2024 Locked In Elite Showcase Spotlight: Wings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend, some of the top boys and girls in the DMV participated in the Locked In Elite showcase at The St. James in Springfield, VA. The invite only event, developed and managed by Brian Inge and Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews, allowed the participants to learn crucial on-court and life skills while competing amongst other high level talent. The wing, arguably the top position group there, really stole the show. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1371867"],"_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-66b77a47ba7b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've scouted Cam Ward numerous times and his passion and competitive nature seems to always shine. It's truly one of my favorite qualities of his. Even in a showcase setting, there was no drop off in his will to compete and win as Ward helped guide his team to win the championship and earn co-MVP honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ward excelled slashing to the rim for below and above the rim finishes in the half court and transition. Additionally, he mixed in jumpers from beyond the arc and the midrange. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ward's defensive prowess was felt in moments throughout multiples games, but none bigger in the championship with the game on the line. In sudden death overtime, Ward produced the game winning sequence with a block then a quick outlet pass to assist the game winning dunk. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782660"],"_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-66b77a47ba80f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Samuels was one of the players that I was really looking forward to scouting in-person for the first time and he didn't disappoint. His impressive film without a doubt matched the in-person experience. Samuels teamed with Cam Ward to win the showcase championship and share MVP honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lefty wing gave defenders trouble with his outstanding mix of creative handle, strength, footwork and mulit-level shotmaking. He showed the ability to be a self creator and off ball play finisher with downhill drives, pullups, and step backs alongside spot up threes and transition threes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Equipped with a projectable frame and defensive tools, there is still plenty of room for Samuels to continue his growth. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1370500"],"_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-66b77a47ba851"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rougier-Roane displayed his two-way upside throughout the event. He confidently knocked down multiple catch-and-shoot three and pull-up jumpers during games and in the stations. Defensively, his defensive playmaking popped including a couple of one on one stops utilizing his length and quick hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a strong showing here and earlier in the summer while representing Canada at the FIBA U18 Americas, Rougier-Roane seems poised to take another leap this season at Sidwell Friends. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1370507"],"_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-66b77a47ba88f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pendergrass's combo of size, length, ball skills and shotmaking was terrific from the jump during the games and stations. He found success as both a shot creator and play finisher featuring pull ups over defenders, movement and standstill threes and several above the rim finishes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His defensive moments furthered my intrigue with his defensive playmaking upside and overall two-way potential. Pendergrass utilized his length, fluidity and timing to either contest or block multiple attempts including a highlight reel help block off the glass in the half court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1370509"],"_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-66b77a47ba8cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ross was unable to find consistency with his jumper, but still found ways to impact games by leveraging his dynamic physical tools to finish plays above the rim, score in transition and flash his defensive upside. The long and explosive wing had the gym buzzing with a monster transition put back dunk and another effortless dunk off two feet in traffic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->