PH Chi-Town Tip Off: Max’s Post Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven of the post prospects who impressed over the weekend in Chicago at the Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3033269"],"_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-69de9e6e00cdf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Prentiss Gates was the best rim protector I saw all weekend. He's the type of prospect who can go a full game without scoring, and still be one of the most impactful players on the floor. I saw him in a matchup with [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] 15u where he blocked 4-5 shots while altering a handful of other looks around the rim. Already listed at 6'7, Prentiss has an impressive wingspan with the mobility to put himself in spots to make plays defensively. On the offensive end he showed the touch to finish with either hand, and was tough to stop when left isolated on the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2770487"],"_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-69de9e6e00d65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Darius was one of the most physically imposing prospects I saw at the event. He's a big and physical 6'10 center who's tough to stop on the block. Darius uses his strength to establish deep post position, winning the battle before the ball even comes his way. Once he received an entry pass he could simply drop-step and power his way up to finish. Soft touch with his left hand to finish just about everything inside. Intriguing blend of size, strength, and skill on the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2464702"],"_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-69de9e6e00dbc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elijah is an energetic and explosive forward with some length at 6'4-6'5 for Powerhouse MN. Over the weekend he was working hard on the glass, and was running the floor hard looking for transition opportunities. He was at his best getting out for transition finishes or stepping in from the dunker spot where he could explode to the rim. Effortlessly gets off the floor to finish over the top of shot blockers. He averaged 4.5 ppg this past season for St. Paul Johnson, but scored 15 and 18 in two section games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2323618"],"_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-69de9e6e00e0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On Saturday night [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] 3SSB was getting tested by a smaller and quicker team. That was until Alex took over to close out the first half. At 6'9 he was demanding the ball on the block, and came away with a handful of finishes within minutes. Alex showcased a quick spin move on the block to open up quality looks at the rim, and was quick off the floor for two handed dunks when he had a bit of space. All the attention he was garnering in the paint helped free up his shooters on the perimeter as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3219063"],"_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-69de9e6e00e58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another big and physical center in the [program_tooltip program_id='2626519' first='Drive' last='Pro Select'] program is [player_tooltip player_id='3219063' first='Hayden' last='Thompson']. In the game I watched Hayden spent time setting hard screens, using his length to prevent easy looks around the rim, and battling on the glass. Hard working big man who doesn't mind doing the dirty work for his team. I'd like to see him be a bit more confident/aggressive on the block, because he showed flashes of being able to create solid looks out of the block just about any time he wanted to with his strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2532003"],"_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-69de9e6e00ea2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joey was a key reason why [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] came away with a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='Meanstreets' last=''] EYBL on Saturday. The 6'7 forward is relentless on the glass, and came up with a number of second chance buckets for his team. As a defender you may be bigger than him or more athletic than him, but you aren't likely going to outwork him. Joey was cutting hard without the ball, beat opposing bigs up the floor in transition, and showed touch from beyond the arc throughout the weekend. He showed why he's one of the top forwards in Illinois' 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2415735"],"_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-69de9e6e00eea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlie may not have had his best finishing game when I was watching, but the versatility at 6'5 was still clear to see. He can play a number of spots on the floor, but was at his best making plays around the rim. Someone who can pull in double digit rebounds on a consistent basis as he's worked to be stronger and more agile than most other guys at 6'5. Charlie runs the floor hard in transition, can attack and make plays off the dribble, and defends just about every spot on the floor. He'll likely lead Midwest Mayhem in scoring most games, but can also find ways to contribute when his shot isn't falling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->