The Film Room, Part I — Live Period Sleepers Across the Region

With the first live period now in the books, several regional prospects showed they are more than comfortable in competitive environments. I'll break down the film from those performances and highlight the names that flashed — and more importantly, why they did. The exposure and momentum built during this stretch should help propel these prospects into the summer months, where opportunities will be at a premium.    Aghaeze's play in Memphis definitely turned heads, leading the way with his quickness and decisiveness as a true lead guard. Offensively, he was difficult for defenders to keep in front, using his change of pace, feel, and ability to play in scramble situations. Joe operated almost exclusively in ball-screen situations, reading coverages, getting downhill, and stretching defenses with his perimeter shooting. Add in what looks to be a growing in-between game and you can see the makings of a three-level scorer. He also proved effective playing off the ball, consistently finding space and making himself available off teammate drives. Aghaeze connected on multiple deep three-pointers throughout the weekend, showing both impressive range and an efficient long-range stroke.     With all the talent Gateway has, it can be easy for a player to get lost, even when they're both effective and dynamic. Woods, however, consistently stood out in Dallas as one of the tougher overall guards. Despite his 6'2" frame, he plays much bigger than his size and is relentless in his attack on the rim. Jayden is explosive in transition, rising above the rim and finishing with power. He consistently found gaps in the defense and was able to score through traffic off the bounce, while also providing value as a secondary cutter, playing off bigger bodies who draw attention facing up. Defensively, Jayden applies pressure on ball handlers and has a knack for turning aggressive defense into quick offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates on the other end.     VanDellen had what you could call a breakout performance during the live period in Kansas City. His perimeter shooting came through in a big way, helping stretch defenses and spark multiple scoring runs that shifted offensive momentum. Vince played well off screens but also showed a strong feel in advantage situations, finding open space and relocating to generate clean looks. There were no signs of hesitation in his game — he consistently let it fly when the ball found his hands, showing confidence and rhythm from anywhere on the floor. His size and quick release also allow him to shoot over smaller defenders or pull bigger defenders away from the basket, creating tough matchup problems. Vince also mixed it up on the interior at times, as both a defender and rebounder.     Gatwech draws your attention immediately with his combination of size, length, and two-way athleticism. He challenges almost everything at the rim while also keeping perimeter players in front and under pressure. He allowed his team to be versatile on the defensive end and use his insticnts as a weapon. While Goay showed he can score around the rim, it was his perimeter shooting that really flashed in Ohio and showed he can develop into a legitimate wing who provides value on both ends of the floor. A versatile piece, consistency will be key as he continues to play this spring and summer — he could be a name whose value skyrockets as more programs start to take notice.     If you're looking for a knockdown shooter with strong positional size, Mehrhoff is your guy. While he's had a strong spring overall, his performance this past live period only further reinforced his consistent and steady approach, bringing two-way value regularly. Griffin picks and chooses his spots efficiently, embracing a complementary role alongside a talented group around him. He was at his best as a catch-and-shoot threat, most often spotting up on the wing in both transition and in half-court situations. His quick release allows him to get shots off cleanly against longer defenders and in moments when the defense is scrambling. With his physical frame, he's also shown the ability to hold his own defensively and contribute on the glass in spurts.     Holman put together another strong weekend, continuing to show the tough, rugged style of play that defines his game on both ends of the floor. He operated with the ball in his hands more than I've seen in the past, consistently getting downhill and creating offense off paint touches. His handle held up well under pressure, and his powerful frame allowed him to get to his spots when needed. Dailan's perimeter shooting also proved to be a factor, while his ability to finish in transition remained a clear strength. Defensively, there are very few questions about what he brings to the table. He competes at a high level on that end, has the versatility to defend multiple positions, and consistently hits the glass to close out possessions.     Few players around the region are playing better than McCollum, yet he still appears to be somewhat overlooked. In Memphis, he continued his strong play, creating space off the dribble and showing he needs very little room to get to his shot. His three-point range was deep all weekend, and he consistently found gaps coming off ball screens and dribble handoffs, reading defensive coverages well. Tate also flashed a developing transition game, getting to the rim or sprinting to the three-point line in open-court situations. His strong play should start to generate interest from programs sooner rather than later.     Another pure shooter, Tabash was highly effective over the weekend, showing he can generate offense both on the ball and off it. With a frame that still appears to be filling out as he adds size and strength, he brings a different style to the floor. His suddenness off the dribble and ability to get into his pull-up quickly allowed him to create separation and consistently find his spots to knock down shots. Jackson consistently slides into open areas on the perimeter, positioning himself to capitalize on defensive rotations and shoot over closeouts. With a quick release and deep range, his floor spacing created driving lanes for teammates and opened up significant gaps in the defense.

With the first live period now in the books, several regional prospects showed they are more than comfortable in competitive environments. I'll break down the film from those performances and highlight the names that flashed — and more importantly, why they did. The exposure and momentum built during this stretch should help propel these prospects into the summer months, where opportunities will be at a premium.