The Tune-Up: 17U Standouts Who Set the Tone on Day 1

The opening day of Prep Hoops' The Tune-Up brought a wave of energy, competitive fire, and statement performances, especially from the 17U division. From vocal floor generals setting tempo to wings showing three-level scoring flashes and bigs anchoring the paint, the action was intense from tip-off to final buzzer. Here's a breakdown of the 17U prospects who made an early impact on Day 1 of The Tune-Up.    Crafty and highly skilled lead guard with elite-level shiftiness and unpredictable burst. Hilliard's handle was reactive and tight, stringing together advanced combos without telegraphing his next move. He seamlessly blended hesitations, twitchy crossovers, hang dribbles, and speed changes to keep defenders guessing. He's extremely creative, using pass-fakes while on the move that left defenders completely frozen, setting up an easy finish. His ability to break defenders down and manipulate space was high-level.     By game two, Francois found his scoring rhythm, confidently drilling multiple three-pointers off the catch, even with defenders tightly contested in front of him. His shooting form was repeatable and efficient, showing no dip in mechanics regardless of pressure. His touch remained soft and consistent, and each shot splashed through the net with the same smooth release, showcasing the reliability of his jumper in live-game settings.     An absolute powerhouse on the floor, Cecava nearly tore down the rim with a thunderous two-hand dunk that electrified his team and swung momentum. Everything he did was with force, rebounding, finishing, defending, he played with a rugged, high-effort style that elevated his presence. Though listed at 6'3”, he played like a 6'8” forward, providing tremendous positional versatility and toughness. A matchup nightmare for undersized wings and guards alike.     Brown thrived as an off-ball scoring weapon. Brown showed elite timing and chemistry with his teammates, consistently slipping into open spaces, ducking in on weak-side rotations, or cutting baseline behind defenders. He never forced the action, instead letting the game come to him, always in the right spot at the right time. His ability to operate as a glue guy made him a valuable and effective connector piece on both ends.     A 6'4” wing with polished and purposeful footwork. Harris impressed with his ability to decelerate, change pace, and utilize advanced finishing footwork, Eurosteps, hop steps, and controlled two-foot gathers, all within fluid motion. His timing, body control, and stride management allowed him to finish creatively through traffic or avoid help-side contests altogether.     Uriah McPherson attacked with intensity and a low, physical drive base. McPherson showed a fearless downhill approach, dipping his shoulder and driving with his head low to the floor, angling his body through tight gaps. He consistently created paint touches and embraced contact with a gritty, aggressive mindset.

The opening day of Prep Hoops' The Tune-Up brought a wave of energy, competitive fire, and statement performances, especially from the 17U division. From vocal floor generals setting tempo to wings showing three-level scoring flashes and bigs anchoring the paint, the action was intense from tip-off to final buzzer. Here's a breakdown of the 17U prospects who made an early impact on Day 1 of The Tune-Up.