London Showcase Southwest 18U recap

A group of players from Arizona challenged themselves versus some of the top Great Britain National players and local British players for the London SHOWCASE. They spent one week in London exploring around the country but also playing some highly competitive hoops.     The 18U ended up going 3-0. It was impressive to see the team gel seemingly overnight on and off the court. They essentially played versus 2025 players and most of them were signed to various colleges from around the world.   Here were the player averages   [player_tooltip player_id='1482165' first='Rider' last='Portela']   Avg 25ppg, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 charge     [player_tooltip player_id='1900362' first='Colby' last='Jessup']   Avg 18ppg, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals   [player_tooltip player_id='1875718' first='Melvin' last='Stubbs Jr']   Avg 19ppg, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks    [player_tooltip player_id='1986845' first='Mason' last='Kendrick']   Avg 11ppg, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals   [player_tooltip player_id='1917869' first='Ethan' last='Sobik']   Avg 9ppg 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist    [player_tooltip player_id='2337274' first='Brig' last='Bowden']   Avg 8ppg, 5 rebounds    [player_tooltip player_id='2386958' first='Isaiah' last='Gill']   Avg 3ppg, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals     [player_tooltip player_id='1875584' first='Mykael' last='Nunez']   Avg 3ppg. 3 rebounds, 1 steal   Notes about the 18U players:   [player_tooltip player_id='1482165' first='Rider' last='Portela'] Sunnyslope   A long and athletic guard has twitch and explosiveness. He scores with mid-range jumpers off the dribble, pull-up threes with deep range and driving layups with either hand while changing speeds on his defender. He takes contact well despite his leaner frame and his body control is next level stuff. Defensively he cuts off his defender, collects steals, rebounds and blocks shots. He had some eye popping dunks on the break and in the half court set. You see why he holds 20 D1 offers and is one of the better teammates out there.   [player_tooltip player_id='1900362' first='Colby' last='Jessup'] Valley Christian   A bigger combo guard handled a lot of the PG role. He is great off of the pick and roll game and quickly dissects a defense with his next level court vision and IQ. He rebounds the ball unusually well for his size and will score from all levels. He can use the floater, he will get downhill with driving layups, pull-up from mid-range and shoot the three off the dribble or pull. Not many in AZ are better leaders on the court.     [player_tooltip player_id='1875718' first='Melvin' last='Stubbs Jr'] Sandra Day O'Connor   A versatile two-way wing can play and defend multiple positions. He rebounds the ball well and his timing for blocking shots is impeccable. He closes out quickly to shooters and racks up many deflections per game plus will facilitate. He scores with hook shots, mid-range jumpers, downhill takes and catch threes in rhythm. He got hot in one game hitting 5. He also had some dunks where he seemed to take an elevator up and rose up over the defenders to throw it down.    [player_tooltip player_id='1986845' first='Mason' last='Kendrick'] Arcadia   A sturdy framed scoring guard has a plus motor to rebound and scores it easy. He is one of the better rebounders with his aggressiveness and will block shots and collect steals with quick hands. He scores it with dunks on the break, up and unders inside, and-1's with body contact, back door layups and his mid-range jumper is pure. He rises up very high and gets balanced quickly.    [player_tooltip player_id='1917869' first='Ethan' last='Sobik'] Notre Dame Prep   A stronger face-up power forward with a big IQ for the game. He is very calm under pressure and very stoic. He will rebound the ball well in his area and score plus block a shot. He shoots the three consistently off the catch, he can crow hop to the basket, score with reverse layups, hook shots with either hand and score layups in traffic with contact. With a brand new coach coming into NDP, he would be wise to lean on Sobik this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2337274' first='Brig' last='Bowden'] Mesa   A bigger based post player who can play inside and out. He has a nice looking stroke from mid to the three point line and then will score in the paint with hook shots with his left or right hand. He holds his ground well with his girth and rebounds with two-hands and will block shots. A possible breakout season may be coming.    [player_tooltip player_id='2386958' first='Isaiah' last='Gill'] Mountain View Marana   A quick on quick pure point guard. He is almost a throw back as he is always looking to make a play for a teammate. His on-ball defense and speed are electric. He gets his hands on so many balls with deflections and steals and stays in front of his man. Offensively, he will score with runners and layups. He can get to the basket with one of the tightest crossovers and burst of speed. He puts his foot down and he is gone.     [player_tooltip player_id='1875584' first='Mykael' last='Nunez'] Mountain View Marana   A tough power forward can play a little on the wing as well. He will defend wings and bigger forwards with his strong frame and he is not afraid to use his body. He will score with driving layups, offensive rebound put backs and perimeter jumpers. He rebounds the ball well with his fight and grit and he is a good passer. He unfortunately got knocked out of game-2 with a cut over his eye and played sparingly in game-3 for safety reasons.

A group of players from Arizona challenged themselves versus some of the top Great Britain National players and local British players for the London SHOWCASE. They spent one week in London exploring around the country but also playing some highly competitive hoops.