The Expo: Standout Performances Power Team 7

Juniors and seniors from across the state gathered at the Expo to put their skills on display and showcase their talent. For many, it was a chance to measure themselves against high-level competition and separate from the pack. Some players firmly boosted their stock, others landed squarely on our radar for the first time, and a few made statements that can't be ignored. Here's what we saw from Team 7.    Rodriguez showed elite handle and a quick first step which freed him up to score in both 3 on 3 and 5 on 5. What I liked about his game was how confident he was in the ball in his hands using counters to attack based on what defenders gave him. With the ball in his hands, he was a true creator, generating offense off the dribble and making plays in space. Early on, he was passive, but when he made up his mind to be aggressive and decided to go, his flashes of shot creation and dynamic scoring stood out.     Mondragon's high IQ was evident as he consistently made the extra pass and kept the offense flowing. He looked comfortable spacing the floor, knocking down threes in 3-on-3 action, and then blended seamlessly into 5-on-5 play. He looked to be a player who excelled when the offense was flowing and did the little things to make sure that it did. His ability to make smart reads with backdoor passes, stretch the defense with his shot, and unselfish play highlighted a polished guard who values winning plays. I like how he stood out without doing too much.     Southern was the top passer at the event, and it was not close. His pace stood out as he was in control the entire game, and he was running the offense, which you don't necessarily see too much in these events. Southern is a smooth lefty that came down to the event and played the right brand. He splashed threes, delivered pinpoint passes to open teammates, and controlled tempo with poise. On defense, he denied lanes and hustled, while offensively he played the right way, always moving and finding teammates. With his IQ and versatility, he projects as a next-level floor general that I enjoyed watching play. Southern is a solid player.     Fowler thrived as an off-ball weapon, consistently relocating until he freed himself for open looks, and that movement kept the offense humming. He knocked down corner threes, slashed into gaps, and sprinted the floor for easy transition buckets. What really stood out was how he was always shot-ready. Fowler embraced spacing responsibilities and maximized opportunities when the ball swung his way. His movement, energy, and perimeter presence gave his team valuable spacing and scoring, and he's a player that you can plug and play into any system. Liked what we saw out of him.

Juniors and seniors from across the state gathered at the Expo to put their skills on display and showcase their talent. For many, it was a chance to measure themselves against high-level competition and separate from the pack. Some players firmly boosted their stock, others landed squarely on our radar for the first time, and a few made statements that can't be ignored. Here's what we saw from Team 7.