Live Period Preview, Part III — Buzzing Regional Wings to Know

While guard play and interior size remain vital, the versatility and impact that true wings bring to the floor are just as important. With the combination of size, athleticism, and two-way ability the position now demands, wing play is better than ever, and several regional prospects are starting to push their way onto recruiting radars after strong early spring performances. This weekend's Live Period should give college coaches an even better look at some of the following players. I'll break down what each prospect does well and where they'll be playing throughout the weekend.    Pickren continues to fly under the radar, but he's definitely not letting that affect his play on the floor. At UAA Session I in Kansas City, he really came on strong and played some of his best basketball as the weekend went on. There's a lot to like about the experienced wing — his size and strength, his understanding of when and how to attack, and the way his skill set translates on both ends. Heading into UAA Session II this weekend in Ohio, look for Kylan to pick up right where he left off by getting downhill, finishing through contact, and playing above the rim in transition. If his perimeter shooting stays consistent throughout the weekend, watch out — he could quickly become a very attractive recruit for a number of next-level programs.     Known as a knockdown shooter, Chapman continues to stretch out and add durability to his frame, and it's added another element to his game this spring. He's become much more active around the rim and has used his size well on the offensive glass. As he continues to add layers to his game throughout the spring and summer, his development will be one to monitor closely. Like most great shooters, he does a great job of finding space in transition and runs the floor well. With his positional size, if he puts together a strong weekend in Tulsa at the Pro16 and NXTPro Live Period — especially on the defensive end — his shooting ability will continue to attract programs looking for a much-needed floor spacer at the next level.     Ray has taken a big jump, now playing against high-level competition in the EYBL, and he's still working to fully come into his own. He would likely tell you his play hasn't been as consistent as he'd like this spring, but he's still shown plenty of flashes. His physical ability isn't in question, especially coming off what he was able to do during the high school season. At this point, it's more about finding his fit and getting comfortable alongside a strong group of elite playmakers he's sharing the floor with. Look for Tyler's slashing and transition game to be a focal point. This upcoming Live Period weekend is a great opportunity for Tyler, who is one of the more physical and athletic wings in the region. I expect a more productive showing from him, coming in with an attack-first mentality at EYBL Session II in Memphis.     Verges' rise over the past year has been substantial, and this spring he's showing no signs of slowing down. With length and athleticism at the foundation of his game, you're seeing a confident player who can get to the rim or operate in space on the perimeter. He's finishing well above the rim and flashing both power and flair in transition. His length also pays off defensively, allowing him to cover a lot of ground and defend multiple positions. He legitimately plays end to end and brings an aggressive, attacking mindset every time he steps on the floor. College coaches need to get on Damarion now, as he still has plenty of room to grow and develop — which might be the scariest part about his game. There's no doubt he'll be an impact player at the EYCL Live Period in Memphis this coming weekend.     If there's a tougher player in Missouri, I'd have a hard time believing it. Duke is the type of player who does whatever is needed to win games. He may not pass the eye test with all the physical measurables, but he can flat-out play. Deceptively quick with the ball in his hands, once he gets his shoulders downhill he's a load attacking the rim, showing time and time again that contact doesn't bother him. He can face up, operate off the wing, and stretch the floor — all while handling the ball and facilitating offense at times. Chase makes his presence known defensively as well. He's not afraid to pressure ball handlers and really mix it up inside if switched onto bigger players. One of the more exciting players to watch in person, you can catch him this weekend at the EYCL Live Period in Memphis — a sleeper next-level recruit who should see a lot more programs showing interest this spring and summer.     Powell is about as versatile as they come, and he's created mismatch after mismatch throughout the spring. Just from the eye test, he looks like the prototypical wing with the length and athletic ability to develop into a true two-way player. He's filled up box scores with his ability to score, defend, and rebound, checking a lot of boxes that next-level programs want to see. What makes him most intriguing is that he doesn't need the ball in his hands to leave his fingerprints on games. He consistently finds different ways to make his presence felt, whether that's through energy plays, rebounding, or defending multiple positions. Leon should be easy to spot this weekend in Kansas City at the RecruitLook Live Period — playing up and down, soaring above the rim in transition, and competing with one of the better motors in the region.     