PH Grind Region Kickoff: Upside Wings and Bigs
Guard play often dominates grassroots tournaments, as they have the ball in their hands and make the plays that standout. But a key component of any successful team are players with size and athleticism, who can change games around the…
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Continue ReadingGuard play often dominates grassroots tournaments, as they have the ball in their hands and make the plays that standout. But a key component of any successful team are players with size and athleticism, who can change games around the rim. Here’s a look at a mixture of players with the height or athleticism to battle round the rim.
Alex Alston
Alex Alston
The private school standout has obvious stretch forward potential with his combination of size, movement and shooting touch. He has a smooth looking shooting form and was comfortable in catch and shoot situations. When watching Alston to close out the tournament on Sunday afternoon, it was clear he has a good motor and is willing to mix it up around the paint. But over the next year will need to continue to improve his quickness and strength to be a better a post defender against better athletes.
Malachi Wrice
Malachi Wrice
In a Sunday victory for Thunder Elite, Wrice racked up 15 points with good finishing around the rim and quality free throw shooting. He’s a broad shoulder player, who puts his strength to good use when finishing around the basket. Wrice also showed some good chemistry as a roll man in pick and roll situations with talented point guard Goree.
Jodie Shavers
Jodie Shavers
Active and light on his feet for his size, Shavers flashed in the first game of the tournament as a rim running forward who can rise up and finish with authority. He was at his best when running the floor or crashing the glass on the offensive. His natural athleticism and movement hint that he could be great as a roll man in “pick and roll” situations.
Eric Wilson
Eric Wilson
A bouncy wing prospect, he was part of an Icons teams that put together a 20+ point victory on Saturday. Wilson was in double figures with 12 points in that win and the way he scored those points were impressive. He’s a top tier athlete, with long arms, who seemingly glides up and down the court. With the bounce to get up and finish at the rim. It was a first viewing of the rising 2025 prospect and he will merit monitoring going forward.
Another lanky wing prospect, the Arizona based 3/4 caught the eye as an active player around the rim in a Saturday afternoon contest. With his huge wingspan and ease at getting off the floor he scored at the rim with good finishing, put-backs. While also being active as a shooter contester on the defensive end. He even hit a spot up three pointer, hinting that he could have some “3 & D” potential as a wing prospect.