Spring Grassroots Circuit: Week 1…SEPA Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the weekend many of the grassroots teams from southeastern PA tipped off their spring circuit by participating in events that took place in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of several prospects from southeastern PA (and beyond) who impressed with their outstanding play on grassroots circuit this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>17U (2023s / 24s)</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1281786' first='Ahmad' last='Nowell'] – 6'2″ / Junior / Imhotep Charter / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL / Combo Guard: </strong>Nowell continues to display a versatility that is unmatched. This past weekend, he gave opponents buckets in transition and via dribble drives. When defenders sagged off him, Nowell drained threes. Additionally, Nowell used his physicality to bull his way to the tin. Plus, he exhibited solid court vision and a knack for timely dimes. Nowell posted 17 points, 7 boards and 7 assists against Jersey Force.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1279628' first='Aris' last='Rodriguez'] – 6'6″ / Senior / Reading / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] Red / Combo Guard: </strong>Rodriguez (6A state champion) played outstanding ball at MADE Hoops East. He scored at all three levels and was basically unstoppable. With TFR, Rodriguez was able to lead the fast break more often than he did during the high school season. His transition game skills are impressive. He routinely made the correct decisions as to when to score versus when to distribute. Rodriguez's athleticism and hops were on full display too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1589139' first='Reggie' last='Selden, Jr.'] – 6'1″ / Junior / Bonner &amp; Prendergast / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] Select / Combo Guard: </strong>Selden is slasher style backcourt prospect who scored in transition and via baseline drives at the MADE Hoops East tourney. His speed, change of direction skills and attack the rim mindset make him a real problem for opponents. As a bonus, Selden displayed 3-point range we did not know he possessed. If that aspect of his game continues to develop, Selden's potential is limitless.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>16U (2025s)</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1460771' first='Jacob' last='Nguyen'] </strong><strong>– 6'3” / Spring Ford / [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] UAA / Shooting Guard: </strong>The [player_tooltip player_id='1460771' first='Jacob' last='Nguyen'] elite shooting tour continued this weekend at MADE Hoops East. Nguyen (1st Team All-PAC selection) knocked home threes of every variety as he guided [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] to a 2-1 record. Their only loss was to archrival [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final']. Nguyen's pump fake, then a quick side dribble to find space for an open three is a devastating move. This high IQ prospect also hit dribble pull up as well as mid-range jumpers across all three contests. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1865294' first='Cameron' last='Smith'] </strong><strong>– 6'6” / Academy of New Church / Philly Revolution / Small Forward: </strong>From what we saw at the Made Hoops event, Smith (14 ppg. &amp; 9 rpg. this weekend) has a chance to develop into a DI stretch-4 prospect. This long, high IQ athlete can hit triples, score via the offensive glass, and take bigger defenders to the rack off the dribble. He also runs the floor well for a prospect of his size. Smith provided decent rim protection as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>15U (2026s)</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611931' first='Kody' last='Colson'] </strong><strong>– 5'11” / Imhotep Charter / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] Red / Combo Guard: </strong>If you did not get to witness Colson (8 ppg. &amp; 2 apg. in 2022-23) play floor general this winter, make sure you seek out his TFR games on the grassroots circuit. Colson is elusive ball handler with timely and precise passing skills. When he was not distributing the rock, Colson splashed jumpers from all over the floor, including several deep threes. His court awareness and instincts for the game are outstanding.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1406786' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] </strong><strong>– 6'0” / Salesianum (DE) / [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] E15 / Combo Guard: </strong>Smith is a multi-skilled guard who gets downhill quickly and can go coast to coast. Once he is at the rim, he can then finish with either hand. Smith is a high IQ prospect who also does an impressive job in transition of finding open teammates on the secondary break. In the half court, Smith scores via dribble drives and stop-n-pop jumpers. Finally, Smith does is a solid rebounder at both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->