Prep Hoops Next National Championship: Impact 14U Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Next National Championship was big-time! We saw some solid talent and had some of the young guns standout consistently from game to game. Overall, I thought the teams and talent were highly competitive and brought effort and energy. The teams and players really wanted to win. Good competitive energy. Let's checkout some impact 14U prospects before we go over the game film more. There's many more names to mention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Beckett Buckingham | 5'11 G | Team Trae Young </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2485327,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0862.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0862.png?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2485327" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><br></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Buckingham really brought it and may have been the MVP of the tournament, leading his team to the Championship. He was highly consistent as a scorer and playmaker. He didn't go many long stretches without impacting the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TJ Newton | 6'1 SG | Team Trae Young</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2483174,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0849.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0849.jpeg?w=760" alt="" class="wp-image-2483174" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newton was an important player in this tournament. He comes to play, along with Buckingham, Team Trae Young leaves with a championship. The one-two punch as scorers and shotmakers was evident. Newton is very fluid and a good athlete as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cayden Gates | G-F | Building Champions Homefield 2028</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2483177,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0704.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0704.jpeg?w=985" alt="" class="wp-image-2483177" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gates stood out with his defensive impact and playmaking on that end. He had some pop getting into the lane as a driver. Good leaper and vertical. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gavin McRoberts | 5'10” G | Foundation Athletics 2028 North</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2485430,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0222.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0222.jpeg?w=845" alt="" class="wp-image-2485430" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I only saw Gavin once at the National Championship, but I'd seen him prior and he's always a standout player with his offensive ability and ability to put the ball in the hoop. An aggressive but smooth approach. Can get off the ground and is bouncy. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kendall Howell | 6'1” G | Illinois Warriors Elite 2028-1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2485438,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0473.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0473.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2485438" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howell is a long and athletic guard at 6'1”. Easily has a positive wingspan. Could handle the ball well for his length and could make plays off the bounce. A clear athleticism and length combination.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jaycen Walker | G-F | Earl Watson Academy (EWA) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2485442,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0572-crop-1709x1122-1720468090.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0572-crop-1709x1122-1720468090.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2485442" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker has a lot of dog in him and competes at a high level. He was aggressive offensively going straight at the hoop in crucial times of games. Got to the hoop with athleticism. Great athlete, jumper and mover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Idris Alowonle | F | Gain Elite </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2485446,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0834-rotated.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_0834-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2485446" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Idris was a beast in the paint and was one of the most impactful interior players. He went strong to his left hand and powered through and at contact. Hit the boards hard. Plays hard and works for the ball at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->