The spring has been good to Thomas so far, as he's trending in a positive direction while benefiting from playing alongside a high-level supporting cast. Mike is a crafty, left-handed wing whose development on the perimeter has steadily improved over the past year. He's really come into his own as a shooter, showing both accuracy and consistency from beyond the arc in Kansas City at UAA Session I. He's also shown a good feel for finding space — whether drifting or lifting into different areas on the floor — and reads defensive rotations well. In the midrange or with his back to the basket, he can fade and lean to create separation, almost always getting to his shot. Defensively, he recovers and rotates well, often using his length to disrupt passing lanes and contest or block shots. Another weekend at UAA Session II in Ohio should bring continued success, especially on the offensive end for Mike.     The more you watch Holman play, the more impressed you come away with what he brings to the floor. While he may not be a household name yet, he's been hard to miss throughout the spring. Dailan plays with a different kind of edge on the wing, using his physicality and strength to his advantage on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he really sits down and competes, using his strength, explosiveness, active hands, and quick first step to defend multiple positions and create disruptions. He's an unselfish offensive player, attacking in advantage situations with his wide shoulders and low center of gravity as he gets to the rim. His best offensive trait is clearly his slashing ability. He doesn't need to dominate the ball, often getting downhill in just a few dribbles while also showing he can make plays as a passer when needed. Holman will be one to watch this weekend in Kansas City at the RecruitLook Live Period.     Alholm, an athletic forward, has slowly been making the transition to more wing play this spring, and he's had a lot of success in transition. He can push the pace with or without the ball and put pressure on the rim with his ability to finish up and over — or around — defenders. Cade has a knack for finding the paint in the half court and can even fall back on playing with his back to the basket in certain matchups. Defensively, he's taken on a variety of assignments, often matching up with opposing wings or guards and keeping them in front while still being able to battle inside. He'll have a chance to showcase more of his developing perimeter game this weekend in Kansas City at the RecruitLook Live Period. If the shooting continues to come along and he can consistently create openings off the bounce, there's more than enough there for coaches to like what they see.     Hawkins' development and improvement have been interesting to follow recently, as he appears to be in a really good spot with his overall game. An extremely underrated athlete, he's quicker than expected in the open floor and can really push the tempo with the ball in his hands. He gets to two feet often, showing a patient approach as a finisher while creating and finding space through pivots and footwork. With his high release, he can also get his shot off whenever he wants, making him a tough cover for opponents. He's able to play in ball-screen actions as a versatile screener or move well off the ball using pin-downs and different actions to create space, where he shows a strong feel for reading defenders. John will be in Dallas this weekend at the P32 Live Period event, playing alongside some big-time names that should bring plenty of coaches his way — a great opportunity for him to capitalize and make a statement for himself.     Another blue-collar type of perimeter player who brings a true Swiss Army knife mentality to the floor, Abbott's game always seems to show up, and this spring he's made a big splash early. While his perimeter shooting is obviously a strength, it's been his slashing and attacking game that may be the most impressive part of his recent play. With positional size and strength, he's finishing with power at the rim and uses a quick first step to create angles and find openings as a driver. He also moves well without the ball, consistently finding space with second cuts and making himself available within the offense. Evan is a heady player who already carries a next-level demeanor about himself. With recent recruiting attention picking up, the EYCL Live Period in Memphis should only add to the momentum. Coaches need to get in on him now — he looks poised to become one of the top players in the region by the end of the summer.

While guard play and interior size remain vital, the versatility and impact that true wings bring to the floor are just as important. With the combination of size, athleticism, and two-way ability the position now demands, wing play is better than ever, and several regional prospects are starting to push their way onto recruiting radars after strong early spring performances. This weekend's Live Period should give college coaches an even better look at some of the following players. I'll break down what each prospect does well and where they'll be playing throughout the weekend.