Electric performances from Big Shots Virginia Horizon Tip-Off 16u
I had the chance to tune in to the Big Shots Ralph Sampson Virginia Horizon Tip-Off that took place in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it did not disappoint one bit. I managed to get eyes on all seven 16u squads. All…
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Continue ReadingI had the chance to tune in to the Big Shots Ralph Sampson Virginia Horizon Tip-Off that took place in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it did not disappoint one bit. I managed to get eyes on all seven 16u squads. All the way through, each game was full of excitement. Here are my top performers of the 16u division.
Will Braun-Duin Will Braun-Duin 6'2" | SG Handley | 2027 State VA
Will Braun-Duin Will Braun-Duin 6'2" | SG Handley | 2027 State VA
Braun-Duin made his presence felt all over the court this past weekend at the Big Shots Ralph Sampson Virginia Horizon Tip-Off. The Class of 2027 guard was a nuisance for opposing defenses all weekend. Braun-Duin moves with intent when he’s on the court. He can be a great off-ball player as he stays in motion and keeps his hands up and ready to receive a pass for quick-release catch and shoot jumpers. The HHBA Lightning guard scored most of his points from tough catch and shoot three-pointers, but Bruan-Duin created shots for himself as well by getting downhill and pushing the pace in transition to create fastbreak opportunities.
James Deyo
James Deyo
James Deyo was a dominant force on the court Saturday and Sunday as he put his complete tool set on display. The high-motor forward played with good defensive awareness and active hands throughout the event, coming up with multiple steals and blocks across the two-day period. He was strong and determined rebound, hawking down defensive boards and cleaning up missed shots around the rim. In terms of scoring, Deyo came through on all three levels. Deyo looked unstoppable at times when attacking in transition. He thrived at putting pressure on the rim and getting paint touches with defenders swarming all over the court. Deyo also made himself a threat from behind the arc, knocking down a couple of three-pointers.
Rayne Dean
Rayne Dean
Dean played a key role in HHBA Lightning’s dominant weekend. He was a big problem for defenses in the half court. Dean displayed an impressive burst off the dribble. He likes to implement a jab to throw defenders off before exploding off the dribble. He is a good straight line driver with his 6-foot-3, 215 pound frame. He has all the tools needed to get downhill at a consistent rate. He can also use that strong frame to bully smaller defenders and dominate on the glass. The two-sport athlete can be a matchup problem for other 6’3″ hoopers as well due to his size and strength. Dean operates as a two-way player who can stretch out the offense and be physically in the paint as well as protect the rim on the other end.
Erik Ellis
Erik Ellis
The 6-foot-1 guard did a good job of creating good looks for the team as well as for himself by moving off ball and staying open. I liked watching Ellis operate in the pick n roll. He displayed patience while scanning the floor and looked like a vet while doing so by keeping his defender on his back while he looked to create for others or for himself as the pick n roll ball handler. Ellis stayed aggressive when the ball was in hands, putting a ton of pressure on the defense. He thrived at getting two-feet in the paint and making something out of it and scoring the ball from deep. He showed his killer instinct occasionally by scanning the floor, then looking the defender in the face before pulling up and cashing out on a deep three-pointer.
Mekhi Wilson
Mekhi Wilson
Wilson put on a jump shooting masterclass this past weekend as he was a threat to score from anywhere on the court. Wilson did a good job of making something out of nothing and creating for himself around the rim and in the low post. He created an advanced turnaround jumper for himself in the low post when the lane was cut off, used hop steps to slice through defensive walls, and looked very comfortable converting on acrobatic finishes around the rim. Wilson also got a ton of work done from behind the arc. He punished defenders every time for going under the screen with a pull-up jumper from deep and used his elite handle to knock down some tough self-created three-pointers off the dribble.