The Last Dance: Max’s Day 2 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the top performers I saw on Saturday in Chicago at Prep Hoops The Last Dance!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1484338"],"_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-6693bde98eafd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooks showed why he's one of the top overall prospects in North Dakota on Saturday. Playing against a [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15u team that featured some of the top 2027's in Illinois, Brooks was arguably the best player on the floor. He handled it under pressure, set up his teammates, and got to the rim for some strong finishes inside. Brooks had one of the plays of the day as he came slashing in to catch an alley-oop dunk right over the top of a contesting defender. He's such a versatile player, as Brooks is a capable shooter, has great vision for his age, can post up opposing guards, and has the size at 6'4 to defend a number of positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1886972"],"_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-6693bde98eb58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amari makes this list thanks to his smothering defense on Saturday. Taking on [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15u EYBL, his coach was able to switch him on to any player, and Amari would shut them down. At 6'5 he moves his feet well, fights to get over screens, and was constantly cutting off his man. Each defensive possession saw 100% effort from Amari, and I'm not sure if I can recall a single possession where he got beat and gave up a bucket. Good hands to poke the ball free at times, and he was always going to be the first guy on the floor for a loose ball in his area. Provides an additional rebounding presence as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1575347"],"_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-6693bde98ebac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yesterday against [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 16u was the best I've seen Luke play. Defensively he was tasked with guarding a 5-star 2027 prospect, and made every touch he got difficult. Forced a number of tough shots out of him that led to stops for the Fury. On the offensive end he was slashing to the basket for a couple of tough left handed finishes, while catching fire from beyond the arc. Luke has good body control to convert contested looks inside. Wherley was never forcing his offense, but when opportunities to score presented themselves, he didn't hesitate to take a shot. Finished with 22 points in a win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2125627"],"_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-6693bde98ebf0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This incoming freshman impressed against one of the best 15u teams in Minnesota. Trailing for most of the game, he helped lead the [program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] comeback charge in the 2nd half, providing a big spark offensively. He was so smooth attacking the basket and extending to finish with his left hand. Ethan effortlessly weaves in and out of defenders with the ball on his way to the basket. Also knocked down a three and drew a foul on another three point attempt. Played with poise you don't often see in such a young prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1575348"],"_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-6693bde98ec31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Some players are automatic from three. Some don't seem to miss around the basket. For Cole, he's at the top of his class as a passer out of the high post. When Cole can catch and face up, he sees the floor so well, and can deliver a bounce pass with precise accuracy to hit a cutting teammate towards the basket. A lot of Fury's offense involves Cole getting the ball around the free throw line, and he's so dangerous out of that area as he can pass, hit the open jumper if you sag off, or dribble into a post-up to score inside. Cole absolutely stuffed the stat sheet in a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 16u with 7 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552419"],"_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-6693bde98ec72"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ryan shot the lights out on Saturday morning in a win for [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose']. He just wasn't missing in the first half, draining three after three to push his team in front. Walsh has a textbook release with a shot that barely seems to hit the net as it goes. Does a great job of quickly getting his feet squared allowing him to catch and elevate in one smooth motion when the ball comes his way. One of the best pure shooters I've seen this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2121351"],"_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-6693bde98ecb1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tanner was all over the floor coming up with plays for [program_tooltip program_id='2075685' first='Minnesota' last='Select']. He's so quick with the ball, and loves to play fast. After a defensive board he would look to push the tempo and get his team a numbers advantage moving forward, and in those situations he did a great job of passing the ball ahead to create some good looks for his teammates. In the half-court he can get into dangerous areas with his quickness, forcing the defense to collapse before kicking it out to an open man. Helped his Select team pick up a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15u.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->