The Expo: Who Impressed from Team 9?

From the jump, Team 9 set the tone with energy, competitiveness, and players eager to showcase their development. For these juniors and seniors, the Expo provided a key opportunity to separate themselves and measure where they stand. Several players elevated their stock, others emerged onto our radar, and a few firmly established themselves as prospects to keep tabs on this season. Team 9 showed plenty of intrigue and upside.    Council is a player that I'm intrigued by because he was one of the few players who played the right way at the event. He plays within the flow of the offense, is a three-level scorer, and gets to his spots. What impressed me about Akai is that, although other teammates were gunning and taking ill-advised shots, he still made the extra pass and attacked when the opportunity presented itself. He plays at his own pace, controls tempo, and can create for himself or teammates off the dribble. What I think will separate him is body language. I understand that it can be frustrating to not get the ball when it's there, but with a player that is about process the way that he is, still going through the correct motions still has you as a standout - maybe even more. He was one of the more skilled players at the event and appears to be a player you can plug and play on any team. I am high on Akai after this event.     Clarkson is a player who showed flashes throughout the entire event. He's a scorer that can create for himself and also plays with toughness and under control. He was a player that grabbed rebounds and initiated breaks with outlet passes and made smart skip reads to keep possessions alive. In 3 on 3, he was knocking down 3 pointers and also finishing mid range. In 5-on-5, he showed a more complete game as he did all of those things but also converted inside, He left-hand finishes were tough to stop and he impacted the game on both ends of the floor.     Largent thrived as an off-ball contributor who slashed in 3-on-3, grabbed rebounds, and went right back up. He was one of the more active players at the event. In 5-on-5, it was much more of the same as he showed a high motor and willingness to do the little things. He ran the floor, cut hard, and created easy looks without forcing bad shots. His decision-making and energy allowed him to fit seamlessly in the showcase's fast pace, proving he's a player who competes and finds ways to impact every possession.     Fujimoto stood out at the event as a player who is willing to do the dirty work. He was setting screens, rotating the ball, and keeping plays alive with his activity. He ran hard in transition for finishes and knocked down mid-range shots when defenders sagged. Whether in 3-on-3 or 5-on-5, his hustle and willingness to move without the ball showcased a selfless, team-first player who makes the right reads and consistently contributes. He's a player who made plays happen, he impacted the game without scoring, and that is something that keeps you on the floor.

From the jump, Team 9 set the tone with energy, competitiveness, and players eager to showcase their development. For these juniors and seniors, the Expo provided a key opportunity to separate themselves and measure where they stand. Several players elevated their stock, others emerged onto our radar, and a few firmly established themselves as prospects to keep tabs on this season. Team 9 showed plenty of intrigue and upside.