E.P.I.C. Hoops Summer Slam: Top Wings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new month means a change in focus back to the Grassroots scene for the rest of the Summer. My first stop in July was the 2024 E.P.I.C. Hoops Summer Slam, which took place at a few locations across Columbia, South Carolina. On Saturday I got to check in with some of our State's top teams from three different age groups and my standout wings come from the 17U and 16U Divisions. Check out the five of them below: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2484197,"width":"424px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/4zm8gcRB_400x400.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/4zm8gcRB_400x400.png?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2484197" style="width:424px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2406367"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2484498,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668b51b92d60f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2406367' first='Jameir' last='Legette'] leads off my list of impressive Wings from the E.P.I.C. Hoops Summer Slam. He stood out on both ends of the floor, particularly with his defensive instincts, activity on the glass, and athleticism. Legette had 3 Steals where he simply read the mind of the opposing guard and got to the spot where the pass was going. He also had multiple offensive rebounds with most of his points coming in the paint off second chances. Jameir has good hands that help him with the rebounding and interior scoring, but also allow him to be effective as an off-ball defender. He finished with 8 Points and 7 Rebounds to go with the defensive work in a matchup with Middleton Hoops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1157437"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2484499,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668b51b92d678"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tahj is Legette's teammate for club and school, but he is a very talented wing in his own right. He is unique in his combination of length and ability to create off the dribble. He is very effective both as a scorer and a passer with the ball in his hands and will even be used as a primary ball handler at times. He also has a knack for getting into passing lanes and tallied 2 Steals in the matchup with MHE. Lathon has good mechanics on his jump shot and is confident from the mid-range and behind the arc, adding to his versatility on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1215473"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2484500,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668b51b92d6c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shannon was a key player in back-to-back games for Upward Stars Gold in Columbia. In Game 1, he had lots of success in transition due to his ability to read passes on the defensive end and finish athletically on the offensive end. He also knocked down a couple of jump shots, showing he can be efficient spotting up off the ball. In Game 2, Davis was more effective driving the ball. He got to the free throw line early, to the bucket late, and even sealed the win with a transition dunk. Although he scored the ball well and crashed the glass hard in both games, it was Shannon's unselfishness as a passer that stood out to me most in the two Stars Gold wins Saturday Afternoon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1025879"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2484501,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668b51b92d70b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Britt is an intriguing prospect due to his physical profile and balanced skillset. He is listed at 6'3" but is very strong and has broad shoulders which allow him to be versatile on both ends of the floor. Although he didn't have his best shooting performance in the game I watched this weekend, he is a solid threat from behind the arc and showed that he can positively affect the game even when the shots aren't falling. LJ works hard on the defensive glass and throws a great outlet pass when the situation arises. He also has good half-court vision and can be a secondary facilitator in an efficient offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2147147"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2312050,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668b51b92d74f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lu was a bright spot for [program_tooltip program_id='2245581' first='Carolina' last='Rebels'] in a matchup with [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia'] on Saturday Morning. He was most effective in transition, either by grabbing defensive boards or forcing turnovers. He has both a good handle and foot speed in the open floor which allows him to be successful in getting to the rim quickly. He can also be successful in the halfcourt offense because of the scoring along with his passing. Echevarria balances both well when he has the ball in his hands. He finished with 9 Points, 9 Rebounds, and 5 Assists in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->