PHI Freshman Showcase Team 8 Standouts
Welcome to the exciting realm of basketball as Prep Hoops Illinois presents our Freshman Showcase which took place over this past weekend at Supreme Courts in Aurora, Illinois. In this assessment I delve into the talent displayed by these young…
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Continue ReadingWelcome to the exciting realm of basketball as Prep Hoops Illinois presents our Freshman Showcase which took place over this past weekend at Supreme Courts in Aurora, Illinois. In this assessment I delve into the talent displayed by these young athletes, a part of Team 8, who have embarked on their journey to become the future stars of their respective teams.
Roster
Player | Height | High School |
---|---|---|
#326 Dylan Ronczkowski | 5’10” | Buffalo Grove |
#337 Collin Tierney | 5’11” | Conant |
#341 Aidan Shumate | 5’11” | Winnebago |
#377 Lamari Carpenter | 6’3″ | Michele Clark |
#392 Dino Giannini | 5’7″ | Ridgewood |
#396 Giovanni Zepeda Giovanni Zepeda 5'7" | PG Hononegah | 2027 IL | 5’7″ | Hononegah |
#407 Noah Tyler | 5’4″ | Martin Luther (WI) |
#425 Aiden Lyles Aiden Lyles 6'3" | PF St. Edwards | 2027 IL | 6’3″ | St. Edwards Catholic |
#433 Jacob Fuller | 6’7″ | Glenbrook South |
Jacob Fuller
Jacob Fuller
Fuller was my choice for MVP of the team. Yes, he was the tallest player at the showcase, but Fuller displayed his raw talent significantly. As a young athlete, Fuller ran the the floor well and made it a priority to aim for the front of the rim during transitions. He softly finished shots with both hands within the key, which is often a rare trait seen in players with no varsity experience. Not only was Fuller masterful with his inside game, but he also extended out along the perimeter, where he nailed a bountiful amount of threes in spot-up scenarios. Throughout the day, Fuller utilized his height effectively by stealing offensive boards over smaller opponents. He maintained consistent activity on the defensive half-court and presented a huge challenge for shorter opponents to shoot or pass against. I’m eager to witness how his game expands, and with the addition more muscle, Glenbrook South shall have a fine addition to their varsity program.
Lamari Carpenter
Lamari Carpenter
Lamari was another entertaining prospect to watch over the course of the day. His physique I like to compare to as a snake, a long and slithery frame that he exercised properly. On countless occasions, Carpenter maneuvered his way through tight defensive gaps via dribble penetration, and as he rose towards the rim he had the ability to control his body, absorb contact, and gently release his shot with either hand. Though Carpenter had much success with a driving mentality he in fact showcased the strong ability to lace three point attempts. His shot release is quick, sound, and controlled, plus he displayed a stellar size-up at the top of the arc before swishing the trey. On the defensive end, Carpenter’s lengthy frame assists him in being an obstacle in passing lanes and helps him disrupt shooters with placing a hand in their face. Michele Clark has an impressive up and coming young athlete, and I’m certain Carpenter will improve each year with hard work ethic and development.
Noah Tyler
Noah Tyler
Noah garnered my attention with his lead-guard attitude during the showcase, and he continued to attack defensive gaps regularly which caused a defense to collapse. The more I watched Noah, the more confidence I could see in his eyes. He was a determined point guard who kept working on his ball-handling and driving abilities, and as the day went on those skills strengthened. Noah finished a handful of tough and wild shot attempts at the rim over taller opponents, after he slashed past his primary defender. Defensively, his biggest strength was pick-pocketing guards at the top of the half court, which led to easy layups in transition. One more thing to keep note of on Tyler is his continuous effort. He treated every minute like it was the last minute of a tight game. If a previous possession didn’t go his way or he committed a turnover, it was in the past and didn’t effect his game going forward.
Dylan Ronczkowski
Dylan Ronczkowski
Dylan had a knack for constantly moving within his team’s offense and he even fooled his defender numerous times with a hard backdoor cuts. He possessed the capability to drive in either direction and distribute the ball nicely to open shooters along the perimeter. In the block areas, Dylan showed patience at times with fundamental pivoting techniques, which opened tight windows for sneaking in layups. Additionally, he presented solid shot fakes, created space with his dribble, and connected on some mid-range field goals.
Dino Giannini
Dino Giannini
Dino was an uber-quick guard who demonstrated to defenders he could blow past them if they became too relaxed. He also finished a couple of off-balanced layups after being bumped by larger opponents. Dino functioned effectively along the perimeter, where he found open positions to free up his three-point stroke.