Breakdown Fall League: Week 3 PM Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven prospects who impressed in the afternoon games I watched at Week 3 of the Breakdown Fall League!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2103258"],"_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":"During the past year we've been able to see just how good of a defender De'Von is. Both with DeLaSalle as a sophomore and playing with Real Phenom 17u this past spring/summer. But yesterday he showed he can be just as good on the offensive end. Against East Ridge in a back-and-forth game, Irvin was a go-to scoring option for The Islanders. He used his quickness to break his man down off the dribble and get to his spots for mid-range jumpers. This included the game winning isolation bucket in sudden death overtime. Irvin was also a catch-and-shoot threat from beyond the arc. On the defensive end he was able to limit one of the best 2026 prospects in the state during his time on the floor, forcing him into some tough shots with his lateral quickness and all-around effort defending the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1549538"],"_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":"Jackson continues to show why he has to be in the conversation for best defender in the state. It doesn't really matter what position, Park Center can throw him on an opposing team's best player and expect him to slow them down. Against Eastview he was matched up with an explosive 6'7 D1 commit, and limited him to just 3-4 buckets throughout the game. Jackson sits deep in a stance to consistently cut his man off on the ball, and is scrappy enough to fight for position if bigger players try to take him into the post. On the offensive end he excelled at finding pockets for his guards to kick it out to him for open threes, but on a couple occasions showed his ability to blow by a bad closeout and attack the rim. Does a nice job of keeping his head up to pass the ball ahead during transition opportunities as well.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1549739"],"_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":"Mestas was one of a few players who was able to match the opposing size and athleticism against Park Center. He showed no fear and was able to find success putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket hard. Mestas isn't afraid to play through some contact at the rim, and with his explosiveness he's able to hang in the air for some tough finishes. Late in the game he pulled off a play I've rarely seen before, as he euro-stepped to his left, and then was able to explode back to the right for a dunk in one fluid motion. That just showcases the level of fluidity and explosive athleticism the 2024 slasher possesses.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1269166"],"_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":"Simply put, [player_tooltip player_id='1269166' first='Matt' last='Drake'] is as tough as nails on the basketball court. He makes winning plays on both ends, whether it's driving and kicking to an open shooter, stepping in to take a charge, or finding his way into the lane for a floater. He made all of those plays and then some as he helped lead Lakeville North to wins over Wayzata and Cretin-Derham Hall. North graduated a deep 2023 class, but Matt is making the transition easier for some of the new varsity guys as he was consistently able to create open looks for them with his crafty handle and passing vision.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1560882"],"_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":"Cedric showed why he's among the elite prospects in Minnesota's 2026 class. He's not going to jump out at you with size or elite explosiveness like some other guys, but his feel for the game is beyond his years at the point guard position. Tomes glides around the floor effortlessly with the ball in his hands, and excels at getting by quicker defenders using his body to create angles and shield the ball. Against DeLaSalle he was creating separation and showcasing his deep range connecting on a handful of threes, while also drawing in second defenders before locating an open teammate for a good look. Tomes is dangerous out of the pick u0026amp; roll because of his ability to hit shots when his man goes under, while also being able to get a trailing defender on his hip and attack the lane based on how he's defended. Very skilled sophomore.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1560840"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"I really like how Jason goes out and competes on the defensive end. He sits deep in a stance and just pressures the ball non-stop. Does a great job of fighting to get over screens and recovering back to his man. Against Lakeville North he created some problems late in the game with his quick hands, forcing some turnovers that helped CDH comeback and make it a bit more interesting late in the game. CDH will be young this year, but Jason is amongst a handful of talented guards they have coming up in the program.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1968456"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Justin had a quiet first half for DeLaSalle, but came alive in the second when they needed him most. He fits into the DeLaSalle stereotype of a guard that can defend hard, and offensively he provides a shooting option to help spread the floor for some of his team's slashers. Late in the game he showed no fear with the ball in his hands, and knocked down a handful of key shots to help his team come back and force overtime. Showed some nice footwork to drive and play off two feet around the basket, including hitting a tough turnaround jumper along the baseline. He's the type of player who can contribute as a 3u0026amp;D type of guy, but can also take over and create off the dribble when his team needs him to.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6548f23a28ee9"} /-->