Manheim's Versatile W/F Prospects

New readers: Use code Proia30     I drove out to Manheim, Pennsylvania to cover Made Hoops' East Mania event featuring some of the top talent from the Northeast competing in a warmup spring AAU event. I got to see teams from across the major shoe circuits compete alongside some of the top independent circuits, including MH's MHC or MCC circuit teams. In this article we will break down some of the top frontcourt prospects that impacted the game at both ends of the floor for their teams. Let's dive in!    -Really loved Carpenter's play in a comeback win over a super scrappy Team Iverson group, especially at the defensive end of the floor. Carpenter's motor really stood out throughout the matchup as a physical wing defender that could chase guards around screens, switch onto bigs effectively and use his IQ to get around the seal for steals and deflections, and serve as a disruptive free safety off the ball adept at producing deflections. His positioning at the defensive end of the floor to force misses on perimeter jumpers or fade-away's without fouling has really improved to keep him on the floor for longer stretches of time. His ability to trace the ball with his hands effectively really negated his matchup's ability to pass the ball as he was switched onto different hot scorers to slow down their rhythm throughout the matchup.     19p 8r 1a vs Thrill   -Loved the versatility in Chwastyk's scoring throughout this game as an effective inside-out threat for a Team Final group that really pushed the pace. He started things off with B2B putback dunks as a big that was really difficult to keep off the glass, scored off a hard roll to the basket for an AND1 bucket, knocked down a C+S 3 from the wing on his only attempt from the perimeter on the night, and scored with the putback on 5/6 of his offensive rebounds. His physicality and footwork have improved to not only carve out space on the glass but create better finishing angles around the basket, and his ability to finish through contact was huge in Final coming away with a gritty win.     -A stockriser in our last two updates, I expect Tchoubfong to only continue that ascension in our rankings as a physical 2-way wing that really stood out for Durant in a hotly-contested win against Team Canada. Tchoubfong probably finished with a double-double in the matchup if I had statted the game, showing not only a great motor but great instincts especially on the offensive glass to create extra possessions for his team. His handle only continues to improve to accentuate the physicality of his downhill drives as Tchoubfong continually put pressure on the rim as a slasher. He scored on several putbacks, was a switchable defender that gave Durant some lineup flexibility, drove the ball C2C to score on face-up's or score with his back to the basket, and served as an effective connector on the wing or off the bounce as an unselfish passer.     -Man oh man did Tomlinson make his presence known for [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'], as the incoming freshman played up for a really talented 15u group. Tomlinson's impact at the defensive end of the floor really stood out throughout the game as he blocked 5 shots, hounding the basketball both on or off the ball as an explosive leaper that took pride in erasing shots both on the perimeter or around the hoop. Tomlinson can take his matchup off the bounce from the wings, scored on putbacks around the rim, and can knock down open perimeter jumpers without settling as a cerebral offensive weapon.     -First time that I have seen Barker play in a bit and he impressed as a physical forward prospect that makes his presence known in and around the paint. The timing and physicality of his duck-in's on the block has really improved as has his footwork around the basket to pivot his way to better finishing angles. Barker scored on short jumpers from the midpost, hit a few putbacks, executed two smooth baby hooks with his strong hand, and served as a defensive deterrent in help side in the key. Would not be surprised to see him get a healthy boost in our next set of updated rankings if he can prove to be a consistent producer in the paint.     7p 11r 4b vs Durant   -Loved Lee's contributions at both ends of the floor in a near-upset performance against a good Durant EYBL group. Lee almost finished with a double-double as an undersized forward prospect that made life really difficult around the basket for opponents trying to finish around the rim. I came away impressed with his defensive instincts to stay down on pump fakes to block shots effectively in the paint, hard hedge to keep guards looking to get downhill contained on the sideline, and ran the floor effectively to force the first man back to guard him and free up teammates on the perimeter. Truly unselfish teammate at both ends of the floor.

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