Memorial Day Takeover Standouts

24p 2a 2r vs [program_tooltip program_id='2528398' first='TTO' last='Showcase']   -The rising senior has been tearing it up so far this AAU season and he was one of the bright spots for TTO National in a matchup with their Showcase team. Byrd hit six 3s, executed a great one-handed push pass off the bounce to his big on the opposite block, scored a nice post-up bucket off the BLOB set, relocated well to open gaps in the zone for 3s, and showed off some improved burst with several above the rim finishes with two hands. A shooting guard that has really worked on his body to become more explosive off the bounce while also guarding up a position or two, he has arguably had the best spring of any guard in the area.     6p 9a 2r vs TTO National   -Loved seeing Long in this role on the ball as he narrowly missed out on double digit assists for the game. Long started things off with a 3 off the dribble, had a great 1-handed push pass from a standstill from the top of the key, and came flat off a ball screen to free himself up for a big 3 late in the game. With his quickness and shooting ability, if Long can prove that he can be effective on the ball-- it should open up things for his recruitment.     -First viewing of Team Signs (Puma) and came away impressed with Griffin's offensive game. He hit four 3s, proved that he can take guards off the bounce and finish well at the rim over bigs, and can defend either guard spot with physicality. Loved the intensity and assertive play that I saw out of him at both ends of the floor.     14p 3r vs TTO National   -Despite dealing with an ankle injury that limited his explosiveness and mobility, Murphy still turned in a standout performance in a big win. Murphy showed the ability to use a strong set of shoulders and base to clear out space on drives to the rim before finishing through contact around the basket. Although he was living in the lane and attacking the basket, he showed that he can hit jumpers both off the bounce and off the catch from 18' and in despite defensive pressure. Fully expect him to make a nice jump up the rankings next week.     -A good decision-maker with the ball in his hands, Smith did a little bit of everything for a pretty good Runnin Mavericks team to win a championship in his team's bracket. The rising sophomore is great at attacking the top foot, can finish well with either hand around the basket, and is comfortable calling his own number with pull-up jumpers or floaters in the key. Love how he used his size to clear out space on his path to the rim, refusing to settle for jumpers when he had a smaller defender on him.     12p 2r 1a vs TTO   -Fearless scoring guard that lived in the paint, breaking through a normally-stellar TTO defensive backcourt and getting to the rim to ease. Ton of fluidity in his pull-up jumper off the bounce, with his range extending well past the three point line. Loved the toughness and moxie to compete with bigs or guards for loose balls or rebounds outside of his area.      13p 9r 1b vs [program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier']   -It will be really interesting to see if Easter develops as more of a wing or guard at the next level as he has a pretty polished skillset for a prospect his size. The athletic rising 8th grader finished with a near double double as he assertively drove to the basket relentlessly throughout the game to either finish with two-hands above the rim or with finesse around defenders. He can effectively guard 1-5 at the middle school level and likely will project to guard at least 2 if not 3 positions at the next level because of his quickness, vertical pop, and aggressive nature.     7p 4a 4r 2s vs [program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier']   -Think Gallaway has a chance of being the best local guard in his class when all is said and done. The shifty point guard has advanced feel and ball-handling ability for a prospect his age, seeing plays a frame or two before they develop to deliver on time and on-target passes to teammates. The jumper was just a tad off in their 2nd game of the day, but the touch on his floater in the paint and on his FTs indicate some real offensive upside as a scoring PG that can also create at a high level for teammates. Love the intangibles from him on the floor as a competitive communicator that really gets after it at both ends of the floor and holds teammates accountable.     6p 5r 2b vs [program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier']   -Loved the versatility in his skillset as a W/F prospect that really understands positioning at both ends of the floor. He times his cuts to the rim/crashes to the offensive glass well, understands rotations and meets drivers with his hands up to deter shots around the rim or passes to teammates, and does all of the little things that add up to winning. With good positional size and athleticism, although he doesn't have an advanced handle it is good enough to get him from A to B on straight line drives to the rim. Have the feeling that he will always play on winning teams as he moves forward in his career with his unselfish attention to detail.