Puma Friday/Saturday 17 U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Puma Circuit held their finals in Indianapolis and I was there on Friday and Saturday to watch some talent alongside college coaches from multiple levels. In this article we'll break down five standouts from Friday and Saturday in the class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1772411"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-669e80aaa8fa2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A player who has consistently played up in age competition, Ellis is not going to back down from anybody on the court. An elite shooter off the catch, the lefty has a quick release and gets his feet set off movement quickly. I also liked Ellis' finishing ability off the dribble, playing off two feet and using craftiness to avoid being blocked. Defensively, Ellis competes as he stripped a couple ball handlers and even forced a five second violation. Rare to see players with the large social media following that Ellis has really compete on both ends of the court and play to win but I've always been impressed with his ability to impact winning and toughness. Nothing fake about the heart he shows on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1259628"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-669e80aaa9003"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A reclass into the 2025 class, Yarmah looks like an absolute steal for High Point based on what I saw on Friday night. A very athletic wing, Yarmah was flying around the court in transition and defensively. The unique style TLBA plays is perfect for his game as they rely on playing franticly and getting their hands on a bunch of loose balls and rebounds to get extra possessions and shots at the rim. Yarmah has become a very efficient 3-point shooter with his feet set and his teammates do a nice job of finding him on the perimeter. Left a really big fan of Yarmah after this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1226928"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-669e80aaa904f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I caught the SA Future team on Friday night and they had a nice run deep into the bracket championship. I was impressed with the team defense of their group, not giving up many easy shots and really working on that end. Onwe had good length and blocked a couple shots at the rim on that end and played physical. Offensively Onwe had a couple transition buckets and was capable of spacing the floor if given time and space. I enjoyed watching this SA Future team compete and Onwe stood out on Friday evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2321702"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-669e80aaa9096"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more improved players in Ohio's 2025 class, Showes has come on really strong this summer and is set for a huge spike up our rankings. Showing some real development on the offensive end of the court, Showes had some power finishes in the paint when he was able to catch and turn to go up at the rim. Always had an elite body and frame, Showes takes up a lot of space defensively in the paint. A name to know in SW Ohio, Showes still has a long ways to go but he is trending upward fast and improves every time I watch him after a month or so, the fall will be a great time for him to continue to improve as he prepares for a tough GMC run with a Middletown program that's back on the rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1888359"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-669e80aaa90dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Williams stood out to me with his defensive activity and quickness, changing the pace of the game. An active defender, Williams forced a couple turnovers and instantly turned on the jets to push in transition. With Williams speed and quickness, he's also tough to stop from getting to the paint off the dribble. Williams did a nice job getting to his preferred left hand and scoring at the rim. Also flashing some cuts off the ball, Williams was active all over the court. Williams did knock down one corner 3-pointer and continuing to develop a reliable perimeter jumper will be the main area of focus as he prepares to make the jump to the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1738293],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-669e80aaa9124"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blythe impressed me with his quick first step, activity and productiveness in transition. An excellent athlete out in transition, Blythe flashed some ball handling and creation ability off the dribble. Able to create for himself with his burst and speed, Blythe was a tough cover defensively. Also flashing some perimeter shooting ability, that will be a key shot for him to consistently knock down. Defensively, Blythe got some deflections and forced turnovers with aggressive gambles as he tried to read where guards were telegraphing their passes. A trapping and chaos defensive scheme would likely fit his skillset the best on that end of the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->