ZG Rumble for the Ring Varsity Division Standouts: Part 4

I attended the Zero Gravity Rumble for the Ring this weekend and watched the American division teams compete at Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA on Saturday.   As always, it's impossible to get eyes on every team and every kid, but here are SOME of the players that stood out. Part 4 below.   Here is <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/10/zg-rumble-for-the-ring-varsity-division-standouts-part-1/">part 1</a> if you missed it! Here is <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/10/zg-rumble-for-the-ring-varsity-division-standouts-part-2/">part 2</a>. Here is <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/10/zg-rumble-for-the-ring-varsity-division-standouts-part-3/">part 3</a>.   Thanks for reading along!    Baptiste looks like an NFL tight end right now, and he's a junior in high school. The 6-foot-7 forward is built like a brick wall and understands how to use his strength on the court. He bullies smaller defenders on the inside and also blows by slower defenders on the perimeter. He also showed the ability to knock down the three-ball off the catch and off the dribble, albeit not too consistently. The physical tools and athleticism are there for scholarship level basketball, but the skills are just a step away… he's got time.     Peabody is the ideal role player. He strokes it from three, most importantly, and can get his shot off quickly and while on the move. When he doesn't have an open look, he drives closeouts decisively and makes plays for his teammates once he enters the lane. Peabody also showcased some surprising athleticism on the break at times. All levels of college hoops are on the table but unless he grows vertically in the next few years, he'll probably slot into the D3 level nicely.     Lopez is a strong-bodied point guard who is always under control and calm with the basketball. He was also a menace all day in transition. Whether he got the rebound or not, he was looking to get out on the break and attack the nail. Once he got into the half court, Lopez consistently made the right play for his teammates, dishing out on-time, on-target passes to three-point shooters and dunker-spot hangers. He also showcased some solid finishes with both hands. I would imagine he'll find a college roster somewhere, but it's too early to say at what level.     Johnson isn't tall or bulky, but he has a nose for the ball that you rarely see at AAU tournaments these days. Whether it be on the offensive or defensive glass, getting on the floor, or defending multiple positions on and off the ball, he does all of the little things you could ask a role player to do. Johnson also showed some offensive flashes, but his shooting and passing are still definitely coming along. The sophomore has a lot of time to shore up his offensive game and find a D3 fit somewhere.     Hynes was potentially the most skilled player at the entire tournament; he doesn't have an offensive weakness and is a cerebral, decisive, high IQ playmaker offensively. He can shoot it from the three, the midrange, and he can finish at the hoop. He's also got good vision. Hynes plays incredibly hard defensively but is undersized for the center position and won't necessarily wow you with athleticism, but I could still see scholarship schools wanting him as a role playing stretch four or wing. The highest level D3 is probably more likely for Hynes if I had to guess.

I attended the Zero Gravity Rumble for the Ring this weekend and watched the American division teams compete at Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA on Saturday.