AAU Roster Standouts: CD Elite 16u
We’re a few weeks into the AAU season and I know my basketball enthusiasts are just as excited as I am to follow along with these entertaining events. Young athletes have the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’re a few weeks into the AAU season and I know my basketball enthusiasts are just as excited as I am to follow along with these entertaining events. Young athletes have the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and flaunt some hidden talents. The club season opens the door for coaches, scouts, parents, and other athletes to witness a variety of untapped potential from an abundance of recognized and unrecognized teams. After their first tournament (Midwest Warmup) at Wintrust Sports Complex let’s examine a few key players from CD Elite 16u, a Chicago based AAU program, coached by Aaron Wilson of Bowen High School.
Rae’Qwon Rogers
Rae’Qwon Rogers
Possesses a careful yet skillful ball-handling package by portraying sound ball-security and various cross-over moves. Creates initial separation while in triple threat position with a forceful jab step. Sizes-up defenders with savvy ball-handling before attacking the paint. Penetrates his way into the heart of the defense where he can either snap passes to the wing or corner, or provide a quick pocket-pass to the open post or cutting teammate. Rogers is a leader for his team which makes him an excellent point guard, complimented by all his ball-handling artistry. He even showed signs of his shooting ability by knocking down a few triples and sinking pull-up jumpers. What amazed me of Rae’Qwon’s skillset was his ability to take the ball coast-to-coast, display unique ball-fakes and euro-like steps, all before finishing through or around contact.
Rakeem Cole
Rakeem Cole
Rakeem is the best deep-threat shooter on the team. If he is open around the perimeter, with no defender in close proximity, it’s a green light. His smooth, gentle release explains the reason for being a knock-down three-point shooter; creates good depth in his stance and displays a pristine arc with the shot. Showed flashes of sizing-up his defender before using a step-back dribble to knock down a three-ball a few feet beyond downtown. Solid triple position including ball fakes, rip-throughs, and then driving hard to the rim. Presented a few flashes of consistently attacking the paint, and finishing with either hand. Dependable back court pairing with Rae’Qwon Rogers as Rakeem has the ability to handle the ball from time-to-time. Cole’s package of ball-handling includes more patience, not forcing a pass or shot that isn’t available, but rather maintaining strong ball-security with the ball close to his hip.
Isaiah Owens
Isaiah Owens
Defensive engine for the CD Elite team. More often than not, Isaiah is picking up his defender with full-court pressure. He’s not generating a lot of steals, but it’s the fact of making his opponent uncomfortable, forcing them to play faster than intended. Isaiah plays active defense every minute he’s on the floor by having the lateral quickness to stay in front, shadowing the ball with his hands, and fighting for loose balls. When playing off-ball defense, Isaiah shows good position in gap-help or weak-side help which allows him to create deflections with his active motor and hands. Offensively, Isaiah starts team transition with his activity on the defensive end, plus he showed a good stroke from three-point territory when open opportunities were available.
Terrance Seals
Terrance Seals
Long-frame with a physical play-style inside the paint. A huge inside presence for CD Elite as Seals is an astounding rebounder. Offensively or defensively Seals has a nose to snatch the ball which then leads to a quick outlet pass into transition, or snagging an offensive board for a put-back or additional possession. Finds open spots for pocket-passes from driving guards to then attack the hoop strong, with two hands, and finish through contact. Flashed a couple instances of running the pick-and-roll to perfection. Set wide, strong screens before rolling to the rim, or read defensive adjustments correctly and slipped the screen for an easy two. Capable of extending his presence behind the arc, draining some three pointers throughout the tournament, forcing the defender to respect his shot. Shined on his raw talent to be a shot-blocking rim protector by staying vertical against driving opponents.