Houston Heat Check: 17U Complete Players

Every tournament I attend, I end up seeing players that make me stop and simply appreciate what I'm watching. Impressive on both ends, no quit in their games, competitive nature through the roof. Below are a handful of student athletes that displayed just that at Houston Heat Check.    I was blown away by the talents displayed by Aiden on both ends of the floor. He moves at his own pace, and he has the skill to do so - no one is going to speed him up or slow him down no matter how hard they try. He has a large frame and a physical presence that he takes advantage of often - consistently creating havoc for his opponents on defense and getting whatever he wants inside the paint and out on the offensive end. He has the ability to make multiple adjustments in the air so it's hard to defend his attacks on the rim. He's also a knockdown shooter and can create plenty of space for himself, so he's a nightmare for any opposing defender. His IQ is through the roof, and he has quick hands that he uses to rack up steals. I didn't see Olivarez get bothered or upset once throughout his games, but he's NEVER disengaged - basically makes a positive impact on every play he's involved in. His demeanor and skills remind me of Kawhi.     William is a familiar face for me, and I always enjoy watching him play because of the effort he puts in on both ends. He's incredibly fast with an excellent handle and can create his own shots any time he wants. On defense, he has sneaky hands and no problem guarding his man in a full court press. He gets to the line with regularity and he's an amazing rebounder and distributor. He can be a fiery player, which comes from his competitive nature and contributes positively to multiple areas of his game. One of my favorite moments of the tournament was watching him make a couple mistakes in his first game of the weekend toward the end of regulation, which led to OT. What did he do? Didn't hang his head. Next play mentality. That competitive fire wasn't fazed at all. He absolutely dominated overtime and willed his team to an 11-point victory in the clutch.     Uriah's elite handle and excellent footwork make him a nightmare cover for any opposing guard. He's a wonderful finisher at the rim and he's smart - consistently making the right plays and getting the best shots. His speed is incredibly impressive, and his motor never seems to wane on either end of the floor. His jumper is pretty and his range extends nicely beyond the arc. He brings that same energy as a defender, never shying away from a full court press and constantly disrupting passing lanes and snagging the ball from lazier dribblers. He's great at finishing through contact and he loves to dribble behind his back when pulling up - naturally creating just enough space for himself to sink yet another basket.     Kadyn is everywhere on the floor and such a thrill to watch. Any loose ball or casual handler, he's going to fight for the rock like his life depends on it - leading to so many extra possessions and jump balls. His footwork is impeccable and he can create his own offense whether it's in the lane, mid-range, or beyond the arc. He's aggressive defensively, but not in a way that's going to get him fouled out. He racks up steals whistle-free and secures the paint nicely when rebounding. He's an incredibly clever, aware player on both ends. I saw him make a putback before the half that was perfectly timed to leave his hands right before the buzzer. He gets great elevation on his jumper, which makes it nearly impossible to block or alter, and he makes excellent decisions at the rim.     Pierce has an excellent shooting touch and is a fantastic decision-maker on both ends of the floor. His IQ is sky high, and he knows how to be effective in nearly every situation he finds himself in. Offensively, he has stellar footwork and a fantastic ability to handle the ball and create his own offense. He sees plays through and often doesn't take the first opportunity. he seeks out the best one - whether that's a high-percentage shot for himself or a quick dish to an open teammate. He creates chaos nicely on defense and is always involved in getting stops and forcing turnovers. Jacobson is naturally gifted and he does a great job of executing on that talent while simultaneously elevating his teammates.

Every tournament I attend, I end up seeing players that make me stop and simply appreciate what I'm watching. Impressive on both ends, no quit in their games, competitive nature through the roof. Below are a handful of student athletes that displayed just that at Houston Heat Check.