Zero Gravity Live Finale: Saturday Standouts Part Two

The ZG Live Finale is underway at Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA, with games tipping off on Friday afternoon. There's plenty of talent in the gym at the high school level, and a good number of college coaches in attendance as well. With five courts playing at all times, it's impossible to see every team and player. With that being said, here is part two of my Saturday standouts! Sunday standouts coming tonight/tomorrow!    Dargati is very skilled and truly understands the game. He's a coach's son who has great passing vision and no glaring offensive weakness in his game. He can dribble and shoot and has a keen awareness of floor spacing and movement. He uses patience and control in the paint to give himself extra time to make decisions, and it pays dividends for his offensive production. Dargati is a clear D3 prospect with the potential for more if he grows, which looks possible.     [player_tooltip player_id='2509681' first='Jacob' last='Pichay'] never gets tired. He's undersized, but Pichay has an incredible first-step and is a phenomenal athlete at the hoop. He has a mean in-and-out hesitation move that freezes defenders on the perimeter, and then he can hit his jumper in the lane or get all the way to the rack. Oh, and he also strokes it from three, both off the dribble and in spot up situations. Pichay should be a high-level D3 player – I could imagine him in the NESCAC. Maybe he even has D2 potential.     Adams has a really good change-of-pace dribble in the paint which allows him to create for himself or others. He won't wow you with size or athleticism, but his arms are ridiculously long which allows him to guard both guards and wings. He's also able to knock down the open three pointer, and he has a nice-looking release that could certainly become more consistent with time. I would imagine him slotting in at the D3 level somewhere.     Lyare was one of the more pesky defenders at the guard position that I saw today. He pressured 94 feet for the entire game, and he also has a knack for getting his hands in the passing lanes. Offensively, he's undersized and not the best shooter, but he can handle the rock and make plays for his teammates. He's in the Marcus Smart archetype of defense and passing. Lyare could become a D3 player if he improves his outside shooting, which has to be more consistent given his size.     Sullivan is one of the toughest players at the tournament, bar none. He throws his body around with reckless abandon and never stops working on defense. He's got excellent lateral quickness and phenomenal hands, making him one of the best guard defenders I saw today. Offensively, Sullivan can shoot it from three and finish athletically at the rim; he's also a great role player and passer, like most Middlesex Magic players.     Byther has the body of a D1 tight end; he's 6-foot-5 and incredibly built. He's most impressive on defense, where he showcases really solid lateral movement and hands for his size, and great timing on shot blocks. Offensively, Byther can finish at the rim and is very unselfish. Apparently he can shoot, but he didn't let it fly much when I watched him. Would be surprised if Byther doesn't end up on a D3 roster somewhere as a solid two-way big.     Chen is undersized for the point-guard position but is very strong and sturdy with the ball. He's physically developed, which allows him to fend off ball pressure and control the offense during chaos. He's also got a quick first step and good touch from both the three-point line and the mid-range. Chen will have a tough time at the D3 level, but if he continues to speed up his shot release and become a better on-ball defender, he could definitely find a fit.

The ZG Live Finale is underway at Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA, with games tipping off on Friday afternoon. There's plenty of talent in the gym at the high school level, and a good number of college coaches in attendance as well. With five courts playing at all times, it's impossible to see every team and player. With that being said, here is part two of my Saturday standouts! Sunday standouts coming tonight/tomorrow!