NEXT Midwest Melee: Jeremy's Notebook (14U)

Throughout the weekend I kept a notebook full of small notes that I took for each athlete, as I watched them compete live and in-person. In this article I highlight seven prospects and go over the notes that I had written down about each athlete, as I watched them compete on the hardwood. These notes are just a more simple or brief way of explaining what I was seeing in that moment.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!   #5 - [player_tooltip player_id='2389566' first='[player_tooltip player_id='2389565' first='Riley' last='']' last='Moore'] - 2028 - 5'10 - Shooting Guard - [program_tooltip program_id='2075536' first='Illinois' last='Future'] 2028 (IL)   "Moore is a prospect with sky-high potential on the hardwood. He plays with a great change of speed, he has a smooth overall play-style, and he is very determined when he gets to his spots on the court. He has shown that his mixture of length and silky smooth style is one that could produce on almost any court he steps on. If he polishes up his game over the next few years, he could truly be a killer."   #34 - Nathan Jones - 2028 - 6'1 - Forward - AK Elite 2028 (IL)   "Nathan Jones has a unique mixture of size, strength, and skill when it comes to this game. Over the past few days he has shown that he can move well running from rim-to-rim, he can screen and seal his matchup for an easy look while rolling to the basket, or he can step back from 15FT and pull up for a jumper if given time. He is someone that always will try to produce on either side of the floor and he never seems to run out of energy. At this point progression is key in these kids lives but Jones has the natural potential to become something at the end of the day. He has shown that he is strong and willing to finish through contact and that is going to do him wonders in the long run."   #12 - [player_tooltip player_id='2393606' first='Cole' last='Jansons'] - 2028 - 6'6- Center/Forward - M14 Rising Gold 2028 (IL)   "I would venture to say that [player_tooltip player_id='2393606' first='Cole' last='Jansons'] was the tallest player competing in this event this past weekend. Jansons obviously has the height to be something special but it's going to take hard work so that the skill side of the game can catch up with his height. He has a nice shot form for his size and he understands what he is best at, he just needs to continue to grow into his actual size in a sense while he is getting older. He has some solid fundamentals to build on moving forward with what seems like a great attitude. If he stays positive, has the correct guidance, and he plays with tenacity, he is sure to be a danger on the court overtime.   #23 - Edison Ah-yo - 2029 - 6'1 - Shooting Guard - [program_tooltip program_id='2075536' first='Illinois' last='Future'] 2028 (IL)   "Ah-yo is one of the hardest workers that I have seen take the floor this weekend. He is always the first on the ground for loose balls and his hustle is truly next level off of the ball. I had a chance to see this group compete a handful of times this weekend and every game, Ah-yo was on the ground multiple times for loose balls, usually giving his team a 50/50 shot in those moments. In a highly contested game, this effort can be the difference in winning and losing in the end and that should count for something."   #43 - [player_tooltip player_id='2438022' first='Dylan' last='Mrachek'] - 2028 - 6'3 - Forward - PAC Elite 2028 (IL)   "A natural Post with solid size at 6'3. He runs the floor well in transtion, understanding his own spacing and the type of fast breaks that his team is trying to run. He could even be considered a Small Forward or longer 3-guard if the opportunity presents itself. He rebounds well on both sides of the glass, being relentless in his pursuit of the basketball on most possessions."   #X - [player_tooltip player_id='2405139' first='Wylder' last='Burch'] - 2028 - 6'1 - SF - [program_tooltip program_id='2110787' first='Wisconsin' last='26ers'] (WI)   "A well-rounded prospect that can be used as a Swiss-army knife style player in a bunch of different systems. Burch can size up and attack the basket with his physical demeanor or he can shoot past the perimeters at the three point line off of the catch. He is more of an enforcer type for this group with his natural size but he is pretty agile in his movements."   #24 - Quintin Strei - 2028 - 6'2 - SF - Team FSA 2028 Blue Bell (MN)   "A handful to deal with. His deceiving play-style is something that stands out on both sides of the floor. He can slide past his defender with a shifty dribble while attacking the hole or he can back down his opponent and score out of the post with his back to the basket, usually through contact. The definition of a hustler."

Throughout the weekend I kept a notebook full of small notes that I took for each athlete, as I watched them compete live and in-person. In this article I highlight seven prospects and go over the notes that I had written down about each athlete, as I watched them compete on the hardwood. These notes are just a more simple or brief way of explaining what I was seeing in that moment.