Dekalb Live: Friday’s Impact Players Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dekalb Live tipped off on Friday afternoon with 105 high school teams each playing 4 games over this coming weekend. Plenty of good programs and players were in attendance showcasing highlights from all around the Prairie State. I caught over a half a dozen games during the afternoon session into the evening. Let's breakdown some of the players that were game changers for their respective teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2885905' first='Xavian' last='Prather']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sterling","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6856308b58e77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mostly filled the 2 spot but handling abilities are there to fill the point if necessary. A lefty agile wing. Was most impressed with his defensive tenacity on the ball. Pesky applying pressure consistently. Good use of hands turning defense into offense. Multiples drives to the rack from a pump fake to a hesitation move. Got into the lane a couple times for kickout assists. Positive driver that deems a threat with the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2765530"],"_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-6856308b58f23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scoring threat from beyond the arc. Knocked down 3 3's in first game of the day with 1 off the bounce to keep team in it during last minute. Scored team's high 32 throughout Friday's games. Shot looks good in rhythm and within offensive flow. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2809287"],"_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-6856308b58f9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lefty guard plays with an edge and finds joy in competing for a challenge. Will full court pressure the ball and take advantage of opportunities which reward. Moves without the ball on O. Cut middle of lane to retrieve it and lay it in against bigger size. Had an And1 conversion on bigger size again. Went for 37 total today in 2 games. Competes with heart and hustle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2218169"],"_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-6856308b5900e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can play multi-positional. Took on most of ball handling responsibilities today. For his size saw the floor well. Variety of skip passes to hit a side in the 1/2 court setting to keep defense moving. Post fed within the offense and pitched ahead on primary break. Converted off of turnovers and pushed tempo when opportunity was presented. Overall was tough with the basketball and went for 32 throughout today's games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1845359"],"_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-6856308b59055"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A diversified playmaker that competes with a lot of confidence when the ball is in his hands. Was getting to his spots at will during first game of the day. Well established in transition on the break or going off the bounce in the 1/2 court to get to the cup in traffic. Took mostly point responsibilities but is athletic enough to fill both wings at the 2 or 3 spot at the next level. Highlights included pulling up from 3, a smooth crossover finishing over longer size, a couple And1 takes to go along with a smooth mid range jumper. Scored 55 total throughout today's 2 games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2125641"],"_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-6856308b590bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the smoothest guards I saw today with the rock. Can change speeds in a dramatic fashion. Creates space for himself with the ball. Quick first step. Utilized it well in transition. Made a cool baseline drive wrap around pass for a corner 3 assist. Has soft touch around the rim cashing in for a couple floaters. Spotting up from beyond the arc was no problem. Splashed in multiple 3's off the catch. Scored a team high 48 throughout today's 2 games. Stock will continue to rise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2416041"],"_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-6856308b59123"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more efficient rebounders I saw today. Reads it well coming off the glass and uses length effectively. Fights competitively for 2nd chance opportunities on offense and had atleast a handful of O boards in the first game of the day. Moves well for a 4 or 5 man without the ball. Cut through lane line to retrieve it and score. Slashed middle of the paint again for a catch and finish with a 2 handed slam off 2 feet. Liked his tenacity to compete in the paint on both sides. Went for 20 points and double digit rebounds in first game of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->