Mayhem in the Plex: Gamechangers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are certain players that take the court that can change the momentum or swing the entire game for their teams. Below are a handful of those players I was fortunate enough to see this past weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2399663"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lewis knows how to lead his squad down the floor with authority. He can control the pace and he doesn't shy away from the limelight or any amount of pressure. His confidence is contagious for his team and he's excellent at finding his cutters and rewarding them for moving well without the ball. His crossover leaves his defenders looking like they've gotten stuck in drying cement. Onie can drive and finish at the hoop in either direction and he has a mean stutter step. If he doesn't whiz by you using his speed and elite ballhandling ability, he'll simply rise and elevate for a clear look at the basket with his impressive vertical ability and stellar jump shot. His passing steals the show - no look, behind the back, full-court - and all on target. He makes his teammates better and you can tell he enjoys doing so. Onie is FUN to watch and I expect him to make a ton of noise this summer and beyond.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2420210"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Rhys was incredible for the Union 15U Grey squad - outhustling opponents up and down the floor all weekend. He eats offensive rebounds for breakfast and gets his team plenty of second and third-chance opportunities. He has a solid post game with excellent footwork to put himself in position for consistent high-percentage shots. Dainauski's hustle and energy are contagious on defense - his whole team rises to the occasion when he's in the game. He regularly disrupts passing lanes, blocks shots with a vengeance, and boxes out like a boss to limit any potential second-chance opportunities for his opponent. Rhys is a multi-sport athlete and his haste and athleticism seem to trickle down to the rest of his team. He's a fun player to watch if you like energy and defense, and I imagine he'll make an immense amount of noise in the summer and throughout next season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":2433786,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Tanner Melton","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Driven to Help 15U","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Tanner's got a beautiful rotation on his shot and his energy seems endless. He can light it up from beyond the three-point line if you dare to leave him open or give him any sort of space. He's comfortable leading the charge for his team up the floor and his anticipation is impressive - you'll see him disrupt passing lanes and create general havoc for his opponents consistently throughout his games. He's not afraid to muck things up in the paint and clean the glass with a fury that provides his squad with tons of extra opportunities. He can finish through contact and when he gets his shot rolling, the energy that generates flows throughout the team and their momentum is extremely tough to stop as a result. Melton has solid footwork and moves well without the ball to get to his spots where he knows it's going in. He has a quick release that's incredibly difficult to challenge if he has even inches of space. Tanner is one to watch - he's going to get better and better and I'm excited to see it.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Siddarth Thota","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"Union 15U Grey","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Siddarth is speedy with a wicked stutter step that leaves his defenders absolutely dazed. He's a lefty that can shoot in the paint with either hand and his ballhandling ability is fantastic. He disrupts the opposing defense to the point where passing lanes open up nicely for his streaking teammates. Thota can also make you pay heartily from beyond the arc. He's excellent at getting to his spots and consistently knocking down the three-ball. He's shifty and quick and can get around and through bigger defenders somewhat easily, which leaves them frustrated and defeated. He also has great court vision and anticipation, so his opponents best be cautious when making cross-court passes near him. Thota is a player that can energize his whole team with his hustle, consistency, and heads up playmaking. I expect Siddarth to generate plenty of buzz this summer and beyond and remain one to have on your radar.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":2433801,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Jake Adkins","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Driven to Help 15U","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Jake was the most graceful player I saw all weekend. The way he moves around the court and floats in the air toward the rim to finger roll it in for two is a beautiful thing to watch. He has an impressive vertical with epic hang time, which allows him to adjust and alter his shots in mid-air to get the best look at the basket regardless of what his defender is doing. He uses his length in the paint on the other side of the court to furiously block shots and send them shooting the opposite direction. He's not afraid of contact and is excellent at finishing in the paint and getting himself free throw opportunities. Adkins will often play full court press and never seem to get tired. He's a lockdown defender that seems to enjoy playing defense as much as scoring the ball. He has a shooter's touch and will get the bounce more times than not when his shots aren't swishing. Jake is immensely talented for his age and I'm ecstatic to see what he develops into because his potential is through the roof.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6639afebcc115"} /-->