Hoop Group Jersey Jam Fest: More New Jersey 17U Notables

AAU season is officially underway, with teams traveling all throughout the country every weekend to compete in tournaments. Many programs have already gotten a few tune up events under their belts and are beginning to find their rhythm and develop on court chemistry. This past weekend, Hoop Group held its Jersey Jam Fest in Manalapan, NJ, bringing together a compelling mix of some of the state's better prospects. With that in mind, let's take another look at some 17U prospects who made a strong impression over the course of the weekend.    A fundamentally sound basketball player with ideal positional size and a strong feel for the game, [player_tooltip player_id='2202020' first='Avery' last='Lynch'] consistently shows the traits of a high level connective player. In key stretches, Lynch proved willing to make the right play and contribute all across the board— confidently connecting on perimeter shots as a spot up option, facilitating as a pin point passer to hit timely backdoor cutters, utilizing strong footwork paired with pump fakes and step throughs around in the lane to finish around the basket, and even battling on the boards to generate and capitalize off second chance opportunities on the offensive glass.     [player_tooltip player_id='2344528' first='Jahmal' last='Dixon'] put together another strong showing this past weekend, showcasing his strong feel for the game and knack for making high level plays. Dixon combined confident ball handling with a clear commitment to involving his teammates coupled with attacking the rim off the dribble. Dixon remained a constant scoring threat, using creativity off the bounce to break down defenders and finish around the basket with soft touch and craft. At the same time, Dixon stayed focused on setting others up, embracing an unselfish mindset and using his sharp court vision to keep teammates engaged within the flow of the offense.     Legitimately blossoming into one of the state's biggest stock risers in recent months, [player_tooltip player_id='2504903' first='Dylan' last='Cowell'] continued on that steady ascension. The skilled left handed tweener pairs impressive mobility for his size with a relentless motor, reflective of the clear strides in his development— finishing efficiently around the rim, producing from the dunker spot and on the block, especially showing increased patience in the low post pairing strong footwork and a collection of low post moves on the interior. Cowell was also extremely active on the defensive end of the floor, consistently high pointing rebounds on the glass while anchoring the defense as a rim protector who can also switch onto quicker guards and wings on the perimeter.     A prospect who immediately pops, Eddie Lopez initially stands out in the ways he showcases an impressive combination of offensive versatility and uncommon fluidity for his size. Lopez's ability to impact the game both in the paint and on the perimeter is where he impressed the most— particularly with a number of athletic and powerful above the rim finishes diving to the rim when penetrating guards drew help defense, attacking closeouts with swiftness off the bounce, running the floor in transition, and even slipping out of screens in PnR actions. All while also demonstrating his ability to drag opposing bigs out the paint and spacing the floor, stepping smoothly into in rhythm looks from three point range.     Nico Esposito, for quite some time now, has long carried the profile of a reliable perimeter knockdown option, and he validated that once again this weekend. Excelling in a role centered around particularly off ball movement and spot up shooting opportunities, Esposito was highly efficient percentage wise in showcasing his ability to consistently stretch the floor— demonstrating repeatable and compact shooting mechanics that feature a very soft outside touch and a smooth and high release that make him a consistent threat from three point range that defenses must always account for.

AAU season is officially underway, with teams traveling all throughout the country every weekend to compete in tournaments. Many programs have already gotten a few tune up events under their belts and are beginning to find their rhythm and develop on court chemistry. This past weekend, Hoop Group held its Jersey Jam Fest in Manalapan, NJ, bringing together a compelling mix of some of the state's better prospects. With that in mind, let's take another look at some 17U prospects who made a strong impression over the course of the weekend.