First-Team All-Freshman Showcase

The <a href="https://prephoops.com/2023/08/second-team-all-freshman-showcase/">Second-Team All-Showcase</a> dropped yesterday with some pretty impressive players but now it's time to reveal who was the best of the best from the showcase. These guys were high-impact players from start to finish and did it in a multitude of ways, affecting the game across the board. They are definitely names to know in the 2027 class. Here's the First-Team All-Showcase and your Freshman Showcase MVP.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140802' first='Achilles' last='Reyna'] Eastside Catholic   Reyna was easily one of the most physically dominant players but he didn't always rely on his size and strength to get things done. At times he brought the ball up and looked to set things in motion, though when the offense stalled he didn't hesitate to take over and get the job done himself, going right down the throat of the defense. He was just about unstoppable at the rim but the most promising aspect of his game that should continue to develop is his jumper. He was off and on spotting up from long-range, but looked a lot more comfortable shooting off a dribble or two and finding a rhythm that way.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140818' first='Jack' last='Thompson'] Shorecrest   Thompson was the tallest player at the showcase but he also proved to be one of the tougher ones too. He fought through a lot of contact to finish in the paint with strength and touch. He was also a monster on the glass and wasn't just a guy who would post up in one spot, he showed excellent activity moving all around the key on both ends of the floor. He has some decent lateral ability and played a pretty smart game up and down the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='2116694' first='Trey' last='Collier'] Lincoln   Collier looked like he was having a ton of fun at the showcase. He was highly instinctive, anticipating passes, jumping into driving lanes to cut off dribblers, and was clearly the engine making his team go for much of the day. He's only 5-foot-7 but Collier was one of the most explosive players at the showcase and had no issue finishing contested shots at the rim. He was affecting the game however he could, whether it was with pesky defense, pushing the ball up the court with the pass and the dribble, or making smart plays in the half-court.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140855' first='Ronnie' last='Wiggins'] Bellarmine Prep   Wiggins was a fighter through and through and was one of the more successful paint scorers of the day. He has a nice burst to win one-on-one and knows how to draw fouls and create contact inside. He's a coast-to-coast type of player who can get down the court in a blur and has the mindset to go every time he gets the ball. That being said, he also has the awareness to take his time in crowded areas and used a gather dribble multiple times with defenders right on his back under the hoop. Wiggins was also one of the top defenders from the showcase with quick hands and a desire to work and play hard throughout every possession.   [player_tooltip player_id='2140825' first='Jimmie' last='Haywood III'] Bellevue   Haywood was easily one of the most complete and effective offensive players, even totaling 40 points in one game. He has the handle and burst to get by just about any defender, the athleticism to finish strong at the rim, and was also one of the most efficient shooters from 3-point range. His impact on his team was clear as the other players deferred to him and often looked to Haywood to get the offense going.   [player_tooltip player_id='1936885' first='Edison' last='Kan'] Bellevue Christian   Kan was another standout that seemed to impact the game in every way possible. He shot the three well, was effective in orchestrating the offense, getting to the hoop, and was a competitive defender. He plays with great poise and control, and hardly seemed to make a negative play out there. Kan has the touch and strength to be a really effective scorer but also has a high IQ that helps him lead the way in other aspects of the game.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Freshman Showcase MVP</h2>   This was a three-man race between [player_tooltip player_id='1936885' first='Edison' last='Kan'], [player_tooltip player_id='2140825' first='Jimmie' last='Haywood III'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2140855' first='Ronnie' last='Wiggins']. Each player was equally effective but in different ways. Kan was probably the most balanced player of the three, shooting, passing, scoring inside, and defending equally well. Haywood was the most dynamic scorer of the group, seeming to get whatever he wanted on the offensive end and willing his team to wins. And Wiggins was probably the most impactful two-way player of the three, playing with his hair on fire on both sides of the ball and blitzing other teams with his effort and pace.   Because this is such a close call, I'll open it up to a vote. Let your opinion be known, go ahead and vote for the MVP of the showcase and we'll see who the other players thought was the best of the freshmen.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-crowdsignal wp-block-embed-crowdsignal"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://poll.fm/12700682 </div></figure>

The Second-Team All-Showcase dropped yesterday with some pretty impressive players but now it's time to reveal who was the best of the best from the showcase. These guys were high-impact players from start to finish and did it in a multitude of ways, affecting the game across the board. They are definitely names to know in the 2027 class. Here's the First-Team All-Showcase and your Freshman Showcase MVP.