Ranked Risers That Stood Out at PHTheTuneupCo

These players were ranked and somewhat familiar heading into the event, but it was great to see them in person and in action, and they played above their projections. Here's who caught my eye this past weekend at #PHTheTuneUpCo.    Stroope looked like he had something to prove early on in this tournament, and he delivered. He constantly attacked downhill all weekend, finishing strong at the rim with either hand and using his body well in traffic. What stood out was his ability to score off the catch, too, flashing real versatility. Whether it was in transition or half-court sets, Stroope got buckets. He should be getting more attention after this showing, and he gave it his all for Hard2Guard.     Ulmer backed up the highlights with real production and was a player that I wanted to see in person. He's a poised and polished guard who handled pressure, scored through doubles, and made the right reads once they came. He knocked down shots from deep, created space in isolation, and found ways to win. Hoop Therapy had multiple one-point games, and Ulmer's fingerprints were all over each of them. This was a statement weekend, and he looks ready to take a leap this upcoming season. Hoop Therapy was one of my favorite young teams to watch this weekend.and Ulmer was a big reason why.     Wells showed exactly why there's buzz around his name. He's a coach's son, plays with purpose, and doesn't take plays off. He hit deep threes, ran the floor, and scored efficiently in transition. In one of Collective's biggest matchups of the weekend, he locked in defensively and made game-changing stops and plays. What stood out for me is how he takes over at times, but he also lets the game come to him. He doesn't need the offense run through him to produce, but he keeps moving and puts himself in spots to succeed by reading the game, which makes him even more valuable. Jhett's a gamer and someone we are excited to see a bit more of.     Austin quietly did all the things that impact winning. He scored in rhythm, rebounded outside of his area, and was composed under pressure. Whether it was finishing at the rim, making the extra pass, or crashing the glass, he played with purpose. He's the kind of player that controls pace, and his ability to affect the game in different ways this weekend was a big reason for their success. If this version of Austin sticks, Northfield's ceiling rises.     Sawyer was flat-out electric at times. He had one of the hottest stretches of the weekend, hitting tough shots and knocking down deep threes with confidence. He finished well around the rim and created separation with tight footwork. But it wasn't just the scoring; he dove for loose balls, fought for extra possessions, and brought energy. With his work ethic and momentum, don't be surprised if he has a breakout season ahead as a player. I will make sure to watch a couple of times this year. Loved what I saw from him.

These players were ranked and somewhat familiar heading into the event, but it was great to see them in person and in action, and they played above their projections. Here's who caught my eye this past weekend at #PHTheTuneUpCo.