Grind Session St. Louis: Top Performers
In our next look at the Grind Session St. Louis stop we dive into the prospects that impressed us the most! Here they are in Grind Session St. Louis: Top Performers! Class of 2024 Derrion Reid (Prolific Prep – 2024)…
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Continue ReadingIn our next look at the Grind Session St. Louis stop we dive into the prospects that impressed us the most! Here they are in Grind Session St. Louis: Top Performers!
Class of 2024
Derrion Reid (Prolific Prep – 2024)
Reid continues to showcase why he is one of the truly elite players in the country. The high-motor power forward at 6’7” plays with so much energy. Constantly is out working opponents for position on the glass and has a terrific second jump on the offensive boards for put backs. Finishes well with quick and assertive moves inside through contact. Plays well in transition as a finisher and is a adept at turning defense into offense in a hurry! Five-star prospect that will make his commitment this weekend between Alabama, Florida State, and Georgia. He had 15 points.
Aiden Sherrell (Prolific Prep – 2024 – Alabama)
Sherrell is hoping to have Reid joining him in Crimson next year in the SEC. Very impressive outing for this 6’11” center originally from the state of Michigan. He was so good at finishing in the pick/roll game at the cup. Did it over and over again setting good screens then converting at the cup including through contact. Threw down slams out of the dunker spot and rim ran. Also hit a three. Lot of projectability here with Sherrell to be a long term NBA guy. He had 16 points.
Zoom Diallo (Prolific Prep – 2024)
Diallo will also be making his commitment this weekend. One of the top point guards in America showcased exactly why he is considered that in this one with his ability to manipulate ball screen actions over and over to get exactly what he wanted on dishes and drives. Good passing feel that has a burst with the rock getting downhill for acrobatic layups at the cup. Pushes well with blinding speed in transition as he had 9 points and a handful of dimes.
Mikey Lewis (Prolific Prep – 2024 – St. Mary’s)
Lewis is a complimentary player on Prolific Prep, but the top 100 prospect is going to be an impactful guy from day 1 for St. Mary’s. Good passing feel for the combo guard, can hit an open three, and was a force on the defensive end racking up a ton of steals.
Lukas Luttmerding (St. John’s DME – 2024)
The 6’7” wing from Slovakia is an intriguing prospect. Notched 22 points in a loss to Chi-Prep while showing off a variety of aspects of his game. Size for position is definitely there. He has some grit to his game. Can knock down a three, hit the offensive boards, and was crafty with his soft touch finishing game around the hoop. Can see a low-major or D2 taking a shot here.
Class of 2025
AJ Dybantsa (Prolific Prep – 2025)
I don’t know what more can be said that hasn’t already been written about the top junior in America. He stands at 6’8” with offers from every school in the country. Long and lanky frame that looks like he can cover from side to side when at the top of the key defensively. Defensively he has a chance to be a monster with his length and instincts on that end. Made one three off the catch in this one showing good shooting mechanics. The small forward also has elite athleticism skying for dunks along with using his bounce on his second jump. What I think is really intriguing about him is how well he passed it in this one especially in the second half. Displayed a complete game in this one racking up 12 points, 8 rebounds, and at least 3 assists while making it look easy. Future #1 pick in the NBA Draft.
Winters Grady (Prolific Prep – 2025)
Grady has been creating some buzz early in the season for Prolific Prep. The junior 6’6” wing from Oregon is a shooting specialist on this squad that can really knock down threes. Clean and repeatable shot every time!
JJ Mandaquit (Utah Prep – 2025)
Madaquit is a combo guard from Utah that has a crafty game. Might not be the most athletic, but plays with great pace reading the defense and making plays for himself and others. Several excellent passes while mixing in an array of soft touch finishes in the paint. Made a three early, but for the most part it was not falling as he had 9 points.
Mike Jones (Chi-Prep – 2025)
Jones was a grown man for Chi-Prep showing why he is one of the best prospects in the Illinois 2025 class. High-motor and relentless rebounder. He mauled all night on the offensive glass en route to 33 points and 14 rebounds. His second jump was outstanding especially going up against the next guy on this list who had him by several inches. Chi-Prep’s best play was miss a shot and Jones go get it! Also seals well on the block and showed some patience on a couple moves inside including a nice right handed hook shot. Powerful through contact and can take it from the mid-post. Rim runs very well. Tough defender that can defend in space while also protecting the rim. High-major prospect.
Ramogi Nyagudi (St. John’s DME – 2025)
This 6’10” five man started off the game strong as the strong bodied five snatches rebounds in traffic and has a nice frame. Hook shot inside and can get up and down the floor scoring 7 points.
Class of 2026
Tyran Stokes (Prolific Prep – 2026)
Stokes is the unquestioned #1 sophomore in America. At 6’7” the Louisville native is built like a truck and has an off the charts skill set. Started the game off banging in a three. Then it was all downhill as the physically imposing sophomore went to the rack over and over again for buckets. Can post up weaker defenders and threw down nasty dunks in transition. Good rebounding wing. He had 15 points in the win making it look effortless.
Gavin Placide (Utah Prep – 2026)
Came away very intrigued with this 6’9” small forward from Colorado. He has great size on the wing and can really knock down shots with the best of them! Was quick to the offensive glass for a tip in and had a nice shot fake/blow by move that displayed his ball skills. He had 14 points looking like a guy that high-majors should track.
Junior County (Utah Prep – 2026)
County was another 2026 wing that made noise as the 6’5” sophomore has high-major upside as well. Plus shooter that drained a pair off the catch while also scoring in the lane on a sweeping layup and a pair of trips to the line for 15 points.
Latrell Kelley (Chi-Prep – 2026)
Kelley is a prospect that impressed us over the summer as a combo guard that can really score it. In this one he notched 12 points by utilizing his masterful mid-range game. Stopped and popped on a consistent basis for points in the 15-18 range. Quickness off the bounce showed on a couple straight line takes. Saw growth in his floor game as a passer making much better decisions with the rock in his hands setting others up finishing with 12 points and 7 assists.
Emilis Zibuda (St. John’s DME – 2026)
This Lithuanian 6’6” wing has a lot of tools to work with. Starts with size for position along with a flat out stellar three point stroke draining three of them in a 17 point outing. Also has some athleticism scoring on a euro step along with a reverse layup. Lot of upside here!