PH Hard Work Finals: Lengthy Players Making It Look Easy (16U)
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When you start to break down the sport of basketball from a physical point-of-view, you start to understand the phrase, “You can’t teach height.” Which, is true. You can teach the game in a number of ways but having a…
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Continue ReadingWhen you start to break down the sport of basketball from a physical point-of-view, you start to understand the phrase, “You can’t teach height.” Which, is true. You can teach the game in a number of ways but having a skilled player, with superior height, will give you a distinct advantage in todays game. Below are a few athletes, from the PH Hard Work Region Finals, that have skill mixed in with a whole bunch of size. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!
Philip Deng
Philip Deng
Philip Deng showed off glimpses of being really special over the last few days for his Bearstails 16U basketball team. Deng stands at around 6’5 with length and a diverse skill-set. He uses his size when he can near the basket but mainly likes to attack off of the dribble, from beyond the three point line. All the intangibles are there for Deng. He is quick, athletic, and has some skill moves on the court to go along with all that. Not to mention, he even pulled up from deep a few times on occasion, when his defender helped off of him too much, displaying a fundamental shooting stroke. The physical gifts are there and Deng is still learning. He even looks young for age with this group, but the future is promising if he keeps working on his craft.
Calvin, “CJ”, Armstrong showed off his length and guard abilities this weekend with the ball in his hands. Armstrong is a shifty combo guard in the aspects that he can play the 1, 2, or 3, for whatever team he is lacing up with right now. He has a quick dribble that can lead into a pull up from anywhere on the floor, at any given moment. In the game that I had a chance to really watch CJ his team may of lost, but he was a winner. He showed to everyone watching that he had the more impressive mix of size and skill on the floor. Looking forward, Armstrong is going to have a shot at college ball one day. At what position? I’m not sure yet but I would say at the point, depending on what division he goes. As a point guard, with a little more efficiency, he would be a force to be reckoned with anywhere in the country.
Highlights
Another player that put on a show from all over the court this weekend was Drew Hjelmeland Drew Hjelmeland 6’7″ | PF Dawson-Boyd | 2025 State MN of the SW Minnesota Stars 2025. Hjelmeland stands at around 6’6 and can really spread the floor with his shooting ability. He was giving a STACKED Howard Pulley EYBL team the business in his teams 10 point loss Saturday afternoon. He was making shots over 6’7-6’9 players like it was easy, while displaying that he can put the ball on the ground and get to whatever spot he wants too at the same time. On a Southwest Minnesota Stars 2025 team that can shoot the lights out of the ball, Hjelmeland showed he is one of their best, in all facets of the game. His height and skilled ability shooting the ball is special and WILL translate to the college level one day.
Highlights
You want to talk about a D1 level guard, look no further than Tyler Wagner Tyler Wagner 6’6″ | SF Totino Grace | 2025 State #366 Nation MN of Howard Pulley / Team Tyus EYBL 16U. Wagner made his case for player of the tournament in my book yesterday. In game 1 of his day, Wagner scored 31 points on 10-20 shooting, recorded 8 rebounds, and had 4 assists in his teams 10 point win. In game 2, Wagner had 21 points, recorded 9 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists. When you look at these stat-lines it’s easy to see Wagner can hoop at a high level but when you mix in his height at 6’6, eyebrows start to raise. At the end of the day, wherever he goes to play college ball, he has a chance to be lasting impact in that program for years to come. He is a good player now, that will have every chance to become great, later down the road.
Ramsey Walz Ramsey Walz 6’7″ | PF Bishop Ryan | 2025 State #313 Nation ND has size, strength, and the ability to move his game out past the three point line, on a consistent basis. Walz stands at around 6’7 and is a born hooper. When you have a player of this size and strength, most coaches will make them sit in the paint and do their work. Well, in this case, Walz can do that but he also loves to catch and shoot from deep. Which, would be a problem, if he wasn’t extremely efficient with his shot selection. Every time he lets it go, there is a chance that it goes in the hoop. Once he starts to hit those shots within the game, he understands to play off of that and get the ball going towards the rim, off of a dribble or cut. This team is going to play for the Hard Work Region Finals 16U championship this afternoon, in a game that is sure to bring in a crowd. If this group can stay on the pace they have shown all weekend up to this point and handle a press in the full court, they will be going home as the champs.