Gold Standard X KB3 Elite Summer Draft League Standouts: Part 2

Gold Standard and KB3 Elite are running their inaugural summer draft league this July and August at Brandeis University. I headed out to Waltham on Thursday night to watch two consolation games and the two semifinal matchups of their “elite” division. Here is part two of some of the young high schoolers that stood out.    For his age, Rousmaniere has some pretty special physical tools. He's 6-foot-6 with fantastic length and really solid hands and feet. He's able to operate as a screen and roll big and can finish with both hands at the cup. He also has a nice-looking stroke that should continue to develop. Defensively, he has great discipline and is a really solid rim protector. Whether Rousmaniere grows will ultimately determine his potential, but D1 basketball is absolutely on the table. He will be a freshman at Brooks and will benefit greatly from going up against college prospects every day at practice.     Maturah did it all for his team on Thursday. He was the main scorer and also the main facilitator, often starting the offense by getting into the paint and either shooting his floater or kicking out to shooters. He was also able to make the open three when he was left open. He's relatively underdeveloped physically but should put on height and weight as he gets older. Maturah will play his freshman season at Brooks and should significantly improve by upping his level of competition in high school.     Medina is a phenomenal athlete for his age. He's very quick and shifty with the ball in his hands and has big time elevation at the cup when he gets there. Medina can also knock it down from both the mid-range and deep, and he showed off some really impressive range. He's also a pest on the ball defensively when he's locked in. He's just a really mature player for his age who should be able to play varsity basketball for Concord Academy as a freshman.      Smith did all of the little things for his squad on Thursday. Literally, all of them. Rebounding, defense, getting on the floor, you name it. His defensive versatility was truly special; he was able to guard bigger/stronger players and hound them but was also able to guard shorter players and pressure the ball aggressively. Great lateral quickness, great strength, and a rare willingness to do the under appreciated things on the court. Smith will make his high school coach very happy at Billerica.      Grant was the tallest player on his team, but also the best offensive scorer and facilitator. He's got an uncanny ability to force his way into the paint, and he made really smart decisions once he got there. He can finish athletically with both hands, and he showcased some really smart no-look passes to teammates when the help came. Grant looks relatively developed for his age but should continue to put on height and pounds, both of which will exponentially improve his stock moving forward.      Maina is a lanky athlete with a very smooth handle and a beautiful outside shot. He knocked down multiple shots from long range and had a picture-perfect release on the ones he missed. Defensively, Maina used his length to contest shots at the rim, even if he got pushed around a bit as a result of his size. If he continues to grow (which it looks like he will, given his incredibly skinny frame), he should become a very interesting long term prospect. Maina will play his high school ball at Central Catholic High School, but he could look a lot different once the season starts.

Gold Standard and KB3 Elite are running their inaugural summer draft league this July and August at Brandeis University. I headed out to Waltham on Thursday night to watch two consolation games and the two semifinal matchups of their “elite” division. Here is part two of some of the young high schoolers that stood out.