Big Shots Rock The Rock: Lofty 17u Standouts (Part 2)
Exciting prospects filled the gym in Rock Hill, South Carolina for Big Shots Rock The Rock with ESPN’s Paul Biancardi. The event took place from May 5th to May 7th, with teams from all over the east coast in attendance.…
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Continue ReadingExciting prospects filled the gym in Rock Hill, South Carolina for Big Shots Rock The Rock with ESPN’s Paul Biancardi. The event took place from May 5th to May 7th, with teams from all over the east coast in attendance. Here are some of the top 17u performances that I was able to get an eye on.
Jailyn Edmonds Jailyn Edmonds 5'9" | PG Tunstall | 2024 VA
Jailyn Edmonds Jailyn Edmonds 5'9" | PG Tunstall | 2024 VA
Edmonds showed the ability to get deep into the paint and create driving lanes. His drive and kick game was on full display as we saw him enter the lane and make the right read time and time again. He used his tight handle to break defenders down on the perimeter and open up driving angles to put pressure on the rim. Edmonds was also active on the offensive glass as we saw him hunt down offensive boards to keep possessions alive and generate second chance points.
Brent Thompson Jr.
Brent Thompson Jr.
Thompson Jr. was a threat on fastbreaks and transition situations as he was able to get past defenders in the open court to finish plays through traffic. He did a good job of initiating contact on shots around the basket leading to fouls as he picked up a tough and-1 at the rim. When attacking in the half court, he used pace and changes of speeds to blow by defenders and get into the lane for runners and floaters. Thompson Jr. displayed his range and focus by knocking down multiple tough contested three-pointer over the contests of defenders.
Pace has been a huge stock riser throughout the year and the stock continues to rise every weekend. Throughout the event, Pace was able to get his hand in passing lanes, hound ball handlers, and deny passing angles. Offensively, He did a good job of pacing himself to get around defenders on the perimeter. He was determined to get downhill as he was able to get into the paint at a consistent rate.
Highlights
Gavin Ratliff
Gavin Ratliff
At 6-foot-5, Ratliff was a dominant force on the glass on either end of the court. He showed the ability to pull down offensive boards in traffic and convert on second chance points as well as pull down defensive rebounds in crowded paints and make the quick outlet pass. Ratliff had a good feel for transition situations in general. He did a good job of pulling down defensive rebounds and immediately looking for the opportunity for a pass upcourt that could lead to an assist. When the ball wasn’t in his hands or coming from his hands, Ratliff did a good job of filling the lane in transition offensively, and hustling down court to deter fastbreak opportunities and alter shots at the rim defensively.