Kentucky 250 Expo: Mike’s 2024 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Kentucky Top 250 Expo brought out a lot of talent to Louisville on Saturday and I was on court 2 the entire time scouting some top prospects from Kentucky. In this article I'll break down the 2024 standouts I saw during my time on court 2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1122207"],"_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":"Wardlow is a prospect I've watched before and he continued to show why he's one of my favorite guards to watch in Kentucky's 2024 class. Able to get by the first defender with his quickness and athleticism, Wardlow has the talent to pull-up from the mid-range or throw the flashy pass to one of his teammates. At the rim, Wardlow has acrobatic finishes to avoid shot blockers and is a capable finisher with either hand. Also threw down a couple impressive dunks throughout the day as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1389731"],"_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":"One of my favorite players I watched all summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit, Harris is an under the radar talent who I think Division II and NAIA programs should be all over right now. A stretch four with the size and skill to space out the defense while also having the frame to add muscle in college, Harris has a lot of skills that will translate to the college level. As one of the tallest players at the camp, Harris had to defend opposing bigs and it was interesting watching him compete in the paint and seeing bigs defend Harris on the perimeter. I think Harris is a scholarship level talent and expect him to get some buzz with a big senior season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1287889"],"_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":"This showcase was also a great opportunity to scout some new faces and this was my first-time seeing Whitaker standout. With good size from the wing and a high motor, Whitaker was getting his team extra possessions with how he attacked the glass. Combine that with his soft touch from the mid-range area and Whitaker was a steady performer all afternoon. A high academic prospect as well, I expect small college programs to go hard after Whitaker throughout his senior season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2171653"],"_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":"A new name in Kentucky's 2024 class, Johnson is a recent move in to the state from Georgia. A very athletic guard who came out firing in the one game I watched of his team, scoring or assisting the first eight points. In transition, Johnson could shift into another gear and blow by the defense to get easy finishes at the rim. His strength and athleticism gives him the tools to be a good rebounder for a guard and his motor allowed him to outhustle opponents for those rebounds. Also knocked down a couple pull-up 3-pointers, Johnson looks like a big time talent that's new to Kentucky, you'll be hearing his name a lot more throughout the winter.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2148156"],"_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":"Belle showed soft touch on floater and mid-range shots and was even able to stretch his range out for a 25 foot top of the key 3-pointer. In transition, Belle used the bounce pass to get the ball to his teammates and avoid defenders jumping the passing lanes. A quick guard who provided on ball pressure defensively, Belle impacted the game in a variety of ways.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65007de078a6f"} /-->