PSB DMV High Academic Showcase Standouts Pt.1

Pro Skills DMV AAU organization hosted a high academic showcase featuring student athletes with GPAs with 3.5+ to compete in front of college coaches in a competitive setting as we gear up for the 2024-2025 season. Hosted at Goucher College in Towson, MD, the athletes completed skill development training before being split into teams to play short, full-court games with college coaches either coaching their team or watching from the sidelines. Several players stood out on an individual basis while several impressed because of how well they filled out a role for their team. Let's get into it!      -Athletically was a level above most of his competition here, hands have gotten much better on tough catches in transition/cuts to the rim, body has improved. More consistent follow through and balance on his jumper, knocked down C+S looks from the perimeter and hit a pull-up from the elbow. Had a nice rip through on the perimeter and straight line drive to the rim for an explosive dunk. His defensive versatility and willingness to do the little things while polishing his skillbase will make him an intriguing prospect to track for LM coaches.     -Drakes seems to get better with each viewing and the handle/jumper continue to show improvement as he's knocking down C+S looks with consistency while taking care of the rock on his trips to the rim. His touch has really improved on his jumpers outside the paint and his handle is more fluid--allowing him to get to his spots and into his shooting motion more efficiently and consistently. He uses his length and athleticism to jump passing lanes or switch out onto different positions. If he can add more muscle to absorb bumps in the post from bigs while keeping the lateral movement skills, he can be a really versatile defensive weapon.     -Mensah uses angles and a nice touch with either hand to finish at a pretty high level around the basket. Inside hand finish to beat his matchup to the rim, reverse layups in traffic, bump and floater off the backboard through contact, euro step with a high pickup and lay off the backboard-- he reacts well to defensive stunts and contests. He was also dynamic in transition, making the correct read to score or pass at precisely the right moment after drawing the defense. Defensively was disruptive at the point of attack and collects steals without fouling both on and off the ball. One of the best products in Anne Arundel county.     -The big dog popped throughout the day as a physical 3/4 tweener that rebounds the ball at a high level but can also hit touch shots in the paint or midrange jumpers from either elbow. Hershkowitz doesn't put the ball down when he doesn't need to, getting right into a shooting motion after gathering a loose ball before the defense can react to score in the paint. Hustled defensively throughout the day and was coachable on the sidelines, figures to be a key piece for Kent Island his senior year.     -Sardo impressed as the best shooter that we saw today, routinely hitting 2 or 3 triples each game while also finding teammates with the extra pass and coming up with rebounds in traffic. He no longer has to back down or get the defender on his hip to read the defense because his handle has improved as has his decision-making ability. If he can add in a more explosive change of direction and vertical pop to his game, I'd expect his recruitment to pick up as a versatile CG that can be trusted on and off the ball.

Pro Skills DMV AAU organization hosted a high academic showcase featuring student athletes with GPAs with 3.5+ to compete in front of college coaches in a competitive setting as we gear up for the 2024-2025 season. Hosted at Goucher College in Towson, MD, the athletes completed skill development training before being split into teams to play short, full-court games with college coaches either coaching their team or watching from the sidelines. Several players stood out on an individual basis while several impressed because of how well they filled out a role for their team. Let's get into it!