Mickey’s Top 10 Standouts from the National Prep Showcase: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend on November 22nd-24th, New England Recruiting Report hosted the National Prep Showcase at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut. The unofficial kick-off to the high school basketball season in New England, the National Prep Showcase attracts not only some of the best prep school teams in the region but also the country. Teams faced off in competitive games during the three-day bonanza, in front of fans, media, scouts, and college coaches from all over the country and all division levels. Numerous players performed well and put themselves on the map in a big way. Here are the first of my Top 10 players from the weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1106063"],"_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-674490f0f0aca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1106063' first='London' last='Jemison'] continued to show why he is one of the premier scoring forwards New England has to offer. He was getting to the basket and scoring around the rim, taking on contact, and hitting reverse layups through traffic. His speed and athleticism also stood out, highlighted by taking his man off the dribble and driving and dunking from the baseline. He was lights out from three-point range, especially off the catch, and used his smooth delivery to stay efficient throughout the weekend. Lastly, I was impressed by his weak side rim protection and ability to make a crucial block in big situations. The Alabama commit produced on a big stage and was clearly one of the top standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2317310"],"_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-674490f0f0b41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2317310' first='Keyshuan' last='Tillery'] was attacking the basket all weekend long and just dominating anyone attempting to guard him on the ball. His first step and blazing speed were uncanny, and just ran by the helpless defenders getting easy buckets and racking up points for his New Hampton squad. He leveraged the extra pressure put on him during his appearances by driving and kicking to open teammates and hitting pull-up threes in the flow of the offense. Additionally, he made a great steal in the passing lanes, competed on the boards, and unleashed a sick crossover dribble move that left the crowd speechless. Cincinnati should be stoked locking him in during the early signing period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341272"],"_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-674490f0f0b95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2341272' first='Ben' last='Ahmed'] was one of the best interior-scoring big men at the National Prep Showcase. He was having a field day by outmuscling his less physiqued defenders and playing bully ball, easily scoring off the glass when he got to the spot he wanted. He also showed off some more finesse post moves as well, with spins and hesitation moves which freed up the extra space he needed to operate and dominate. On top of the never-ending scoring, he provided big-time rebounding, a bull-like mindset that fired up his team, and excellent rim protection ruining potential poster slams. Miami should have a college-ready big man right away when he arrives on campus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2641694"],"_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-674490f0f0be4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2641694' first='Daye' last='Kaba'] was one of the biggest winners of the weekend who impressed many in attendance, including myself. His offensive skill was evident, getting into the basket with good speed and agility with a solid handle. His shooting was on point, hitting off-the-dribble mid-range shots and three-point shots off the catch with even a jab step trey he pulled off. His on-ball defense was also outstanding as well, smothering ball handlers and creating turnovers through pure effort and determination. The transfer from New York is a sleeper no more and put himself firmly on the map.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2638999"],"_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-674490f0f0c34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2638999' first='Lucas' last='Morillo'] stood out with his shot-making when he was on the floor and looked comfortable getting to his spots. His mid-range jumpers were smooth and his release was clean, leading to consistent and productive results. He also hit shots off the catch from downtown and used counters on his drives with floaters and euro steps in the lane to score around the cup. On top of all of that, he was rebounding in the paint, making smart anticipation steals, and making some smart passes for his teammates which led to positive outcomes. A legitimate riser from the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->