Summer's Best: Scorers

Our scouts wanted to take the time to reflect back on some standout players outside of the top-50 to show some love to some of the top performers that might not always get the publicity that they deserve with their play. We'll cover top defenders, best playmakers, elite scorers, hottest shooters, and more! Today, let's start with some of the better scorers in the area that are flying under the radar. Let's dive in!      -Will likely be one of our biggest risers in our rankings update, Legree also easily could've been in our shooter article. Legree can really fill it up in bunches, scoring with or without a ball screen effectively from all three levels. He plays with a physicality molded on the gridiron to not only shun shying away from contact but seeking it out, routinely making several trips to the free throw line in each game. Legree's ability to hit tough shots off the bounce fading either direction makes him a tough cover in the BCL.     -Loved the way that Johnson mixes in different looks at the rim when he's in the midst of a personal scoring run. Johnson can hit a few perimeter jumpers in a row but is fully capable of ducking under hard closeouts to kill his opponent with midrange jumpers or floaters. The shot diet is consistent but doesn't get in the way of him play-making for others in the halfcourt either. His ability to snatch a crossover back and set himself up for smooth pull-up Js off the bounce adds in another element that makes him difficult to defend.     -McLinton is beginning to make some noise with his play this summer as a dynamic scoring guard that can succeed both on or off the ball. He proved to be a capable outside shooter on a steady diet of shots but didn't settle for jumpers. He's got some wiggle on the ball as a creative guard that understands angles and can float through the defense to the get to the rim. One of my favorite parts of his game is that he's always probing the defense but rarely picks up his dribble, always keeping his head up to find scoring or passing opportunities. If he can ramp up his play-making to take advantage of his paint touches, it will be that much more difficult to guard him with one defender.     -Arguably the hottest name of the summer as Wingfield transferred in from a local public school to make an immediate impact with both STA and MAS. Love the pace that he plays with in transition, always racing with the ball in the fastbreak without rushing his reads. He utilizes a smooth midrange pull-up game to buy him some space to continue scoring runs with blow-by layups and trips to the free throw line. Wingfield also showed good balance and consistency on the perimeter looks whether he has all day to shoot it or has to beat a closeout. Should be one of the most impactful guards in the IAC this season.     -Griffin stood out several times this summer as a block-chested, physical downhill driving guard. Griffin uses his upper body to create space for himself on drives to the rim and takes great angles when attacking closeouts from the perimeter. He has a bit of a set shot but is a useful and effective C+S threat on the perimeter with a consistent release. Should bolster the guard depth at Cesar Chavez this year in new threads.     -Braxton averaged just over 17 ppg in UA Rise to lead the league in efficiency with a 1.26 points per possession stat line. Braxton is one of the area's more underrated perimeter shooters but also compliments that floor-spacing well with his frequent drives at the rim. Braxton isn't afraid to lay his body on the line with extension lays in traffic or putbacks amongst the trees in the paint. Love the speed, pace, and aggression that he plays with in transition-- showing a consistent ability to get into his defender's chest around the basket to negate their shot-blocking ability and finish at the basket. Braxton's scoring will be huge for a NHA team that graduates its 4-year leading scorer and loses some frontcourt depth. Scoring with that efficiency will likely be his and by extension-- his team's key to success.

Our scouts wanted to take the time to reflect back on some standout players outside of the top-50 to show some love to some of the top performers that might not always get the publicity that they deserve with their play. We'll cover top defenders, best playmakers, elite scorers, hottest shooters, and more! Today, let's start with some of the better scorers in the area that are flying under the radar. Let's dive in!