PRO16/NXT Session 11: Versatile Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were quite a few local kids showcasing their versatile skill sets at Session 11 of the PRO16/NXT circuit. Here are a few who really stood out affecting the game in lots of ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140850' first='Orland' last='Axton'] <em>Central Valley </em>| Spokane Elite </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Axton has shown a lot more to his game since first popping up on our radar at the Freshman Showcase last summer. He's still a versatile defender who can swarm guards on the perimeter and pick up wings both outside and around the paint. At the last NXT session, he also showed more versatility on the offensive end, bringing the ball down at times, making plays off the bounce, and showing he can get to the rim going either way effectively. He'll be a riser to watch at Central Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2300110' first='Lorenzo' last='Garcia'] <em>Kennedy </em>| Spokane Elite </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garcia was one of the top passers I saw in Session 11. He seemed to have a hand in just about every bucket and was able to help get teammate's looks in a variety of ways. Whether he was zipping in passes to back door cutters, finding guys off of penetration, or using his IQ to create space off DHOs, his passing was on time and on target. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2375341' first='Cade' last='Rogers'] <em>Pullman </em>| Spokane Elite</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rogers is another versatile prospect suiting up for Spokane Elite. He has some decent size, can handle the ball to create his own looks, or patiently work on-balls to find teammates. Made several nice dishes both on the go and from surveying the floor on the perimeter and showed some versatility to guard multiple positions on the other end. He's also got a good enough stroke to keep defenses honest from 3-point and give some different looks offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450984' first='Javon' last='Barbee'] <em>Franklin Pierce </em>| World Class Renegades</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really stood out on the defensive end guarding drives and playing solid defense in by the rim to block some shots or contest straight up. Also made some quick decisions to drive off the catch and attack the interior, showing his athleticism to burst to the hoop and finish strong. He played aggressive, picked his spots on the offensive end, and was a solid asset defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1587998' first='Noah' last='Schow'] <em>Annie Wright </em>| World Class Renegades</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He had a nice showing shooting the ball in previous sessions but this session he was using his strength to work closer in. He hit some midrange jumpers and then worked in strong takes to the rim, finishing high over defenders and showing off some acrobatic finishes to scoop shots around defenders and finish with some english. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1863196' first='Ethan' last='Harris'] <em>Camas </em>| Select Basketball </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His improvements have been off the charts and he continued to showcase an all-around game that allows him to plug into any lineup and have an impact. He was all over the game I watched, affecting the game with his 3-point shooting, making heady defensive plays, blocking shots and jumping passes for steals. He's a vocal player, makes quick decisions with the ball, and shows great awareness on and off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450980' first='Martin' last='Kaupanger'] <em>Annie Wright </em>| World Class Renegades</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaupanger found his rhythm from deep and fed off of those makes to get some more life on his drives and punish the defense inside and out. He showed how tough he can be for defenses to contain and when they do throw extra defenders at him, he has the presence to anticipate help stepping up and find open teammates with great timing. He also had a couple of big blocks at the rim to remind us what kind of big-time athlete he is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->