NERR Unsigned Senior Showcase Standouts: Part 1

NERR held an event on Monday, April 21st, at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA for seniors and post grads who are currently unsigned to a college roster. There was tons of talent in the gym and a plethora of coaches from all levels on hand to watch.   Below is part one of my standouts from the event.    Soden looks even stronger than he did during the high school season -- I think he has likely put on some muscle in the weight room during this offseason. He has a three level scoring game that isn't flashy but consistently gets the job done; he can get to the rim and finish athletically with both hands, he can shoot it from the midrange, and he can shoot it from deep too. I was especially impressed with his ability to make the right play over and over, even in a showcase setting where many are taking terrible shots. He's going to fit perfectly into a system at the D2 level, if I had to guess. If a D3 school gets him, he'll be an absolute stud right away.     This was my first time seeing Katic, and I was super impressed with his size and athleticism, motor, and outside shooting. Despite his 6-foot-7 frame, he's able to shoot it consistently from deep and made a number of shots during Monday night's showcase. He can also attack closeouts and handle it a little bit on the outside, which adds to his versatility. Defensively, he plays his behind off and is always using his physicality and length (6-foot-10 wingspan) to get his fingertips on balls -- he might've been the best rebounder I saw at the showcase. I'm not sure what his recruitment looks like, but he should absolutely find a D3 fit somewhere, and I could even see him getting some D2 looks.     Kabori was likely the most physically imposing player at the showcase. The 6-foot-10 forward is big and strong and has great vertical athleticism, all of which allow him to excel as a rebounder and rim protector. He tried his luck at some outside shots during the showcase and although he didn't make many, his shot looks decent and I could see it improving as the years go on. He's certainly still learning how to use his size around the rim, but he shows some flashes of great rim running capabilities. I could see some low major D1's and D2 schools taking a flyer on Kabori as a long-term prospect with lots of potential.     This was my first time seeing Williams and I was quite impressed with his strength. He's only 5-foot-10 but bulldozed his way to the hoop on numerous occasions against defenders far taller than him. There was absolutely nothing anybody could do to stop him from getting to the front of the rim for easy finishes with both hands. The lefty didn't show too much of an outside stroke, but he didn't really need it because he bullied his way to the rim relentlessly. Williams scored 1,800 points in high school and I could see him having a heck of a college career at the D3 or D2 level. Thinking about what he would look like on a football field is SCARY.     Nguyen is undersized but was one of my favorite players to watch at the showcase. In an environment where everybody is trying to show off their scoring ability and athleticism, he was actually content to make extra passes and find teammates for easy looks. He plays the game the right way and has some really impressive passing instincts; he can throw live-dribble passes with both hands and is a big fan of the look away pass, which he uses quite effectively. His size and lack of vertical pop will definitely limit his recruitment, but if D3 coaches stay to watch him for awhile, they'll be on board.

NERR held an event on Monday, April 21st, at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA for seniors and post grads who are currently unsigned to a college roster. There was tons of talent in the gym and a plethora of coaches from all levels on hand to watch.