16U Names That Popped on Day 1 at Rocky Mountain Mayhem

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day 1 of 16U play at Rocky Mountain Mayhem gave a clear look at who came ready to compete. Some players didn't waste time making an impression and we were in the building to check it out at Gold Crown. This group stood out early and set the tone heading into the rest of the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2403283"],"_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-69e325088b1b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tanner is a long, patient interior player who stood out on day 1 with his size and activity. He controlled space on the block and altered shots around the rim. Tanner plays with strong hands, seals early, and finishes through contact, and that happened multiple times in their Day 1 blowout. There's a maturity to his pace and positioning that translates, and I liked how he played on the block. He impacts the game without forcing it, and his ability to anchor defensively while scoring when it opened up for him makes him a name to track closely moving forward. Solid day 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2398730"],"_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-69e325088b230"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McMonigle was a player who continued to pop on day 1, and for the right reasons. He was one of the more consistent shooters on the day,  and he knocked down his first two 3-pointers, which then had the defense chasing for the rest of the game. He did not settle; he was constantly moving, he hit a couple of backdoors, and finished in transition. It was also not all about scoring for him, which stands out for me as he added value with hustle plays, crashing the glass, getting loose balls, and turning defense into transition points. Nash appeared to be an unselfish, high-motor player whose energy and shooting translate directly to winning, and I am curious to see more of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2531916"],"_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-69e325088b288"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Herrera really stood out on Day 1 as he operated as a true catalyst. He controlled the tempo and kept the offense organized. He also was the one who did not turn the ball over when the opposing team went into traps and tried to pressure him. He appeared to be comfortable with the ball in his hands; he made smart decisions and showed strong chemistry with his teammates. Herrera scored in transition and competed defensively, as he pressured and turned over guards who could not get by him. There's a calmness to his game that stands out, and his ability to lead and produce makes him one to keep tracking. I am curious to see if he keeps this up all tournament long, and I will check back in with this squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2381950"],"_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-69e325088b2d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zapata's craftiness as a downhill attacking guard kept the defense on their heels all game, and his change of pace changed up defensive schemes that were thrown at his team. He was impactful on both ends of the floor, he created on his own, and truly competed, and that is a spark plug that you can put in the game. I also liked how he finished at the basket as he had multiple difficult scoop shots, and when they played off of him to not allow him to run right by him, he surprised me with a 3-ball as well. He was solid offensively and really stepped it up as one of the better on-ball defenders on the day, using instincts and effort to disrupt the team that he was against. Zapata's versatility was on display as he had some easy baskets and also turned defense into offense, and I feel as if he has a chance to play some meaningful varsity minutes this year if this is the kind of impact that he's making. He's on my radar for sure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2888431"],"_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-69e325088b320"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Svanda is a player who quietly allows the Elevation team to be as dynamic as they are. He's a high-energy forward with strength and athleticism, and he uses it. Svanda plays with a nonstop motor that stands out immediately by the way that he's making effort play after effort play. He attacks the rim with purpose, he sets hard screens and rolls and got out for some transition dunks as well.  Even through mistakes, his effort and competitiveness never dips and that is a player you can build around. I liked the competitive edge that he played with, and he was a big reason that they got out to a big lead and never looked back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->