#PHMidwestMelee: Max’s Saturday Standouts
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Seven of the prospects who impressed in games I watched on Saturday at Midwest Melee! Anthony Knight MN #230 PG #81 HEIGHT 5'10" POS PG CLASS 2024 View Profile Anthony Knight Instagram State: Minnesota School: Cretin-Derham Hall Anthony had a…
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Continue ReadingSeven of the prospects who impressed in games I watched on Saturday at Midwest Melee!
Anthony had a big second half leading Real Phenom 2024 Ivan to a big win over The Work Foundation. He played with impressive change of speed on the ball, able to freeze his defender and then blow by to get into the paint. Could make plays as a scorer showing soft touch on his floater, but also stop to play off two feet and find one of his teammates cutting to the rim. Had an impressive bucket towards the end of the game splitting two defenders with a quick crossover and then extending to finish off the glass.
Justin displayed a very high ceiling in Indiana Game’s win over Real Phenom on Saturday afternoon. He’s a very long 6’5/6’6 small forward with effortless bounce and good mobility at his size. There was a stretch in the second half where he scored a handful of buckets in a row, attacking the basket hard off the bounce and just finding ways to convert through some hard contact. Has the ability to get to the rim off the dribble from the wing, but can also float in that dunker spot making quick cuts and then elevating to finish once the pass comes his way. Defensively he can move his feet on the wing but also operated as a shot blocking threat inside for his team with his ability to quickly get off the floor.
Highlights
Sam’s shot was falling all day long at Batavia High School. If the defense left him with enough space to catch and get squared up, it felt like a guarantee the ball was going in. At 6’5 he’s able to quickly get his feet set off the move allowing him to step into his shot before his defender can catch up. Always seems to have his hands ready to shoot when off the ball. Size and shooting ability are two attributes sought after at the next level, and if Hans keeps playing to the level he’s shown this spring he could have some suitors.
Keyser stood out when he helped lead his team past MN Lockdown on Saturday night. He was the quickest player on the floor with the ball in his hands, and was utilizing it to constantly get into the paint to make plays for himself and his teammates. Showed impressive body control just gliding to the rim at full speed and finishing around defenders. Had a stretch towards the end of the first half where he had a pair of finishes, an assist, and a blocked shot off the backboard that helped send his team into halftime leading by double-digits.
Highlights
Malachi is one of the top shot creators I’ve seen this spring, and he continued his high level of play on Saturday helping lead GPA past Team Rose 3SSB. Last time I saw Malachi play he was focusing a lot more on getting into his three point shot, but yesterday he showed more explosive pop getting to the rim and finishing inside. Could hesitate and then blow by his man off the dribble to get into the lane. Showed some explosiveness with a transition dunk in the second half as well. Defensively utilized his quickness to defend on the perimeter and fight to get over screens against Team Rose’s physical forwards. Helped his team pick up an impressive win.
Highlights
Isiah was making plays on both ends of the floor in the win for Real Phenom Ivan on Saturday. At 6’6 he has a long and wiry frame that he put to use on the defensive end as he was putting himself in the right spots off the ball to make plays as a shot blocker. In transition he was running the floor hard looking for easy buckets. In the half-court he has a jumper that has to be respected, and he uses that to open up drives as he utilizes a shot fake before blowing by his man on the baseline. Had some tough finishes through contact leading his team to a big win.
Highlights
Team Rose fell short against GPA, but Gianni had one of the best single halves of basketball I’ve seen this spring just willing his team back into the game. They were down by about 20 at one point in the second half, but Gianni just made play after play until it was a real game with a few minutes to play. He was forcing a bunch of turnovers by jumping cross-court passes and then turning them into easy points at the rim. In the half-court defenders struggled to stay in front of him as he’s so shifty with the ball. Was able to get to the rim and score but also had his eyes constantly scanning the floor before hitting his shooters right in the hands with kickout passes. True point guard who can hurt opposing teams on both ends.