NHR State Tournament 13U: Championship Sunday Standouts

[player_tooltip player_id='2407793' first='Ryan' last='Blaszczyk'] is a lefty wing with big guard versatility, boasting good size, mobility, and athletic potential. He plays well within the offense, utilizing screens to pop out for catch-and-shoot three-point opportunities, often capitalizing on drawn-up plays. Beyond his effectiveness from beyond the arc, Blaszczyk also showcases his strength by backing down defenders from the perimeter or posting up smaller players on the low block. Blaszczyk excels at letting the game come to him and is usually focused on making the right play. He demonstrates good off-ball movement and spacing, contributing to the flow and efficiency of the offense. His combination of shooting, strength, and smart play makes him a versatile and impactful player.     [player_tooltip player_id='2399514' first='Keaton' last='Waldsmith'] is a 6'3” forward with raw skills and untapped potential. Known for his relentless productivity and high motor, Waldsmith impacts every possession with and without the ball. He consistently shows a good overall feel for the game, setting on or off-ball screens, cutting down the lane line, or making the extra pass. Waldsmith plays with a competitive edge and a true desire for the ball, whether it's rebounding or diving on the floor for a loose ball. Defensively, he excels as a tremendous middleman, often deflecting and denying high post entry passes and limiting his opponents' shot opportunities with his presence and knack for finding a body to box out. Offensively, Waldsmith is tough to stop when lowering his shoulder and coming downhill like a freight train, displaying the strength to power through contact and traffic while finishing with either hand. Nimble and light on his feet, able to spin and navigate while driving to the basket, showing coordination and footwork that can be further developed.     [player_tooltip player_id='2435287' first='Taylor' last='Matthews'] is a floor general who excels at quickly getting the ball out of his hands and into those of an open teammate or ahead of the defense, often initiating the offense seamlessly. As a solid decision-maker with the ball, Matthews does a spectacular job of keeping his eyes up, probing the court for cuts and holes in the defense. His high basketball IQ and ability to make quick reads on the fly highlight his proficiency in orchestrating the offense and making his teammates better.     [player_tooltip player_id='2382101' first='Jackson' last='Langdeau'] exhibited elite playmaking potential with dynamic ball-handling wizardry and shifty dribbling, delivering dime-dropping passes. He has the ball on a string and can thread the needle through tight, closing windows unlike many others his age. If someone was open or cutting through the lane with the slightest bit of space, Langdeau would find them in a timely and accurate manner. Langdeau is a threat to set up quick and easy buckets for himself and others in transition, a half-court setting, and in isolation, where he has a knack for breaking down defenses on paint touches. He excels at putting moves together and always has a counter ready, adept at setting up driving angles, making his defender shift, lose balance, or turn. With a deep bag of handles, he can crossover, spin, hesitate, and go behind the back to create separation against the best defenders. Playing with great energy and on-court leadership qualities, this 2030 prospect is playing up and doesn't look out of place at all despite his height or size. Langdeau's playmaking, ball-handling, and leadership make him an exceptional talent with a bright future.     [player_tooltip player_id='2382100' first='Peyton' last='Crawford'] displayed outstanding defensive capabilities, covering his man the full length of the court and showing a readiness to pressure the ball even in halfcourt situations. With great feet and a low, wide stance, Crawford easily kept his man in front of him, showing an understanding of how to use his body and top foot to shut off angles and the ball handler's desired spots, showing good anticipation for the dribble and an ability to gauge tendencies. He's exceptional in help-side defense as well, quickly trapping or closing gaps when his teammates get beat. His high motor and court awareness assist him tremendously, allowing him to recover to his man and consistently jump long passes with his lateral quickness and ball-hawk abilities. As a 2030 prospect playing up, Crawford made a game-changing defensive impact.