MADE Hoops East Warmup: Ari's Saturday 16U Eye-catchers

MADE Hoops continued its Northeast spring event season with its East Warmup event kicking off Friday night at Spooky Nook in PA, featuring hundreds of teams from the MADE circuits, the EYBL, and beyond. See below for a handful of prospects who caught the eye on Saturday with their play in the 16U division.    The top-ranked sophomore in the country handled his business on Saturday against two high-powered EYBL opponents, leading his Durant team to two wins to stake an early claim as heavy contenders for a Peach Jam E16 title. Forced to take on a heavy interior load in his guard-heavy public school setting, he showed the full repertoire while toggling seamlessly across perimeter positions and still chipping in on the glass or protecting the rim. What perhaps stands out most for a prospect with Oladotun's natural talent level and public profile is his steely competitiveness, receptiveness to coaching, and blossoming leadership abilities. He left no doubt to anyone in the standing-room only crowd why he's considered a clear tier above the rest in the region's crop of 2027s.     He took a backseat to a stacked junior class during the winter, coming in for Stepinac as a hired gun off the bench looking to hunt shots from long range in limited minutes, but Rivera showed positive signs of carrying his dynamic shotmaking right over into a featured role for his Rens group this spring and summer. In an overtime thriller against [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'], the lanky wing guard was ruthless from the perimeter, showcasing his potent stroke time and again while extending his range well beyond the arc and rising up effortlessly over smaller defenders in the midrange. Once he sees his shot start to fall, Rivera is able to get himself going in the floor game as well, using his length and instincts to chip in defensively and as a playmaker for others with the extra attention he draws. All the makings are there for a high-major prospect, especially if he's able to start diversifying his game moving forward as well.     Far from the biggest body or name on a team with eyes on a Peach Jam title, it could be argued that Gray is the heart and soul of Durant's powerful 16U group. Returning alongside almost the entire lineup, Gray sets the tone from the backcourt with his intense and unselfish two-way approach. He slides fluidly across backcourt spots, spending time initiating offense as a ballhandler and paint-touch threat but also capably sliding off-ball and getting into gaps as a utility guard. Gray makes his mark defensively as a consistent hound while speeding up opposing guards and getting in their heads. He looks like a true nightmare to play against and should be a hot name among coaches watching Durant this summer.     The maturity really stands out for McKnight, with two years of extensive WCAC experience under his belt already, as he quarterbacks a talent-laden Durant lineup looking ready to take on all comers on its way to Peach Jam. McKnight was dynamic as ever off the dribble on Saturday, using his shifty handle and compact strength to work his way to spots while showcasing increased vision and feel as a playmaker from the lane. He was a consistent pest on the defensive end, showcasing his quick feet and strong chest to repeatedly stonewall opposing guards. While a bit undersized for the highest levels, McKnight figures to draw high-major attention with the level of impact he consistently makes on high-level games.     In one of the upsets of the day, Rogers led the way for Rising Stars as they knocked off EYBL contender Team Final behind a dynamite shooting performance. A lanky combo guard still early in his physical development, Rogers shows a well-rounded skillset as a dynamic floor-spacer with flashes of high-IQ play off the bounce. He showed his clutch gene as he iced the game with a handful of smooth long-range jumpers. With high-level bloodlines (his dad played at Baylor) and on the young side of his grade, Rogers is under the radar for now but has a chance to emerge as a breakout prospect over the next year (or sooner).     While his team went down with two tough losses in their first games of the spring, Newson hit the ground running for his 16U campaign with two effective performances. Known for his athletic downhill drives and smothering defense, he had both abilities on full display while creating turnovers on one end and getting his head near the rim on a couple emphatic finishes in space. Most important for his long-term translation at the highest levels, and continuing a trend from the winter, Newson showed increased comfort and confidence as a jump shooter, getting to spots for balanced midrange pullups and smoothly knocking down perimeter shots off the catch. Already a high-major prospect, Newson could really emerge on a national scale this summer if the shooting continues to trend in the right direction.     With a few guards out of the lineup on Saturday, Williams seized the opportunity by stepping up in the rotation and standing out in his minutes during the Rens' overtime loss to Durant. His impact largely boils down to his shooting, but that's no concern as Williams has the makings of one of the more dynamic snipers in the region. Playing a key role in helping force overtime, he displayed textbook mechanics and the ability to shake himself open consistently with deep range off the catch and impressive polish as a pullup shooter. A coach's son who's shown some ballhandling chops in other settings, Williams looks like a clear scholarship-level prospect who D1's should be monitoring in the years to come.

MADE Hoops continued its Northeast spring event season with its East Warmup event kicking off Friday night at Spooky Nook in PA, featuring hundreds of teams from the MADE circuits, the EYBL, and beyond. See below for a handful of prospects who caught the eye on Saturday with their play in the 16U division.