Expo Top 250: Team 6 Evaluations

-Strong build, aggressive driver that gets into his opponent's chest in the paint before finishing at the rim. Nice putback in traffic, walls off pretty well defensively to cut off opponents' drives to the rim. Dribble pickup and bump past the defender into a floater. Handle needs to improve to take advantage of low center of gravity in tight spaces     -One of our favorite finds of the event, Brown is a shifty guard that has an explosive change of direction and a pretty diverse skillset. In his second 5 on 5 game he cashed out an early 3, turned a steal into a layup at the other end after blowing past defenders. Has a pretty good feel of when to score and distribute with a drive and kick to strong side corner for a 3, smooth alley oop dime, hesi behind the back and scooping lay on a series of possessions. Really quick, aggressive driver once he's gotten the defense onto the back of their heels. Closed out the game with a one-handed assist to a shooter, steal, and another kick out to a shooter later in the 2H.     -Hicks seemed to always be in the right spot for rebounds, steals, and last-second finishes around the rim. Filled his role well as a PA prospect competing with DMV guys by doing all of the little things well throughout the showcase. Had a great pass over the top of the defense in transition then a few possessions later timed a cut in transition for the lefty lay. Later in the game caught the ball in the middle of the paint before executing a spin move and a finger roll off the glass. Really promising offensive skillset that can play either guard spot and contribute to winning     -Shifty downhill driving guard with a pretty tight handle that saw the floor well as a passer from the wings or from middle PnR opportunities. Would like to see him actively relocate on the perimeter after throwing it into the post to create better angles for kick-outs for shots or face cuts if the defense plays up. Had a real nice one-handed whip pass from above the break for a backdoor layup that was a back-breaker for the defense.     -Strong, sturdy combo guard that can contribute in a variety of ways. That skillset was on full display at The Expo as he hit a nice fader from the post, crossed the paint to hit a pull-up midrange off the bounce, got another paint touch and found a teammate for a 3, and knocked down a 3 in transition. Eccleston uses his frame well to bully his way past smaller guards and absorb contact in the air before finishing at the basket. Would like to see him relocate to space better after post feeds or swinging opposite, finding more comfortable spots to get the 1-2- footwork before shooting to maximum a good rhythm/cadence.     -Really impressed as a PG that can get his own shot off but can also create for teammates pretty well in the halfcourt. Nelson dominated 3 on 3 play by hitting multiple movement 3s off of lifts from the corner, knocking down C+S looks, attacking hard closeouts to drop it off to a big after the help defender committed, and getting his hands in passing lanes. In 5 on 5 play he deferred a bit more but still shined as a secondary creator operating in the side PnR and making the defense pay for ball-watching as a weakside defender by relocating to space for easy C+S opportunities. Excited to see how he develops in a new system at St. Andrew's under Coach Kevin Jones.     -Clearly one of -if not the- most talented players in attendance, Woodard showed an improved handle in the open floor that allowed him to get past guards with straight line drives or high dribble pick-ups. The bag is developing nicely offensively as he's able to get into 3 point shots off the dribble much more quickly and smoothly while also hitting post fades, hooks, and finishing with 2 hands around the basket. The leaping ability and mobility at his size push his ceiling among the highest in the area, although the motor and feel will need to show through more consistently for him to reach that potential.