Dekalb Live: Friday’s Impact Players Part II

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 more players who showed their skills and talents off throughout the first of three day event.    Caught team's 2nd game of the day. Played fervently on defense creating a challenge on the ball and 1 pass away. Liked his energy and effort. Multiple take-a-ways with transition buckets on the other end. Comfortable and confident beyond the arc and can also convert in the lane. Eyes are peeled with the ball. Hit a teammate for a corner spot up 3 assist. Led team to two victories and went for a total of 57 between both games.     Does a lot of the little things correctly. Fundamentally sound. Took on a couple charge attempts and converted on 1. Continuously moves within the flow of team's offensive scheme. Selflessly screens off the ball and creates space for cutters. Knocked down a couple catch and shoot 3's in rhythm. Dropped off a pass in the lane for an assist and went coast to coast once for an easy layin. Overall, an energy and effort glue guy who will make positive plays with sound IQ.     Plays with a joy and passion for the game. Ran mostly the point today in a defensive dominating win. Pressured the ball consistently with effectiveness. Caused multiple turnovers in the back court. Offensively swings the ball quickly changing sides of the floor to keep defense moving. Followed up off a miss for an O board 2nd chance opportunity. An overall wirey guard that plays with enthusiasm and heart.     Broad and strong frame that uses size and strength effectively. Fills the 4 spot nicely. Can guard taller or lengthier posts. Came away with multiple tips and a block in the paint during team's 1st game of the day. Possesses skilled hands. Spotted up for multiple catch and shoot 3's. Converted on a steal and solo breakaway lay in. Team's leading scorer in 2nd game of the day with 23. Will be good to watch out for over next 3 years.     Was lethal in rhythm offensively during first game of the day. Poured in a total of 29 in a team win. Hit a fadeaway and1 from midrange, another fadeaway from 3, and a pump fake move while finishing in heavy traffic. Runs the floor at a really good rate for his size. D boarded and went coast to coast for an easy lay-in. Finishes at the rim at a high point. Possesses a tough challenge to guard defensively. Will be multi-positional at the next level.     Consistently was rim running the entirety of the game staying even keeled around the rim. Liked his tenacity to battles for loose balls and is a well rounded competitor. O boarded multiple times for put backs to give team extra spark. Showed his soft touch with a catch and shoot 3 from the top of the key. Also showed good hands defensively while getting tips in the lane and creating a big presence down low.     Plays well off his guard's movement and with his other big man down low. Made a textbook screen and roll for an easy deuce. Runs the court well as a 4 man in transition. Beat all 5 defenders down the floor once for a pitch ahead breakaway slam. Re-established his own miss for an O board and put back. Has good verticality in the paint and utilizes his length to his advantage in multiple phases of the game.

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 more players who showed their skills and talents off throughout the first of three day event.