AAU Preview: Blueprint Basketball Varsity

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whew, the perimeter play in here is extensive! This iteration of Blueprint Basketball's Varsity squad features one true forward, yet he's a guy that comes with the versatility to defend the wing and is flashing the jumper a bit. Without further ado, lets break it down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First, the lead guards. The two guys at the helm are a couple of my All-State guys from this past winter, <strong>6'2 [player_tooltip player_id='2568400' first='Freddie' last='Bacon'] </strong>and <strong>6'4 [player_tooltip player_id='2325846' first='Abdi' last='Sharif']</strong>. Each one is fully capable of handling tough ball pressure, organizing the O, and setting the table for teammates to get going. Moreover, they're both savvy slashers and playmakers around the rim. <strong>Bacon </strong>has nice pace around the second layer with a strength and shiftiness that opens up passing windows and well-timed finishes. Meanwhile, <strong>Abdi's</strong> drives tend to morph into post-ups, able to finish with hanging lay-ups and short-range turnaround jumpers. <strong>Freddie's </strong>jumper is homed in out to 21-feet or so while Sharif tends to do his damage within 15-feet. On the defensive end, <strong>Abdi </strong>is a guy you love to throw at the opponent's best guard. He's physical, long, athletic, and seems to relish taking guys out of their comfort zone while rebounding the rock too. <strong>Bacon </strong>plays with measured and sly pressure, and both are smart away from the ball. A reliable energizer and connector is <strong>6'1 [player_tooltip player_id='2547032' first='Dallas' last='St. Peter']</strong>. He's someone who can fill in at the 1, orchestrate, set guys up, and operate away from the rock with his spot-up shooting and cutting. <strong>Dallas</strong>' work ethic is unmatched as he pressures the rock, recovers, flies around when the D is scrambling, and hunts every loose ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here we go with the perimeter depth. They've got shooters in <strong>6'2 [player_tooltip player_id='2453004' first='Deng' last='Aguek'], 6'1 Khamis Ali, 6'3 [player_tooltip player_id='2377234' first='Carson' last='Cody'], and 6'4 Musa Kasanga</strong>. All guys who can knock it down on spot-ups, in transition, and out of pnr. Moreover, each harbor the reads and athleticism to snake into the 2nd layer and finish plays inside. <strong>Kasanga </strong>and <strong>Aguek </strong>come with nice explosiveness to finish at or above the rim, and <strong>Khamis </strong>+ <strong>Carson </strong>have the timing and footwork to finish around the last line of defense with little pull-ups and shifty finishes. Every one of these guys are talented drive and kick players, operate well out of the pnr, and make good reads when playing advantage basketball. Defensively, <strong>Deng </strong>and <strong>Musa </strong>have the length + athleticism to defend an array of perimeter players and rebound the ball. <strong>Khamis </strong>is witty, knows where to be, and understands tendencies, able to disrupt that way. Then with <strong>Carson </strong>it's a blend of length and smarts as a sly off-ball rotator and disruptor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The couple of big guys they do have are <strong>6'7 [player_tooltip player_id='2546890' first='Justin' last='Munger']</strong> and <strong>6'5 Dez Krakowka</strong>. I slot Munger in as a modern 4/5, able to protect the rim with his lanky frame and sneaky athleticism, switch out and cover the perimeter in a pinch, then rotate down to rebound then run the floor. He's flashed the 3-ball at times and is more than comfortable moving on the perimeter, working the ball and attacking off the bounce periodically. With <strong>Dez</strong>, it's a different look. <strong>Krakowka</strong> is more the modern 3/4 forward, someone who plays up around the rim on both ends with his solid frame and physicality inside. <strong>Dez</strong> can defend more mobile bigs plus switch onto wings and hold his own for possessions at a time. Moreover, he has the handle and court vision to rebound the rock and make plays in the open court or even the halfcourt. <strong>Dez's </strong>passing vision is exceptional and he has the shooting + slashing to keep defenders honest. Two dynamic guys who have flourishing yet different inside/out ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next time you can catch these guys will be at Hoop Group NE JamFest May 11-12 or at Gymrat May 25-26. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->