Chick-fil-A Classic: National Standouts
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The 2023 Chick-fil-A Classic was held at River Bluff High School this week. Prep Hoops had the opportunity to cover all 8 games on Saturday including some of the country’s top prospects. Take a look at which players stood out…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 Chick-fil-A Classic was held at River Bluff High School this week. Prep Hoops had the opportunity to cover all 8 games on Saturday including some of the country’s top prospects. Take a look at which players stood out the most in the tournament’s final day:
AJ Dybantsa
AJ Dybantsa
It is no secret that AJ Dybantsa is one of the top High School Basketball Players in the country. But, in the 2023 Chick-fil-A Classic, AJ had to back up his play on the court with a huge target on his back. He averaged 16.7 points per game including a 26-point outburst in the National Bracket Championship Game against Dynamic Prep. Dybantsa is a natural scorer and his combination of size, length, and athleticism makes it near-impossible for defenders to stop him from getting to his spots and scoring at all three levels. He also has good awareness to read double teams and help defenders to find open teammates.
Latrell is another highly-touted national prospect who a trip to River Bluff High School this week for the Chick-fil-A Classic. Allmond was the only player in the tournament to average a double-double: 12 Points Per Game and 10.7 Rebounds Per Game. Along with being the tournamentleading Rebounds Per Game, he was also 2nd in the tournament in Blocks Per Game at 2.7 per game. In John Marshall’s American Bracket 3rd-Place matchup with St John’s (DC), Latrell put the Justices on his back in the 4th Quarter to carry them to victory. He had 8 points, 4 blocks, and 3 offensive rebounds in the period alone, including a tip-in at the buzzer to win the game. Allmond struggled with foul trouble all game but was a major net positive whenever he was on the floor and was a great teammate whenever he was off it.
Thiam left the biggest impression on me of any big man during Saturday’s games at the Chick-fil-A Classic. He is the prototype of what professional scouts are seeking from the position. Moustapha is listed at 7’1″ with a plus wingspan that is a high-level rim protector but also can shoot and create off the dribble on the offensive end. In DME Academy’s matchup with Dream City Christian, Thiam was particularly good in spurts. Early in the first quarter, he had back-to-back possessions where he had a beautiful assist on a pump and drive followed by a pick-and-pop 3. He finished the game with 11 points and 4 blocks as DME claimed 3rd-Place in the National Bracket.
Evan was a standout performer last year at the Chick-fil-A Classic as well. He is a True Point Guard that you can count on to be a leader on the floor. His ability to play multiple roles on the offensive end will be very helpful at the college level. He is very good as a passer and running set offenses but he also is a high-level shooter and can even finish around bigger defenders at the rim. Sterck averaged 13 Points Per Game, 3.7 Assists Per Game, and 2 Steals Per Game across 3 Games for The Rock School this week.
Watson was one of the more impressive big men on Saturday at the Chick-fil-A Classic. He has a dominant body with a knack for rebounding but is also a threat on offense. He is very good with his back to the basket and can score with touch over either shoulder. He finished with 18 points and 8 rebounds in Hillcrest Prep’s loss vs The Rock School (FL) on Saturday Morning. For the week, he averaged 13.3 Points Per Game and 5.3 Rebounds Per Game as Hillcrest Prep stumbled to 0-3 in the National Bracket.
Paul Jones Paul Jones 6’4″ | CG Combine Academy | 2024 State NC is a shooter! He had a huge performance against Gray Collegiate (SC) on Saturday Afternoon to help the Goats stay over .500 for the tournament. He hit 3 2nd half 3s including a quick-release right corner shot as he was fouled to put Combine Academy up 4 early in the 4th quarter. Jones is naturally right-handed but shoots left-handed which allows him to have an overall balanced offensive game. He shot 41% from 3 for the tournament providing much-needed spacing for the rest of Combine’s offense.