Minnesota Middle School Camp Evaluation Pt. 1

This past weekend at Maple Grove Middle School, athletes from all over Minnesota and neighboring states came to battle it out at the Prep Hoops NEXT Middle School Camp. Here are a few players who stood out and impressed with their play.    Morales is a very crafty guard who plays with good pace and awareness. He's shifty as a ball-handler and takes good care of the basketball as he maneuvers by the defense to find his spots. I really like Morales's ability to facilitate; he's constantly searching for the open teammate, making sure everyone gets touches. The ball moves fast and efficiently when he's tasked with primary ball-handling duties. Morales isn't just limited to being a playmaker, he's also a gifted scorer who can score from all three levels and create his own shot.     Mekonnen's constant effort makes a significant impact on his team on both ends of the floor. Mekonnen can guard 1-4 and loves turning defense into offense and getting downhill. His hands and feet are always active, and he does a good job of getting steals and coming up with loose balls. Offensively, Mekonnen does well slashing to the rim for easy scores. He can get in the paint through well-timed off-ball cuts or by breaking down his defender as a ball-handler. Mekonnen plays hard and makes winning plays.     The constant and relentless energy of Len Chan-Henderson stands out right away. The dynamic wing has a good frame and knows how to use his height and length to his advantage by shooting over smaller defenders and rebounding hard. Chan-Henderson can guard 1-4 defensively and play 1-4 on offense. He's got a smooth game as he attacks the rim and can finish easily with both hands. Chan-Henderson displays good patience and footwork inside the paint and creates a ton of second chances for his team.     Ball fakes, footwork, the ability to go either direction as a scorer, these are just a few things in Sykes' bag that make him such a talented scorer. It's hard not to be impressed with his tempo as he's hard to speed up and does a good job of remaining calm under heavy defensive pressure. The poise he plays with is a trait that will help him find success at any level. Sykes is also an aggressive defender who will give headaches to opposing ball-handlers the whole game, maintaining his intensity in all corners of the game.     Using his size and strength to his advantage, Berry II can do a bit of everything. He uses his body well as a low-post threat, drawing tons of defensive attention with his back to the basket. Berry II scores with a soft touch and finishes through contact with little issue. He runs the floor well and has good mobility at his size, allowing him to guard every position. Berry II plays tough defense and seems to take pride in not getting beaten on D. He can take you off the dribble or score off the catch. Berry II also shows off good playmaking skills, vision, and the ability to pass out of the post.     Fair is an athletic wing who loves to get out and run in transition. Something that he shines at is knowing the correct spacing and how to fill the lane. This is a skill often overlooked, which usually causes poorly executed fastbreak offense. Fair not only understands these concepts, but he also excels in this area, proving the high IQ he plays with. Fair can finish well with either hand and is crafty around the rim, allowing him to score around bigger defenders. He shoots the long ball, creates his own shot, and can get to the paint. Fair also provides intense defensive pressure, setting the tone for his team.     Lewis is not a player for opposing defenders to let out of their sights, as he can fill it up in a hurry. He is smart and effective when playing away from the ball and knows how to position himself for open looks. He makes good use of pump fakes and takes high-percentage shots. In addition to setting the net on fire from beyond the arc, the sharpshooting wing can also score in and around the paint thanks to his elite float game and efficient ball-handling skills. Lewis is a shooting specialist who has a quick release, high arc, and proper rotation.

This past weekend at Maple Grove Middle School, athletes from all over Minnesota and neighboring states came to battle it out at the Prep Hoops NEXT Middle School Camp. Here are a few players who stood out and impressed with their play.