Premier Spring Slam - 17u Top Performers

Premier Slam I was in attendance at the Northwest Premier Slam that hosted teams from all over Washington, Oregon and Canada. The tournament took place April 27-28 at the Fieldhouse in Auburn, WA. This article consists of big performances displayed from athletes in the 17u division. [player_tooltip player_id='1850301' first='Warren' last='Bullock'] - Woodinville HS [player_tooltip player_id='1850301' first='Warren' last='Bullock'] is a hard nosed point guard that wants to compete all four quarters. At 5'8, I watched Warren play both days of the tournament and the competitiveness he displayed was unmatched. I watched Warren get a game winning stop against North Idaho, playing on ball defense front half court, which ended the possession with the other team taking a contested fadeaway that lead to a block. Warren's grit and hustle mentality is his biggest upside, along with ability to create for his teammates distributing the ball for open looks. Hunting his shot more on offense will be a great upside to Warren's game. [player_tooltip player_id='1587970' first='Gannon' last='Dykstra'] - Lynden Christian HS [player_tooltip player_id='1587970' first='Gannon' last='Dykstra'], a 6'0 guard with good size that knows how to get busy from the moment the ball goes into the air. From the mid range pull ups, the ability to get middle, to shooting the three ball, along with his initiative to communicate on both ends of the floor all game, it's safe to say this kid got game. Gannon was a pleasure to watch as his club team, EBC, took home the 17u division championship. Seeing Gannon pick up full court will make him more even more of a threat to opposing ball handlers, as Gannon looks to return to the final four of the WIAA basketball championship next season. [player_tooltip player_id='1485543' first='Beckham' last='King'] - Seattle Preparatory School Standing at 6'7, [player_tooltip player_id='1485543' first='Beckham' last='King'] can flat out score. I watched Beckham play and his ability to hit contested shots from the elbow, from the three point line, which was very impressive to say the least. Beckham was able to get his shot off no matter what defender was playing on him, his team was looking to get him the ball to create multiple times throughout the game shows that they have confidence in him to make those plays. Beckham's biggest upside to his game is his scoring ability combined with his length. Seeing Beckham be more aggressive when driving to the hoop and to initiate contact with his defenders would be another perk to his game. [player_tooltip player_id='2478557' first='Hunter' last='Carter'] - Accelerated Prep I watched Hunter put on a clinic all weekend. Multiple defenders being thrown at him, but nonetheless, the poise and patience remained. Hunter ran the offense for his team and was the primary ball handler in transition and initiating his teams offense. Measuring at 6'6, Hunters ability to get to his spots to hit a pull up, having the ball in triple threat and able to get his shot off from beyond the three point line and being change direction with ease was a treat to watch. I watched Hunter hit four three's in a row in the first quarter during the championship game of the 17u division. Hunter's urgency on defense will up his game tremendously in the future. Japnam Dhaliwal - Kentridge A smooth 6'3 wing, Japnam's creativity within the three point line was shown in all of his games this weekend. With Japnam being the second tallest on his team, he has a big ask from his coaches and teammates to being able to rebound on both ends, to convert inside the paint and he showed just that. In addition, Japnam was able to hit open jumpers, along with a nice right-to-left crossover into a pull up looks second nature, and was able to convert at the line. A smooth feel for the game as his ball handling is a great upside to his game. If Japnam can improve his defense and speed, I can see him being one of the main contributors for his Kentridge basketball team this upcoming season.

Premier Slam

I was in attendance at the Northwest Premier Slam that hosted teams from all over Washington, Oregon and Canada. The tournament took place April 27-28 at the Fieldhouse in Auburn, WA. This article consists of big performances displayed from athletes in the 17u division.

Warren Bullock Warren Bullock 5'8" | PG Woodinville | 2025 WA - Woodinville HS
Warren Bullock Warren Bullock 5'8" | PG Woodinville | 2025 WA is a hard nosed point guard that wants to compete all four quarters. At 5'8, I watched Warren play both days of the tournament and the competitiveness he displayed was unmatched. I watched Warren get a game winning stop against North Idaho, playing on ball defense front half court, which ended the possession with the other team taking a contested fadeaway that lead to a block. Warren's grit and hustle mentality is his biggest upside, along with ability to create for his teammates distributing the ball for open looks. Hunting his shot more on offense will be a great upside to Warren's game.

Gannon Dykstra Gannon Dykstra 6'0" | PG Lynden Christian | 2025 State WA - Lynden Christian HS
Gannon Dykstra Gannon Dykstra 6'0" | PG Lynden Christian | 2025 State WA , a 6'0 guard with good size that knows how to get busy from the moment the ball goes into the air. From the mid range pull ups, the ability to get middle, to shooting the three ball, along with his initiative to communicate on both ends of the floor all game, it's safe to say this kid got game. Gannon was a pleasure to watch as his club team, EBC, took home the 17u division championship. Seeing Gannon pick up full court will make him more even more of a threat to opposing ball handlers, as Gannon looks to return to the final four of the WIAA basketball championship next season.

Beckham King Beckham King 6'8" | SG Seattle Prep | 2025 State WA - Seattle Preparatory School
Standing at 6'7, Beckham King Beckham King 6'8" | SG Seattle Prep | 2025 State WA can flat out score. I watched Beckham play and his ability to hit contested shots from the elbow, from the three point line, which was very impressive to say the least. Beckham was able to get his shot off no matter what defender was playing on him, his team was looking to get him the ball to create multiple times throughout the game shows that they have confidence in him to make those plays. Beckham's biggest upside to his game is his scoring ability combined with his length. Seeing Beckham be more aggressive when driving to the hoop and to initiate contact with his defenders would be another perk to his game.

Hunter Carter Hunter Carter 6'5" | PG Rosemary Anderson Prep | 2025 State OR - Accelerated Prep
I watched Hunter put on a clinic all weekend. Multiple defenders being thrown at him, but nonetheless, the poise and patience remained. Hunter ran the offense for his team and was the primary ball handler in transition and initiating his teams offense. Measuring at 6'6, Hunters ability to get to his spots to hit a pull up, having the ball in triple threat and able to get his shot off from beyond the three point line and being change direction with ease was a treat to watch. I watched Hunter hit four three's in a row in the first quarter during the championship game of the 17u division. Hunter's urgency on defense will up his game tremendously in the future.

Japnam Dhaliwal - Kentridge
A smooth 6'3 wing, Japnam's creativity within the three point line was shown in all of his games this weekend. With Japnam being the second tallest on his team, he has a big ask from his coaches and teammates to being able to rebound on both ends, to convert inside the paint and he showed just that. In addition, Japnam was able to hit open jumpers, along with a nice right-to-left crossover into a pull up looks second nature, and was able to convert at the line. A smooth feel for the game as his ball handling is a great upside to his game. If Japnam can improve his defense and speed, I can see him being one of the main contributors for his Kentridge basketball team this upcoming season.