The Stage: Mike’s 17 U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Circuit came to Indianapolis this weekend and The Stage allowed for some competitive early season grassroots action. In this article I'll break down some 17 U standouts from Friday and Saturday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2802881"],"_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-67f1578113495"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An aggressive slasher to the rim, Blue was getting downhill by using his size and quickness to score at the rim. I was also impressed by his ability to play through contact with a couple of and-1 layups. When B Rod Select forced turnovers, Blue did a nice job of leaking out and getting easy layups on the fast break. Interesting wing athlete to monitor from northeast Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2828649"],"_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-67f1578113505"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I really enjoyed watching Gonzalez operate in the post as an undersized forward who knew how to move without the basketball and showed soft touch at the rim as a finisher. High IQ player who rebounds and finishes efficiently, Gonzalez is a guy who helps you win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2830627"],"_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-67f1578113551"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top shooters I saw all weekend, McCrea had a consistent form and all his shots were on line. Even the rare misses McCrea was still on target and moved without the ball to create open looks. At his size and shooting ability, McCrea could get some small college interest this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2832080"],"_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-67f1d62a4c09a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A new name I just discovered today, Purdon stood out for an Ohio Express team that ran through the competition. Purdon is a bigger wing who can grab and go off defensive rebounds, use his size to finish in the paint and finish above the rim with a head of steam. Checking a lot of boxes between his physical profile and basketball skill, Purdon could be a sneaky small college prospect and form a nice duo with [player_tooltip player_id='1879105' first='Brody' last='Fields'] this winter for Teays Valley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2807440"],"_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-67f1d62a4c0ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Small college programs are always looking for size and Kirk has the height needed to play on the interior at the small college level. Scoring a few times on the fast break, running the floor really gives centers a couple free buckets a game if they consistently beat the other center down the court. Also finishing with a couple dunks on the fast break and a few blocks from behind as a help-side rim protector, Kirk made his presence known on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2222935"],"_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-67f1d62a4c133"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another dominant effort by Nova Village 17 U who have been locked in defensively, Martin had another strong performance and is fitting in well with a new group. His shooting ability for his size is very unique and adds an extra dimension to Nova's team. On Saturday, Martin did a nice job of stretching the floor and making jumpers but he also had an and-1 floater and threw down a slam dunk off a ghost cut. Expect college programs to flock to Nova's 17 U games during live periods to check out guys like Martin on the UAA circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2794359"],"_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-67f1d62a4c174"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I watched Simon for the first time in the playoffs in February and he displayed his impressive athleticism. A big who can play above the rim offensively and block shots, Simon provides a vertical element on both ends. In Saturday I thought he showed some flashes with the ball in his hands as a play finisher and passer as well. Besides protecting the rim, Simon did a nice job at the front of a full court press, using his length and athleticism to force turnovers. Intriguing name from central Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->