Hardwood Classic: 2025 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On May 13th I attended the&nbsp;<strong>Elite Youth Events Hardwood Classic&nbsp;</strong>tournament<strong>&nbsp;</strong>at the Phhacility by&nbsp;<em>Tony Darden</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched a little of all three levels of 15-17U and were some of the standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>H</strong>ere were some of the 2025 Standouts:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1379908' first='Avery' last='Osyczka'] Phhoenix Prep (AZ Select Craig 16) (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high motored power forward runs the floor, grabs out of area rebounds and made a huge block down the stretch to win it.&nbsp;He is getting stronger and put on good weight recently. He is best closest to the rim and springs up quickly to score. rebound or block shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1216992' first='Dante' last='“Te” Brooks'] Bella Vista Prep (Apex Athletix 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled lefty wing forward with good size. He brings some toughness and a thicker build. He will hit the catch three and can drive the lane. He battles inside with bigger post players and rebounds well in his area. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1876013' first='Gage' last='Gottlieb'] Paradise Valley (AZ Select Gottlieb 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A cerebral pure point guard guides the older team. He can hit the catch three and handles heavy ball pressure. He has a tighter handle and understands how to change speeds. He gets the ball in the correct spots to his teammates and should have a good year for the Trojans. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1491233' first='Will' last='Feagles'] NDP (AZ Select Craig 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A shooting guard has a strap from the arc.&nbsp;He runs the floor for transition buckets but it's his pretty jumper that separates him and has him climbing the rankings. Down two to the older 17U team, he made a clutch three off the dribble that was the game winner. His confidence and game is soaring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595011' first='Mateo' last='Sullivan'] Goldwater (Apex Athletx 2025) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A face-up four-man made huge strides since my last viewing. He has grown at least two inches and is polishing up his skill. He can comfortably step out and hit perimeter shots from mid to the three point line and is still good inside with footwork and dunks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369213' first='Amare' last='King'] Casteel</strong> <strong>(Legion of Hoops 16 Navy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two weekends in a row he was one of the best players viewed. He has an all-around game with scoring and facilitating. He has a deep three ball with a quick trigger, he can dunk the ball on the break, he has a middle game and has next level court vision. He uses his long arms to play the passing lanes. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1135513' first='Nathan' last='Wanjohi'] Phhoenix Prep (AZ Select Craig 16)&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physical power forward plays both ends of the court. He took charges, grabs rebounds with his stick em hands, he blocks shots a high level and will score with either hand inside. He can rip thru quickly and get to the rim, he can fall away from his defender and score and handles the ball well and can make a play.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1483887' first='Kaiden' last='Sadler'] <strong>Phhoenix Prep</strong> <strong>(AZ Select Craig 16)&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A cerebral scoring guard with a huge IQ and moxie. He has big skill and confidence. He can shoot the three with range well beyond the line and plays at his own pace. He may not wow you with supreme bounce, but can make next level passes and has real skill and strength. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->