VanVleet Classic: Monday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school hoops is back! I covered all three games at the Fred VanVleet Classic this evening to begin the season. Here's a look at some of the top standouts. My plans tomorrow have yet to be determined.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zyair Hudson</strong> <strong>-</strong> <strong>Rockford Jefferson 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudson took charge early for the J-Hawks in the opening matchup vs Larkin. He plays with tremendous pace up and down the floor. Finding his way inside for a pair of nice finishes. Even hit a pull-up midrange shot. As the game progressed, I saw Hudson become more active as a defender with several forced turnovers. He also stretched out for a 3-pointer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malakhi Robinson</strong> <strong>- Rockford Jefferson 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid really excited me this morning with his aggressiveness on both ends of the floor. The [player_tooltip player_id='2557630' first='6'0' last='']" combo was a big factor on the boards and pushed the pace in transition for a handful of assists. He also converted a tight and-one as the game went on and then banked home a step-back 3-pointer. Never losing confidence throughout this contest. Best moment came when he sensed a double-team going. Then made a key pass to an open teammate to stretch the lead to 7 in the final minute. He shows tons of length for someone his size and should grow a bit more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2835362' first='Durant' last='Stokes'] - Rockford Jefferson 2028</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stokes did a little bit of everything. As an interior post player, stoked utilized great footwork and body control to get himself past defenders for some easy finished on the low block. He also showed he can make plays outside the paint. Pulling up for a smooth midrange finish early in the game while also showing some catch-and-shoot abilities. Promising player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323309' first='Marquis' last='Goldsmith'] - Rockford East 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goldsmith is a unique 6'4" post prospect that shows tons of strength and athleticism on the interior. He found his way drawing contact and knocking down inside buckets in the early going. But showed he can push the pace with the ball later on in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Julius Crawford - Rockford East 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Love the upside in Crawford with a lengthy, athletic 6'5" frame. Used his height to his advantage quite a bit in the post. Making long strides to the basket and finishing a pair of thigh layups on the glass. But his ability to make some spot-up shots was also present in this matchup. Great all-around performance from Crawford. His stock could definitely grow up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2555829' first='Brodrick' last='Wyatt'] II - Legacy (TX) 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Love what Wyatt did on both ends of the floor. A physical, lengthy 6'3" combo that made tons of plays aggressively on the inside. But he also showed underrated catch-and-shoot abilities as a left-handed shooter. Picked the pace up in transition later on in the contest where he also stepped back to tie the game for a third 3-pointer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845353' first='Amir' last='Danforth']</strong> <strong>- Rockford Auburn 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Danforth had a slow start to this contest. But he catapulted a big auburn run in the 2nd half. Flying down the floor on both ends. Snagging several boards and pushing the pace for several transition dimes. Also knocked down a 3-pointer during this stretch. Then hit another corner-3 to keep them ahead in the third quarter. Then when they were down in the 4th, Danforth kept them in the game, hitting several more clutch shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->