poise beyond his age, Sanders made some big-time shots for Fairfield from the outside. A strong guard, Sanders isn't pushed off his spots easily and plays under control on both ends. While [player_tooltip player_id='867933' first='Deshawne' last='Crim'] has been excellent as the lead guard for Fairfield, I'll be interested to see how Sanders will handle a bigger offensive workload next season after the core group of seniors graduate. Sanders is one of my favorite young guards to watch and I'm excited to continue to monitor his development.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63ac79aa067d0"} /-->