WCAC Quarterfinals: Unsigned senior standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WCAC playoffs continued this weekend with the quarterfinals taking place throughout the day on Saturday at Gallaudet. Keep reading for a look at some unsigned seniors who stood out over the course of the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2252287"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3516717,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699d2ad9d4c20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Among the top available guards in the country, Bivins put on an absolute show while doing his best Superman impersonation to engineer a 4th-quarter comeback and eventual quadruple-overtime win over Gonzaga. After entering the 4th quarter with just 3 points, the recently-named McDonald's All-American wound up with 38, proving to be impossible for the Eagle defense to contain as the game moved along. Despite his smaller stature, Bivins was relentless attacking the rim off the dribble, showing advanced footwork and finishing dexterity to go with one of the nation's best handles. He kept the ball moving when appropriate, often commanding traps out near midcourt, and also came up with a handful of key plays with his active hands on defense. No play was bigger than his miraculous leaning and-one 3-pointer with seconds left in the third overtime to tie the game. It was nothing short of a legendary performance on one of the biggest stages possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1784446"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699d2ad9d4c7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more improved players in the league this year, Mbuyamba simply refused to go down without a fight in Gonzaga's eventual 4OT loss at the buzzer. The hybrid forward went for a monster stat line of 21 points and 20 boards, punishing an undersized O'Connell frontcourt with his blend of athleticism and physicality. He was effective attacking mismatches off the dribble to work his way to the rim while also stretching the floor out to 3 with moderate consistency. With seconds ticking down in both the first and second overtimes, he kept the Eagles alive with clutch buckets just before the buzzer, a catch-and-shoot 3 from the top of the key and a twisting drive to the cup. Mbuyamba tracks as a clear scholarship-level prospect despite being somewhat of a positional tweener.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782593"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699d2ad9d4cd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With plenty of experience on this stage as a key four-year contributor, Chase came out aggressive and maintained his approach throughout a comfortable St. John's win. Finishing with a double-double of 13 points and 12 boards, he thrived on the strength of his constant activity and twitchy athleticism near the basket. He fought off his tendency to float toward the perimeter and helped establish the Cadets as the tougher team in the frontcourt. His defensive versatility and two-way activity may be going a bit undervalued currently as Chase primarily hears from D2 and JUCO programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2459380"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699d2ad9d4d2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the bigger eye-openers of the day, Deng was an essential factor up front in Carroll's upset win over DeMatha. A long and springy hybrid big, he scored 11 points as a consistent threat working the baseline for athletic finishes over or around rotating defenders. He showed strong hands and used his quick-twitch leaping ability to play a bit bigger than his listed size on both ends. Deng would finish with 11 points, 7 boards, and a pair of blocks. He'll take time to add strength to his frame in college but could prove to be an interesting option at the scholarship-level as an active late-bloomer in the frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782654"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699d2ad9d4d74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite going down with a narrow loss, Meeks impressed with a 22-point effort while continuing to prove himself as one of the top unsigned guards in the region. Taking on increased ballhandling duties this year, he was in consistent attack mode off the bounce, navigating Carroll's swarming defense to work to his spots and convert. A noted perimeter marksman, he struggled to just 2-for-9 from 3 but was efficient from the midrange and near the rim. He had some struggles with ball security but did show an added element as a facilitator with a number of slick drive-and-dish feeds. It was a gutsy performance that made it clear why Meeks is being pursued by a number of mid-major programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->