17U Wings and Forwards Who Made an Impact at Great Lakes Finals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The&nbsp;17U division at Great Lakes Finals&nbsp;had plenty of physicality, athleticism, and toughness. Several wings and forwards stood out because they brought energy, versatility, and the ability to impact the game in more than one area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2491667"],"_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-6a15f76ac3dd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2491667' first='Mason' last='Hitchcock'] gave Rise Elite a strong forward presence. He showed good activity and gave his team size and toughness in the frontcourt. Hitchcock looked comfortable competing inside and gave Rise Elite a player who could help on the glass and around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2846390"],"_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-6a15f76ac3e63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2846448' first='Eugene' last='North Jr.'] was another combo wing who stood out for Rise Elite. He brought physical tools and gave his team another frontcourt option. North has the size and presence to impact possessions, especially when he is active defensively and on the boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3594454"],"_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-6a15f76ac3ec4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3594454' first='Chase' last='Jonathon Howard'] gave Rise Elite more depth and versatility. He showed flashes as a player who can contribute in different ways. Howard's activity and willingness to compete helped him stand out within a strong group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382053"],"_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-6a15f76ac3f2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2382053' first='Tofunmi' last='Ibikunle'] was the heart and soul type of player for London Rambles. He brought grit, energy, and toughness every time he was on the floor. Ibikunle did a lot of the little things that help teams win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He was active defensively, slashed through gaps, and made a major impact on the offensive glass. His ability to guard multiple positions also made him valuable. Players like Ibikunle may not always need plays called for them, but they change the game with effort and intensity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2818438"],"_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-6a15f76ac3fa4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2818438' first='Isaiah' last='Slay'] showed impressive versatility as an athletic wing. He has a natural feel for the game and looked comfortable attacking downhill. Slay can finish at the rim in different ways and also showed vision when the game opened up in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His ability to score and create for others makes him a dynamic piece for London Rambles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2882512"],"_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-6a15f76ac401f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooper Malaski gave PSB a stretch-forward option. He can finish around the rim and also step out and shoot it a little. That skill set makes him valuable because he can space the floor while still giving his team size inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17U wing and forward group had a lot of variety. Some players brought toughness and defense. Others brought scoring, athleticism, or floor spacing. Hitchcock, North, Howard, Ibikunle, Slay, and Malaski all found ways to impact the game at the Great Lakes Finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->