Grind Region Kickoff: Saturday LIVEwires 17U

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And live from the Grind Region Kickoff, it's Saturday LIVEwires. Here's five players who jumped off the page during the afternoon's 17U contests. Keep checking back to the site for more write ups and breakdowns of prospects from all three days of the Grind Region Kickoff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2724400"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2832218,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67f1f7df64b16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">High flying Baba took over a Saturday afternoon contest. He ran the floor hard in transition to hunt for dunks and alley oops. While also exploding by defenders in the halfcourt for explosive and graceful takes. In the up and down nature of AAU basketball, there's even more avenues for Baba to show off and change games with his elite athleticism. They key is getting his motor running and revved up. As before a dunk seemed to wake up Baba, he had a couple almost finishes that turned into misses. But after the dunk, he seemed to play with a new bounce in his step. Literally. Promising overall signs for Baba to emerge as one of the more undervalued prospects in a deep Oklahoma Class of 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2499145"],"_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-67f1f7df64b77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Following a strong sophomore season, Johnson looks set for an even bigger summer. Was smooth and in control as an attacker. Complete with the ability to finish above the rim in traffic. Already has a good frame, which pairs well with his gilding ability to seemingly ghost by defenders on drives. All while rarely looking out of control. The framework is there for the Titan to be one of the better scorers in 2027. Very intriguing viewing of Johnson, who looks to be scratching the surface of a high ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2819479"],"_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-67f1f7df64bbf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Benson is an up tempo guard who plays the game with eye catching flair. Has fancy finishing ability, with great lift, hangtime, and body control. Add in quick processing passing and vision; Benson simply makes it happen. Especially in transition with his quickness. But he's more than just flash, there's some steel to his game. On the defensive end, he was a pest with the turnovers he forced. Smaller guards need to play with chips on their shoulder and swagger. On Saturday, Benson did just that in helping 1 Nation to victories. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2411999"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2832219,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67f1f7df64c13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the first half of the Runners' first contest of the day, Island simply couldn't miss. Connected on three straight from distance, including a deep buzzer beater to end the first half. The opposition did a better job of limiting his perimeter looks in the second half. But he still got busy off the dribble, with good finishing for a smaller guard. It was an impressive afternoon scoring display, thriving in a back and forth contest against quality competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2790523"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2832220,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-67f1f7df64c66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mr Energy for the Fly Hawks. Jackson is a quality athlete, who plays to his strengths. Which is energy, having a good second jump and long arms, making him a battler around the basket. Seemed to live on the offensive glass, scoring second chance points for his squad. Has a face up game, and can put it on the floor to attack openings. But seems to be at his best with his hard hat on and producing around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->