Live Period Preview: Hoop Group (Part 1)

With the first NCAA Live period coming up this weekend, players will have their first chance to play in front of division one college coaches, as well as coaches that aren't local to their area who will be traveling to major tournament sites.   With that being said, we're going to spend the week previewing some of the VA and DMV prospects at these events that we believe college coaches should take the time to evaluate, and could see their stock rise.   Here's a look at part one some of the prospects from the HGSL League, who will be playing in the Hoop Group Spring Live at Spooky Nook Sports in Lancaster, PA.   [player_tooltip player_id='2347772' first='Jake' last='Bahr'] | 6'4” WG | [program_tooltip program_id='2390411' first='Team' last='AKT'] 17U   Bahr is one of the more underrated hoopers in the DMV, as he's often overshadowed and designated as a floor spacer for his Bisop Ireton team, but he's got a lot of tools that suggest he could be very good in college. At 6'4” he has prototypical size for a two guard with a strong frame, he shoots a great ball with a quick release, he moves his feet well and is a good defender and he's underrated in his ability to create off the bounce.   [player_tooltip player_id='2301294' first='Akim' last='Iscandari'] | 6'1” PG | [program_tooltip program_id='2390411' first='Team' last='AKT'] 17U   Iscandari was an All State selection for Potomac School and one of the most dynamic guards in the DMV area, and a big reason for that is the fact that you won't find many players as fast as he is with the ball in their hands. He's an absolute nightmare to try to guard one-on-one with his burst and quick first step, he is super dynamic in transition with his end-to-end speed, he finishes well at the rim and gets to the line, and he's able to use his quickness defensively to stay in front and get steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='1963530' first='Marcus' last='Hancock'] | 6'3” WG | [program_tooltip program_id='2390411' first='Team' last='AKT'] 17U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Hancock-Marcus.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Hancock-Marcus.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2024153" /></a></figure>   Hancock is another player that sometimes gets overshadowed as he isn't the most athletic player, but he's as skilled as they come for a two guard who can efficiently score it without dominating the ball. He works really well off the ball and has great balance setting his feet to get his shot off on the move, he has range out to the NBA line and shoots it at a superb clip from deep, he is unselfish and makes good decisions with the ball and he is a great team defender too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2148734' first='Elijah' last='Gaskins'] | 6'1” PG | [program_tooltip program_id='2390411' first='Team' last='AKT'] 17U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/462-Elijah-Gaskins.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/462-Elijah-Gaskins.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2167171" /></a></figure>   Gaskins was perhaps the breakout player in NOVA public school basketball this year, leading Patriot to the state tournament while earning All State honors in his first year as a starter. The 6'1” floor general has a mix of scoring and distributing ability that he blends well to keep defenses off balance, he changes speeds well and has great burst to blow by defenders, he can score it from multiple levels and he's a tone setter defensively too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2242402' first='RJ' last='Jones'] | 6'3” WG | District Basketball Club 17U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageqh0ss6.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageqh0ss6.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548451" /></a></figure>   Jones has quietly been one of the top scoring two guards in the DMV over the past few years, and he's one of the more underrated prospects in the area with his ability to make tough shots and get hot quickly. He has a quick release off the catch with good range and elevation on his shot, he can put it on the deck and get to spots where he doesn't need much room to get his shot off, he can get to the rim and finish through contact or get to line and he is a heady defender with great instincts to jump passing lanes.   Pheonix Eggleston | 6'10” C | District Basketball Club 17U   Eggleston is an intriguing prospect who took a lot of strides in his years at Arundel High School to where he was a force his senior year, and he is making a wise decision to take a post grad year at Fork Union, a program known for putting weight on players which is what he needs more than anything. The 6'10” big man has great touch over the shoulder on post ups, he boxes out well and rebounds on both ends of the floor, he uses his length to challenge shots and continues to show improvement in his timing and athleticism.

With the first NCAA Live period coming up this weekend, players will have their first chance to play in front of division one college coaches, as well as coaches that aren't local to their area who will be traveling to major tournament sites.