Buckshot O’Brien Classic: Players To Watch
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The annual Buckshot O’Brien Classic returns this season and the field is as loaded as ever. The event will take place November 20 and November 21 at the Anderson Athletic Complex (On the Campus of Calvary Christian High School in…
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Continue ReadingThe annual Buckshot O’Brien Classic returns this season and the field is as loaded as ever. The event will take place November 20 and November 21 at the Anderson Athletic Complex (On the Campus of Calvary Christian High School in Clearwater). Prep Hoops Florida scouts will be in attendance for the event. Here are some of the top players to watch in this year’s event:
The 6-0 senior guard has a whirlwind of potential to play at the next level. On the offensive end, he is explosive off the bounce when it comes to scoring when needed. His IQ continues to get better every time he steps onto the floor as he makes good decisions when he has the basketball in his hands. On the defensive end, he is a floor general and a coach on the floor knowing where to be and has great control when it comes to guarding bigger players. His speed and versatility will be worth watching this season.
Highlights
Townsend is a smooth combo guard with great ball-handling skills and is a pass-first guard averaging six assists per game as a junior last season. He also defends at a high level using his versatility to guard against the perimeter as well as the interior. He is one of the top 3-point shooters in the senior class. Townsend is also an elite on-the-ball defender as he applies great pressure forcing the opposition into forcing a mistake. He also does a great job at reading mismatches and taking advantage at finishing above the rim as well.
Highlights
He displays a great IQ and feel for the game where he gets his teammates involved often. On the offensive end, he is exceptionally quick when he has the basketball in his hands where he can blow by the defender and finish at the front of the rim. The 5-11 senior guard despite being undersized has improved his game in a variety of ways whether it’s his ability to shoot from the outside to his playmaking. His overall IQ has also improved as he can control the game at his own pace.
Highlights
The 6-3 senior combo guard can play on and off the ball at a high level where he gives good energy on the defensive end. Koubek also has a knack for collapsing defenses with his limitless range from beyond the arc and can also score off the catch. He also does a great job when it comes to scoring the basketball while absorbing contact at the front of the rim. Koubek is one of the grittiest guards you will find as he doesn’t need to have the basketball in his hands in order to make an impact.
Jomar Bernard
Jomar Bernard
The 6-4 freshman wing has a good skillset of speed and athleticism where he can finish above the rim at a high level. He also adds a ton of maturity to his game when it comes to his decision making as well as growing as a versatile defender where he can guard multiple positions. Bernard has huge upside heading into this season as he will be a name to know over the next three-four years.
The 6-6 senior wing and Jacksonville University commit is coming off a great summer where he played in the FIBA 17U Tournament for the Puerto Rico U17 National Team. He shoots the ball effectively well from all three scoring levels and is an elite defender where he can guard on and off the ball. He moves around really well for his size and showcases a ton of length when guarding the rim. Arias is also known to be a disruptor in the passing lanes where he can get tips and steals which lead to transition points on the offensive end.
Highlights
The 6-0 senior point guard is very effective on the offensive end where he is quick enough to blow by defenders finishing around the rim, as well as brings a smooth release from beyond the arc. Patterson also does a great job at knowing when to shoot versus pass the basketball with his great IQ as well as bring great court vision. Patterson also does a great job when it comes to taking care of the basketball, limiting very few mistakes on the offensive end.
Geiger has all the tools to become a viable prospect as he has great length, size and athleticism where it displays on both ends of the floor. Geiger is a stretch-four who can knock down shots from beyond the arc as well as finish above the rim at a high rate. On the defensive end, he brings a ton of versatility where he can be seen guarding on-the-ball or on the interior.
The 6-2 senior shooting guard might be one of the best perimeter shooters we will see in this event. White can shoot effectively whether it’s off the catch or coming off of screens. On the defensive end, he is an ultimate competitor when it comes to guarding on and off the ball as he shows a ton of quickness and energy. He showed good leadership skills this past spring and summer while playing for PSB Tampa Bay.