Run N Slam: Mike’s Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bill Hensley Run N Slam brought out many of the top teams from all across the midwest to compete in Fort Wayne for a weekend filled with exciting action. In this article I'll break down my top five Ohio performers from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1148120"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The first game of the tournament couldn't have started off with more of a bang as the [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] were taking it to Indiana Elite with a 15 point first half lead. The majority of the lead was thanks to Skaljac who was hitting contested shot after contested shot. An elite off the bounce shooter, Skaljac doesn't need much room to fire away and knock down perimeter shots. Playing at his own pace, Skaljac isn't rushed and gets to his spots. As a facilitator, Skaljac was finding open teammates and making the right pass to cutters, shooters and rollers. On the defensive end, Skaljac is up and down with staying in front of ball handlers and staying aware off the ball but he did have a pair of blocks. By the end of the game the Buckets and Skaljac ran out of gas and couldn't get the stops needed to stay with the eventual champions, but Skaljac showed what he can do against one of the elite 3SSB teams in the country. Skaljac continues to play like one of the best 2024 prospects in the state and is worthy of more recruiting buzz from mid to high major programs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1222348"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"After a frustrating first EYBL session with All Ohio Red, Powell made the move to [program_tooltip program_id='2076317' first='Midwest' last='Basketball Club 3SSB'] to play for his high school coach Brook Cupps. With the new system, Powell has regained his form and reminded people why he's a nationally ranked prospect with a top five list full of high major powerhouses. Powell is getting easier looks with Midwest and knocking down these open jumpers at a high clip. In transition he's also able to show off some of his athleticism with dunks and he had one nice extension finish with his right hand past a shot blocker. While still inconsistent when attacking off the bounce and trying to beat defenders, he isn't required to do that as often to still get clean looks. Powell is showing that in the right system he can be a very productive player, but whatever college gets him will need to know how to use him to the best of his abilities.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1222354"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another top 2024 prospect, McCulloch was dominant for Indy Heat as they made the semifinals with only seven bodies this weekend. An elite passer out of the post, McCulloch was drawing doubles and finding the right man often when he had the size advantage in the paint. McCulloch also knocked down a couple fadeaway jumpers and mid-range shots, a skill that he'll need to use with Michigan State. Defensively, McCulloch was a problem for drivers as he blocked numerous shots in the one game I caught, a few he didn't even have to jump against smaller guards. Another one of the top prospects in Ohio's 2024 class, McCulloch has already made his college decision to head to East Lansing to play under Tom Izzo.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1469018"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Nova 16 U won their pool and advanced to the platinum bracket where they eventually fell to Team Herro EYBL. Calloway however was a standout in this defeat as he was getting after it on the defensive end. With numerous steals leading to fast break opportunities, Calloway brought a spark to his team. Offensively, he used his athleticism and quickness to make a few impressive dribble moves past defenders with in and out and hesitation dribbles. I was impressed by his touch around the basket on floaters and finishing with both hands at the rim. The biggest room for improvement with Calloway will be decision making with the ball in his hands, if he can lower his turnovers then he will improve his stock even more after an impressive outing.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1708688"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"I only watched one 15 U game all weekend to focus on the 16 and 17 U action, but Drexler stood out as a top performer for [program_tooltip program_id='2078667' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2078667' first='TNBA' last='']' last='']-Ohio's 15 U squad in the one game I caught. After knocking off Meanstreets in pool play to advance to the platinum bracket, they met up with a talented Grand Park Premier squad at Turnstone on Sunday afternoon. Drexler was incredibly impressive with his shot-making ability, pace he played with and finishing ability. As a scorer, Drexler is an elite shooter but also made some tough moves to the bucket with two-foot finishes and fakes into pivots to create space to score. He even banked in a half-court shot to end the first half. One of the most skilled guards in Ohio's 2025 class, Drexler is a name fans will continue to hear about over the next few years.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64593aa3e5fc9"} /-->