Zero Gravity Finals: underclassmen who impressed part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This weekend, I attended the Zero Gravity Finals at the Dana Barros Basketball Club in Stoughton, MA. I watched teams in the 10th grade and varsity divisions, mostly in the top division of each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, it's impossible to see all of the teams in any given division — there are tons of locations and a handful of games going at once at all times. I try to watch as many games and players as I can. So, this week, I'll be recapping some of the players that stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part one:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/zero-gravity-finals-crown-hgsl-2026-standouts/?itm_source=parsely-api">Crown HGSL 17u standouts</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part two:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/zero-gravity-finals-middlesex-magic-standouts-part-1/?itm_source=parsely-api">Middlesex Magic standouts part 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part three:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/zero-gravity-finals-middlesex-magic-standouts-part-2/?itm_source=parsely-api">Middlesex Magic standouts part 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part four: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/06/zero-gravity-finals-underclassmen-who-impressed-part-1/">Underclassmen who impressed part 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are some more underclassmen who impressed at the ZG Finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470901"],"_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-6848be54d91d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Karavanic impressed me with his ability to use footwork in the post and finish around smaller defenders. He has good hands in the paint and a knack for throwing it up softly on the glass. I also appreciate his understanding of extra passing and ball movement; he was consistently looking to make the extra pass and didn't hold the ball for too long on the perimeter. He plays good defense at the rim and has nice discipline when it comes to not fouling out of control shooters — and once he gets the board, he's able to handle it and find a guard. Karavanic should have a really nice junior season at Nashua South.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Jacari Jenkins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Catholic Memorial","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"DB Elite","_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-6848be54d9284"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jenkins is only a freshman but was playing up in the varsity division for DB Elite and was easily their most impactful player on his squad. He's only 5-foot-10 but has the ball on a string and really has a knack for scoring the basketball from all three levels. He can get to the rim and finish athletically, he can stop short for mid range and floater shots, and he can knock down the three ball with TONS of range off the dribble. Jenkins hasn't reclassed yet and has an incredibly bright future ahead, especially if he can grow a couple more inches and get stronger. Kid is a dog, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Mateo Jackson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"DB Elite","_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-6848be54d9313"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jackson is an undersized big man (only 6-foot-3) but he did a really good job on the defensive end as a rim and paint protector. His strength and density allows him to be an excellent post defender and he was securing rebounds left and right all game. He needs to get more comfortable with the ball in his hands and finishing in the paint, but he's a really good passer who's unselfish and has nice vision. I'm so curious what Jackson would look like on the football field, because his strength and size is unprecedented for a freshman. Curious to see how he continues to physically develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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='2960048' first='Conor' last='Chi']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Thayer Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"White Mamba","_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-6848be54d9399"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chi impressed me with his athleticism and shooting/scoring ability. The 6-foot-2 guard has a nice-looking shot and can get it off quickly off the catch, and he can attack the lane once the defense comes out to guard him. He needs to work on his finishing at the rim, but the athleticism and shooting ability are there for the sophomore. Will be curious to see how involved Chi is for Thayer Academy next season, but he has a lot of time to grow and get better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Jamar Young","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_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":"Thrive Charter School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"YSU Elite","_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-6848be54d941d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Against a really tough Middlesex Magic C team, Young was one of the only YSU Elite guys that could get anything going offensively. The sophomore was playing up in the varsity division but didn't look remotely overwhelmed by the strength and athleticism differences while playing against older players. The 6-foot-1 lefty got into the paint effortlessly and finished with strength and body control at the rim over multiple larger defenders. He also defends his position quite well and seems to be in excellent physical condition. He should have a big time year at Thrive Charter School next season and I could definitely see him going to a prep school at some point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->