Grind Session St. Louis: Tuesday Notebook
Tuesday night Prep Hoops was at McCluer North (MO) for the St. Louis stop on the Grind Session. We were able to see the absolutely loaded Prolific Prep (CA) squad against Utah Prep followed by Chi-Prep (IL) vs St. John’s…
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Continue ReadingTuesday night Prep Hoops was at McCluer North (MO) for the St. Louis stop on the Grind Session. We were able to see the absolutely loaded Prolific Prep (CA) squad against Utah Prep followed by Chi-Prep (IL) vs St. John’s DME (WI). In our first look at the event we dive into our Grind Session St. Louis: Tuesday Notebook!
Prolific Prep Plays as Team with ELITE TALENT
This was the first time I have been able to see Prolific Prep play in person. I had seen many of their prospects individually at camps including top ranked 2025 AJ Dybantsa, #1 2026 nationally Tyran Stokes, and five-star forward Derrion Reid at the JT Elite Camp over the summer. This was my first look at them as a team to go with all their other stars. Wow! The show they put in during the first half on both ends of the floor, sharing the ball, and overpowering with their athleticism and skill might have been the most talented group I’ve ever seen in 15 years of doing this professionally. They led 50-25 at the half against Utah Prep and went on to win 88-64.
Let’s start with the superstar #1 overall recruit in 2025 AJ Dybantsa. At 6’8” he showed off a complete game on both ends of the floor with his shot making, elite second jump, athleticism, playing in the pick/roll, getting to the line, and rebounding. Went for 12 points and 7 rebounds. The #1 sophomore in America Tyran Stokes also put on a show including the biggest dunk of the game on a breakaway. Strong and physical wing with elite skill showed it especially getting to the rim for 16 points. How about their seniors? Zoom Diallo is one of the best point guards in the 2024 class. He is a compact guard that is a blur with the rock working well in the pick/roll and getting to the rim for 9 points and an array of dimes. Diallo along with Derrion Reid will be announcing their college choices at the end of the week. Reid is a hyper athletic four that plays with an elite motor and is all over the boards and defends at a high level while notching 15 points. Alabama five-star commit Aiden Sherrell had an outstanding game notching 16 points finishing at the rim over and over on rolls while also hitting a three. St. Mary’s commit Mikey Lewis comes off the bench to provide excellent defense for this squad. Also keep an eye on 2025 sharp shooter Winters Grady who can really knock them down from deep going for 11 points.
The headliner for Utah Prep is top 100 junior JJ Mandaquit. It wasn’t his best game as he only scored 9 points, but showed flashes with his pace and passing. The prospect that jumped off the floor to us was 2026 wing Gavin Placide. Shot maker with size that drained an array of threes and impacted across the board scoring 14 points. Junior County is another highly ranked 2026 prospect that racked up 15 points.
Chi-Prep Big Man Goes BEAST MODE in Win vs St. John’s DME
The second game was close throughout as Chi-Prep (IL) defeated St. John’s DME (WI) 66-65. Mike Jones was the story of this game! He was a complete man child on the interior recording 33 points and 14 rebounds. Jones plays with such a high-motor and is a terrific offensive rebounder. His best skill is how hard he plays never giving up on the glass. Mixed in some powerful finishes along with some touch around the basket in a dominant performance. Latrell Kelly is a 2026 point guard to track. He caught our attention last year at Farragut. Has improved his playmaking feel while still utilizing his go to mid-range J notching 12 points and 7 rebounds. Fabian Tucker also chipped in 11 points for Chi-Prep in the win.
DME has an intriguing 2025 big man in Ramogi Nyagudi. Strong and physical five that rebounds and plays with toughness around the hoop as the 6’10” post had 7 points. Lukas Luttmerding is a 6’7” wing that can score from all over the floor on jumpers, sweeping layups, and on the glass as he netted 22 points. Also keep tabs on 2026 6’6” wing Emilis Zibuda who notched 17 points behind his perimeter shooting.