Elite Company: The Best of the Best at Section 7 PT 1

This past weekend brought out some of the top high school prospects from across the country, all in one building at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa. The gym was packed wall to wall with fans, college coaches, media, and scouts locked in from start to finish. The energy was crazy, the competition was high level, and a lot of guys made statements on the big stage.   Let's take a look at some of the standouts from the event.    One of the best point guards I saw at the event. He was the engine for his team — making things go with pinpoint upcourt passes, hitting teammates in stride, and collapsing the defense by attacking gaps with speed. Easily one of the best passers at Section 7, constantly creating clean looks for others.   A true three-level scorer who had it going on all three levels. Got downhill at will, finishing through contact or around it with hang time and tough acrobatic finishes. Even when fouled, he had the body control to stay with the play and convert. His handle was shifty, and his change of pace may have been the best at the event. Knocked down shots from the midrange and deep — a confident shot-maker who can create in tight spaces.   A complete floor general who showed why he's one of the top guards in the building.     One of the most athletic wings in the gym this weekend — if not the most athletic — was [player_tooltip player_id='1660030' first='Herly' last='Brutus']. At 6'7” with a grown-man frame and a nonstop motor, he was a nightmare for opposing ball handlers. Guarded 1 through 5 with ease, using his length, strength, and footwork to shut down drives and switch across the floor.   Offensively, he made just as much of an impact. Scored it on all three levels — knocking down threes, hitting midrange shots, and finishing violent downhill attacks at the rim. In transition, he was a problem whether he had the ball or not — a constant lob threat who forced defenses to account for him at all times. Showed he can attack off the dribble with a solid handle and didn't shy away from contact.   Brutus plays with edge, explosiveness, and skill — a high-level wing prospect with real two-way value.     He rim ran at a high level this weekend — sprinted the floor hard and made himself a target every trip, leading to easy finishes at the rim and a few above-the-rim plays. Showed great patience and awareness around the basket, always knowing where he was on the floor and taking advantage of positioning for clean looks.   The lefty also flashed his ability to stretch the floor, knocking down shots with a smooth, high-arcing release. Moved well off the ball and stayed active within the offense — showed he can produce in multiple ways without needing a ton of touches.     One of the best players in the country put on a show this weekend. Attacked the rim violently and moved exceptionally well off the ball — constantly diving to the basket and making himself available. Scored it off the catch, knocked down midrange shots, and hit threes with confidence — a true three-level scorer. Showed his ability to break down defenders and create his own shot in isolation.   Also rebounded the ball at a high level and made his presence felt on the defensive end — blocking and altering shots at the rim. Showed great awareness as a passer out of the post, consistently finding open teammates. A complete two-way threat who dominated every time he stepped on the floor.     One of the top performers at Section 7 — put himself firmly on the map with a breakout weekend. College coaches were glued to the baseline every time he stepped on the court. His ability to get downhill with ease and finish through contact wasn't just a flash — he did it over and over, using strength, body control, and touch around the rim. Some of the finishes he had in traffic were highlight-worthy, and the crowd fed off his energy.   He made play after play in transition, reading the floor well and attacking before defenses could get set. Scored it on all three levels — knocked down jumpers with confidence, got to his midrange pull-up, and showed he could break defenders down off the dribble. Defensively, he competed with toughness and gave consistent effort on that end.     Portela showed out this weekend — when the lights were bright, he didn't disappoint. One of the best wings I saw at the event. Played with a real sense of urgency, got downhill consistently, and finished above the rim with ease. Made a living attacking from the corner, finishing through contact and using his athleticism to power through defenders.   Shot the ball extremely well from three off the catch and also showed his ability to create off the bounce, breaking down defenders and getting to his spots. Played with one of the best motors at the event — nonstop energy on both ends and a major impact every time he was on the floor     One of the top floor conductors at the event. Played with great pace and control — always in command and never sped up. Had the pull-up middy going all weekend and was extremely effective in that midrange area.   Shot the ball well off the catch, staying ready and knocking down clean looks within the flow of the offense. Also broke down defenders off the dribble and showed his ability to finish at the rim through contact or with touch, using his inside hand over taller defenders. Smart, composed, and made an impact on every possession.

This past weekend brought out some of the top high school prospects from across the country, all in one building at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa. The gym was packed wall to wall with fans, college coaches, media, and scouts locked in from start to finish. The energy was crazy, the competition was high level, and a lot of guys made statements on the big stage.