TEAM Warwick 17U Update

[program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick'] took its teams to Omaha to compete in the opener on April 4-6. We'll look at how a few of the prospects on the 17U team performed and provide an update.   I didn't see much for prospects raising their stocks too much, other than [player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] was a major standout at the tournament.   They didn't shoot the ball like they will the rest of the offseason. The shots that normally fall, just weren't for them.   The team has a ton of length and standout defenders. Getting easy buckets at the hoop wasn't happening for opponents. Teams were forced to shoot outside shots.   A key piece for them, [player_tooltip player_id='1545638' first='Cooper' last='Goodbary'], didn't compete because he's still recovering from his knee injury from the state tournament. He's expected to be back soon.    Ellwein is obviously the team's top prospect, as the #1 ranked 2026 in South Dakota. He got re-offered by South Dakota State University after the tournament. We all know what he can do offensively, but my main takeaway from the tournament is that he showed good bend at 6'9” and ability to defend guards on the perimeter. Blake was continuously playing help defense, releasing from his man to help defend the hoop. He was blocking shots all tournament and was a roaming rim-protector.     I've mentioned it a few times, but for our new subscribers, Gerdes has transitioned into a point guard after being predominantly a wing player. The transition has improved his stock and good things happen when he has high usage. In Omaha, he was getting heavily pressured and he dealt with it well in most cases. His strong and muscular frame help him to handle and power through some feisty defenders. He got into the lane and lived there all tournament. Mostly on a defensive rebound and push. Some lengthy defenders got to his shot when he didn't float it. When facing a super lengthy defender, I would recommend him to not get so deep into a body because that's cause for them to swat down and block his shot.     I thought Gylten did some good for his stock. Gylten showed off his vertical in Omaha; dunking, getting up high for rebounds, and defending the rim. His passing ability was noticeable as well. He was assisting on scores consistently, with line-drive on-target passes. Some long pass-aheads that were caught in stride for buckets.     Musser is a legitimate defender in all aspects. Just like Ellwein, Musser was a defensive monster at the rim. He was getting up at a high point and challenging and blocking shots. He moves extremely well laterally and athletically at 6'4”. A legitimate on-ball defender. He flew out to shooters with length and ability to cover a lot of space, quickly.     Walker comes from a major and well-known basketball family in South Dakota. So Walker plays with IQ and understanding. He also has nice length as a 6'4” wing. Walker is a team-first player that is scrappy and will get into all the action in the paint. He moves bodies and boxes out. Brings toughness and grit to the team.     Weber is another lengthy high-riser for [program_tooltip program_id='2228190' first='TEAM' last='Warwick']. Another high-level shotblocker and rim-protector. I thought he showed a great motor and was skying for boards. Needs to hone his offensive skills on the perimeter and open court to really to standout against legitimate AAU competition. Easy dunker that finishes the job with authority at the rim.

TEAM Warwick took its teams to Omaha to compete in the opener on April 4-6. We'll look at how a few of the prospects on the 17U team performed and provide an update.