PSB High Academic: W/F Standouts

New Readers: Use code Proia30 for discount at checkout   Every year Pro Skills Basketball DMV puts on a top tier showcase for small college prospects called the High Academic Showcase. Division III college coaches work the camp and develop relationships with the mostly-senior participants to give the prospects high-level coaching throughout the showcase. The 4-hour showcase takes the players through drill work, 3 on 3, and 5 on 5 competition. Let's tap in with our favorite players on the wings and on the low block!    -One of the top performers in the showcase that picked up a ton of interest from the attending college coaches with his play. Byrd uses his shoulders well to carve out space for downhill drives or rebounds around the basket. Moves really well for his size, has the skill to drive it 94 feet and make a good decision at the other end. Finished it well with the off hand around the basket both with hooks and left-handed lays. Took the right shots on the perimeter and shot it at a good clip but didn't settle for jumpers, found opportunities to attack hard closeouts and get downhill.     -Pretty skilled big that can put the ball on the floor or step out to knock down jumpers from the perimeter. While I wouldn't call him explosive or quick, he has the positioning feel to know how to beat his matchup to the spot to force them to pick up their dribble or retreat back to the perimeter. Decent finisher around the rim that uses his pivot well to find better finishing angles around the basket. Good touch around the basket with either hand. Has all of the ball skills to be successful and seemed extremely coachable and open-minded throughout the event.     -Has made a ton of improvements to his body to improve his conditioning/endurance and move better on the perimeter as a help defender that can show and recover. Shooting motion has quickened and is more consistently smooth with the way it comes off his hands. Rebounds the ball well because of the work he does as the shot is in the air, usually can wrangle in rebounds in traffic because of his ambidexterity. Safe bet to improve at a consistent rate at the college level because of his work ethic and coachability.     -One of the youngest participants in the showcase but you wouldn't have known by watching him play because he wasn't intimidated at either end of the floor. Agonafir is a raw mover but plays really hard at both ends to contest shots defensively and grab rebounds. Uses his length and size to be a shot-deterrer both on the perimeter and in the paint. Plays within himself and will attack any matchup that the coaching staff gives him. Interested to see how much he grows and if he develops into more of a forward prospect or flourishes on the wing.     -Athletic slasher that is super aggressive with his downhill drives. Turns the corner and gets downhill with some velocity to beat his matchup to his spot and detonate at the rim. Can slide with most guards on the perimeter but has the length/vertical pop to match up well with wings and forwards too. Loved that he had a finishing move in his bag for every driving angle that he took to the rim, scoring with either hand in a variety of ways around the basket. The hesi pull-up jumper from the elbows was particularly lethal in 5 on 5 play.     -Continue to come away impressed with the effectiveness of Smothers' blue collar play style. Wouldn't say that he's an overly flashy prospect that wins with finesse, Smothers instead attacks you with effort and consistency as a 2/3 prospect that hits the glass and guards his yard. Smothers' outside jumper continues to improve but he is taking the right looks, finding opportunities to showcase the shooting without settling for jumpers and getting to the rim with straight line drives at the rim. He always seems to come up with important 50/50 balls or timely putbacks that lead to winning. Impressive that he looks to have carved out a role for himself at DeMatha in his senior season.

New Readers: Use code Proia30 for discount at checkout