Night One at The Liberty Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is some of the up-and-coming New Jersey talent that caught our eyes at our recent Liberty Games event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3605869"],"_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-6a108bd5b8022"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lefty combo guard. His team played down the entire game, but it did not discourage him from playing hard on both ends. Showed the ability to score in the short post with his back to the basket, especially on the left side of the court. Shot 3-6 from 3 with all three made 3's coming off the bounce in an ISO scenario. He was very effective in transition, displaying a downhill, fluid pace to get to the rim, but also made a nice floater in the lane. Very athletic and aggressive with a strong body, but never showed a sloppy, out-of-control feel. Understood where on the court he needed to get to and was very aggressive about getting there with purpose. When things slowed down on the offensive end, he did seem bored at times, drifting to the corners. He was getting denied in the second half a lot and let the defense control his touches. When he did touch it, they sent two at him, and did get sped up, forcing bad shots and possessions. Defensively, he was engaged and used his athletic nature to have 3 blocks. Would like to see him stay engaged off the ball and not lose sight of his man, got beat a few times on backdoor cuts and offensive rebounds by his matchup. If he can keep his long wing span up and in passing lanes, he can really be a defensive showstopper. If he can continue to improve his consistency from three, build on his offensive shot-making ability off the bounce, stay engaged on both ends for every possession, and keep taking pride in using his athletic motor on the defensive end, Naeem is setting up nicely to have a productive season ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2327063"],"_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-6a108bd5b806d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jason showed great presence on both ends in a late Friday night game. Came off the bench for his team and brought tremendous energy and length. Showed a very meaningful ability to lock down his matchup, using his strength to limit space in the lane, and also gave his team protection at the rim. He was quiet and seemed passive with his teammates, but instead led by example, sprinting in transition and presented himself above the rim a few times for explosive dunks. Was able to catch some tough passes in and around the basket, showing great hands. Would like to see him be more aggressive on the catch and face, as well as show that he can stretch the floor from the perimeter.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Blake Amos-Whitfield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lawrence High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='2078595' first='Young' last='Sports Unlimited Elite']","_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-6a108bd5b80d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The best defender I saw at this event. Was down in a stance, stayed down and locked in, and displayed quick lateral feet. Had great activity off the ball and took pride in his hand-to-hand combat with his matchups. Had several steals that he was able to convert in transition with an array of finishes, including a floater, pull-up, and at-the-rim layups with both hands. More of a slasher type than a spot-up shooter. His ability to finish with his left hand was the most impressive part of his offensive bag. Will need to work on his offensive moves off the dribble and becoming more of a threat from 3.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tre'on Haupt","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Raptors Elite","_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-6a108bd5b811b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Very efficient and productive guard for his size. Made 4 threes all off the catch in this game. Has a quick release but struggled creating space to get his shot off when off the bounce. He was a pest on the defensive end, creating several turnovers when he sped up his opponent. Has extremely quick speed with the ball in the open court by using his first dribble in transition with purpose downhill. The only issue with his speed with the dribble was getting too deep in the lane and being smothered by the size and length of others. Watch out for him being a high motor scorer next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3574225"],"_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-6a108bd5b813b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lefty with good size and length, a small forward who has a high motor. Had many deflections due to his activity and effort. Sprinted rim to rim hard, which might not have led to a direct bucket but indirectly stole attention and gave his teammates open looks. Was quiet on the offensive end but set solid screens and rolled hard. Was able to rebound and outlet quickly. Would like to see him get more aggressive and demand touches with confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3633464"],"_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-6a108bd5b8159"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shooting guard who hit his first three attempts off the catch. Was also able to use a ball screen and read the defense, with an elite pull-up score. In transition, he was not afraid to get to the rim and use his body in traffic. Was bouncing off bigger bodies like a bowling ball and stayed under control with limited turnovers. He is an excellent shooter, but needs to get quicker with the ball to get in the lane and create for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3580476"],"_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-6a108bd5b8175"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long and active point forward type. Very smooth moving with the ball and showed an ability to knock down shots from all over the court. Has a high release point with great form. Showed that he can guard smaller guards as well as plotty bigs. I enjoyed watching him grab a rebound, use his dribble to start the break, make a few moves in traffic, and explode to the rim with body control, finishing with ease. Excited to see where he can take his game further, as he has the tools to be a great fit in CBA's high-octane system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->