UAA Session I — More Midwest Names Making Strong Impressions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More names from around the region made early impacts at the first UAA stop in Kansas City this weekend, adding to an already deep and competitive field. I'll break down each player and what they showed — whether it was production, efficiency, or overall feel — as they got their spring and summer off to a strong start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2205710"],"_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-69e4d58fd8e93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kerrigan's weekend was defined by strong, rugged play on both ends. He brought a physical presence as a rebounder and defender while flashing moments on the offensive end. He helped initiate action with effective screening and dribble handoffs, found space, and showed he could play through contact inside while also stepping out when needed. He battled on the glass and added another dimension with the way he pursued the ball. From a physicality and effort standpoint, he was all over the floor at times, playing with a consistent motor throughout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2334971"],"_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-69e4d58fd8f30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the better defenders all weekend, Jackson was solid on the ball and especially impressive when walling up and contesting looks around the rim. He contained the ball off the bounce and consistently shut off driving angles. He was also strong in his communication, looking locked in and engaged on that end of the floor for long stretches. His lateral quickness and ability to defend multiple positions really stood out at times. Smith, a tough finisher around the rim, also stretched the floor with timely three-point shooting — adding another layer to his game and forcing defenses to adjust to his spacing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2646991"],"_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-69e4d58fd8fa7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An effective interior presence, Dzabatou was able to bang inside and provide interior scoring and strong defense for stretches. Used primarily as a screener, he consistently got free rolling to the rim, finishing with composure over length and weakside rotations. With his length and mobility, Ben also generated extra possessions through his activity on the offensive glass and willingness to fight for 50/50 balls — showing effort and a do-whatever-it-takes approach. Continuing to trend up, this summer will be important in seeing how he progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2419783"],"_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-69e4d58fd8ff4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sam's size and versatility showed up over the weekend, particularly when attacking or playing off the wing. Whether getting to the rim or operating in between, Church showed he could score the ball against different looks and rotations, finishing over contested hands. At times, he was also effective as a rebounder and created opportunities for teammates with his understanding and feel. That same versatility carried over defensively, where he showed promise guarding multiple positions and used his strength to his advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3595829,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kellen Murphy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Elkhorn North","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Midwest Roots","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e4d58fd90a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murphy got better as the weekend wore on, really coming into his own on Saturday as a scorer. He shot the lights out from deep, knocking down a multitude of long-range triples and showing his ability to get hot — and stay hot — from the perimeter. His ability to create and navigate space, combined with a quick release to get his shot off, was impressive. He was also effective as a secondary ball handler, looking comfortable creating with the ball in his hands and taking pressure off of other perimeter players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->