Prep Hoops Next National Championship: Difference Makers 12U

These young players, displayed their talents at the highest level during the Prep Hoops Next National championships. They all provided consistent play-making, leadership and intangibles for the benefits of their teams. Over the weekend, all these guys showed the reason why they are true difference makers.    Grayson is an excellent point guard who has a knack for putting up big offensive numbers. This young man has elite ball handling skills that allow him to break down opposing players and defenses. In the game I witnessed over the weekend, Grayson put on a show! He made plays on offense by being the floor leader and scoring the ball at a high level. Most of the shots he took, lead to positive outcomes for his squad. Really good shooter who knocked down multiple threes from long range. Attacks the lane by driving by defenders and scoring on floaters or mid range shots. Great passer who found open teammates for easy scores using good court vision. This young guy was so special, the coaches moved him up a grade level to compete with the 2030 kids because of his domination of the 2031 class. Grayson has a very bright future as he continues to grow and progress.     Julian has the capabilities of being an excellent small forward as he continues to grow and age. He has the ability to score from mid or long range as he displayed over the weekend. Julian can also take smaller defenders in the paint and finish around the basket. When the opportunity to score in transition happened, he showed the ability to run the floor and finish at the rim. A very tenacious defender who constantly pressured his counterpart, often forcing turnovers. This kid is a coaches dream! He plays with a refuse to lose mentality and attacks everything he does on the court. If he needs to score, rebound, play defense or chase down a loose ball.. that's what he'll do. Anything to help his squad win!     I loved watching this little guy play! Kaleb was clearly the floor general for the team over the weekend. He provided steady play at the point guard spot and had no problems finding open teammates for easy scoring opportunities. Great ball handler who used his dribbling skills to blow by defenders and make positive plays on offense. In a game I watched, this young guy show great court vision by making flashy passes that found his teammates, which lead to scores. He has the ability to make a variety of shots on the floor. Mid-range jump shots and lane penetration are major strengths he used effectively. On defense he pressured opposing guards and showed the ability to shoot passing lanes for steals. Excellent young talent who will get better with time!!     Ramon is a small forward who has the height of a point guard. I watched this young man showcase his skills as the team's all around player. He has the strength to score in the painted area with smaller players guarding him. A really good ball handler who can create off the dribble and attack the basket for easy layups. Excellent at rebounding for his size. He had no problem going inside the paint and grabbing rebounds over taller defenders on both ends of the floor. Ramon also stepped outside the three point line and nailed shots multiple times. I was not expecting that, so I was very surprised and impressed! I just viewed him as a power type of player who did most of his damage in the post. I guess I was wrong because he showed the ability of being a good passer also. This kid is already a terror for opposing players. As he continues to grow physically, Ramon could become a serious problem!!     Offensive scorer who has the ability to make shots in a variety of ways. A really good isolation player who can break down defenders off the dribble and attack the basket. He's a really good passer who found open teammates with accurate passes, that lead to easy scores. Juvonta was awesome at grabbing rebounds from the guard position, often attacking the glass on both ends of the court. He runs the floor well and knows how to finish on fast break opportunities. Has a really good mid range game from anywhere inside of three point range. This young man plays with a fearless mentality and calm demeanor on the court. As long as he continues to work on all facets of his game.. the sky's the limit for Juvonta.     In a game I watched over the weekend, this young man played like a man among boys! Mecari was like a young Shaquille O'Neal against the Della 2030-1 squad at the Prep Hoops Next National Championships. He literally made six straight baskets in the paint during a portion of the game. The big man has elite post moves and great footwork that made him unstoppable in the paint. A very fundamentally sound player whose a really good all around player. He was excellent at grabbing rebounds on offense and defense. Mecari can also pass the ball well, often finding open teammates when the double team came his way. On defense, he made it tough for opposing players to attack the basket with his presence in the painted area. Mecari is a double sport athlete who may eventually have a tough decision to make. As of now, he's really good at both!!     Geron is an excellent shooter who has the capability of making long or mid-range shots. He displayed the ability to create his own shots with side and step back jumpers. In isolated situations, he showed the ability create off the dribble and get to the basket for easy layups. He definitely has the ability to be a very skilled player on the offensive side of the floor. Geron is a elite defender who can stay with opposing players and force turnovers with his quick hands. Has knowledge of fighting through screens and disrupting an offensive players' shots. Geron took pride in attacking the glass to grab rebounds on both ends of the court. One of his biggest strengths that I noticed was the sheer hustle he had to be a part of every play on the court. He is the kind of player who does whatever needs to be done in order to win games. This young man will continue to be a coach's dream out on the court.     Terrell is a really good post player who can score with ease in the painted area of the court. He's an excellent rebounding big man who scores many baskets on offensive rebounds and put-backs. Scoring in the paint was very effective for his team over the weekend. Terrell works well on offense by getting into his spots for open looks at the rim. Has the skills of setting good screens that allowed teammates to be effective within the Bulls offense. Good interior post defender who had no issues boxing out and grabbing defensive rebounds. Great shot blocker who didn't go for many pump fakes and turned away multiple attempts by the opposition. Terrell is already a good defensive player, if he continues to work on his offensive skills.. he could be a serious duel threat in the future.     Braxton was one of the best shooters I saw over the weekend. He has a really good shooting form that allows him to get his shot off against most defenders. In the game I witnessed this young guy knock down four threes and most were contested. Do not let the jump shot fool you! He can also break down defenders off the dribble and get to the basket. A really good rebounding guard on offense and defense. He does not mind being in the paint battling larger players for boards. On defense, he was a constant pest for opposing guards. He played a ball hawking style of defense that forced numerous turnovers. As I said, Braxton was one of the best shooters I saw. Just imagine how dangerous his skills will be as he continues age.

These young players, displayed their talents at the highest level during the Prep Hoops Next National championships. They all provided consistent play-making, leadership and intangibles for the benefits of their teams. Over the weekend, all these guys showed the reason why they are true difference makers.